One's Justice
Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait. Had a combination of things to deal with like work, family emergency and generally thinking how I'm going to progress this story. But I'll try not to take so long from now on. I know Saitama may be a little out of character, but I'll work on fixing that in future chapters. I just wanted to make sure the story doesn't drag. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4
Izuku's Apartment
Inko Midoriya, mother of Izuku, was cooking a special dinner for her son which included a three of bowls of ramen, gohan (the rice, not the super Saiyan) with egg in the center, sushi and dumplings. She made extra of everything in case Izuku wanted seconds. This day, August 19, was the one that neither of them remember fondly: the day Izuku learned that he was quirkless when he was four years old. In her mind, there was a quick scene of the day as she cooked:
On that day, she brought him to the doctor's office to determine why he had not developed a quirk while the rest of his classmates in kindergarten class did. Izuku went in expecting that he would be told that he was just a 'late bloomer'. Instead, he was devastated into complete, utter silence with his face frozen in a shocked and depressed smile when the doctor blatantly and coldly told him that "It's not gonna happen." When someone is born with two joints in their pinky toes, it is a sign that they will never develop a quirk because those born with quirks have only one joint. Those born this way are the next stage in human evolution, while those with two joints are forced to remain trapped in human biology's past.
Inko then remembered this morning before Izuku went to school: She expected Izuku to take one look at the calendar and lose his smile for the rest of the day as it always happened. But today, she noticed that Izuku was a little livelier. When she asked him why, he said that he decided to use his notes on superheroes to help himself on his goal to becoming a hero. He planned to study them to have a good score on the U.A High School's Entrance Exam. If he graduated, then he could be accepted into the Hero Association, the organization established after quirks became the norm to enlist and monitor heroes as they battle villains and monsters. Inko wanted to do help excite her son for his mission by making this dinner as a celebration for his goal, hoping that he will come home even happier. However, deep inside of herself, Inko doesn't truly believe that Izuku could handle the dangers of being a genuine hero, having to battle villains and mysterious beings who all had quirks and powers beyond what quirkless people could fight. As much as she hates this feeling, Inko feels that he can only make it in a support role developing weapons and equipment for heroes to use.
But before she could think any further, the sound of the door opening reached her ears. Smiling, Inko put aside the dish she was finished making and made her way to the door to greet her son. "Oh, good morning sweetie! How was-?" She stopped when she realized that there was someone behind her boy, a bald man with a plain looking face and wearing a bright yellow costume.
"Hi, mom!" Izuku greeted.
"Um, Izuku, who is this?" Inko asked while looking at Saitama.
"This is Saitama, I met him today when he…. Well, It's kind of complicated." Izuku said, wondering how to explain how he met Saitama.
"Hi, nice to meet ya ma'am." Saitama greeted plainly.
"Oh, hello Mr. Saitama. It's a pleasure to meet you." Inko said remembering her manners. She bowed respectfully as she greeted him.
"Likewise." He replied. Inko looked back at Izuku.
"Izuku, I'm not mad, but you really shouldn't invite strangers to our home. In fact, you shouldn't be talking to them at all." She said with a concerned tone.
Izuku frowned with shame. "I'm sorry mom, but Saitama really helped me out today, and he's going to again with something else. But we need to talk to you about it first." He said.
"Oh my, did something happen? Are you okay Izuku?" Inko inquired with an increasingly panicked tone.
Saitama decided to intervene. "Sorry Mrs. Midoriya, I didn't force him into this, I swear. I just saw he needed a helping hand, so I stepped in. He's alright, but I think it'd be cool if you let us explain."
Inko thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay sweetie, it's fine now just please be more careful." She told her son with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, mom." He said with a grateful smile.
"And Mr. Saitama, thank you for helping my son with… whatever happened. I just finished making dinner, I would be delighted if you joined us."
"Thanks, we finished a snack earlier, but the walk here built up our appetite again." Saitama replied.
Everyone sat down around the table, with Izuku and Saitama sitting next to each other in front of Inko. Saitama and Izuku decided to have a little eating contest to determine who's a faster eater. They looked at each other with narrow eyes and competitive smiles, then rapidly started digging in. Inko looked at them with a mix of surprise and amusement. Saitama won the contest because Izuku got a stomach cramp three-quarters of the way through. Saitama and Inko smiled in amusement as Izuku said, "I surrender, you win Saitama." He said this as he laid his head on the table.
"Hey, don't feel down. It takes years of hard practice to build up my appetite." Saitama consoled Izuku.
"Still not fair though…" Izuku groaned. Inko then decided to get straight to the point.
"Great food ma'am puts the stuff I make to shame." Saitama complimented.
"Why thank you." Inko then decided to get to the question she's been aching to ask. "So, how did you two meet?" She asked. Izuku immediately lifted his head up. He and Saitama both looked at each other, their faces saying, 'Where do we start?'.
