Mitsumi was let in by Kamiko and led to the couch with Saitama to recline with him. He let her lean into him while he picked up the remote to see what was on the television. He hadn't bothered to change out of his hero garb just yet. No one knew if something else would happen in the next hour. Child Emperor was introduced to the others, and he was quick to start setting down his backpack to pull out equipment to help assess them.
"It's interesting," Saitama mused softly.
"Hmm?" Mitsumi responded with her head resting on his chest.
"I've never felt so...relaxed..." he admitted.
"Well, you ate well. You punched very well..." she mused. He glanced down at her and nodded slightly.
"How are you feeling?" he asked now.
"Tired...but not tired. You know? Like...I could drink some tea or coffee to perk me up, but..." she seemed to shrug.
"I could have some tea with you," he nodded. Inichi was already reporting the need to Tacki. Zenchu simply stretched out on the ultra-long couch that was purchased mainly for him to rest on.
"Hmm..." Mitsumi mused and looked at Zenchu. "How are the funds? Did we still need to deposit that reward check?"
"We can do that first thing tomorrow. Rendor has it," Zenchu said. At a knock on the door, Genos answered it to let Fubuki in.
"Hey! I said I'd stop by," she nodded. Saitama nodded back and continued to watch the television. At the mention of the unknown earthquake that happened earlier in the day, it was only clear as to what caused that.
"I hope people are okay," Mitsumi frowned and sat up a bit to sip her tea.
"It's just earthquake reporting. The room it happened in was a good 20 feet underground. I last heard they were going to extend that training room out into emergency needs. Why waste a good tunnel that can lead to the outside?" Fubuki chuckled. "I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you were moved directly into S class after that, though."
"Eh. If it happens, then fine. If not, then I don't really care," Saitama admitted. When his phone rang, he took it out of his pocket to answer it. "Hello? Oh. Really? Huh. Why? Well, if you're going to have such a problem with it, then I don't need it. Nope. Bye."
"Who...was that?" Mitsumi asked.
"Sweet Mask, apparently," Saitama shrugged and pressed the remote to start flicking through the channels.
"Wait...what did he want?" Fubuki frowned.
"He was complaining about me possibly getting moved into S class. So I said fine. Don't do it," Saitama shrugged. Fubuki's jaw dropped.
"If that is what you want," Mitsumi smiled.
"It's not my goal, anyways," Saitama said.
"Sweet Mask denied you S class entry?!" Genos fumed.
"Don't start," Saitama said with a small glare. "If he comes here to pick a fight, then fine. I'll handle it. He sounded pissed off, anyways. I have to wonder how he got my number..."
"I wouldn't worry. The main council of the Hero Association is going to do away with Sweet Mask's request of denial. He would be the only one against your vote for S class recruitment," Inichi mused. "I am already picking up on such thoughts. They are quite strong."
"Really?!" Fubuki blinked.
"That is what they should do," Genos nodded. "Master Saitama should have been S class from the beginning!"
"Yes. Mr. Saitama gave off so much strength that it cannot be ignored. The evidence is irrefutable. However, Sweet Mask may confront you within the hour. Hmm. Possibly even sooner. He is not happy one bit," Inichi sighed.
"Saitama, if he shows up, Lady Mitsumi stays inside with us," Zenchu said sternly. "I don't like that guy at all. From what I've been hearing about him so far, he doesn't need to be around us."
"Oh? Hmm. Okay," Saitama nodded.
"Inichi, just how strong is your ability to pick up on thoughts?" Fubuki asked. "I mean...those people you're hearing now...they have to be at least ten miles away!"
"Ah. Well, if I met them and I know I need to keep an eye on their thoughts, a lock is automatically made. Distance would not be needed or hampered. If any are within five miles of me that I have not yet met, I start to hear them right away. Most of it is idle gossip and such. If I do not know the individual, or have no need to pay attention, I stop hearing them after five miles out. Besides, I am used to ignoring such things unless it is talk about important matters to date," Inichi said with a light shrugging motion of his arms.
"So, after five miles out, you lose the thoughts of those you don't need?" Fubuki mused. "Interesting. However, if they make plans to attack, they have to approach within that five mile branch out. It could be bad if they know where we are and option to attack us from long range."
"I know. It is why I pay close attention to any that don't like us. Or have intense political standings and motives," Inichi chuckled.
"Yep. He knows when they're coming before they can even try it," Zenchu chuckled and sighed with a form of rare contentment. Of course, such calm times were always short-lived.
"Go outside," Inichi said to Saitama now. "Sweet Mask is driving up to us at an incredibly swift pace."
