Field trips, yay! So exciting, aren't they? At least when you're a child. Getting to go somewhere and see or experience something new is so amazing!
Plus, you get to be with all your friends on a field trip! You can talk and have fun as you watch the scenery pass by. All the while, you wonder what incredible things await you at your destination! Again, field trips are just so awesome! Everyone loves a good field trip!
These were the thoughts currently going through Saitama's head. He was trying to trick his mind into perceiving the current atmosphere as pleasant. Unfortunately, no matter how he tried to spin the scene, the tone of the air was tense and uncomfortable. Nothing, not even the world's strongest hero, could make this ride any better than it already was. Truly, a sad situation.
After accepting Doctor Genus's invitation, the S-Class, Sweet Mask, Hellish Blizzard, Sitch, and his subordinates boarded an Association transport vehicle. Due to the size of the group and the desire to get to their destination as fast as possible, they took a helicopter specifically designed for hero deployment. This allowed everyone to have a seat with decent personal space. Admittedly, though, that was almost a necessity with this bunch.
You see, Saitama wasn't just the leader of S-Class. Simultaneously, he served as the rank's babysitter. No, seriously. In S-Class, the egos were plentiful, and the attitudes were nigh incompatible. This team was a literal powder keg, and Saitama was the only one with his hand on the fuse to keep it from going off.
Everyone respected him, and NONE of them wanted to be a nuisance. Even those like Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai, who were older than him, saw him as an inspiration where being a hero was concerned. They wanted to show their leader that, apart from their talents and powers, they deserved to be in this rank. Letting their grievances and issues with the other members become a problem for him was NOT acceptable.
Well, except for Tornado. She could run her mouth off and be a pain all she wanted. At first, the others wondered why Saitama allowed it. But, like everything else the hero did, they quickly deduced the reasoning for his nonchalant reaction toward her behavior.
In yet another amazing display of his character, Saitama was trying to help Tornado grow as a person. That was the explanation! If he responded angrily or got aggressive, it would only antagonize the Esper and make her double down. Instead, he was REMARKABLY tolerant and understanding!
Additionally, this could explain why Tornado had such a fixation on Saitama. Unlike everyone else, he didn't give her the reaction she wanted. If Saitama responded negatively, that was her justification. However, the constant monotone and neutral expression he was known for was, in a sense, Tornado's weakness. She had no countermeasure to it!
This would also clarify why King always obeyed her demands without resistance. To the slow-minded, they'd see it as him being scared of Tornado's power and thus wanting to appease her. But in reality, as Saitama's disciple, it was undeniable that he could EASILY hold his own against the psychic. It was just another layer to Saitama's efforts to help Tornado improve! Were there no lengths he wouldn't go to help his fellow heroes be better versions of themselves?
With this in mind, it made sense why King relinquished his seat in the carrier, which was initially next to Saitama, to Tornado when she demanded it. To think their leader and his disciple would do such a thing for someone else. Gosh, so inspiring.
But, all of that aside, the atmosphere of the carrier was still awkward. No one said or did anything to avoid displeasing Saitama somehow. Of course, he knew that was likely the reason. So, alongside deluding himself into seeing things more positively, Saitama felt guilty because he was indirectly the cause.
"What...to...do..." Saitama wondered, slowly moving his gaze across the vehicle. "I could try and start a conversation. But about what? There isn't a single thing we're all interested in that I could use as a topic." He contemplated, trying to solve this dilemma.
"One Punch Man." Flashy Flash, of ALL people, suddenly spoke and broke the silence.
For a few seconds, everyone was stunned. Was that an auditory hallucination? Or, for the first time in S-Class history, did one of the most reserved members attempt to start a conversation?
"Uh, yes, Flashy Flash?" Saitama responded, needing a second to snap out of the temporary daze.
"I'd like to discuss something with you before we arrive at the House of Evolution. Would that be permittable?" Flashy Flash inquired.
Ah. Now it made sense. The ninja of S-Class wanted to talk strategy with their leader. Although, he could also want to go over possible contingencies should things get messy.
"Yeah, sure, no problem." Saitama allowed. Honestly, this was genuinely exciting. He wanted a casual relationship with the others, similar to King. Saitama understood why everyone was formal and respectful, but they were a team. At the very least, they should be good acquaintances who could be comfortable around each other.
"Thank you." Flashy Flash said in appreciation before continuing. "Recently, I was informed that Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai have tried convincing you to study their arts. However, either choice would be a mistake. If you'd allow me, I'd love to teach you the ways of ninjutsu as they would be of greater-"
"YOU BASTARD!" Atomic Samurai yelled in anger. His teeth snapped the piece of straw he typically had in his mouth. "NOW, OF ALL TIMES, YOU'D CHOOSE TO TRY THIS CRAP?!" He questioned.
"Yes. Because it's one of the rare moments where King isn't monopolizing his time." Flashy Flash replied. "Furthermore, by illustrating the benefits of ninjutsu, I can convey how much it outclasses those of your sword style and Silver Fang's martial arts." He explained.
"Quite presumptuous of you to assume your techniques are better than ours." Silver Fang commented, far more composed than his companion.
"Yeah! How about after this mission, the two of us show you the worth of our teachings?" Atomic Samurai suggested with a smile. However, considering his current expression, it was far more threatening than inviting.
"I don't see the point of that. Unless One Punch Man would be present as a spectator." Flashy Flash said before returning his focus to their leader. "Would you?" He asked.
"That's a perfect idea!" Atomic Samurai enthusiastically exclaimed.
"Now, hold on." Tank Top Master interjected. "Superalloy and I have been trying for months to get One Punch Man to learn our attacks and methods. After all, he IS more like us in how he fights. Your styles have merits, but ours best fits him." He stated.
"Plus, we've been DYING to work out with him! We want to show him if he adds our regiment to his standard routine, he could become even MORE powerful than he already is!" Superalloy joined in.
"More powerful? Pfft. Sure. That makes sense." Isamu scoffed with an eye roll. "One Punch Man needs equipment to help cover some of the areas his abilities don't help him with. As his name suggests, he doesn't need new moves or a sword when he can defeat everything in one strike. So, he should spend some time at my lab so I can design some gear that'll help him in specific situations." He proposed.