"Well, mom it all started when I ran into Saitama in a neighborhood…" Izuku proceeded to retell the events from his first encounter with Saitama, through Vaccine Man's attack. Izuku could not continue when Inko gasped in terror upon hearing that Izuku put himself in harm's way and almost died as a result.
"Izuku, I love you but that was dangerous! You can't do things like that, not without a quirk!" She loudly said with great worry as she grabbed Izuku's shoulders, worried that letting go meant that something would happen.
"Mom, I'm sorry but I was just trying to help!" Izuku replied intimidated.
"Sweetie, there are plenty of ways to help like getting the police or a hero. Jumping in near a monster is not the way, I-I" She stuttered trying to say more, only for Saitama to interrupt.
" 'Scuse me, I know a stranger shouldn't butt in other people's family business, but I've got something to say ma'am." He told Inko. She and Izuku looked at Saitama with curious faces, waiting to see what he will say.
"Listen, I get why you're worried about what your kid did. He ran right into a big battle where he probably would have been turned into a firework show by a rip-off of someone from Dragon Ball Z." Izuku lowered his head in shame bit Saitama continued, "But I think you should look past that and focus on the fact that he acted was really brave. Just like All Might would have done if he were powerless." Izuku lifted his head up while Inko widened her eyes a bit. "A few years ago, I did the same thing he did today. Sure I almost died too and got my ass kicked, but I pulled through and went through intense training to become as strong as I am now." Saitama retells his fight against Crablante.
"You fought that monster without a quirk?" She questioned, confused as to how someone like him could beat a monster.
"Yep, but I didn't care. That girl needed saving, like that kid with the Vegeta temper that Izuku saved."
She continued to listen. "Izuku and I have a lot in common. I mean, we both want to be heroes to help people instead of wanting fan clubs and a little extra cash in our pockets. We've made differences when no one else figured we would. I've gotten the strength I need to be a good guy, now I want to give Izuku the same tools to do what he wants to do."
"Well, thank you Saitama, but I'm still not sure about this. I want my son to be able to become a hero, to fulfill his greatest dream but-" She lowered her head, too ashamed to admit that she didn't believe in her son, despite desperately wanting to. The widely accepted idea that quirkless people are far too weak to ever become heroes was too ingrained in her.
"You don't think that quirkless people can be heroes, right?" Saitama guessed correctly. Inko nodded sadly which gave Izuku a big feeling of sadness. "Well that's wrong. He and I have both proven that you don't need a quirk to be a good guy that can help out." He said to reassure her.
"But wait, how did YOU get strong enough to kill monsters without a quirk?" Inko asked.
"Here's what I did." Saitama explained his training routine to an increasingly confused Inko.
She didn't really know what to say about his training but rubbed her chin in thought. W-Well, his story sounds very strange. 100 push-ups, running 10k everyday and no A/C? Sounds like he's making it up. She looks at Izuku, who gives her a determined look that says that he knows what she is thinking, but he believes in Saitama. But Izuku believes him, and he's the smartest boy in the city. Maybe I should believe it.
"Mom, I know it sounds hard to grasp, but to be honest I believe him. Saitama doesn't look to me like the kind of person to lie about that stuff." Izuku told her.
"Ma'am, I can show you that Izuku will get strong this way. All he needs to do is work hard and keep pushing forward with his goal. Right now, he's proven that he's already a hero. And you'll realize like I do that the kid'll be a great Pro one day. I believe in him, so can you." Saitama finished.
Inko looked at Saitama with tears forming in her eyes. She was so touched to hear that someone finally believed in her son, especially after she lost most of her hope if not all of it. She got to her knees and lowered her head to the floor as a sig of respect and appreciation. "Thank you, he and I have always wanted someone to be able to tell him that. It means so much to the both of us that you have confidence in him." She raised herself back up to look at Saitama and Izuku, all three of them having smiles on their faces. "If you think that you can help him live up to the examples set by you and All Might, then you have my blessing to teach him." She finished.
Izuku felt happiness and excitement filling him to the bones and let out a high-pitched yelp of joy. Saitama nodded and said as he stood up, "Thanks. You'll see, he'll be one of the greats before you know it."
Near a shopping district in the city far from Vaccine Man's attack
Brown haired 25-year old Kaito Takahashi was walking alongside his younger sister Hinata on the crowded sidewalks. She was very happy because they were going on a buying spree for new clothes for her. Admittingly, he was also planning on buying new oval glasses for himself. He's always been careful to be with her whenever she goes out ever since she was attacked by a Mysterious Being years ago.
"Hey big bro, it's that new shop I was telling you about!" She pointed to a newly opened clothing store with her hand that wasn't holding bags with clothing in them.
