King walked up the incredibly long and winding flight of stairs that lead to Bang's martial arts dojo. He was accompanied by Saitama and student/stalker Genos. But a new acquaintance had decided to join their little venture to Bang's dojo- Fubuki.
King had mixed feelings towards her. On the one hand, she was a vicious and merciless woman who had crushed the motivations of many potential heroes. But on the other hand, she was a damaged girl who suffered from an inferiority complex. And she did want to change and become the best hero she could be.
It was too soon to see if she'd heed the advice King had given her yesterday but he was willing to give her a trial run. The speech he had given sounded passionate and motivational- after all, it was created to convert a villain to hero work.
And naturally, King had plagiarized it. From a manga.
What did you think King could come up with such a convincing speech on his own?
No, of course not.
But despite his plagiarism, King truly thought that those comic book heroes that were Paragons of Light were the gold standard of being a hero. In a way, he himself was the Symbol of heroism in their world. When people thought of the term hero, King was the first one to come up.
He had even checked on the forums, not because of narcissism. Instead, he was simply curious. The now #2 hero had posted on a variety of forums varying questions on that subject and had discovered that he was usually the first to crop up.
"Oi Saitama, what did Bang want to do here?" King asked his friend. He hadn't really had the opportunity to ask him, well… He had, but he and Saitama were too busy playing around and King forgot.
"Oh, the old guy wanted to talk to us about something important. He mentioned something about his lack of students… I think he's going to try and recruit us again." The bald-headed man responded. "By the way, why are you here salesgirl?"
"Eh?" Fubuki looked surprised at being addressed in such a manner.
"Yes, why are you here Hellish Blizzard?" Genos asked sternly.
"Ohh- well… I erm… I heard you guys discussing it yesterday, remember? So I thought I'd tag along…"
"And how did you discover when we were going, Blizzard? We didn't tell you when we were leaving? Were you spying on master?"
Fubuki started blushing, rapidly and shook her head multiple times in denial. "No, no, no of course not. That would be creepy? I the magnificent hero Hellish Blizzard would never do that."
Genos gave her an unimpressed look and was about to press on when King motioned for him to stop his line of questioning. The cyborg looked unsure but nevertheless did as requested.
Soon enough the group appeared in front of the dojo. Saitama naturally without any shame simply slid the door open and stepped inside. Immediately Genos followed. King and Fubuki exchanged empathetic looks of shock at their impoliteness but nevertheless followed.
"Yo! Martial arts dude! We've arrived." The bald hero called out.
"Come in!" A reply was heard from further inside the dojo.
They walked past the lobby and entered the main training hall. It was a simple but large wooden room. There was a corner layered with mats, but most of the floor was made up of the same wooden boards as the rest of the building.
King was sure that it was a luxurious type of wood, but since he wasn't an expert on the subject he couldn't identify out of which tree the floorboards were built.
In the centre of the room with his legs in folded sat Bang, a pot of boiling hot tea in his hand. A small table lay in front of him, five fancy teacups made of clay rested on said table.
Next to Bang, kneeling on both his legs was a ginger-haired young man in a white gi. He had his eyes closed and a look of concentration sat on the youth's face. King assumed that the kid was Silverfang's student, a safe assumption to make. The S-class hero looked at the redhead and when looking a bit closer, saw that he was just pretending to mediate.
The imposing hero realised that the kid was just pretending to be sophisticated. Naturally, as the king of phonies, King could instantly spot a likeminded individual, in this case, Bang's student.
Though King could make the argument that he was never, in fact, a phoney, his power had just not manifested. But whatever it looked like he wasn't harming anyone, so it was fine to ignore his behaviour.
As King's group entered Bang looked at them and his eyes furrowed. "Charanko go get us two more cups," the elderly hero told his pupil.
"Yes, master," Charanko responded as he shot up, bowed and walked to the side door and left.
"Come come, take a seat." The martial arts master patted the ground and motioned for the entourage to sit down near the table. "My apologies everyone, I didn't know so many of you would becoming."
"Its fine," Saitama waved off Bang's apologies.
"There's no issue," King responded stonily.
"You have made no mistake, there has been no transgression," Genos said.
"I'm sorry that we didn't notify you that we were coming, Master Silverfang!" Fubuki bowed.
Everyone looked at Fubuki's over the top response in silence. Her face went red as the psychic covered her cheeks.
"I'll wait a few minutes until Charanko returns before I begin," Bang stated.
"I see that you have five cups here Silverfang, you didn't know that King or Fubuki would be here. If you and your student are here and you expected Master and me to be here, why is there another cup?" Genos asked the old hero.
"Oh, well I recently started teaching a new student and I think he should hear what I need to say. Charanko should be fetching him."