"You guys are blowing out hot air, and that's it." Bad scoffed with an amused smirk. "Saitama doesn't need complex gizmos, training, weapons, Etc. He should just kick back and relax. The man's earned it." He said.
"Wow. The slacker says our leader should rest on his laurels. Do you even KNOW One Punch Man? He'd NEVER do that!" Flashy Flash criticized.
At that point, it was chaos. The only thing anyone would hear for the remainder of the ride was most of S-Class debating the proper use of their leader's time and who it should be spent with. As for Saitama, he resigned himself to silence halfway through the start of the debate. That brief moment of blissful ignorance when he assumed Flashy Flash just wanted to talk replayed in his mind.
Amazingly, Tornado didn't make a peep. She kept her eyes closed and blocked the noise by erecting barriers around her ears. The lack of demand for Saitama to spend more time with her might've been caused by her sitting next to him on this ride. But that was speculation, like with most of her actions and decisions.
Meanwhile...
...Sigh...
...Sigh...
...Sigh...
This series of calm yet despaired exhales came from Mosquito Girl. It'd been a while since she and Ground Dragon returned from their mission. Which, as it came to light earlier, she didn't know wasn't a solo venture. Ever since then, Mosquito Girl has been in a sorry state.
Her creator, Doctor Genus, couldn't busy himself with trying to improve her mood. He and his clones were preparing their facility in case One Punch Man decided to come here. So, the responsibility of tending to the downtrodden Mosquito Girl fell onto the Doctor's other creations. A simple task, right?
Wrong. You see, before Doctor Genus had his "rebirth" when Saitama became as powerful as he now is, these creations, which had been planned and worked on for a very long time, were meant only for combat. This explained, for example, why Mosquito Girl's hands were essentially two sets of long scythe-like blades that could cut through damn near anything. Admittedly, this was an inconvenience of design that her maker would need to correct later.
Focusing back on the Doctor's other creatures, this is why they struggled with the idea of comforting Mosquito Girl. For most of their life, all they knew was combat and violence. But now, they were treated as people, not living weapons. The emotions they were told to suppress were now actively encouraged to grow. The same applied to their personalities, preferences, and every other aspect of their individuality.
So, to have to deal with all of that and now suddenly lift the spirits of one of their own was, unjokingly, a monumental task. As such, the others were trying to figure out who was the best fit for the problem. Hopefully, they could get Mosquito Girl back to her normal self before the potential arrival of One Punch Man.
In total, excluding Mosquito Girl, there were seven. Most of them, like her, were a combination of human and animal DNA. The only exception was Armored Gorilla, who was a cyborg. And yes, that name, much like how the Association named its heroes, was straight to the point.
Honestly, that could be said for most of them. Frog Man. Slugerous. Ground Dragon, even though he was a mole. The remaining three were the only ones with creative names.
The first of this trio was Kamakyuri, who, for some reason, was the only one to receive an ACTUAL name from their creator. Why? None of them knew. Although, if asked, Doctor Genus would confess it was a clever play on words.
The name contained "kama," the Japanese word for a sickle. This was referring to Kamakyuri's bladed appendages. Why did he have those? Simple. Kamakyuri was a mix of human and mantis genetics. This also contributed to his name, as it was a play on the Japanese word "kamakiri," which meant mantis. Side note, like with Mosquito Girl's claws, Kamakyuri's lack of functioning hands would need to be addressed later.
Moving on, we arrive at Beast King. This massive half-man, half-lion was deserving of the name his creator gave him. He possessed taut and strong muscles that even Superalloy Darkshine would compliment. Beast King's overall physique and presence were commanding; you couldn't avoid acknowledging him and being aware of his power.
Yet, SHOCKINGLY, there was one even greater than him. Carnage Kabuto. The strongest member of the House of Evolution. Fast. Durable. Powerful beyond measure. The half-man, half-rhinoceros beetle creature was equal to a force of nature. With little effort, Carnage Kabuto could lay waste to the world. It'd be like watching a tornado tear through the countryside.
With all of this in mind, it wasn't hard to believe that initially, Carnage Kabuto was an egotistical sociopath. Truthfully, Doctor Genus, his clones, and the other members used to fear him. He was uncontrollable, an insane monster. Then, One Punch Man happened.
Imagine the following; it's quite humorous as well as humbling. Carnage Kabuto was in his containment cell, waiting for his daily meals to be delivered. Suddenly, his creator arrives. With an ear-to-ear grin, Carnage Kabuto assumed this was finally the day he'd be released. If not, he'd happily kill his maker, achieve freedom, and lead the House of Evolution.
With no words, only his usual serious expression, Doctor Genus turned on a projector in the room that could create holographic images or display videos. He then played a series of recordings for his creation's viewing pleasure. Doctor Genus wouldn't deny his enjoyment of Carnage Kabuto's reaction if asked. Watching as his creation's smug grin and arrogant attitude slowly disappeared was exquisite~
Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Carnage Kabuto observed the top-ranked hero of the Association defeat countless monsters with only one blow. Each of his enemies exploded violently. There was a zero chance of survival. At first, like most, Carnage Kabuto believed this to be a series of flukes or some elaborate hoax.
But then, Doctor Genus provided the data they gathered during these fights. It wasn't a trick. The level of force that One Punch Man could deliver when BARELY trying exceeded the greatest of mankind's bombs and other weaponry. If the top-ranked hero made any real effort, he could crack a continent in half with one stomp.
Once this reality set in, Carnage Kabuto had a panic attack. It wasn't possible. It just HAD to be a trick! He was the epitome of evolution! He was the strongest creature alive! There couldn't be something, let alone a human, that existed which possessed such frightening strength!
Every ounce of his being trembled. Every instinct gave off danger signals. Fear. Genuine terror. Carnage Kabuto was meant to inflict such strong emotion on others, not suffer from it as they would. And yet, that's precisely what happened.
Now, at this point, one might ponder the importance of this information regarding the present. How does this backstory of how Carnage Kabuto was shown humility apply to the dilemma with Mosquito Girl? Simple. The other members of the House of Evolution, while also being humbled to some extent by One Punch Man's existence, were nowhere close to Carnage Kabuto.
So, who better to console Mosquito Girl, who was facing a crisis of confidence, than the one in their ranks who had his inflated sense of self deflated?
