"Congratulations, Garou!" Inichi chuckled.
"Thanks," Garou chuckled back. Saitama was carrying Mitsumi in his arms while they walked to the market. Overgrown Rover yawned and snuggled down in Mitsumi's arms happily. Blue Ripple was carried along in his tub by Inichi. Fumio was letting Black Sperm ride on his shoulders for the fun of it.
"Hmm…" Inichi frowned. Fubuki looked at him with concern. "Garou, you will need to sit with Mr. Saitama and Lady Mitsumi today. With Lily. There may be a confrontation…"
"Oh?" Mitsumi frowned.
"I can take care of myself," Garou said.
"Not at Neutral Grounds in front of so many innocents," Inichi warned.
"Oh…" Garou blinked. "Ah…yeah. I'll sit with them when we get there."
"I don't want you hurt," Lily frowned and got squeezed in response.
"I know. I did a lot of nasty stuff. It was bound to come back and bite me in the ass," Garou shrugged. Zenchu was walking with them and could only nod with complete agreement at that. Genos showed concern on this talk, and he glanced at Kamiko to be on the lookout at the greeter booth. Even Orotsu would help defend the restaurant with all he had.
"Anno and Takeda left earlier to start prepping for us. I need to join you to see if I can find some quality ingredients," Orotsu chuckled softly. "Suiryu is also with them to start preparing for Neutral Grounds to open."
"Good," Saitama nodded slightly.
"Wow! Look at all the heroes!" a young boy beamed with delight. King simply nodded and kept Kianna at his side.
"To think that a mere month ago…we were all hiding…" Mitsumi sighed and got cradled by Saitama.
"I know. No more of it," Saitama nodded. "There's no more need."
"There will be skeptics, but we know the truth," Kianna said gently.
"Be prepared for a small crowd for autographs," Inichi advised.
"Here we go again…" Saitama muttered and set Mitsumi down on her feet. Overgrown Rover huffed and licked her cheek before blinking all six eyes at the fanfare before them. What shocked them all were the fans holding out new booklets from the Heroic Monster group for autographs!
"Ah…wow…um…okay…" Zenchu blinked and found himself signing autographs. "This is different…"
"Indeed," Tsuruga snorted. Tanktop Girl signed autographs from where she was on his shoulders. Tacki was just giggling at Kamikaze's mumbles.
"Sign next to mine," he said and tossed a booklet up to her.
"Why?" she frowned and caught it to blink with confusion.
"You have another sword. The match to mine. The moment the association finds out…" he started. Tacki blinked and sighed hard. "They've also been practically begging for you to be a hero. As much as I don't want it, it's likely gonna happen. And I won't let you join any other class than S class with what you do. If they suggest anything else, I'm gonna say no."
"Ugh…well…" she frowned and found herself signing next to his name.
"Who's she?" a man asked.
"My fiancée. She's pregnant with my twins. And she might become a hero, too," Kamikaze said. "She has way too many talents to list."
"Yep!" Tacki chuckled and took up the next booklet to sign.
"I will admit, Lily. It's nice to see you dress normally," Fubuki chuckled and signed a few books. Lily chuckled at that and got squeezed by Garou. Fubuki looked over at Orotsu signing multiple books at once with his eight arms.
"You're the chef at the restaurant?" a rather buff man asked on walking over. "Neutral Grounds?"
"Yes. I am the head chef," Orotsu confirmed.
"I challenge you to a cook off!" the man said valiantly. Mitsumi looked over with complete surprise. Saitama gave a blank stare at the man.
"I see. Here? Or at Neutral Grounds where there is cooking equipment?" Orotsu asked with complete amusement. "And, so you know, I was once a very famous chef. My name was Joben."
"Ah…what?!" the man gaped.
"Too late! I accept your challenge," Orotsu chuckled a touch wickedly.
"I…well…" the man faltered now.
"You're the famous chef that disappeared?!" a young woman asked with shock. "Amazing! What happened?"
"I was gifted with an odd octopus to cook. It was still alive," Orotsu sighed. "It bit me and transformed me into this. I was offered a chance to be cured, but I cook a lot more efficiently now! I am refusing the cure at this time."
"You were so handsome! Hopefully you do take the cure!" a young girl said with a soft blush.
"You flatter me! I am fine like this," Orotsu reassured her.
"Didn't you have a girlfriend you left behind?" another girl asked.
"I actually didn't," Orotsu said calmly. "I had ended that relationship two weeks before my incident. She was not faithful to me. I discovered it. I was with her for only a few months, but it turned out she was only trying to learn my cooking secrets for another. A bit of competition. It does make me wonder if that was the one that sent me the little gift…"
"Hmm…" Inichi followed Orotsu's thoughts and gleaned what he could. "No. It wasn't that one. However, after you vanished, his fame did become known. When asked what happened…interesting. He actually feels…regret that you were no longer there. He saw you much like a childhood rival. When you were gone, there was no further opposition."
