It was another two hours before Genus and Armored Gorilla were able to leave with a whole slew of new recipe and ingredient ideas. Inichi informed them both to think of him and he would assist. It was nearing dusk at last, but Saitama was wide awake. The power coursing through him and out of him didn't make him feel the least bit of exhaustion. He knew it may change the moment it started to die off.

"I'm letting you know right now that I'm sorry if I don't let you get some sleep," he muttered and kissed Mitsumi's forehead.

"I figured as much," she smiled and nestled into his protective, glowing embrace. He turned to glare at the door when someone approached it. "Hmm?"

"Someone at the door…" he mumbled and sighed.

"Dad! It's Zenchu! He has some dessert," Fumio said through the chat.

"Oh! Okay," Saitama nodded. While they got catered to, Fumio announced he was going to go for a small walk outside. Saitama blinked and said through the chat, "That's fine. Have someone keep watch on you. Okay?"

"Yeah," Fumio agreed and set the headset down. Kamikaze watched him leave the apartment and continued to tend to Tacki in his lap. Fumio saw Zip in the distance, and he realized that he was going to be silently followed for safety. He found himself moving to sit where the fire pit was and he sighed to himself. Then he looked up to see Garou flying down to land by him.

"Hey, kid," Garou said.

"Huh? Oh. You're new here? I think I saw you before we went to Bane's place. Inichi brought you here?" Fumio asked. "Mom and Dad talked to you?"

"Who?" Garou asked.

"Dad. Um…Saitama. And Mom. Lady Mitsumi. They adopted me after I got cured from being a fish monster. I wanted to be cured," Fumio chuckled. "My name is Fumio."

"Fumio, huh? Okay. And…really? They adopted you? What did they do to help you? What's your story?" Garou asked and found himself sitting next to him. He was genuinely curious now.

"Well, I'm only fourteen. I liked swimming in koi ponds and I fell asleep one day while I was swimming in the pond. I woke up as a fish monster until Mom found me and woke me up. I went home to my then mom, and she kicked me out. She couldn't take it. I later found out she was happier without me there. My then dad had left us for another girl a few years back. I look a lot like him, and it made my then mom secretly mad," he sighed. "Now I'm fully adopted and happy! No papers, but I don't care. I'm home."

"You were abandoned by your mother?!" Garou asked with disgust. "For being changed into a monster?!"

"Yep. Don't worry about it. I'm happy. I hope she's happy and starts a new life. I don't care about that anymore. I'm happy with how I am now. I have great teachers, ultra strong parents, gonna learn about swords and a lot of other things!" Fumio grinned.

"Huh," Garou thought it over.

"What's with you? Why are you here?" Fumio asked.

"I don't know why I'm here," Garou admitted. "I feel like…I need to find something. I just don't know what it is."

"Maybe it's a life with new meaning?" Fumio asked.

"New meaning?" Garou looked at him.

"Well, did Mom wake you up?"

"Ah…I smelled those flowers. They sort of…calmed me down. I just wanted to fuck up the world. I got stopped. Slapped by that guy and almost barreled down. He was ready to kill me! Then that girl…she showed up and stopped him. Even after I insulted her, she still helped me! And it was from those freaky fans that I got that smell. Then I learned it was from a flower," Garou sighed and shrugged.

"Oh! I know what you're talking about. The white ones. Yeah. She woke me up with that, too. Just the image. We didn't have the smell to them yet. She woke pretty much all of us up with that flower image. She has silk ones, but then we found the real ones. That was when we discovered Wind Crane.

"We needed all ten Wind Crane Clan fans to help free her. We thought she died long ago! She was hidden for six hundred years and finally starving to death! She couldn't just tell us her condition. I'm sure we all would have panicked and just made things worse on trying to rescue her. I'm glad we got to her when we did," Fumio said with relief.

"Really?!" Garou asked with surprise.

"Yeah. Wind Crane is the massive bird monster. She hatched from an egg, so she's a true monster. But she woke up long ago. She's the founder of the Wind Crane Clan that Mom is in."

"I was told that," Garou said lightly with a nod. "And Wind Crane…she gave me a challenge. She wanted me to try and defeat my own inner monster. I don't know what she meant by that."