"No way." Carnage Kabuto stated, rejecting the others' proposal.
"Come on, Kabuto." Frog Man complained with a sigh. "We all agree you're the best pick. Just get on with it." He said.
"HOW am I the best one?" Carnage Kabuto questioned before pointing at Slugerous. "What about you? You're a telepath, right? Can't you sense her emotions and speak to her?" He asked.
"Just because I'm a psychic doesn't mean I'm an expert at consoling other people," Slugerous answered. "Face it, Kabuto. You're the only one fit for the job. Remember how depressed you were after learning about One Punch Man?" He reminded.
"I WASN'T DEPRESSED!" Carnage Kabuto angrily shouted. "I...just needed time to plan a strategy! Yeah! That's it! Should he and I ever duke it out, I need to know how to hold my own." He explained.
"So, does that mean you'll fight One Punch Man if he shows up?" Beast King asked with an amused grin.
Everyone looked at Carnage Kabuto for a few seconds with the same smug "Uh huh, really?" look. Would he be willing to continue this facade, or just own up to the fact he was miserable after learning there was a human out there that could kill him with a finger flick?
"Uh...well, you know, the Doc's going to be busy talking to him about business and stuff..." Carnage Kabuto muttered while avoiding eye contact.
"Right. Of course." Beast King replied before getting back on track. "Anyway, one of us needs to go and talk to Mosquito Girl. If One Punch Man IS on his way, we don't have much longer until he's knocking on the door. So, who's going over there?" He inquired.
For another small period, no one said anything. They kept their gazes fixated on Carnage Kabuto, but they could tell he wasn't budging on this. Furthermore, they couldn't force him to do it. He'd lay them out like a freshly cleaned bedsheet.
"...Fine. I'll do it." Kamakyuri volunteered while raising one of his blades.
"You sure, Kamakyuri?" Ground Dragon asked.
"I mean, if the big baby's not going to, then I'm probably the best choice. I'm a bug like her. We both don't have normal hands. There's SOME common ground I can maybe use to try and get her to open up." Kamakyuri answered.
"God speed, Kamakyuri." Frog Man told him with a mock salute.
Following in his example, the others also saluted. Kamakyuri rolled his eyes at their gesture as he turned around and headed for Mosquito Girl.
"...Sigh..." Mosquito Girl exhaled. Honestly, it was impressive how she wasn't lightheaded by now.
"Hey, Mosquito Girl." Kamakyuri awkwardly greeted. Social interactions are another bane of the House of Evolution.
"..." Mosquito Girl didn't acknowledge him. She kept her arms folded on the table she sat at, and her head rested on them.
"...Soooooooo..." Kamakyuri began while sitting next to her. How to start a conversation. Truly, the biggest problem any member of the House of Evolution faced. "...I...heard...how your mission went..." He said, putting this sentence together as he spoke.
"Don't you mean GROUND DRAGON'S mission?" Mosquito Girl asked in a grumble and pout.
Holy crap! A simultaneous verbal response and acknowledgment of her comrade's existence! This was a milestone achievement!
"Well, from how it sounds, you guys had different missions." Kamakyuri corrected, hoping to maintain this momentum.
"Yeah. Mine was to make a fool of myself. His was damage control." Mosquito Girl replied.
"Nah. You were...the frontline!" Kamakyuri exclaimed, a stroke of genius striking him.
Hoping she'd take the bait, the mantis man was ecstatic when he saw Mosquito Girl slowly turn her head towards him. She didn't say anything; she just stared with a look that was unsure if he knew where he was going with this.
"Think about it, Mosquito Girl. You can't easily wear clothes yet. The doctor hasn't modified our bodies to be more suitable for non-combative environments. Where would you have stored the capsule? Even if you were extra careful, what would you have done if someone attacked you? Which is what happened." Kamakyuri asked.
"Well, I'd prioritize my assailant and-"
"EXACTLY!" Kamakyuri cut her off, and his volume made her jump back in surprise. "You are meant for fighting, Mosquito Girl! That's why the doctor didn't give you the capsule. If ANY complications arose, he KNEW with your speed and precise strikes that you'd dispatch any nuisances in a flash!" He told her.
"I...guess so..." Mosquito Girl slowly agreed. Her mood had changed from sad to contemplative. Kamakyuri had her right where he wanted; now it was time to deal the finishing blow!
"Compare yourself to Beast King, Carnage Kabuto, and Armored Gorilla." Kamakyuri started again as he pointed to the three he mentioned. "Sure, Kabuto is fast, but the guy's as graceful as a wrecking ball covered in explosives. Beast King's more mindful of his surroundings when he isn't in a frenzy. But if he gets into a battle, the dude is almost as bonkers as Kabuto. As for Armored Gorilla, he's the smartest of the three. But his speed and power are entirely dictated by his components. Plus, he's got that weird fixation on being cooler by doing a robot voice. Not the best way to make a first impression." He explained before focusing back on her. "But you, Mosquito Girl? You've got speed, tact, and power. You're the all-rounder of the House of Evolution! You have no glaringly obvious flaws or shortcomings. So, why not have you serve as both the messenger AND the muscle, then have one of the weaker members who're meant for tactical operations worry about carrying the capsule? That's why the Doctor didn't tell you. He WAS confident that you'd safely make it to One Punch Man and give the most favorable impression of the House of Evolution." He concluded.
For a moment, Mosquito Girl only stared at Kamakyuri. Her mind busied itself with processing everything he had said. When it was complete, a massive smile appeared on her face. Followed by a reaction the mantis couldn't have predicted.
"Kamakyuri! You're a genius!" Mosquito Girl complimented him before suddenly throwing her arms around him for a hug. "Now it all makes sense! As you said, I'm perfect! Plus, on top of it all, I have my womanly charms and appeal. Even if One Punch Man were wary at first, he would've been enticed the moment he laid his eyes on me. There was no one better to establish first contact!" She joyfully exclaimed.
"Yeah! Now you're getting it." Kamakyuri responded. Inside, he was "tastefully" praising himself for his success.
"Honestly, I can't believe I got so upset about it in the first place." Mosquito Girl confessed as she released him. "Of course, Ground Dragon couldn't go alone. The poor thing would've been killed if I hadn't been there to protect him." She reasoned.