"Tell me. Can you send that one a thought to come by Neutral Grounds?" Orotsu asked with a bit of a wicked gleam in his black eyes.
"Whatever for?" Inichi asked with a small grin of his own.
"Why, to ask him why he wanted his wife to learn my secrets for him," Orotsu said calmly. A hush of shock went through the marketplace now.
"What?" Saitama now blinked and looked over.
"Orotsu? What's this?!" Mitsumi asked with a touch of her own shock. "Did a man truly send you his wife to be with you just for espionage?!"
"Yes, Lady Mitsumi," Orotsu sighed. "No one had ever seen her out in the open. Apparently…he did this a lot…and she was fine with it…"
"That's so wrong…!" a young man said with shock. Even the rest of the crowd was murmuring disapproval from this.
"I want them both to come by Neutral Grounds," Mitsumi said. "And, you know what? I want Sweet Mask there to greet them, too. As they are public figures to a point, he should know this."
"What is the name of the chef?" Genos asked and took out his phone.
"Look up the name Oshiro Yuu," Orotsu said. "That is him."
"I have found various case files against him for theft of information…" Genos frowned at what he was discovering. "Ah! There is even a recent one, too! He is under investigation on how he learned a signature dish from an exclusive hotel front without stepping foot in it."
"His wife," Inichi sighed. "The chef was enticed by her. She gained his trust. Only after the recipe was learned did she suddenly vanish from his life without a trace for him to find. Orotsu, after you forced her out of your life, she went back into a bit of hiding behind her husband. How did you find out it was her that was stealing secrets?"
"If she comes to Neutral Grounds…" Orotsu started.
"You'll reveal the tale. Understood," Genos nodded.
"Can we get her there?" Garou asked.
"Our restaurant is gaining a bit of a reputation," Mitsumi mused. "Inichi, do send out a thought to discover why such a place is becoming so popular from the food. We need to bring this to light and exact justice."
"That we do," Blue Ripple said from his tub.
"Can we help?" a young boy asked.
"Well, the more people there to show popularity never hurts," Zenchu chuckled. "And, eh…Lady Mitsumi? Can we give complimentary meals if they help us out?"
"I'll answer that. And it's a yes," Orotsu chuckled to get the crowd there gasping with delight. "I'll need a list of ingredients to create my best dishes."
"We can help!" an older lady insisted. "I always wanted to taste the great chef Joben's dishes! Now's my chance!"
"Just call me Orotsu now. That is my request. The dishes will be the same. Only the name of the maker is different," Orotsu said with a chuckle and prepared a list of the items he needed. The manager of the store came out to look over the list.
"We don't have some of what you need here," he frowned. "Some of this is only sold by exclusive markets. Caviar? That wouldn't be here, I'm afraid. And some of those places don't sell to the public."
"Inichi! Send me to the places we need!" Kianna said. "I'll flash around our secure bank card, too, to show how 'wealthy' I am. That will do something."
"Take this, then," Zenchu said. He handed over a large wad of cash and the premium card of platinum coloring for her to flash around.
"Thanks!" Kianna chuckled. "Ready, Inichi? I think this should be enough to get what we need."
"Ah! Of course, Kianna. I can also assist with pushing in the thoughts that you are rather extravagantly wealthy despite what you have on you now. Ten minutes, Lady Mitsumi?" Inichi asked.
"Of course! No need to ask," Mitsumi smiled and clasped hands with Inichi in gratitude. "I know why you ask, but this is for Orotsu. Do what you must."
"Why are we just now figuring this out?" Saitama asked when he picked up a package of beef to examine. Kianna was already sent off to the various cities to start collecting ingredients. Inichi was planning to bubble each purchase to send straight to the restaurant for Anno to collect them and secure them.
"It's out of respect," Mitsumi said softly. "I never asked about their full pasts. I figured they would know when they were ready to talk about such things. Even then…we had no way to really help end such things."
"Not until now. Okay. I can get that," he nodded and gently squeezed her.
"Much like with my past. I kept everything hidden. I couldn't…risk them…you know…"
"It's okay now," he soothed and kissed her forehead. "I know. I saw it. All of it. And, as I've said before, I will bear it for you now. So, when we get to Neutral Grounds, I'll stand in the way. Okay?"
"Ah, aren't we heading home for a small crash course in couples training?" Garou asked him with a small grin.
"We were. Now we're not. This is a past issue we have to kill. Then we need to see to your possible thing. After that, if we have time, we'll come back home and do a training plan. Okay?" Saitama said. "Damn…well…maybe I don't need to wear my hero suit…"
"We shouldn't have to change unless push comes to shove," Mitsumi smiled. "We should be fine."