Fubuki frowned, "Master Silverfang-"
"Everyone please call me Bang, after all, we are all heroes here who risk our lives to save others. My philosophy is that even if you are not my equal in strength, you are in righteousness."
Fubuki looked shocked. "But you are an esteemed S-class hero, the greatest martial artist in the world. You are the founder of modern martial arts, I can't possibly be your equal!"
"All those titles were granted by overzealous youngsters and I have never accepted them. As I just said I believe that anyone who wishes to be a true hero is my equal." The old veteran said with grim finality.
"But that's all the more of a reason to call you Master. You earn your titles by merit and the entire world has bestowed them to you. So I will compromise and call you Master Bang."
Bang wanted to argue with the brunette but once he saw her resolute gaze he faltered and sighed. "Fine if you want to keep up these mannerisms, then who am I to deny you."
"Then as I was saying Master Bang, I heard that it is incredibly hard to join your dojo-"
"Bwahaha!" Bang let out a booming cackle, "where did you hear that young lady? I'm always on the lookout for youngsters, despite how chipper I look, I'm not getting any younger, so its only nat-"
Fubuki coughed and stopped Bang from going on a long tirade, before continuing her question. "Is a new student so important that he is able to join our meeting?"
"Ahh, so that was what you were wondering." The elderly martial artist stroked his beard, "well then how about I let you be the judge of that? After all, they're soon going to arrive."
Almost immediately after Charanko came into the dojo hall, holding two cups. Towering behind him in a matching gi that appeared many times too small for him stood Superalloy Blackluster.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Eh?" Bang laughed.
"Superalloy Blackluster is your student?!" The B-class hero exclaimed, her eyes expanding.
King and Genos both looked at Bang questioningly, Saitama just stared at Bang uncaringly.
"Yes, he joined a couple of days ago and he's already picked up the basics," Bang explained. "Come take a seat," he told to his students.
Genos started accusingly at Blackluster. "Why would you join a martial arts dojo when you are one of the strongest heroes alive."
King expected the hulking hero to explode at Genos for shouting at him in such an aggressive manner. Instead, the bodybuilding hero laughed off the accusation.
"Well, I had to come to terms with flaws in my philosophy. Master Bang suggested that I take up a hobby, so I chose martial arts since it's meant to be calming. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop working out!" Blackluster rectified.
King didn't know what the hero was talking about so he merely stared at him in silence.
"Well since everybody is finally here, let's do some introductions," Bang suggested to remove the awkwardness in the air. "You all know me but I will start. I am Bang, a martial artist that is looking for students."
King looked at his companions, trying to understand who would speak next. Of course, almost immediately Genos introduced himself.
"I am the S-class hero Genos, the student of Master Saitama." The cyborg announced mechanically.
"Saitama, nice to meet you," the hero greeted lazily with a finger buried inside his ear.
"Hello everyone! I am the B-class, rank one hero Fubkui, it's a pleasure to meet you all." Bowed the esper while introducing herself somewhat formally but full of enthusiasm.
"My name is Charanko! I am the number one student of Master Bang, don't disrespect my master!" The red-head declared vigorously.
"I've already been introduced, but I'll do it again. I'm Superalloy Darkshine, although you can simply call me Darkshine." The muscular giant said softly but firmly.
Everyone looked at King, who was the only one who hadn't introduced himself. The reason he hadn't done so was simply that the hero didn't know what to say. 'Do I introduce myself with my titles and feats or with my name alone? Is that too simple? But the titles are over the top! What do I do?'
Due to his indecision, Fubkui couldn't help but introduce the intimidating hero. "This is King, the S-class rank two hero, known as The Strongest Man Alive. I'm sure that you've all heard of him?"
King decided to simply sit in silence and stare at Bang and his two students, silently thanking Fubuki for her timely interjection.
"Of course we know who King is," Charanko interjected, only an idiot wouldn't.
Fubuki glared at the young disciple, at the same time Bang looked at his student with disapproval. "Charanko-Kun, I thought I told you that you mustn't be so rude to visitors. Apologize."
The elderly martial arts master left no room for argument and the ginger-haired student was left red in the face from embarrassment. He bowed to Fubuki, "I'm sorry, Fubukui."
"My magnanimous self shall accept," she said haughtily.
King looked at her with disapproval. She was reverting back to her old behaviour. The green-clad woman sensed King's displeasure because she hunched over, ashamed of her behaviour.
"Anyway Bang, was there a reason for asking us to be here?" Genos asked bluntly after all pleasantries were exchanged.
"Well, there was," he said. The group was left waiting as Bang sat there frozen in mid-sentence.
"Did he suffer a heart attack?" Saitama asked after waiting for a couple of seconds. The group all stared at him with incredulity.