"Completely agreed," Kamakyuri replied, feeding her ego to improve her mood further.
"Thanks, Kamakyuri. It was sweet of you to help set things straight like this." Mosquito Girl said, showing her gratitude. Which, in turn, was appreciated by him.
"Aw, it was nothing," Kamakyuri humbly assured. He planned to hold this over the others' heads for the foreseeable future.
Ding Dong
That was the sound of the intercom of the facility being turned on. The House's leader was about to say something to his creations and clones.
"Attention. An Association helicopter has been detected on radar approaching from the south. The model is designed to transport several occupants at once. We can't be sure until it gets closer, but it's likely S-Class, which can only mean one thing. Please proceed to gather at the facility entrance."
When the broadcast was done, the air filled with footsteps. Although not running, the clones still moved swiftly to ensure everything was as it should be for One Punch Man's arrival. Oh, and the other S-Class heroes. They were important, too, I guess.
"Ooh! One Punch Man's on his way~" Mosquito Girl excitedly sang as she rose from her seat. "Again, thanks for the talk, Kamakyuri. You're really good at it." She complimented him one more time before hurrying to the entrance.
"Damn, dude. Great job." Carnage Kabuto, surprisingly, praised the mantis as the others approached. They waited for Mosquito Girl to be out of earshot before speaking. "Seriously. We figured you'd crash and burn." He admitted.
"What can I say?" Kamakyuri rhetorically asked while getting to his feet. His voice oozed with swagger. "There's a reason my brain's on display. I'm too smart not to share its beauty with the world." He bragged.
"I thought that was because of a communication error between the Doctor and his clones when you were created." Frog Man stated, quickly humbling the out-of-control ego of the mantis.
"Er, the story's different depending on who tells it..." Kamakyuri responded while looking off to the side. "Anyway, we should get going." He said, quickly changing the topic.
Nodding to show they agreed, the group of animal hybrids (and one cybernetically enhanced gorilla) followed the horde of clones to the entrance.
Meanwhile...
"Okay. So, here's the schedule." Isamu began while holding and looking at a notepad. "Mondays can be dedicated to Silver Fang, Atomic Samurai, and Flashy Flash training at Silver Fang's dojo. It's near City Z, so One Punch Man won't need to travel that far to get there.
Tuesdays will go to Tank Top Master and Superalloy. Even though One Punch Man won't be exhausted by Monday's training, it'll still be nice to unwind in a gym with top-of-the-line equipment and premium food and beverages. Plus, the gym in question has a swimming pool. A perfect way to cool off after a workout session.
Wednesdays will go to me. After two days of training and exercises, One Punch Man can take it easy as I design and test my inventions. The most he'll need to do is offer feedback and comment on what he thinks is necessary. Or, if he wants to look cool, I can workshop his ideas.
Thursdays will be dedicated to strategizing. One Punch Man will meet with Zombieman and Drive Knight to discuss battle tactics and how best to utilize each S-Class hero and the Association's resources. This will be done at the Association HQ to ensure confidentiality and comfort.
Fridays are given to Sweet Mask. He and One Punch Man will make public appearances, schedule events, and do general PR work to improve the Association's image and relations with the people. Additionally, it'll allow One Punch Man to speak to his fans directly and hopefully get them to behave less fanatically. However, whether or not that works depends on the people.
Finally, Saturday and Sunday are for One Punch Man. The only way ANY of us can spend time with him is if he wants to. On top of all this, King can accompany One Punch Man since he's his disciple and sidekick." He read aloud before looking at their leader. "How does that sound to you, One Punch Man?" He asked.
At some point in their discourse, Child Emperor proposed that the S-Class try and work out a schedule for those who wanted to spend time with One Punch Man. Miraculously, after some back and forth, they settled on a timetable everyone found agreeable. Strangely, One Punch Man didn't participate in the discussion. He sat motionless with his arms folded and his eyes, unblinking, staring forward.
The others assumed One Punch Man was listening, waiting to see what they came up with without his input. However, in reality, Saitama was SPACED. He mentally checked out when the shouting had reached its apex.
"What'll I have for dinner tonight?" Saitama pondered. "I think I'm in the mood for meat, but I could also go for something with noodles. Maybe both?" He suggested.
"Saitama." Fubuki, via telepathy, suddenly spoke to him in his mind.
"Whoa, hey, Fubuki." Saitama mentally responded. "Is this the first time you've used telepathy with me?" He asked, unable to think of a prior instance.
"Yes. But there's no time to focus on that." Fubuki answered. "Saitama, have you heard anything over the last ten to fifteen minutes?" She inquired.
"Heard? Oh. Do you mean about everyone's fighting? Nope. Zoned out." Saitama replied.
"Thought so. Saitama, they devised a schedule for how they'd like to spend time with you. They're waiting for you to say something." Fubuki informed him.
"THEY WHAT?!" Saitama questioned, his eyes getting slightly wider upon receiving the news.
"Calm down. You need to say something, and you need to do it quickly. They'll get suspicious if you stay quiet any longer." Fubuki told him before going silent.
"Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap." Saitama rapidly panicked. What could he say in this situation?!
"One Punch Man? Are you okay?" Superalloy inquired.
Now that he wasn't lost in his dinner plans, Saitama could hear the world around him again. Meaning he caught Superalloy's question.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry." Saitama apologized, finally blinking. "I...was...making sure...that...the schedule...wouldn't be problematic..." He slowly said, his brain still working overtime to think of something better.
"Well, we all still have opinions about it. But since we're almost at our destination, we don't have any more time to spend on it. Hence, any input from you would be greatly appreciated." Tank Top Master responded.
"I'd love to, BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS! FUBUKI DIDN'T TELL ME!" Saitama shouted in his head before speaking. "Right. Sure. No problem..." He started, trying to buy himself some time. "I...think...that...Monday...is...a bit...too...crowded..." He told them. Knowing the other heroes of S-Class, Saitama took a WILD guess that everyone would try to spend time with him at the start of the week.
"See? What did I tell you?" Silver Fang asked the others. "Having three separate training sessions that use completely different styles and methods is absurd. It wouldn't work." He stated.