"Saitama," a flying robot said on hovering over. "I would prefer if you waited on going home, then. I intend to build a specialized training course."
"Oh. Cool. Okay," Saitama nodded.
"Also, I would like to be there for Orotsu's confrontation. I shall have sentry robots standing and acting like normal pole structures," Metal Knight continued. "I was further informed of a very intricate city planning. We need to discuss this privately."
"About what?" Saitama asked. Inichi was quick to fill him in mentally of the buildings for purchase with tunneling underneath. "Huh! I like that. Tell me when it starts."
"Oh? Ah! Inichi told you! Good. I'll pin-point the best buildings in each city. It will be easy to buy them and rebuild them to our needs," Metal Knight said. "I can start on that now. Siren can go through each building found."
"That I can!" Siren said cheerfully through the robot in her gravelly tone.
"I miss seeing you," Mitsumi said genuinely.
"I'll be there and sit with you," Siren vowed. Then she muted the microphone for a moment before coming back on. "I asked to have that area widened a bit. So, your table seating will have a bit more room."
"Wonderful!" Mitsumi chuckled with delight.
"I'm adding specialized seating for the pets," Metal Knight said.
"Good," Blue Ripple nodded from his tub.
"I was curious on something, Blue Ripple," Metal Knight. "If you filter water to be cleaned, can you separate out what makes it foul?"
"I can. Is something amiss?" Blue Ripple asked.
"There is an issue with the water supply in one of the cities. If you can locate the cause in a water sample…?"
"Bring me the sample," Blue Ripple chuckled. He looked over at Mitsumi and noticed she was worried. He rumbled at her and looked at Overgrown Rover. The monster dog looked back at him and started to lick at her face.
"Hey!" she laughed and pet it to calm it down. It huffed and leaned up a bit more to keep licking until Saitama took it from her.
"Mitsumi," Blue Ripple said and watched her come over and get a purring snuggle from him. She ended up moving to sit up on her knees to accommodate his cuddling form. "Why do you worry?"
"Just…a lot happens all at once," she admitted.
"As Saitama just said, you no longer bear such burdens on your own. For a long time you have done so. I am your pet to help provide comfort in any way I can. I am pleased to be your pet. You take care of me very well," he chuckled and purred while snuggling her. He closed his solid white eyes and said, "I will protect you with all I have. All of those around you will, too."
"I know it. I just want to protect back," she grimaced.
"And you can," Saitama said when he crouched down to rest a hand on her back. "Just don't do it alone."
"Lady Mitsumi! She needs a group hug snuggle!" Tacki said and got all of Mitsumi's main family members to mob both her and Saitama.
"Stop!" Mitsumi said with embarrassment with the laughing crowd.
"It's okay, Mom," Fumio grinned. Then he saw Black Sperm make several clones to run off and patrol. "Getting stronger?"
"Much!" Black Sperm beamed.
"Hmm. Okay, I need to know. How many clones did you make so far?" Saitama now asked his pet. Black Sperm blinked and looked away.
"Um…lots…" he said with a sheepish grin.
"I'm gonna regret this. Outside with me. Call all of your clones. All of them. Got it?" Saitama said and lifted Mitsumi in his arms to carry her outside. When he stepped outside, he paused at the clones that lined buildings, rooftops and even the streets. "When did this happen?!"
"At night…" Black Sperm seemed to shrug. "Good food. Got strong. Made more clones…"
"This…is…wow…" Mitsumi said with shock.
"All of them are my pets," Saitama said and even let a small bit of his power radiate out. "Do they swear this?"
"They do!" Black Sperm said quickly.
"They will answer to me. Unless family has need of them. If they do one thing wrong, I will kill the one that did wrong. Got it?" Saitama said carefully. Then he glanced back at the crowd of people watching them.
"Oh! Yes," Black Sperm nodded with complete understanding.
"And I will know which one did wrong," Inichi said calmly. "So far, there is no wrong done. They have been helping. In fact, I would like all of you to help scout for good, strong buildings in each city that are abandoned. Or able to be sold. Let me know of the location. Do not be seen."
At that said, all of the clones vanished away to search far and wide. Mitsumi lifted Black Sperm into her arms to hug him and whisper, "Thank you so much for helping us! I really do appreciate everything you do for us."
"I am happy," Black Sperm said and hugged her back with his elastic arms. "I vow. All clones help. Protect. Before…used for just…things. No more."
"I saw you had other stronger versions of yourself. Will they come back?" Genos asked curiously. "They were…very destructive."
"I bring them back. But…they protect. Make them promise," Black Sperm nodded. "Soon. They help."
"They vow to me," Saitama said with a blank stare at his pet to show how serious he was. Black Sperm seemed to grimace with complete understanding.
"Stop it! You're scaring him!" Mitsumi chided and cuddled Black Sperm. "He knows you mean business. There's no need to rub it in."
