Hey Guys! Crescent Rider here and I am back with another update of the story.
But before you start, I want to tell you all that I'm planning on changing a few things in a few chapters. It's not too major, but it'll be important, I promise.
Also, I'll be adding extra scenes involving the other characters of the show.
That is all, and enjoy the update!
City - Z, Heroes Association Building
Nadia is seen waiting with Kombu Infinity as Saitama's interview is underway.
In the meantime, Nadia focuses on her mana training by diverting it into her right arm to hasten the healing process.
Once she heard someone calling out her name, she stands up and goes into the room with Kombu Infinity following behind her.
"Thank you for coming, Nadia. Please take your seat," Executive 1 said,
Nadia takes a seat while Kombu Infinity remains standing.
"First off, We'd like to thank you for your contribution to the Deep Sea King Incident," Executive 1 stated, "But the reason why we've called you here is about that monster you're with,"
"Her name is Kombu," Nadia specified,
"R-Right... Well, you see. The top Executives of the Association have been wondering why a monster is so inclined to help rather than destroy," Executive 2 stated, "We thought that you could have an answer for that,"
"It's because I helped her," Nadia stated, "She was in a bad place, and I helped her on her even though she's born a monster. Unlike most of your people, I tend to judge the situation before I act,"
"Alright. Secondly, the report regarding the survey of City - Z indicates that the monster beside you is responsible for the assault of two Class A Heroes, Golden Ball, and Spring Mustachio," Executive 1 explained, "Care to explain why?"
Nadia turns to Kombu Infinity, "Did you really assault them?"
"Not really, they attacked me first," Kombu Infinity stated,
Nadia nods and turns back to them, "There you have it. It was more of an act of self-defense rather than an assault,"
"If that is what you say. Lastly," Executive 1 clasps his fingers together, and leans forward, "How do we know that it won't turn on us? Its reputation as a hero was indeed established after the incident. But we cannot deny the fact that it's still a monster. How are we sure that it would go against the Association?"
"She won't," Nadia stated, "And if she did, I will take full responsibility and eliminate her before she could harm anyone else,"
The Executives remained somewhat unsure, but one fact about them was certain.
Nadia is a strange hero, even for a Class A Hero...
"So, are we done here?" Nadia inquired,
"Not quite," Executive 3 said, "Because there is another matter that we would like to discuss with your friend,"
"Which is?" Nadia questioned,
Executive 1 gulps for a brief moment, then the following words came right out of his word, "Kombu. Would you like to join the ranks of the Association?"
"Eh?" Kombu gasped, and Nadia turns to her then back to the Executives, "Me? A Hero?"
"Yes. After showcasing your heroism to the people of City - J, the Heroes Association has acknowledged your feat and wishes to have you in your ranks. However, some of the benefits will not be available since we presumed that they don't mean anything to you," Executive 1 explained, "Once it's official, our people will acknowledge your allegiance and the public shall recognize you as an ally than an enemy. What do you say?"
Kombu Infinity was dumbstruck by this offer, but she wasn't against it as her recognition by Nadia and the people were better than the treatment from her former clansmen.
With some thought in mind, she looks up to the executive, "I take it, but only if Nadia accepts the idea,"
The executives turn to her, and they receive a nod from the girl.
With that, the Executives soon turn to her, "Then it is settled. We shall provide the proper paperwork for your registration, and ensure that the people know that you are in league with the Association. We expect great things from you,"
Kombu Infinity bows her head once, then the two were soon dismissed from the room.
Meanwhile...
Amai Mask is seen in his dressing room and with him was Busho with a tablet on hand.
He seemed disinterested in Saitama's promotion to Class B, though that slightly changed when he was shown a slowed video of Saitama beating the Deep Sea King.
But when Bearded Worker showed the next topic of the matter, Amai Mask's attitude changed when he saw a monster standing beside Nadia.
"What is that?" Amai Mask questioned,
"A Monster. But strangely enough, this one had an established reputation as a monster that saves people rather than kills them," Bearded Worker explained,
"Saves people? What kind of ludicrous joke are those people talking about?" Amai Mask questioned, as this contradicts to his philosophy, "Do they really think that such a thing truly exists?"