"Wait, what? What the hell did they want to do with me on Monday?" Saitama pondered. Simultaneously, he was SO grateful for his unmatched poker face in times like this.
"Well, it's the only compromise I could think of!" Isamu exclaimed. "The only other option is to have One Punch Man pick one of you, complete your techniques first, then move on to one of the other two." He said.
"I call dibs, then." Atomic Samurai was quick to react.
"Doesn't count." Flashy Flash denied.
"The hell it doesn't!" Atomic Samurai argued.
"I said One Punch Man would pick!" Isamu interjected, reminding them of that part.
"Yes, that would be the only fair option." Silver Fang agreed. "So, what say you, Saitama?" He asked.
Damn, it. Not again. Saitama pleaded with whatever cosmic forces were at play to do him a solid just once. They owed him; he was sure of it.
THUNK
That was the sound of the helicopter touching down. At the front of the passenger area, the door separating it and the cockpit was opened by one of the pilots.
"Sirs, S-Class, we've reached our destination." The pilot told them before pointing behind himself with his thumb. "We see one of Metal Knight's robots a few feet from the copter. Seems he's been waiting." He added.
"Oh, thank you." Saitama mentally sighed in relief before standing up. "Whelp. We better get out there and see what intel Metal Knight's got." He quickly said before hurrying out of the vehicle.
That was close. However, this scheduling business would undoubtedly resurface later. But that was a problem for future Saitama.
As everyone followed the top-ranked hero out of the helicopter, they immediately saw what the pilot referred to. As the pilot said, a robot stood a few feet from the front of the transport. Unlike nearly all of Metal Knight's mechanical marvels, this one wasn't equipped with an unknowable amount of weapons. Instead, the visible gear and attachments were designed for reconnaissance.
"One Punch Man. It's good to see you." The voice of Metal Knight greeted S-Class's leader as he approached. The man behind the machine was Bofoi, a brilliant inventor and scientist who provided much of the Association's technology.
"Good to see you too, Metal Knight." Saitama politely responded, going so far as to shake the robot's hand even though he didn't need to. "So, what's up? Are we walking into an ambush?" He inquired.
"It wouldn't appear so." Metal Knight began as the robot turned around and pointed to a mountain range in the distance. "Beyond these trees, at the base of the closest mountain, is the House of Evolution. It's hidden quite well and was built from the mountain itself. My scans show that most of the floors above ground are not facilities. Mainly comprising several sleeping quarters, common areas, Etc. However, those below the surface are undoubtedly where their work is conducted. There also appears to be a sort of combat space, but I cannot be sure if this is true without closer examination. One entrance exists, and the below-ground rooms and corridors are only accessible via a large elevator in the center of the building. As for inhabitants, as expected, multiple life signs are identical. The sole exceptions are the non-human entities. All of them have gathered at the entrance, presumably awaiting your arrival." He explained.
"That doesn't count as an ambush?" Bad questioned. As it was spoken, he and the other heroes had gathered for the debrief.
"Their body language and positioning aren't indicative of a surprise attack. What we assume to be the clones are standing side-by-side and in sectioned groups. The non-humans are resting behind a single figure, who is most likely the actual Doctor Genus." Metal Knight stated.
"Hm, okay," Saitama said before looking at Zombieman. "I agree with Metal Knight that this isn't a bad situation. But since you know these guys, I want to hear your thoughts. Should we still be careful?" He asked.
"Exposing themselves like this, as much as I hate to say it, is a good sign," Zombieman confessed. "However, even if it's just me being paranoid, I'd prefer if Metal Knight could position some of his combat units in case this place turns into a battlefield. And before anyone says anything, I KNOW we have One Punch Man. But I genuinely believe that any confidence is unwise." He told him.
"Can you do that?" Saitama inquired, speaking to the robot again.
"I assumed you'd want a just-in-case measure at the ready. Additional units are on standby, weapons un-primed. If things become uneasy, I'll begin their activation and have them hold their positions unless things escalate further." Metal Knight replied.
"Alright. We should be good to go unless anyone has anything else to say." Saitama said while turning to face the other heroes.
"I have one suggestion." Drive Knight spoke up. "We should request a full tour. Metal Knight, myself, and Child Emperor can perform scans as we traverse. Any restriction of access by the doctor will indicate his intention betrays his promise of transparency. A subtle test that he might see through, but regardless of if he does, it'll give us the certainty we want." He proposed.
"Wow. Great thinking, Drive Knight." Saitama praised his comrade.
"Thank you. But I'm confident you had the same idea in mind." Drive Knight responded.
"Yeah, totally." Saitama thought before clapping his hands. "So, just want to ask again, does anyone else have anything to say?" He asked.
Waiting for any outbursts or raised hands, only to be met with none, Saitama turned around and headed for the House of Evolution. With the others following behind, each hero ready to do their part if needed, the group would soon clear the thicket of trees and discover a most intriguing sight. As Metal Knight described, multiple groups of the same man stood before a tall building. Briefly regarding the structure, in addition to being built from the mountain, it was covered in multiple patches of moss that also helped it to blend with its environment.
Back to the mass of individuals waiting to greet S-Class, the middle section drew the most attention. Standing at the front was a well-dressed man with black hair and striking blue eyes. He presented the image of an intelligent and well-spoken individual. This had to be the person of the hour, Doctor Genus.
Behind him were most assuredly his creations. Saitama and Fubuki immediately spotted Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon, which was impressive. There were many non-humans, eight in total, and they were of varying sizes. The two that stuck out the most were a bipedal lion-man and a rhinoceros beetle-man.
As S-Class came to a stop, each member assessing the situation and surroundings, the House's leader would begin his welcome.
"One Punch Man." Dr. Genus spoke as he slowly walked forward. "I'll be blunt. I didn't think you'd come." He confessed.
"Honestly? I couldn't refuse. Nothing like this has ever happened before. My curiosity was too much." Saitama replied before gesturing to his group. "Sorry for bringing so many plus ones." He apologized.
"It's no trouble. If anything, a reaction like this was the predicted outcome if you accepted my invitation. The chances of the Association remaining unaware, as well as your fellow heroes, were extremely low. We're fully prepared to accommodate all of you." Dr. Genus promised.
"What does that mean?" Bad inquired, the first to test the waters.