"Well…do you still feel like messing up the world?" Fumio asked.

"Not anymore…"

"Do you feel like hurting people?"

"Huh. No."

"You just want to leave in peace?"

"I…yeah…"

"You're awake!" Fumio said with a sensation of joy. "You're free of the monster garbage! You can turn a new leaf now! A new life!"

"Ah…" Garou paused with complete shock.

"You can stay as a monster, you know. Or see if you can change back and forth like Rendor can. You'd have to experiment on that. I'd have no idea," Fumio shrugged. "If you wanna be human again, we could see what we can do."

"I'd have to think about that," Garou said. "I know I can't ever go back to my old life, though. I sort of…killed that."

"No need to. Just stay here with us!" Fumio grinned. "Zenchu was the Murdering Shadow for eighty years until Mom woke him up first. He found her in the flower field. He was gonna kill her! But the flowers woke him up. Like you, he found peace. He vowed to protect Mom right then and there. And he killed others that hunted her down from who she was, too."

"Looks like I need a chat with Zenchu…" Garou mused.

"Sure," Zenchu said when he shadow phased over. Garou looked over with a bit of surprise. "I move in the shadows. It's a trait that kept my ass out of trouble. And pissed off a lot of people when they only found scenes of death and blood behind me. Congratulations on freeing yourself of your mindless need to kill, though. That's tough to acknowledge."

"How's Mom and Dad?" Fumio asked.

"Saitama is getting his ass laid every second right now. It's the only thing that's keeping him from coming out and killing every single one of us," Zenchu said with a heavy sigh. Fumio rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"What?!" Garou asked.

"Yeah. He needs to have constant sex with Lady Mitsumi or he gets ultra pissed. You think pent up sexual frustration is not a thing? It makes a two-year-old having a tantrum look like nothing compared to what he has. You saw that death ray he did! Didn't you? That was only excess burn off. Right now, he can do who knows how many of those and not even break a sweat," Zenchu said. "Just knocking on the door pisses him off right now."

"Ah…fuck…" Garou blinked.

"Point made," Zenchu nodded. "Couldn't have said it better."

"Will that end?" Garou asked now.

"It will. In two days. Roughly," Zenchu shrugged. "Lady Mitsumi is in the fertile point of her bodily status. He wants a kid with her. His power also wants a kid with her. Wind Crane warned us that this was gonna happen. She sensed it. Being around women most of her life from the clan let her know things."

"So, if I tried to approach him right now…?" Garou asked.

"He slapped you and kicked your ass through a mountain wall. If he slaps you now, you'd go through five buildings and likely land in the middle of the ocean," Zenchu said seriously. "Don't push your luck."

"Shit…" Garou said. "You're that serious."

"Very," Zenchu nodded. "So, I'm gonna ask you. What do you plan to do right now? With your new awakening? Stay? Leave? Cure yourself?"

"I don't know," Garou said and shrugged.

"I can get another for you to talk to. If you want?" Fumio asked.

"Like who?" Garou asked.

"Me," Inichi said when he floated over. "It's easy for me to listen to conversations. I'm remaining as a monster for obvious reasons. I showed you everything about Lady Mitsumi when she asked for you to know. What more is there to say? Her life was forfeit the moment her false mother became a monster. If it wasn't for Mr. Saitama, we'd still be in hiding. He gave us a chance to live. To be accepted. What more is there to ask for?"

"I still find it hard to believe that monsters are finally being seen as good in the eyes of people," Garou said. "I always wanted the monster to win. Even in the old kid shows. But then a hero would come out and kill the monster! Every time! Even as a kid…I always got put as the monster to get beaten up in play. And I always got beaten up if I tried to show that I had the ability to fight back."

"Bullied, too, eh?" Zenchu mused. "I just got tired of getting pushed around and getting the short end of the stick, myself. It's why I made a crappy potion to get back at everyone. I became a monster to kick everyone else down. Does that explain how you felt?"

"Yes! That!" Garou said. Now he paused when Zenchu put out a hand.

"Brother?" Zenchu grinned. Garou looked at the offered hand before finally reaching out to grasp it and shake it.

"Brother," Garou said with his own nod.