"Well... we've recovered some footage during its fight against the Deep Sea King," Busho stated, and shows said video to him, "Apparently, the Association had confirmed that this fact is true,"
Amai Mask soon watches the fight between two monsters. But he wasn't amused by the very sight of it as he strongly detests monsters to the bottom of his heart.
Even as the video ends, Amai Mask clenches one of his fists until a vein was showing from the back of his right hand.
"What happened after that?" Amai Mask sternly questioned,
"The Executives Committee had acknowledged its feat and reputation that they planned on having it join the ranks," Busho responded,
But Amai Mask didn't like it one bit as he stood right off of his character and donned a detestable look on his face.
"Do you honestly think that such a thing is ideal for the Association?" Amai Mask questioned,
"I-It was their decision," Busho said, "But, they've also learned that the monster is in league with the rising star of Class - A. She also stated that she'll take full responsibility should it go rogue against the Association,"
Amai Mask was still clenching his fist, but he soon sat down and cover his face to hide his irritability with the committee's decision.
When he glances at the newspaper on his desk, he couldn't help but click his tongue and wondered about Nadia rather than the monster beside her...
City - W
After the interview, Nadia and Kombu Infinity made their way to Genus' House of Takoyaki.
Upon arrival, Armored Gorilla was the first to see her come, "Ah, hello, Nadia,"
"Hello, is the Doctor in by any chance?" Nadia inquired,
"He is. I'll go get him," Armored Gorilla said,
Armored Gorilla leaves the counter, then returns with Genus by his side.
"It's nice to meet you again, Doctor," Nadia greeted,
"Likewise," Genus greeted back, then eyes on her cast, "And I see you've injured yourself. Care to tell me why?"
"It happened during the Deep Sea King incident. But it'll heal," Nadia said,
"I see," Genus understood, "But I presumed that you aren't here to talk. Aren't you?"
Nadia then pulls out a jar and places it on the counter. Inside it was various samples that she collected from the Deep Sea King's corpse.
"I'm here to make a request," Nadia revealed,
Genus scoffed, then takes the jar from the counter, "Come with me,"
"You stay put," Nadia ordered directly to Kombu Infinity,
"Sure," Kombu Infinity replied, and watches her and Genus go down to the basement again,
Basement
Upon arrival, Genus thoroughly examines the samples through a microscope while Nadia was sitting on a chair.
"Did you find something good in it?" Nadia questioned,
"Not quite," Genus replied, "In fact, these samples you collected closely resemble that of my work. Except, the genetic material is based on Aquatic Creatures than my former creations,"
"So it's useless then?" Nadia presumed,
"It depends on what you are asking," Genus said,
"What I'm asking? In that case," Nadia glances around the room, then her request comes afterward, "A healing factor would be a start,"
Upon hearing her request, he soon shot her with a confused look on his face and Nadia just smiles at him.
"Seriously?" Genus inquired,
"Yep," Nadia said with a pop sound at the 'p',
"If that were the case, then you didn't have to bring these samples to me. I could just modify that part into you right away," Genus stated,
"Really?" Nadia said,
"Indeed," Genus said, and went to his files, "In fact, it reminded me of an old test subject that I threw away after I deemed him a failure. Right now, he had become a hero of the Association,"
"What's his name and rank?" Nadia inquired,
"Class - S Rank 8, Zombieman," Genus told,
"A Class - S Hero? That's new," Nadia remarked, "And what did you give him?"
"Regenerative abilities," Genus revealed, "Regardless of what you do to him, he won't die by any conventional means,"
"That much? You really are a renowned scientist," Nadia complimented,
"That, I am," Genus admitted with some pride, and pulls out the file regarding Zombieman's regenerative abilities, "Which begs the question, do you wish to have the same abilities as his?"
"No, What I want is enough to earn injuries like this arm" Nadia specified, "I may be magic, but I'm still a kid,"
"Did you get that injury when you fought the Deep Sea King?" Genus inquired,
"It was after I punched the Deep Sea King into its chest," Nadia said, "The impact almost caused me an arm. But to be completely honest with you, I should have aimed for its head,"
"Alright then," Genus said, and prepares his equipment, "And I must warn you. For this operation to work, you are required to be wide awake. Are you willing to take it?"