"Logically, you'd want a tour of our home, yes? The corridors and hallways were expanded some time ago to make traversing them with large groups much easier. This way, we can avoid any feelings of being cramped or crowded. Furthermore, we have food and beverages ready if you are peckish or parched." Dr. Genus explained.
"What about traps? Anything you'd like to share with us?" Zombieman asked.
"None, I'm afraid. Even if we weren't expecting you, pre-installed defenses are pointless when we have my creations to protect us." Dr. Genus answered. "Also, it's good to see you again, Subject Sixty-Six." He added.
Hearing himself be referred to in that way struck a nerve with Zombieman. Was this a jest? A taunt? A sincere greeting? Was Doctor Genus trying to provoke his former creation into inciting an attack to make the heroes look bad?
"Hey," Saitama spoke up, getting the attention back on him. "I don't mean to be THAT guy, but he goes by Zombieman now. Plus, I'm sure he wouldn't want to be called by his experiment number. Probably not a lot of good memories there." He said.
"Oh. Of course. I didn't mean to say something of ill taste. Forgive me." Dr. Genus replied before looking at his former creation again. "I give you my word, moving forward, I will only address you as Zombieman." He assured.
Zombieman remained silent. This was so surreal. Doctor Genus, the most egotistical person he'd ever known, was being polite. Sure, it could just be to avoid angering One Punch Man, but still, there was a chance that he HAD changed, no matter how small.
"Right. Moving on." Dr. Genus said, knowing he wouldn't get a response. "What would you like to see first, One Punch Man? How do you want the tour to start?" He asked.
"Well, everyone with me is worried about the legitimacy of all this. So, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we'd like to see your science stuff first." Saitama answered.
Wow. One Punch Man wasn't wasting any time; that's what the others thought.
"Of course. We've ensured our facilities have been prepared for a thorough examination." Dr. Genus informed him before turning around. "Please, follow me. My clones and creations will remain in the back." He stated.
Most of S-Class's instant reaction was that this was a trap. However, considering that the moment any of the non-humans made a suspicious move, Tornado could crush them with her Esp, that thought was quietly dispelled. So, following their leader's example to trust the doctor, they withheld any objections they might've voiced for now.
Moving in near-perfect unison, S-Class followed Doctor Genus into the House of Evolution. To everyone's surprise, the clones and non-humans didn't begin tailing them until there was a sizable distance between the two groups. Perhaps this was done to ease the wariness of the heroes and Association employees. If so, that was a smart move, expected of the doctor.
As everyone moved through the building, they paid as much attention to even the most minute details. So far, nothing set off any instincts or alarms in the heroes. The environment was exceptionally clean and orderly. As Metal Knight said, the above-ground rooms they saw were entirely normal.
Eventually, both groups reached an industrial-sized elevator. Again, as mentioned by Metal Knight. The leading group, consisting of S-Class, the Association employees, and Doctor Genus, would descend first. Admittedly, this did add credibility to the doctor's intent for a friendly relationship. The ride inside the lift took quite a few minutes; he was too far from his creations to be considered "safe," so he'd be at the heroes' mercy if something happened.
"Excuse me, Doctor Genus." Metal Knight spoke, getting all eyes on his robot. "Why have we gone to such a deep level of the facility?" He inquired.
"Of all the things I wish to show One Punch Man, and by extension the rest of you, there is one room in particular that holds the most importance." Dr. Genus stated.
"Care to share more details with the class?" Atomic Samurai asked, his hand never leaving the hilt of his sword.
"It's a combat area meant for my creations to train and for us to gather combat data." Dr. Genus answered, quickly raising his hand afterward. "Before you say anything, no, I do not intend for One Punch Man to fight. Nor do I wish to gather information on him during this tour without his consent. I want to show all of you this space to show what I can offer the Association." He explained.
"But you're a geneticist. Wouldn't that be the first thing you'd want to showcase?" Isamu questioned.
"I already have, Child Emperor. You've seen my creations for yourselves. You haven't witnessed their capabilities, but you've more than likely already assessed their potential given your experience and keen eyes." Dr. Genus replied.
That was true. Every member could easily tell those non-humans were strong. Furthermore, Drive and Metal Knight performed scans of each creature upon seeing them. For a first impression, Doctor Genus's capabilities as a geneticist were unrivaled.
Continuing the trek in silence, soon, everyone would reach a rather interesting room. If asked to interpret the concept of a "void," this would likely be what most people would put forward. The walls, floor, and ceiling were blindingly white. Additionally, the space was MASSIVE.
"Now, to fully appreciate this room's design, I'd ask all of you to step in here." Dr. Genus requested while approaching one of the nearby walls. When he reached it, he placed his hand on a specific section. After a few seconds, a part of the wall retracted into itself, revealing another room.
Walking into this new space, the others discovered a spectator area. Granted, there was a lot more to it than that. However, only Metal Knight, Drive Knight, and Child Emperor could make sense of the room's myriad gizmos and electronics. They were also the only ones who cared.
"When my creations reach us, they will show off their abilities in the combat room." Dr. Genus began explaining once everyone was inside and the door was closed. "I hope all of you will see the worth of associating yourselves with the House of Evolution from this demonstration. Imagine the countless things that can be achieved with our partnership. There will never be a situation where the Association and its heroes are surprised or left unprepared by a new monster or threat." He said.
"Sounding pretty confident there, doc," Bad commented. "Not trying to be an ass, but why would we need you? We have One Punch Man, after all." He reminded.
"That you do. However, what about the rest of you? The heroes in the lower ranks? One Punch Man can't be everywhere at once. If a hero is badly injured or on the cusp of dying, attending to them and ensuring their survival will be dire. But with my technology and knowledge of genetics, such concerns are a thing of the past." Dr. Genus replied.
"Are you suggesting that we allow you to clone the other heroes and us?" Flashy Flash asked.
"That would need to be decided on an individual level. If a hero gives their permission, should this partnership occur, we will happily resurrect them if they perish. However, we can also clone organs and blood. So, even outside extreme scenarios, we can help with other medical matters. Imagine a world where no one has to wait for an organ transplant anymore. Blood transfusions are as easily conducted as a check-up. The blind, deaf, and generally crippled can be restored to a better state of living. The House of Evolution can accomplish what your resources and personnel aren't able to. A perfect harmonious union, all for the betterment of humanity." Dr. Genus answered.