"Welcome to our little family, Garou," Inichi chuckled. "Take your time to think about what you want to do. Don't worry about Bane. We can work with him. You'll never need to see him again, either. Just mind your manners. Don't attack recklessly anymore. If you want an actual room or a true place to call home, we can build something for you easily."

"I never really had a home before," Garou sighed.

"Now you do," Zenchu nodded. Wind Crane strode up now to regard Garou and clacked her beak with approval. "You passed her test. Good job."

:THE CHOICE IS YOURS ON THE PATH TO FOLLOW. DO YOU REMAIN AS YOU ARE? DO YOU REVERT TO WHAT YOU ONCE WERE? SHALL YOU ATTEMPT TO BE BOTH? WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, IT MATTERS NOT. YOU ARE NOW FAMILY. YOU HAVE A HOME.:

"A home…" Garou said softly. Fumio looked at him and nodded.

"Yeah. You're home," Fumio beamed at him. "I gotta get back inside. I don't want Dad to start thinking something's wrong and start getting pissed at everyone. I'll see you tomorrow, Garou!"

"Yeah…" Garou nodded and watched Fumio run off. "It feels…different now. I can't really explain it."

"You feel a sense of relief that you can finally be what you wish to be. With no limitations," Inichi said. Garou looked at him with shock. "Any path is open to you now. Do you continue down the path as a monster? Or not? That choice is yours to make now. No one is forcing you. It's all you, as they say."

"Just don't fuck with Saitama. Ever," Zenchu warned. "He will protect you now that you are family. And, I'll just say this, it's nice that we have a very strong hero that is willing to watch our backs and give us a chance."

"Huh. I didn't see it that way before," Garou admitted. "Let me know when he's free of his need for sex."

"Will do," Zenchu grinned. "And if you ever want to shoot the shit, just let me know. I'll hang with ya."

"Good," Garou chuckled.

"Ugh. The language…disgusting…" Inichi cringed. Wind Crane looked at Zenchu to lightly peck at him.

"What?! Ow! Stop it!" Zenchu grimaced and got Garou laughing at him. "She's my girlfriend. So…"

"What?" Garou asked with surprise.

"Yeah. I think we had sex? I have no idea what it was. But…" Zenchu shrugged. Now Garou was just staring at him and speechless.

"We need to go inside. Garou, if you require anything, think to me," Inichi said and floated back to the apartment to see to the needs of those inside.

"Fumio said that Rendor was able to change back and forth. I think that was his name?" Garou thought aloud.

"Yep. A relic with a monster spirit in it possessed him. We destroyed the relic, but he has a pact with it now. He can become a monster to protect and attack intruders. He can become human again to blend in with the crowds. Ah, massive word of warning. His girl is Tatsumaki. Also known as Terrible Tornado. She's rank 2 in S class. Saitama is rank 3. Technically, he should be past her. He should be rank 1. But Lady Mitsumi is rank 4. He will not allow himself to go past rank 3 to always have her in line behind him now. Don't piss off Tatsumaki," Zenchu said gravely.

"She's…that bad?" Garou asked.

"Once again, she's rank 2. She's like Inichi. She can move things and crush things with her mind. She can't talk like him, though, unless he initiates it. Same thing with reading minds. She's also a bit of a…child mindset from this. She's getting better, though! Rendor has been helping her with that. Just don't piss her off. She will level an entire city on you before you can blink. She can also fling you into outer space," Zenchu warned again. "Her younger sister is Fubuki. She's B class and rank 1. She's also partnered to Inichi. She can also move stuff around with her mind. Just not as strong as her sister."

"I'm living in a hornets nest. Aren't I?" Garou asked.

"If you piss off the wrong people, yes," Zenchu said with a nod. "Even the wrong monsters. Just act cool. Act calm. Show you don't want to kill anyone unless they intrude on us or want to hurt us. That's how you survive here. Pretty easy after a while."

"Hey," Rendor said when he arrived with Tatsumaki. She let him down and stood next to him in her usual black dress. "You wanted to chat?"

"Oh. Ah…yeah…" Garou said.

"Don't be stupid. Okay? We'll talk," Tatsumaki nodded. "And so you know, I would have killed your stupid ass a long time ago if it wasn't for Rendor!"