Nadia blinks, and smirks to herself, "I don't mind..."
Genus notices her change of tone and turns around. Apparently, Nadia's eyes had changed to golden eyes and the very sight of it frightens him.
But regardless of this, he went on with the preparations for Nadia's next operation.
Meanwhile...
Armored Gorilla was cooking some takoyaki for Kombu Infinity, then serves it after he finished cooking them.
"Here you go," Armored Gorilla said,
"Thank you," Kombu Infinity thanked, grabs a toothpick, and takes the first takoyaki on the tray,
Upon eating it, she hummed in approval and looks up to Armored Gorilla, "This is really good,"
"I'm glad you liked it," Armored Gorilla said, "And the octopus tentacles used for the dish are exclusively made by Dr. Genus himself,"
"You seem loyal to him, can you tell me why?" Kombu Infinity inquired while taking another ball into her mouth,
"Why that answer is simple. He created me, you see," Armored Gorilla revealed, "I was his top three creations before he set up this restaurant,"
"Top three? What happened to the other two?" Kombu Infinity questioned,
"The number two, Beast King, was easily killed by a hero named Saitama and the same can be said for Genus' top creation, Carnage Kabuto," Armored Gorilla explained, "After that incident, Genus had given up on his ambitions for world domination and returned to this city to start anew,"
"Saitama? You mean that bald hero with the cape?" Kombu Infinity presumed,
"Yeah, that's the one," Armored Gorilla said,
Somewhere...
Saitama is seen eating at a local food stand with Mumen Rider sitting next to him. Until the former suddenly sneezed and the latter turns his head to him.
"Is something wrong, Saitama-san?" Mumen Rider inquired,
"It's nothing," Saitama assured, "I just feel like someone was talking about me,"
"I'm pretty sure it isn't all that bad," Mumen Rider guaranteed, then the two went on with their food,
Back to them...
"Why is it that everything seemed so connected to that guy?" Kombu Infinity questioned,
"Well, for one, Saitama is perceived as the strongest man by Dr. Genus' perspective and his former plan was to capture and learn the truth behind his overwhelming strength," Armored Gorilla explained, "After his plan was foiled, and his hard work destroyed. Dr. Genus has been theorizing the source of his strength weeks after the dissolution of the House of Evolution,"
"What did he find though?" Kombu Infinity inquired,
"Something called a limiter," Armored Gorilla mentioned,
"A Limiter? What's that supposed to be?" Kombu Infinity questioned,
"From what I can tell from Dr. Genus' work, it is said to be some sort of Barrier that limits one's growth," Armored Gorilla summarized, "Like most humans, they have a certain limit on how much they grow in terms of strength. Should the Limiter be removed, they're power grows exponentially, and surpass their former selves. Such a case revolves around Saitama as Dr. Genus suspected, "
"Wow..." Kombu Infinity muttered in amazement, then looks down at her long hair,
If such a thing exists, she wondered if she could remove hers and become strong as well. But such a thought was shot down as Nadia's recognition and support were enough for her.
Speaking of which, Genus and Nadia soon returned and the latter's right arm no longer had a cast on and it almost look relatively brand new.
"Oh, Doctor. Um... H-How did it go?" Armored Gorilla stutteringly questioned,
"As usual," Genus replied, then turns to Nadia, "Isn't that right?"
"Indeed," Nadia said while shaking her right arm a couple of times,
"Your arm healed?" Kombu Infinity questioned,
"Yep, but it still feels numb," Nadia commented while moving her arm and fingers a couple of times, "I'll manage once we get home,"
She then pulls out a wallet that she now keeps around with her left, pulled out some money, and places it on the counter, "Also, I would like to buy two packs of Takoyaki to go, please,"
Genus nods to Armored Gorilla, and the latter responds, "Coming right up,"
In the end, Nadia and Kombu Infinity left the House of Takoyaki and made their way back to the apartment building to rest for the following day...