"Okay," Saitama nodded. He pressed a kiss to Mitsumi's mouth to show he'd be right back and walked outside. "Genos. Stay in here. Protect them."
"Ah! Yes, Master Saitama!" Genos nodded. Saitama now moved to get up and stretch before walking outside and down the main stairs. He saw Kamiko on the rooftop and he pointed at her. Then he pointed to the door of the apartment to go back inside. He heard her pout, but she relented. Then he thought to Inichi. :Hey. You keep everyone inside. If they show up from the restaurant, you gather them up to hide them. This is my meeting. Not theirs.:
:I fully agree!: Inichi said and sent out the alert. Saitama sighed with boredom and sat on a bench. At the sound of someone approaching, he looked over to see the tall, pale, silvery-blue haired man in finery walking up to him. A lock of darker blue hair came down his face as though styled there aside from the rest of his shoulder-length hair. If the sky was brighter, his eye color would be seen as yellow. And he was very upset on seeing Saitama there.
"So...they want to move you into S class?" the man seemed to frown. His voice sounded much like honey, but it didn't faze Saitama one bit.
"They were talking about it. I don't mind it," Saitama shrugged. "If I get the offer, then I'll take it. If not, then I don't need it."
"And that restaurant...it's a blight in the city!" the man growled.
"Then you don't have to go to it," Saitama shrugged again. "Besides, many of the folks that work there plan to try to become human again."
"And what's in it for you?"
"Other than the free food, it's nice to see that some monsters are willing to work with us. Some see potential in it. It's also good funding to give back to the association. So I don't understand why-"
The attack came out, but it only pushed Saitama through the bench and into the ground. He was completely unharmed and simply climbed right out of the hole and dusted himself off. He shoved aside pieces of the broken bench to get his footing back. Now he gave the man a puzzling look with a blank stare.
The man was just in shock that his attack did nothing. At that, Saitama said, "Um...you were there when I punched out the Monster King. Right? I'm not sure if you saw the vision of me punching out that other monster, too. But, you saw how I destroyed that room today from all the videos if you weren't there. And now...you're trying to do this? Does this mean that I get to hit back?"
"You...you can't...! You just can't!" the man hissed. Saitama had just formed his hand into a fist when he heard the sound of a car screeching over to halt right by them.
"Sweet Mask! Stop!" the important man shouted outside his car window when his car swerved up and parked. "He's a hero of the association! You can't do this! You will jeopardize our reputation! Heroes can't attack other heroes!"
:I may have had...someone intervene on your behalf to play as witness. I gave a small nudge that Sweet Mask wanted to chat with you. He saw the attack.: Inichi chuckled to Saitama. :Also, Genos is watching from a window and recording everything. It's all being sent to the association through live feed.:
"I will never allow you into S class! There is just no way!" Sweet Mask fumed. "If they move you into A class, you will never advance past that!"
"Eh...fine," Saitama said. "Are you done now? I kinda want to go back inside. All your bantering is getting dull."
"Now...why can't he become an S class?" Bane asked when he walked up with Kamikaze. Even Tanktop Master showed up with some of his Tanktop Army to play as silent witnesses.
"That punch he did outdoes everything I could even attempt," Tanktop Master said. "He needs to have a place with us."
"No!" Sweet Mask growled and readied to attack again. Then he paused at the blue bubble surrounding him to fully immobilize him and lift him three feet into the air. He was simply stunned at how strong Inichi was. He now knew there was no way he would ever be able to attack this one directly.
"I am sorry, Mr. Saitama. Lady Mitsumi insisted that I keep him from harming those that do not deserve to be harmed," Inichi sighed from where he now floated over him. "After he wrongfully attacked you when you did nothing, she panicked. She's...in tears of worry now."
"Fine. I'm going to her to calm her down. Eh...Sweet Mask? You talked to Genos before when he first became S class. You told him to be on his best behavior and to help people. You didn't attack him. And here you are attacking me. I'm not even an S class. I'm a B class right now. If you really are a hero, you don't act like one," Saitama said with an edge in his tone. "A true hero protects everyone weaker than them. They uphold innocence and destroy all wrong doing.
"The monsters here are innocent of what happened to them. Mitsumi woke them up. They remember what they did wrong and fully regret it. I get it. They are monsters. But they want to become human again. I don't know what you have against me. But if you are going to judge others because they don't appeal to what your standings are, then why are you a hero? If you are only doing this to save your reputation, then that's just stupid. Especially if you know that people get saved every day by me. I kill monsters that attack people. I won't kill monsters if they want to become part of our society peacefully and give up that part of themselves."