"Tatsi…" Rendor sighed.

"Sorry…" she winced and let him hug her. "I'm trying."

"I know. I appreciate it," Rendor chuckled and kissed her. "You are getting better. Much better. Okay? I love you for trying. And I'm proud of you."

"Rendor…" she blushed softly and snuggled into him.

"Yeah. Don't piss her off," Rendor warned.

"I don't really recognize you," Garou said.

"Ah. I was in my monster form when we met. It helped with the cold. You may have met me as this…" Rendor said and let his massive monster form reveal itself. He roared when the change was completed and looked at Garou with a burning orange light in his eyes. "Now?"

"Yeah. That form I saw," Garou said with amazement. Tatsumaki floated up to sit on his shoulder and pat his full lion's mane to make him chuckle in a gravelly voice.

"I want you around. Always," she said and hugged his furry tiger neck. He purred and snuggled her back.

"How…did you start to hook up…?" Garou asked.

"I gave her cookies," Rendor chuckled.

"Yes. He did. And now he gives her sex," Zenchu grinned wickedly.

"Tatsi, can you fling him into a building? He can regenerate," Rendor said. Now Zenchu gaped and shook his head frantically to get Garou dying with laughter. She lifted him up effortlessly into the air and looked at Rendor.

"Where do I throw him?" she grinned lightly. Wind Crane clucked softly and started to peck at Zenchu's levitated form. "Oh! Even better!"

"Stop! I give!" Zenchu begged and got dropped. "Owwww!"

"This happens all the time," Rendor said to Garou. "Anyways…questions?"

"Yeah. How do you change back and forth?" Garou asked.

"It's complicated to explain, so I'll tell you my story and lead up to it," Rendor said and sat down for the others to sit with him. He explained how he was an adventurer, how he found the relic and how he was able to make a deal to revert back and forth easily. Garou was fascinated by it all.

"So you can do that willfully now?" Garou asked.

"To an extent. I pretty much think it's monster form time. Then human form time. It's how I can commune with the spirit I share this monster body with now. It's all good," Rendor shrugged. "When Saitama is free, the spirit within me feels it may be time to chat. Like all the others, it knows that Saitama is not one to be trifled with right now."

"How did you change?" Tatsumaki asked Garou.

"I sort of…wanted to change. Being around monsters, the ability set in. I mean…it got to a point that I can shift my body around however I want. Two arms. Four arms. Wings. Some kind of humanoid form. But…this one seems to be best for most things. I just didn't expect to have my ass kicked again by that guy," Garou shrugged. Then he paused with realization. "Wait…"

"I think you answered your own question," Rendor grinned. "You can change your shape. Try changing human."

"Ah…hmm…" Garou thought and focused on how he looked before. His monster features slowly started to melt inwards to pale skin, long silver hair spiked out like a set of horns, yellow eyes and sharp facial features. When he opened his eyes and examined himself, he was in awe that he was able to revert back.

"Practice what you can do. You have your mind back. Also…we can have Tacki make you some clothes," Rendor said and gestured that Garou was now standing there naked.

"Ew…" Tatsumaki wrinkled her nose and hid her face in Rendor's mane.

"Ah…shit…" Garou winced and quickly crouched down to try and cover himself a touch. Inichi sent out a bubble with briefs, black spandex pants and a long-sleeved black top for him to quickly dress in. Shoes were provided next for him to help him feel a bit more presentable.

"There. Inichi was able to have Tacki make something quick for you," Zenchu nodded. "I'm the most human in looks as a normal monster appearance. I'm fine the way I am. You, however, are a very powerful shape-shifter. That holds potential. A lot of potential."

"Huh…" Garou stood up after dressing. "I have a lot to think about now."

"Yep. Don't worry. We'll all support you. Now you know you don't have to be cured. You can be like Rendor and change back and forth whenever you want. I'd suggest practicing. Like Rendor said. Learn your limits," Zenchu advised. "Tacki makes all of our clothing within minutes of requesting it. If you need a wardrobe, you can talk to her. She's pregnant with Atomic Samurai's twins, though. Be nice to her."