Huh, I'll be damned. That was what quite a few people were thinking right now. Doctor Genus was prepared for this meeting in more ways than one. He presented so many possibilities for the use of his science and technology. A partnership between both organizations was almost necessary now, given what could be gained.
"...I have a question," Saitama spoke, catching everyone by surprise.
"Oh? Regarding what, One Punch Man?" Dr. Genus responded.
"It's not about anything you've said so far, and it isn't about me. I've had this on my mind since my encounter with Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon." Saitama started. "Out of curiosity, would it be possible to help non-humans? Up until now, we've all assumed that they were mindless monsters. Don't get me wrong, practically ALL of them have been. But keeping your creations hidden from the public will be impossible. So, they'll have to become public figures, maybe even heroes. If that happens, a LOT of work will have to go into getting the public to trust them and convince everyone that they're not threats. If we're successful, it could encourage other non-humans to come forward to try and live normal lives. If that happens, would we be able to help?" He asked.
Holy crap. No one expected to hear such a question from Saitama. Everyone, even Tatsumaki, looked at him with widened eyes. However, one specific part caught many others' attention.
"One Punch Man," Sitch spoke up, the first to do so. "Are you serious? Non-humans as heroes?" He questioned.
"What else would they do?" Saitama challenged. "From what I could tell, NONE of them can do anything except fight. They're obviously meant for combat. I can't see any of them working in a supermarket or serving meals in a restaurant." He told him before looking at Doctor Genus. "No offense." He added, not wanting to be rude.
"No, your assessment is accurate, One Punch Man." Dr. Genus agreed, not insulted. "Admittedly, my clones and I plan to alter my creations' bodies to be more suitable for human civilization. They'll be able to interact with our structures and objects like us before long." He assured.
"Could you do the same for other non-humans, then?" Saitama inquired.
"Easily. It'd be no issue." Dr. Genus confidently replied.
"Hold on!" Sitch interjected. "One Punch Man, this proposal requires greater consideration! We need to talk to the other Association heads. Agoni himself will need to be contacted! We can't hastily approve or promise anything!" He stressed.
"That's fine. I'm just thinking about the future. So far, Doctor Genus hasn't done anything to make him seem untrustworthy. If this works out, we need to plan for the future." Saitama said.
"Er, yes. That is true." Sitch agreed, still nervous and surprised by this development.
Shick
That was the sound of the room's door opening. Afterward, Doctor Genus's clones would enter. Looking to the combat room, everyone saw his creations getting into position. Except for Frog Man, Ground Dragon, and Slugerous since they'd get DEMOLISHED.
"We're ready to begin the demonstration." Dr. Genus stated. "Do you want us to delay it briefly to continue talking? Or shall we proceed?" He asked.
"No. We can keep talking after." Saitama answered before looking at Sitch. "Right?" He inquired.
"Um, yes. Of course." Sitch replied with a nod.
With a pin in the conversation, Doctor Genus turned his attention to his creations. At the center of the room, Kamakyuri stood opposite Mosquito Girl on one side. On the other, Beast King and Armored Gorilla faced Carnage Kabuto, a two-on-one.
"Ahem." Dr. Genus cleared his throat. He spoke into a microphone on the table before himself that he turned on. "Here are the rules. Three minutes. Both fights shall occur simultaneously. You are only meant to attack your intended opponents. No transformations. No reckless behavior. Damage to the combat room is allowed within a reasonable threshold. If any of you show signs of losing control or you sustain far too much injury, the fight will end immediately, and the room will be gassed. Do you understand?" He stated, ending with a question.
"Yes, sir." All of his creations answered.
"Hold on." Zombieman interrupted. "Lose control? What do you mean?" He inquired.
"Beast King and Carnage Kabuto, where offensive capabilities are concerned, were designed to destroy entire cities when they enter a certain state. Please remember that this was BEFORE One Punch Man became One Punch Man. As promised, my creations will undergo genetic reconstruction to make them a non-threat to civilian populations." Dr. Genus explained.
"You wouldn't mind if one of us watched it happen, would you? To ensure you'd go through with it." Zombieman challenged.
"Of course not." Dr. Genus welcomed. "If anything, you'd be perfect for that task, Zombieman. You'd be able to see through any deception I could try." He added.
To that, Zombieman had no rebuttal. Again, Doctor Genus was being so agreeable. Was this the real him? Could such a person with such grand desires be rehabilitated like this?
"Doctor?" Mosquito Girl called out from the room. "Is something wrong?" She asked, unsure why they hadn't been given the go-ahead yet.
"Sorry, something came up, and we needed to discuss it." Dr. Genus answered after turning the microphone back on. "You may proceed." He permitted.
The moment they received confirmation, Doctor Genus's creations were in motion. Within an instant, Kamakyuri and Mosquito Girl disappeared. The only way those with normal eyes could detect their presence was from the constant clashing of their bladed appendages. Sparks and sounds of sharpened metal clashing were their signs of life.
Contrastly, Beast King, Armored Gorilla, and Carnage Kabuto were slow. However, this was intentional. Beast King and Armored Gorilla knew their opponent's speed, durability, and strength. Their first strike had to be coordinated and well-executed. Hence, the duo slowly circled Carnage Kabuto, waiting to choose the right opportunity.
In reaction, Carnage Kabuto gave them their moment. He was curious and excited to see what the pair would do.
FWOOM
That was the sound of Armored Gorilla's punch splitting the air and, unfortunately, missing Carnage Kabuto. But this miss was expected, as evidenced by Beast King attempting to compensate by attacking with a broad slash of his claws. Sadly, in both assaults, Carnage Kabuto effortlessly dodged. Yet his assailants couldn't give him any breathing room, so they maintained the offensive with more punches and slashes.
Swing after swing, Carnage Kabuto dodged. He could easily tank these blows with his hardened carapace, but he wanted to show off for One Punch Man and impress the others. Eventually, Beast King and Armored Gorilla forced him near the back wall. Soon, he'd have no more room to evade on his feet.
An important distinction to make. Because once Carnage Kabuto realized the diminishing space, he opened his wings and took to the sky. Once he landed, he'd begin his counterattack.