"Okay, let's go check it o- wait, I forgot I spent my cash our last stop." He said as he checked his wallet. He looked around and saw an ATM at another street. "Let's make a quick detour towards that ATM." He said.
"Actually, I see people coming this way, definitely towards the store. How about I go in before it gets crowded?" She suggested.
"Sorry sis, but I don't feel right leaving you alone. We don't know what could happen, so we have to stay together." He protested.
"I know you mean well, but you don't have to be so worried all the time. I'll be fine, after all it's a public place and we won't be far apart." She reasoned in a calm tone.
Kaito hesitated for a bit, then relented. "Okay, but at the first sign of trouble, you come straight for me okay?"
"Yes daddy." She sarcastically said with a chuckle.
Smiling back, he hugged her before walking off. On his way towards the ATM, he noticed something flying in the sky as he looked up. Is that a bird? No, a person? He wondered before the dot vanished from his field of view. Must have been my imagination. He dismissed the figure then continued towards his destination.
All Might managed to land without causing too much of a ruckus. He couldn't have people see him in his weak and fragile form, or else any villains that found out would have a great advantage over him. It may also serve to break people's faith to see their greatest hero so vulnerable, so as soon as his three-hour limit was up he snuck into a dark alley where he shrunk instantly. All right, no one saw. Time to go home and rest up before another disaster strikes. He thought.
Suddenly, screams were heard nearby along with crashes. Ugh, can't I have a minute's peace? What's going on now? He thought in frustration. All Might ran out to see a villain breaking out of a store and attacking the nearby civilians. He wore black jeans with stylized holes in them and a red jacket and white undershirt. The jacket included a white skull on the back, while he had some chains wrapped around where a belt should be, as well as over the front and back of his upper torso forming an X. He had razor sharp whips for arms that were 5 meters long.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's right run you little ants! Name's Slashwhip, and I hope ya'll don't mind if I help myself to some of your cash!" He yelled as he carried bags of money over his back.
"Why don't you just leave us alone?! We're not doing anything to hurt you, so can't you please leave?!" A feminine voice yelled.
Suddenly, Slashwhip turned to see Hinata who was helping an injured old lady get up. He walked towards her while menacingly raising his whips. "Heh. You're pretty brave little girl. Why don't we test that courage up close and personal?" He challenged while she widened her eyes in fear, regretting that she said anything. She quickly pushed the old lady away, knowing what was coming.
All Might watched the scene in horror. NO! I can't do anything, not while I'm in this form! He struggled to think of what to do whenSlashwhip swung at her, only to be tackled by another figure. Everyone saw in shock as it was Kaito who stood above the surprised villain. "You don't touch my sister you freak!" He yelled at Slashwhip, who angrily got up.
"Kaito, wha-what are you doing?!" She questioned him with concern.
"Buying you time, now go Hinata!" He yelled but was then kicked in the gut by Slashwhip. Kaito fell onto the sidewalk, bruised but not badly injured.
"Okay, now I'm mad!" He shouted at Kaito, who got up with effort. Kaito charged at Slashwhip and readied a punch. He struck the villain in the face, but his fist only moved Slashwhip's skin up a bit instead of knocking him backwards. Slashwhip laughed evilly. "Sorry punk, but I'm prepared now so you ain't catching me by surprise again." Slashwhip grabbed Kaito by the throat, punched him in the face twice, then the gut three times. He knocked Kaito away with the third punch, sending him straight into a bike rack. "Heh, gotta be some quirkless loser. I don't even have to use my whips." He smugly said
Hinata couldn't stand to watch her older brother be beaten to death, so she activated her quirk that she had no experience in using in combat. She materialized a blade of purple energy and struck the villain's back. "Guh!" He yelled with some pain, but it didn't do much damage as his quirk also gave him extra strength, while her's wasn't very strong at the time. He spun around his right whip and swung for her face. She instantly made an energy square that shielded her from most of the impact, but the sheer force of the whip shattered the square and threw her flat on her back.
Before he could attack again, a bike was thrown against him from behind which stopped him right where he was, followed by Kaito jumping on him and trying to choke him into unconsciousness. "This is getting annoying…" Slashwhip mumbled. He grabbed Kaito by his hands and slammed him face first into the ground. But before he could finish the brave soul off, a hand everyone recognized pulled the boy away from the villain's reach.
"ALL MIGHT!" The hiding onlookers yelled.
"Really, villain! Interrupting these people's nice day of shopping? Tsk,Tsk,Tsk. Some of the ladies here have to look good for their dates, very rude of you to get in the way of them trying to look even prettier." Many of the women smiled and blushed as All Might complimented them with his usual smile.