"Ah...!" Sweet Mask grimaced. Then he looked up to see Mitsumi walking over. Saitama was quick to pull her into his arms to hold her. Saitama did see Zenchu hiding in the shadows not far off, but it was only to help protect her. Sweet Mask had no idea that Zenchu was even there. Neither did anyone else.
"Why are you here?" Saitama asked her.
"I was worried about you. And I wish to ask him a question," she nodded. She took out the silken white flower to show Sweet Mask's immobilized form. "What do you see when you see this?"
"What?!" Sweet Mask gasped and shivered.
"Ah. You feel pain. Guilt even? Interesting," Inichi said.
"Please let him go, Inichi. We are done here," Mitsumi nodded. "Sweet Mask, is it? Part of my contract was for you to not harm my family. Anyone that works in the restaurant and lives with me is just that. And you attacked Saitama while he did nothing to you. He is one that I hold with intensely high regard. He saved me from my torment and protects my family! All we want is to live in peace and provide fruitful services again. To reverse whatever has made them the way they are now. I truly do hope that the next time we meet...should we meet again...we are on far more neutral terms."
"Ugh!" Sweet Mask gasped when he was released from the blue bubble and landed lightly on the ground.
"I will let your peers help decide what must be done with you. I have a lot more that I wish to say, but I will relent. Maybe, if you choose to hear me out, we can discuss things further like civilized adults," Mitsumi sighed and now turned to let Saitama walk her back into the apartment with Inichi hovering over them protectively. Zenchu was able to follow them without being detected even once by the others. He knew now that he would kill Sweet Mask if he tried anything further to his family.
"That blue monster...should be destroyed..." Sweet Mask hissed.
"No," Bane said with a stern shake of his head. "Inichi was clearly being protective. He could have ripped you to pieces that way, yet it was never done. He listens to reason and works with us. Also, we can always use his help in various ways. I was going to talk to him about it."
"Also, Child Emperor was going to see about working cures for them, too," Kamikaze shrugged. "They don't want to be monsters anymore. You should just leave them alone."
"No!" Sweet Mask hissed.
"Why are you so against this?" Kamikaze frowned. "You've seen what Saitama can do, right? You saw him protect her and everything. And those other monsters? They never attack us. They want to help us find others to stop them. I've never seen it before, but this group is telling the truth. They state what they can do and will do. And they do it."
"He's right," Tanktop Master nodded.
"I can personally attest to this," Fubuki said when she walked out with Genos. "And I saw the whole thing that you did, Sweet Mask. Genos and I were inside and watching through a window."
"Master Saitama did nothing to you at all. And you attacked him out of spite. Yet, you told me to be on my best behavior as an S class?" Genos frowned.
"The board will want to talk to you first thing in the morning," the important man frowned. "If you have any events, you will need to cancel them."
"He is protecting monsters..." Sweet Mask hissed.
"And those monsters are protecting us now," Bane said with a small nod. "If they even become human again, would you still see them as monsters?"
"I..." Sweet Mask paused.
"And think on this," Bane said calmly. "You attacked Saitama. You did nothing to him. Not even a scratch to his skin. If you attack him again, it is only fair that he attacks you back out of self-defense."
"His outfit is stupid..." Sweet Mask growled.
"So is yours," Kamikaze snorted. That had Sweet Mask gape with shock. "Damn, it sure felt good to say that!"
"We know you want to help protect people," Tanktop Master nodded. "But to attack another hero of our association? One that clearly has protected our cities over and over again? That's...kinda low."
"And these monsters wish to do the same," Fubuki nodded. "To protect our cities. And if they become human again, then fine. Let them."
"At this point, you may as well cross the restaurant off your list of places to visit until you feel neutral about it," Kamikaze shrugged. "I'll be going there every day! That grilled eel is awesome! I wonder if they can do delivery..."
"I know I've seen her before, though. That girl. Mitsumi..." Sweet Mask frowned. "She looks so...familiar..."
"We all have," Fubuki whispered softly. "But now is not the time for anyone to make the connection."
"You know who she is?" Bane frowned.
"I do. And her family..." she grimaced. "Sweet Mask, if you want to find the real monsters out there, you need to look closer at the people around us. There are people out there that are true monsters under their skin. Her family makes the real monsters here look completely and purely innocent by far. And it's exactly what they are. Her family...I'm surprised I'm not one of the few hunting them down myself!"
"You need to tell me who she is," Sweet Mask glared at her.