"I'm just making sure…" he trailed off when she stuck her tongue out at him and started to walk away with Black Sperm in her arms. "That's not fair."
"Perfectly fair!" she said and laughed softly when he caught up with her to walk with her back into the marketplace. She leaned into him and whispered, "I know it's to show others that no wrong is done. But you already made your point."
"Fine," he mumbled and kissed her softly before going back to the package of meat he saw earlier. "Orotsu! Does this look good?"
"What's this?" Orotsu asked and took up the meat to inspect. "Hmm. Good cut. Nice quality. Rather fresh! Yes, I can make this into something for you."
"Awesome!" Saitama grinned.
"Consider it purchased, love," Mitsumi smiled. "Orotsu, I did have a question for you."
"Yes, Lady Mitsumi?" he asked and regarded her in full.
"What was your most famous signature dish?" she asked.
"I will serve it to you at Neutral Grounds. The very first one," he promised. "Luckily, that one was not taken from me. Just some basic soups, stews and roasts. The more advanced techniques I still have. And do ensure the one that challenged me to cook is there, too."
"Oh, he'll be there," Inichi grinned. Fubuki was definitely keeping an eye on the man. "What ingredients will you need?"
"I will need ice cream as the main ingredient," Orotsu said. "Then a touch of cinnamon for flavor. Even honey…"
"Most curious! Ah…wait…that dish?!" Inichi gaped.
"Yes. That one," Orotsu said with a small snicker.
"I know the rest of the ingredients you will need. You'll have them. Kianna is getting the best in quality of them now. I had no idea that was your dish! Amazing!" Inichi said with complete surprise. "Lady Mitsumi, I vowed to say nothing. But I know you will recognize the dish. It was served to you and your father at a very intricate event. You…even asked for seconds…"
"Wait…" Mitsumi blinked. "Ice cream flavored with cinnamon and honey…and I asked for seconds…NO! Really?! It's…I mean…oh…I'm surprised I remember!"
"What is it?" Saitama had to ask.
"Something that puts Anno's chocolate lava cake at a second rank on my favorite desserts! I mean…I haven't had that since I was eight…" Mitsumi found herself filled with wonder. "I'm sorry, Saitama. I can't spoil this. You'll know when it's served to us. You won't even believe it when you see it!"
"I shall teach the recipe to Anno. He has proven himself reliable. And he works for you," Orotsu nodded. "We should go now."
"You only made that for special occasions from what I know. Why now?" Mitsumi frowned. "Why make such an extravagant dish?"
"To show my gratitude to you for saving me from being a full monster," Orotsu said with reverence to her. "I owe you my life. And you never treated me unfairly or with spite. You encouraged me despite any faults I had. You first approached me in my monster state with intense concern for my safety! That…that alone had me pause and see the silk flower you had. It made me realize what happened, but you gave me hope that I would survive.
"And I barely remembered you from long ago. We met briefly…but I remembered your laughter! And I wanted to hear you laugh again. I wasn't planning to make my dish that night, but I spoke with your father. He was quite pleased with my idea of a specialty dessert for you. At first, I was planning on a small cake. But I changed my mind and made you my personal signature dish. And I did that for you. Just to hear your pure, childish laugh of sheer delight! All on my own with my own choice to do so. And I'll willingly do it again for you. As many times as you like. Both second helpings and even thirds."
"So…it wasn't because it was a special event…?" she blinked.
"No. It was because I wanted to see and hear your joy and delight. Just that," Orotsu chuckled and laughed when he found her hugging him. He pat her back with several tentacled arms before pulling away. Then he looked at Zenchu. "Do not make any lewd comments. You or Garou. I know how you both speak your minds."
"Ah…I actually wasn't thinking about that," Zenchu said carefully.
"Why would I…?!" Garou started before blinking. "Tentacles. And girls. Oh. Ah…yeah…I wasn't even thinking about that…"
"And I stopped you before you did," Orotsu snorted and moved to leave the store. "I have cooking to do now. Let's go."
"Terrible…" Lily sighed and shook her head.
"I honestly had no idea until he pointed it out!" Garou said to get Mitsumi dying with laughter. Fumio took back Black Sperm, and Saitama lifted Mitsumi in his arms to carry her with Overgrown Rover back in her arms. Blue Ripple's tub was now carefully levitated by Inichi to follow them.
"Kianna is almost done?" King asked.
"Yes. She will be at Neutral Grounds. She's there now, actually. It was her idea to take her there with the last purchase. She is waiting in your usual seating," Inichi chuckled. King nodded and followed the others to Neutral Grounds. Everyone was quite curious on how it was going to go. Orotsu was quite eager for the cook off. And he was itching to see the look on his rival's face on the reveal of the past offenses finally brought to light.