Slashwhip simply looked in shock. N-Not good! I gotta get outta here! He panicked in his mind. He turned away from All Might and started to run away, only for the Number One hero to move in front of him at lightning speed. Slashwhip bumped into him and fell on his butt. "Stay back! Stay back!" He frantically yelled. In desperation, he slashed at All Might's chest a dozen times with his whips. The only effect they had was ripping his shirt.
All Might shook his head. "You ruined one of my favorite shirts." Slashwhip whimpered in fear, but not for long as All Might grabbed both of his arms and swung him onto the ground several times like a rag doll. He finished by spinning him around in the air, then letting go to allow the villain to fly away. I know that direction should lead him straight to police headquarters. After all, I've had lots of practice! He thought with confidence. Once the villain landed, he would be too weak to put up any fight with the police.
All Might then walked towards the injured Kaito, who was resting his head on Hinata's lap. "Are you okay son?" He questioned the young man.
"Yes sir, just a few bruises but only I don't give into pain that easily." He weakly responded, even though the wounds were more serious than he let on. "Thank you for saving me All Might sir, it's an honor to meet you."
"Yes! Thank you for saving my big brother! We'll always be in your debt!" Hinata also said.
"Now, now sports, no thanks are necessary! I'm only doing my job as a trained professional hero!" All Might replied with his hands to his hips. Really, though I should thank you to for reminding me to do my job no matter how I vulnerable I am at the moment. He thought to himself. "Tell me, what are your names?"
"Kaito Takahashi sir." "Hinata Takahashi." They both replied respectively.
Their conversation was interrupted when reporters and ambulances came in. The reporters were there for All Might, while the paramedics were there for the injured, including Kaito. Hinata convinced the paramedics to let her accompany her brother to the hospital while All Might was being interviewed and photographed. Can't keep this form up, go to run off soon. He looked to the ambulance driving away with the brave twins. Got to be sure to catch up to them later, I really think I should talk to them both, especially that Kaito man.
Unknown location
"…Concurrently to the attack in Musutafu by the Dragon level being 'Vaccine Man', another dragon level monster began its rampage today in Tokyo. The 100-meter-tall lizard-like beast arrived in Tokyo bay, only to be defeated by the hero Blast, bringing an end to his month-long absence. Blast used his incredible strength to knock the beast's teeth out before redirecting an energy beam attack straight back into its mouth, blowing the monster's head right off." The newswoman is then shown, courtesy of the hero Association, of Blast's battle with the monster. "Regarding his re-appearance, Blast had this to say."
The screen shifts to Blast clad in his purple-blue costume. "I was bored with dealing with lower level threats, so I decided to take a leave of absence to train some more. But when a dragon level monster shows up, that's my cue to come back. Those things are really the only threats that are any fun for us top rankers. And besides, I must protect my title as number 2. If All Might's keeping the top spot, I'll settle for second best." He finished.
A man then turned off the television, having seen enough. "For some heroes, its all about rank. That can be smugness on their part, but with the strength they have, I suppose I understand why all these positions may matter to their egos." The man said to himself.
"Dr. Genus the subject is stabilizing as we work to increase the amount of energy its mitochondria can provide to its cells. This is causing its growth to increase at an accelerating rate as expected, but the specimen will so out grow its tank in a matter of weeks." A man who looks exactly like this Dr. Genus informed.
"Excellent, our first warrior project promises to be a success. And do not worry about its tank. For if my hypothesis is correct, then by the time it outgrows it, our creature will be fully aware and ready to follow my commands." Dr. Genus stated with pride.
"As you say sir." His clone replied obediently. "Oh, and your partner called 10 minutes ago sir. He would like to know when you will be able to genetically enhance his own forces." He informed to doctor.
"I will personally contact him and give him the details, though it will depend if the results for our future projects are satisfactory. But I am confident that I can do so for him before the year is over." He replied. "Is that all my assistant."
"Yes sir." The clone then left.
Dr. Genus replayed the footage of Blast's fight. Quirks, an amazing show of evolution's progress. It's a shame these heroes use their evolved bodies to protect the weak and thus, hinder natural selection. He smiled sinisterly. Oh well, my partner should be able to deal with these fools eventually.
Who's the mad doctor's partner? You guys probably have a good guess. And yes, Kaito Takahashi is Mumen Rider.
I made up a name for him because I haven't heard of his real name being revealed in One Punch Man. Hinata is my OC for this fic, but I'm not planning on her joining U.A until WAY later in this story until she's older. Her quirk is energy manifestation like Fetch from Infamous Second Son. She can create objects of energy, but it really depends on how strong her state of mind is, like spiral power from Gurren Lagann.
Hero Rank:
Blast, Class-S Rank 2: His quirk is a power up, similar to One for All but it always remains active. It can't be passed down and so there is a limit to how strong Blast his. Comparing his strength (not personality) to All Might, he's like how Vegeta is to Goku.