"Hmm. Okay," Garou nodded. "I'm starving, though! I really could use something eat."

"Come inside," Zenchu said and gestured for him to follow.

"We'll see you later," Rendor nodded and let Tatsumaki carry him back to their apartment.

"How much do you eat?" Zenchu asked and led him in.

"Um…how much do you have?" Garou grinned.

"Ah…fuck…yeah…you have an appetite…" Zenchu winced. Then he paused at the mass amount of food that Orotsu made in various bowls and platters.

"I have plenty. Eat now, Garou. And welcome home," Orotsu chuckled. Garou could only stand there in stunned silence at how he was greeted and welcomed. He didn't know what to think.

"It's a change, huh?" Tacki chuckled from where she was on Kamikaze's lap. "It always is when a monster finally becomes free. You're our brother now. We won't think of you any less. Ever."

"I…" Garou winced and found himself choking up. Kianna had walked in to smile and nod to him with approval.

"I was a wolf monster. I got cured and staying with King. Kamiko was a chameleon and got cured. Tacki was a bird monster at one point. We all know that feeling of finally being free and accepted! Don't fight that. You're family now. We protect and support each other to the fullest," Kianna said warmly. Siren walked in to settle on a couch and wave at Garou happily.

"What's going on out there?" Saitama asked over the voice chat.

"Garou realized he can become human. He decided to become family," Fumio said. "He's Zenchu's brother, too, now. They did a handshake. So he's also our brother. It's cool!"

"Oh. Okay. Good. That's good," Saitama said. "I'll likely talk to him when this red crap is done."

"We figured," Fumio chuckled.

"I told you he was like Zenchu!" Mitsumi giggled and squeaked when Saitama muted the microphone.

"They still at it, eh?" Zenchu grinned.

"Yep," Fumio nodded. "I'm almost ready for bed, though."

"Do you think I could talk to him?" Garou asked while finishing off his third bowl of egg fried rice. He was quick to add slivers of deer and Wagyu beef to it when it was shown where it was on another platter.

"Sure! You can use my headset. But, when Dad mutes, don't bug him," Fumio said. "Dad! I know you can hear me. Garou is taking my headset to talk to you when you get back! I'm going to bed."

Kianna waved and went back to her apartment room. Fumio snagged a plate of beef strips on his way to his room. Kamiko was eating with Genos now and leaning into him before he got up to carry her out to their room. Kamikaze and Tacki were still fine on the couch. Tacki looked over at Garou and said, "If I can get your measurements, I can make you better clothes."

"Oh…" Garou said and stood up when she showed her measuring tape. She jumped over to dart around him within seconds and started to pull out fabric once she got back in Kamikaze's lap.

"Did you want to stay in an apartment here? In our building? The fourth floor here is fully claimed by Lady Mitsumi, but other rooms are available. Did you want a window corner? Middle room?" Inichi asked from where he hovered over Fubuki. She was reclining in a lounge chair and sipping lemon water for now.

"What corner rooms are free?" Garou asked.

"Hmm…" Inichi went to look at the building chart. "Seventh floor on the right. Sixth floor on the left. Fifth floor on the right. First floor on the left. Second floor has both corners free. Third floor has the right side free."

"Second corner floor on the right. I can take that one," Garou nodded.

"I shall mark it and…it is ready. Send me a mental list of furniture you would like. Each one is set with basic needs for now. It will be easy to acquire other items for you," Inichi said. "Also…there…I just set a potted flower bunch on the main table for when you get in. It will help you remain calm, if I recall."

"Ah…yeah…thanks," Garou said with a small smile.

"You'll be above me. It's fine, but it will also show Bane that I'm able to keep an eye on you. Just keep your cool, okay?" Kamikaze said. "He knows we may have woken you up. If he throws a fit, you come to us. Don't confront him."

"Oh. Okay," Garou nodded.

"Hey. You there?" Saitama asked when he got back on the microphone. The others in the live chat went quiet to hear the conversation.

"Oh! Yeah. Hi. Um…thanks. For freeing me," Garou said.

"You're very welcome, Garou," Mitsumi said through the microphone.

"Do you plan to insult my wife again?" Saitama asked point blank.

"Saitama!" Mitsumi scowled.

