Chapter 15

"You really turned him into a serpent monster and it let Snek be human? How's that turning out?"

"So far, really good. Got to admit though, the soothsayer's power is sketchy as hell!"

It was an unusual night. Garou lived up to his promise to Saitama and Genos and brought them over for dinner. Hunter joked about with the two heroes and jokingly broke up with Saitama. "It's not you, it's me…" he started off saying. There was a laugh from the family, and yet Saitama sat there straight-faced.

"Okay," was all he could say. But then a smile appeared. "Wait… you are no longer going to be crowding my apartment! This is great!" he said.

There was no longer a need for Hunter to be taken as his disciple anymore, so Saitama was now free. "By the way, congrats on making it to rank 1. Well done," said Genos.

"Yeah, well, I doubt I got there alone. SOMEONE pushed my rank"

Lingering in the living room was Amai Mask, who merely kept watching the TV in a messy coil. He spread himself all about the floor and lay rather contently before the television. Using the monster still in his stomach, it became a mere prop for him to rest on as he stared at the TV. He peered over at the table but never said anything or confessed to doing anything of the sort. "Anyway, Saitama, if you have the chance, I may have a way of getting you into the S Class if you are interested. The virtual reality that Genos has made has greatly improved, not like whatever is thrown at you matters. But it will prove your strength and capabilities to the association. We managed to promote one hero yesterday into A Class." Hunter explained.

"I would have gone yesterday but there was a sale. You know I don't miss a sale,"

"Well aware of that, I should have looked at the fliers ahead of time."

"It's a good opportunity," said Garou. "Quite frankly, you should have been in S Class after our bout!"

"I don't think anyone would have believed what happened,"

Hunter paused as he turned to Amai Mask. "How come you didn't say anything about it?" he asked.

Amai turned and forced a small laugh. "Garou was a threat, however since Saitama didn't go through with the punishment the others called for, it wasn't mentioned. Who would want to be linked to the defeat of Garou… but not the ending of him? Our names would have been all over that, and we would be blamed for letting him escape. Like hell I would allow my name get attached to that disaster."

"That's shitty," said Hunter. But he turned to Saitama. "I am grateful though that you showed my dad mercy."

"As I said to the others, he was just some guy in a monster suit." Saitama went back to his meal and savored it. "Mmm, stir fry. I'm surprised you didn't make hot pot."

"Next time," said Melee, she then paused. "But I always make that for you when you come over." Said Melee.

"I love hot pot though."

"Master Saitama does indeed, we usually have it at least three times a week." Explained Genos.

"Okay, I get it, hot pot when Saitama comes for dinner."

"So, what are you doing training wise?" asked Suiryu. "Anything new? Any new techniques?"

"Huh? Why would I need techniques?"

"He can still beat me with punches… he doesn't need anything more unless he wants to change it up." Said Garou, but then he realized something. "We haven't sparred in ages."

Saitama's eyes widened. "No… we haven't. Hey, wanna do a mock battle tomorrow?"

"This, I would like to see myself" said Amai.

"Of course, you just want to see me get my ass kicked!" called Garou. "But tomorrow, sure. I could go for a spar session. It's been a while. I don't think I've gotten that much stronger…"

"Dad… you nearly died a little while ago, we all nearly died," muttered Pac. "We all got stronger because of it."

"Wait, what?" demanded Sweet Mask.

"Near death experiences strengthen the family, it happened to Garou when he was first becoming a monster. It happens every so often, but not many have been able to bring him close to death like what happened a while ago. Damn house of evolution," Melee growled.

"What about you? Have you gotten stronger?" Amai asked Melee.

"I haven't really checked, I also don't quite gage myself like I use to. I am certain I have, but at the moment, it's not overly important to know."

"I think it is," said Garou. "I think you have gotten much stronger than before. Granted, you have limited control over the power you've gained from the S Class…"

"It's because no one focuses on a single power at once and allow it to develop" said Goliath.

The table froze and stared at him. He looked about as he continued to eat but was confused to the stares. "What? You didn't know that? What do you think Draven and I have been doing? We focused on one power at a time to see if we had it, and then strengthen it. When you are dedicated to a single idea, it's much easier to control and command it."

"Damn it, he's younger than us and he figured it out long before any of us have even mastered our own strengths!" protested Pac.

"Hey, remember, you three were the first of our kids to be born, we had no idea any of this was going to happen!" Garou protested. "Guess the twins learned off of you and figured this out…"

The twins were grinning from ear to ear on the matter. "Man, your kids are weird," said Saitama. "You think five is enough for you?"

Melee choked a little on her dinner, Garou however was smiling from ear to ear. "We're trying again, but I want a daughter."

Amai cringed to the news. "Must you speak of that during your dinner?" he asked in a condescending tone. "Not everyone wants to know your… habits."

"Seriously? Five isn't enough for you?" asked Saitama.

"They grow up so fast, half the time, I don't even get to enjoy them being kids!" Garou protested. "It doesn't help that they grow when someone puts them in a stressful situation. They force themselves to grow so they are strong enough to fight back."

"Man, that would suck wouldn't it? Being kids one moment, then whatever you age to the next?"

"Tell me about it!" the kids said aloud.

With the meal done, Melee packed up most of the leftovers for Saitama and Genos, she made extra desserts and sent them along with them. When they left for the night, the family joined Amai by the TV. He kept staring at the news as more and more reports of the blue serpent were making its rounds. "I'm surprised no one has figured out it's you yet" said Hunter.

"Again, I wish to keep it that way." Yet there was a look on Amai's face, he knows sooner than later, the world will realize it is him. But how he wants them to know, that is the challenge.