King couldn't help but admire his friend's obliviousness, but then again, when you had his strength there was no reason to engage in pleasantries. Pleasantries were created in the first place so that two or more parties could interact as equals. And Saitama knew no equals.
Well, perhaps King was his equal? It was still a daunting thought and he was almost completely sure that Saitama would be able to beat him.
"As I was saying," Bang continued almost immediately after Saitama spoke. "I invited you here to tell you about my disciple Garou."
"Seriously?" The bald-headed hero asked stiffly. "That's it, to boast about your teaching?"
"Master, please I'm sure that Silverfang has a reason to bring us here and it wasn't to boast about his student." Genos tried to convince Saitama but was failing. The hero was already beginning to stand up.
"I agree," King said softly. Yet despite his near-silent agreement, the sound rang through the room like a bell. Saitama looked at King for a few seconds before sitting down.
"Thank you." Genos acknowledged King's assistance.
"As I was saying, Garou is, was my star pupil. He would come here every day since he was young. He would train, listen and learn my teachings. Thus our bond slowly grew past that of master and disciple to something more. Or at least that was what I thought."
The silence rang through the large training hall, sinking into almost all the occupants of the room.
"He was, he was like a son to me." Bang's voice cracked. The sombre silence resided throughout the entire training hall as they listened to the wizened hero share his tale. Everyone could understand the implication of Bang's speech.
"But he decided that it wasn't enough, he would become a "monster." Garou started by attacking all of my other disciples. Most of them were hospitalized and those that weren't quit. They didn't wish to catch his ire again.
"This is the reason for my empty halls and why there are so little students here. Charanko was the only student who refused to quit and soon after, Darkshine joined. But the reason I'm telling you this story is because Garou's incredibly strong. Far stronger than most monsters and he has vowed to hunt heroes and kill heroes.
"While I am trying to find him, none of you are safe at the moment. Especially you Blizzard." Bang directed an intense stare at Fubuki.
The psychic felt an intense wave of fear pass through her. If Bang's number one student was hunting down heroes and The Silverfang was sure that she would lose to him, what was she to do?
But he wasn't finished. "I have no doubt that King and Saitama could defend themselves from Garou, the rest of you can't."
"Now now, Master Bang." Superalloy Darkshine interjected, "my muscles can withstand all attacks without any difficulty. Garou shouldn't be able to pierce through my defence." The towering bodybuilder said arrogantly.
"Yes I agree, I feel that I too can beat him." Genos added stiffly, "I have received multiple upgrades recently that should easily level the playing field. I can easily take down high-level threats with little difficulty."
Bang looked at the two S-class heroes for a few seconds in silence. They both stared back at him defiantly. "I see that you aren't convinced, fine then. Follow me." The martial arts master ordered.
He stood up and walked outside the hall, the rest of the heroes following him out. They stood in front of a large training field. Bang stood on one side of the field while the rest of them stood on the steps to the dojo.
"Since you are so confident in yourselves. I'll test your abilities, if you successfully manage to defeat me I'll let it go and let you do whatever you want, if not you must promise you will do your best to avoid him. Do you agree?" Bang asked Darkshine and Genos.
"I do," Darkshine said, before leaping off the steps and landing on the opposite side of the field.
Genos was about to agree when Saitama patted his shoulder. "Oy oy, get some free meat from him. Don't fight for free."
Genos' eyes widened in understanding. "I understand your lesson sensei! You are telling me to understand my worth and never do free labour!"
The cyborg flew onto the field enthusiastically.
'No that's not what I meant at all!' Saitama thought, 'oh well.' The bald hero shrugged.
Next to him, King whispered, "you didn't mean that at all, did you?"
"Nope."
"Got it."
The two along with Charanko and Fubuki watched as they got ready to spar. Saitama nudged Charanko, "do you have any popcorn?"
"What?" The martial artist looked at Saitama questioningly. "No. What are you on?"
"Hmm? Nothing." The bald hero replied.
"Silverfang! If I win, I demand the highest quality meat in the city! Are these terms acceptable?" Genos cried across the field.
"Yes, fine, whatever," Bang muttered while nodding. "I shall begin."
Silverfang shot forwards towards the two S-class heroes, aiming to take out Genos first. "Water Streaming Rock Smashing Fist!" His hands were engulfed in an ethereal blue aura that ripped through Genos, smashing his body with a ruthless assault of hundreds of blows.
After the last blow Genos' body was sent flying and crashed into one of the many trees at the back of the field. Behind Bang, Darkshine's fist came smashing at him.
The wizened hero, narrowly dodged the blow while redirecting it into the ground. The resounding boom broke much of the ground, causing rubble to erupt out of the earth. On top of one of the larger blocks of rubble crouched Bang, who immediately leapt at Darkshine.