"It's fine. No. I…owe her a bit. Actually. And I'm sorry about that. I wasn't in my right mind," Garou said lightly.

"Water under the bridge," Mitsumi agreed.

"Do you intend to act stupid at any point in time?" Saitama asked.

"I'm going to shut you up," Mitsumi warned. Saitama looked at her and grinned before kissing her and going back to the game chat.

"I don't plan to do anything stupid, violent or petty," Garou said.

"Huh. You sound like Zenchu. Okay. So, if you piss me off, I'll slap you like I do to him," Saitama said.

"You don't slap me!" Zenchu scowled out from what Inichi told him. "Fuck you! No! There was one time you did it! I had no control. No more!"

"It made me feel better," Saitama said.

"Fuck you. No," Zenchu said again. Garou was trying hard to not burst out his laughter at it all. Mitsumi was dying with her own laughter at the outburst.

"Stop! Stop it!" Mitsumi begged through her fits of giggles.

"Fine. For now, I believe you, Garou. Just watch yourself. Prove to me that you have changed. That's how you get along with me," Saitama said.

"Okay. And I was told that you look…weird? Right now?" Garou asked.

"If you saw me punch with Mitsumi's fans and saw what I looked like then, I look exactly like that all the time until it passes," Saitama said. Inichi sent Garou a vision to make him gape with a touch of absolute terror.

"Oh…" Garou seemed to swallow.

"I won't hurt you. Just don't piss me off. Don't go back on what you told us. I'll happily punch out anyone that talks crap about you. I know you can do it, too, but if you need me, you know you can ask for me. At least after two days," Saitama said. "As it stands, we need guards over our home grounds. Too many jerks come around and think they can just walk in. It's dumb."

"Shenjou and Rendor can give you a whole layout of the property I purchased," Mitsumi said. "You can even ask Speed-o'-Sound Sonic. He's now contracted by me after we showed him that he couldn't beat up Saitama."

"Yep. And he kept changing his price ranges. Mitsumi just said 'okay' to all of it. She's the main heiress to her father's fortune. The Takashi family fortune, that is," Saitama said. "She chooses to help others in her family now."

"She's part of that family?!" Garou gaped.

"I am," Mitsumi said softly through the microphone. "My then mother…yeah, she was nasty. But not to a point that she neglected her family. After she let herself get changed, though? I was only a month old and she decided right then and there that I wasn't worth keeping. I told you this before, but it's the truth. Father was the one that kept me alive with nanny care and such. He taught me how to read people. How to save money. How to protect myself. Then that fat thing murdered him…"

"Ah, Mitsumi? I killed that fat thing with one punch. It died fast. Okay? Just remember that," Saitama said and kissed her forehead. "Or do I have to level more buildings while I'm like this?"

"Darling, if you so much as raise up your fist right now, you will level the rest of City Z. Don't do it," Mitsumi sighed.

"I just don't get it," Garou finally broke down. "I know. I saw some visions. But…I need to see what you look like for myself. To really judge."

"He wants a bitch slap," Kamikaze grimaced.

"Yep. Totally," Tacki nodded and set aside several sets of finished stretch pants. "You'd think he would have learned!"

"He's like Zenchu," Fubuki sighed. "Gotta learn the hard way."

"Hey! That's…huh. That's actually true…" Zenchu paused at the thought.

"Can we record the event?" King asked in the live chat.

"No. Not with Miss Mitsumi as she is," Genos said in the live chat.

"I think I can make some popcorn," Metal Knight chuckled. "I wonder if I can make a robot to do just that…"

"Great idea," Lightning Max said.

"Not complaining," Zombieman agreed.

"I'm going to have to go to bed soon, but I'm curious of the outcome," Child Emperor chimed in. Now Garou just paused with complete surprise.

"There's…others in this chat?" Garou asked.

"Oh, yeah," King chuckled. "All S class heroes, too, other than Max."

"If Inichi can send a vision of what happens with Garou, then that will suffice," Mitsumi said to get them all cheering at it.

"Fine. Garou, you can come in. In fact, can you please bring me a soda? I could use one. I won't get too overly pissed at you if you bring that to me," Saitama said. "Mitsumi, here. Cover yourself."