"Only if you apologize to Saitama for your actions and leave this group of monsters alone," Fubuki said and crossed her arms over her chest. "I know you. You can't do that. And you may even see us as enemies now for wanting to help them. I can understand that. But...I don't feel any evil here. I simply don't."
"She's right," Tanktop Master said. Many of his followers were nodding with agreement, too.
"I have a lot to think about, apparently," Sweet Mask frowned. "I'll...think...about apologizing. Of course, it won't happen right now. Fine. I'll leave them alone. For now. But the moment they attack anyone, I'll be there to slaughter them all!"
"Actually, Saitama may take care of it before we get a chance to," Bane chuckled softly. "Oh. So you know, Sweet Mask, ah...Saitama was ready to punch you. It's why we showed up when we did. I think that's called...ah! We saved your life."
"You hit him. He was ready to hit back," Kamikaze shrugged. "Then again, he could just flick a booger and kill anything with it..."
"Ew!" Fubuki grimaced at the thought.
"That...you might be right," Bane mused.
"Whatever the case may be, I will speak with the board tomorrow morning. We will discuss...possible class S ranking. But I highly doubt it," Sweet Mask said and finally walked off to his car. Right after he left, the important man also had to leave. They knew the association would be keeping tabs on Sweet Mask.
"I also know who Mitsumi is. I was the one that had to go through the emails that her family was sending out," Genos said.
"So...who is she?" Tanktop Master had to ask.
"I will reveal the information only if everyone vows to not harm the monsters that live with myself and Master Saitama. Is this agreed?" Genos said. They all nodded. "Very well. She is missing daughter of the Takashi family. They cast her out when she refused to allow her body to be used for experiments."
"Wait...what? That's her?!" Tanktop Master gaped.
"She was the center of a major political group at one point," Bane mused.
"She didn't want to be, though," Fubuki frowned. "It was forced."
"And wasn't she supposed to marry that weird guy?" Tanktop Master asked.
"He was the one that was tormenting her and experimenting on her. He became the monster that Master Saitama punched out," Genos said with a touch of anger at it all. Now there was shocked silence at this news. "He was trying to force her into marriage. To do things with her to benefit her family against her will. I am grateful that she was able to escape from him and able to find her true ability to free monsters from their madness."
"That's...I see..." Kamikaze frowned hard.
"The lab he used was destroyed. We couldn't let her see it. You saw the vision when Inichi showed it. You know I was there," Fubuki winced. "He was...harvesting parts from her...during her transformational torments."
"Ah...that's..." Tanktop Master just gaped.
"Every time she transformed, she was fully healed. Who knows what else he did to her?!" Fubuki just said with disgust. "It was...a lot to take in."
"Didn't we get that mission to investigate that lot?" Kamikaze asked.
"That we did. We are just waiting on the word to find them after the evidence is processed," Bane nodded. "Should we look for them now?"
"Wait," Genos said. "It has been said in an email that a group of men may show up in a day or so to try and take the restaurant out of business."
"Okay, that makes me mad!" Kamikaze growled. "No one takes away my grilled eel dishes!"
"But...do they know it caters to heroes?" Bane asked.
"No. They don't," Genos said with a small grin.
"So, we can play ambush party," Tanktop Master mused. "I can have a couple of my army sit in and let me know when this group comes around."
"That's the plan," Genos nodded.
"If Inichi can tell us when they approach, we can have a lot of heroes in there," Fubuki seemed to giggle. When Inichi reappeared to them, he gave a gesture of a regal bow to them.
"You have our utmost gratitude of showing up when you did," the blue monster sighed. "We truly do not want this anymore. Lady Mitsumi has graciously asked me to ask all of you to come inside and have supper. Orotsu is in there now and firing up the stoves, as they say. Also, we were hoping to expand our apartment. It is much too small for our needs. If there is another place of residence, or a chance to simply knock out the walls here, it would be graciously appreciated. Just think of my name, and I will hear you."
"Oh? I know there is plenty of land around my dojo that could be utilized," Bane mused. "I actually want Saitama to become a disciple of mine. His power being used with my skills would be devastating!"
"Now, just hold your horses there!" Kamikaze grunted. "He does plenty with those fists of his alone. He should learn how to use a sword!"
"True fighting is with martial arts!" Bane argued.
"That is completely old school and you know it!" Kamikaze bantered back.
"Hmm..." Inichi mused and very gently let a blue bubble appear around them both. Neither of them noticed from their argument and got floated into the apartment. Fubuki cracked up completely at that. Tanktop Master had to cover his face, and even the members of his army were sniggering at it.
"Well, I suppose we should follow?" Fubuki smiled.
"Shall we?" Inichi chuckled and guided the small group inside.