BAM
Impressively, Carnage Kabuto was caught by surprise. How? He never anticipated a combo maneuver from his attackers. As he took flight, Beast King grabbed one of Armored Gorilla's arms. Then, in one swift and powerful motion, he threw his partner with the same force as a cannonball being fired.
Armored Gorilla collided with Carnage Kabuto and wrapped his arms around him. This forced the beetle's wings to close, resulting in a sudden descent. Carnage Kabuto could EASILY break this hold; that wasn't the issue. The problem lay with Beast King.
Expecting the described outcome, Beast King was already approaching from the ground. His powerful legs allowed him to leap to such a height with no issue. Even IF Carnage Kabuto broke free, he couldn't open his wings fast enough to escape the incoming strike. Furthermore, Armored Gorilla's body was durable enough to withstand the attack, so using him as a shield would do nothing.
So, at that moment, Carnage Kabuto made a choice. He leaned into the descent headfirst; his horn pointed at Beast King. This forced the lion-man to position his arms before himself to prevent serious damage. However, this played precisely into Carnage Kabuto's overall plan.
With the combined weight of himself and Armored Gorilla, Carnage Kabuto was going to body slam the ferocious feline. The best-case scenario was that he'd knock Beast King out. Of course, the chances of that were very slim. Regardless, it would get them all back on the ground and reset the fight.
BOOM
The impact was akin to a small explosion. Incredibly, mere seconds later, all three combatants were on their feet and going at it again. Now, Beast King and Armored Gorilla had to balance offense with defense as Carnage Kabuto started throwing punches.
FWOOSH
At last, Mosquito Girl and Kamakyuri were visible again. The pair of insect fighters stood opposite each other. Mosquito Girl was practically the same, only her hair was slightly messy. Kamakyuri, on the other hand, was noticeably feeling the gap in their capabilities. While still impressive, he wasn't as quick as her.
Then there were the other apparent issues. Kamakyuri had two blades; Mosquito Girl had four. Not counting her proboscis, which could extend. Also, she could fly. So, Kamakyuri was nearly on a constant defensive, allowing Mosquito Girl total control over the offensive.
Such an unfavorable scenario led to Kamakyuri's body being covered in wounds. Green blood seeped from the injuries, his blades were chipped in a few places, and his dome had a few small cracks. Despite this, Kamakyuri wasn't afraid. Nor did he request a break. So, why did the fight stop?
"Why aren't you attacking?" Kamakyuri asked his opponent, his arms raised in case this was a trick.
"I...don't think we should continue." Mosquito Girl hesitantly answered. A genuine worry was present on her face.
"What? WHY?!" Kamakyuri shouted, maintaining his stance.
"Kamakyuri, I've intentionally held back to avoid hitting your brain. Even then, the force from my strikes is damaging the glass." Mosquito Girl told him. "If we go for longer, it could break. I don't want to-"
"NO!" Kamakyuri rejected, pointing one of his blades at her. "We are meant to impress One Punch Man! We will show him and the other heroes that the doctor's research is important and successful! Do you want to embarrass him?" He inquired.
"Of course not! But I don't want to kill-"
CLANG
Without warning, Kamakyuri rushed Mosquito Girl. Their blades collided, and from them, a sharp noise was made.
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" Kamakyuri angrily yelled in her face. "IF I DIE! THE DOCTOR WILL BRING ME BACK! THAT'S HOW IT'S ALWAYS WORKED!" He reminded her.
"I KNOW THAT!" Mosquito Girl yelled back. She held her ground as he pushed against her, refusing to budge. "BUT THAT WAS BEFORE! WHEN WE WERE MEANT TO KILL EACH OTHER! I DON'T WANT TO ANYMORE!" She shouted.
"THEN IT'LL BE A FREE WIN FOR ME!" Kamakyuri responded.
After that, the two returned to sparring, disappearing from normal sight again. Now, their roles were reversed. Kamakyuri was hyper-aggressive, whereas Mosquito Girl dodged and blocked to avoid hurting him. Their outbursts and the sudden shift in their battle didn't go unnoticed.
"What happened there?" Saitama asked their creator. "It seemed like there was tension or something." He noted.
"Forgive them. It's not their fault." Dr. Genus sighed. "Before your transformation, as you might've assumed from what I've shared, my creations were conditioned to view themselves as nothing more than sentient weapons. But since then, I've actively encouraged them to realize their identities and personalities. Feeling their emotions rather than suppressing them is entirely new. Combined with their developing individuality, they're facing a lot of confusion right now." He explained.
"Huh, it's like me, but in reverse." Saitama thought as he returned his attention to the fights. "Even if they're confused, it must be exciting. It'd be nice to have a rush of emotions suddenly flood into me rather than slowly disappear." He went on.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
Suddenly, a light on the wall began flashing and emitting a noise. Everyone's immediate assumption was an alarm. But for what?
"What is that?" Saitama inquired, all eyes now on the light.
"It's an alert from upstairs. The color indicates what the emergency is. It's yellow, which means that there's an approaching intruder." Dr. Genus informed them.
"Metal Knight? Does that check out?" Saitama asked while looking at the robot.
"One moment..." Metal Knight requested as he turned on one of his drones that were outside. "...Yes. The doctor is correct. Drone number three is detecting a rapidly approaching lifeform. It's coming from the West. Initial scans show that it is mostly cybernetic, but there are signs of an organic component. A cyborg, perhaps?" He answered, ending with a suggestion.
"What should we do, One Punch Man?" Dr. Genus inquired. "Normally, I'd have my creations deal with this. However, I assume that won't be permitted since you are here and still don't know if you can trust us." He said.
"Yeah, good call." Saitama agreed. "Well, since we can't just ignore a random cyborg on its way here, we'll head back up top." He decided.
"Understood." Dr. Genus replied before focusing back on his creations. "Attention, everyone. The demonstration is prematurely over. We've received a warning from above that an unknown cyborg is approaching. So, we will return to the ground floor to deal with it." He told them.
Although confused and surprised by this information, the non-humans still came to an immediate stop. Afterward, as they had planned, everyone headed to and ascended in the elevator in the same order as before. All the while, each of them pondered the same question. Who was this mysterious cyborg?