"Ah. Right," she agreed.

"I'll pull him out if he stays in there for longer than five seconds," Inichi said and moved to get into position.

"I'll move in front of him to help," Zenchu nodded and made himself ready. Garou was handed a soda by Orotsu, and now he was able to get let into the bedroom by Zenchu. He paused with shock at the treasure bed first. Then all of the color drained from his face on seeing Saitama's glowing dull red figure. The fiery pupils regarded Garou's face next with a form of annoyance.

"My soda?" Saitama asked. "Please?"

"Here," Garou said and handed it over. Saitama barely squeezed it to open it. The lid popped up enough for him to take a sip. Mitsumi knew he was demonstrating how he barely has to do anything to show how strong he was. He nodded and gestured for Garou to leave.

"Thank you. You can go now," Mitsumi said. She was covered with the golden silk bed sheet, and Saitama was covering his body over hers even more as a protective stand point. When Garou made no move to leave, Saitama began to tense up. The fiery light in his eyes began to intensify with sudden warning.

"Garou…" Saitama warned just as Inichi bubbled him out of the room. Zenchu shadow phased in to nod and shut the door behind him.

"That was close," Inichi grimaced.

"That's just…impossible!" Garou said. "No one should have that much power much less show it!"

"Now you see why we are all scared shitless of him right now," Zenchu said. "Not so much for Tatsumaki, but she's protecting Rendor. Rendor keeps her out of trouble. As for us, we just stay out of Saitama's way until he's normal again. That is about two days away. We just help him around, ensure he gets food and we only let Mitsumi stay with him."

"I mean…" Garou grimaced.

"Go check out your new apartment. I will have food delivered and you can think on things," Inichi suggested.

"Garou? Are you there?" Saitama asked over the headset live chat. Garou found himself moving to slip the headset on.

"I'm here…" Garou said with uncertainty.

"I want to know. I can't see what I look like. What did I look like to you?" Saitama asked. "Can you tell me?"

"Oh. Um…your body was glowing red. Your eyes looked like the flaming pits of Hell. And you were ready to give me that Hell," Garou said.

"Oh," Saitama blinked at that. "Well, since I didn't get to slap you, can you send in Zenchu to get slapped?"

"Shut up!" Zenchu snapped from what he heard through the door. That got Garou and the others laughing hard.

"I can see why you said that," Inichi chuckled over the headset audio.

"Right. I know, Zenchu. I need Wind Crane to take you over," Saitama said with a sigh of regret.

"Don't you even dare!" Zenchu spat out to get more laughter.

"Seriously. I say this crap to show I'm not a bad guy. This red crap is stupid. I hate it. But, until it goes away, I have no choice," Saitama said.

"He is a bit of a prisoner to his own power right now," Mitsumi said.

"Never thought of it that way," King said.

"Yeah. That sucks," Child Emperor agreed.

"I'm still looking to move to another planet," Zombieman said to get them laughing and giggling.

"I'm gonna log for now. I'll be back on in the morning," Saitama said.

"I can leave this server going all night. Oh, Garou. If you get a console, I can get you into my game. Mainly it's like…something to help pass the time and safely chit chat with us. You can just gather resources for the bases, or you can make a team to fight with. Up to you," King said.

"Oh! Yeah. How can I get a console?" Garou asked.

"Inichi can help," Mitsumi said. "Good night!"

"Good night!" Metal Knight said and logged out. The others said their good nights and were quick to log. King kept his profile active to keep the server running, though. He simply muted his microphone.

"Not bad, eh?" Zenchu asked.

"It'll take some getting used to, but…yeah. Not bad at all," Garou agreed. "I'll check out my apartment."

"The key is on the table by the flowers," Inichi said and watched him leave. Garou was quick to go down the stairs and open the door to the second floor corner room he claimed. He paused at the sight of the mass food trays lining the kitchen shelves. Then he saw the white flowers in the delicate pot on the center entrance table. He walked over to them and found himself breathing in their calming scent. Then he saw the apartment keys and picked them up to study them before setting them down again with silent reflection.

"I'm home…" he whispered and braced the table to hang his head with exhausted relief. "I can't believe it. I'm finally home."