The titanic hero turned around and let out another punch that Bang once again dodged. The white-haired hero declared "Fang Interpolation." The martial artist poked multiple nerves on the heavily muscled hero's body.
Darkshine's arm lay limp as Bang quickly disabled the rest of his body. Darkshine fell to the ground with a resounding boom. His body was completely paralyzed, only his eyes were moving.
'Whoa!' King thought in awe, 'that's how a master martial artist fights. That's so cool!'
Next to the intimidating man, a large gasp was heard. He turned and saw Fubuki in shock. "As rumoured, martial arts can take down any fighter."
Almost immediately Siatama's head turned and on his face was a look of such intensity he was sure it would burn Fubuki right off the face of the earth. "Martial arts can do what?"
"You didn't know? Martial arts can beat any human-shaped opponent, no matter their strength."
"Are you sure?" Saitama asked sceptically.
"Yes can't you see that master Silverfang proves it?" She replied rhetorically.
Saitama looked away, an expression of deep thought on his face.
"Where can I fight martial artists?" King heard Saitama ask Charanko.
"You're best shot is the Superfight tournament. But you'll have to wait until next year since the signup period has finished."
"Seriously?"
"Yes," Charanko replied impassively.
"And if I vouch for him?" King joined the conversation.
"If you personally vouch for him then I'm sure the judges will make allow it," Charanko told King.
King nodded in understanding. "Oh right, I forgot to tell you Saitama, but I nominated you for S-class. I'm not sure what exactly will happen but the Hero Association will probably invite you in the next few days."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Thanks…" The yellow-clad hero thanked his friend absent-mindedly.
"You're welcome," King replied stoically.
Next to them, exaggeratedly gaping was Fubkui who had watched the normally incredibly exciting conversation casually glossed over. "That's your reaction!" She couldn't help but exclaim.
"What? I'm only getting a salary increase," Saitama asked obliviously as he turned to watch the spar again.
"You!-You! Hrr," Fubuki couldn't help but grind her teeth in anger at the bald hero's casual dismissal of the coveted position.
Back in the fight, Bang had just easily disposed of Darkshine and Genos and was walking away when suddenly Genos suddenly appeared behind him.
"Incinerate" A large concentrated beam of fire shot out of his hands and slammed into Bang.
But the elderly martial artist was prepared. "Water Stream Encampment!"
His hands blurred and created an impenetrable shield in front of him that dispersed all the energy that was inside Genos' ray. Once Genos finished firing his beam, Bang blurred and attacked the cyborg with another barrage of blows.
This time after finishing he slammed his heel in Genos' joints, disabling them temporarily. All in all, Bang took down both heroes in less than a few minutes to disable the two S-class heroes. After removing his paralysis technique, Bang, Genos and Darkshine joined up with King and the rest of the spectators.
"And that is why it is important to avoid Garou. While he isn't at my level he is a fighting genius and can disable you as I have just done. Do you understand?" Silverfang asked sternly.
"Yes Silverfang," Genos replied, reluctant to admit his inadequacy.
"I understand master Bang." Darkshine gave a 90-degree bow.
"Good, remember it isn't wrong to admit that you aren't ready. I have complete confidence that with training and experience you will be able to defeat such threats and more."
They both nodded solemnly, taking the experienced hero's words to heart.
"If that is all master Bang then I will continue training."
"That's fine," Bang nodded in acknowledgement.
Darkshine turned to the rest of the heroes, "it was a pleasure to meet you all." He then left the training yard.
King surveyed the damaged training field. There was a massive crater in the middle of the field, scorch marks throughout the grass and the trees on the far end of the field were destroyed.
No wonder Bang wanted to have the match outside.
Saitama turned to leave, Genos and Fubuki hot on his tail. King was about to follow them when Bang grabbed his shoulder. "King-Kun I've been meaning to ask you if you wished to join Kamikaze and I on our fishing trip this weekend?"
King had no idea how to respond so he stayed silent and looked at Bang. The elderly hero took it as a sign to further explain. "Well, you see we usually go every Saturday to fish in Q-city's natural lake. It is a place where you can relax, fish and take in nature. Are you interested?"
King thought about it before agreeing. "I am. But I have never fished before." He said stoically in his signature intimidating tone.
"That's only natural, when you can easily catch fish with your mere presence alone there is no need to fish with a fishing rod. But it's fine, me and Kamikaze will teach you."
"Very well."
With that said King gave his farewells to Bang and left.
Wow, this chapter did not flow… I'm not completely satisfied with it but I want to get it out there. How did you find Bang's tale, did it sound natural?
Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
P.S: I've read all of your comments and they motivated me very much, so thanks a lot! Unfortunately, there's a problem on my phone that doesn't let me respond to comments. I'm pretty sure that I've fixed it so I'll be able to respond now.