Zenchu was actually a nervous wreck now, and Wind Crane was mildly teasing him over it. After an hour of it, Starlight was rolling her eyes at him and finally said, "Dad, he's not going to slap you. He only said it to have Mitsumi laugh. She has to be kept calm and happy now. Just see it like that."
"It's not that! He is the only one that can see me. No matter where I try to hide, he'll find me. And you haven't been slapped by him!" Zenchu grimaced.
"Dad, stop it!" Starlight sighed and shook her head. "You know he's not going to slap you. Just quit it."
He sighed hard and sat on the couch to brood. Darter moved over to him and snuggled into him. Then he poked at his father's chest for attention. "Hold me. All time."
"Ah…oh! He won't slap me if I hold one of my kids! Thanks, son," Zenchu chuckled. Wind Crane chuckled softly and moved to check on the new eggs. All of them were nestled securely, and the specialized egg of water and ice was in the front. She was sure it was going to hatch in another day or two.
"What are the plans now?" Saitama asked in the live chat. "I need to keep Mitsumi calmed as much as possible. May as well get more stuff done."
"We have another five days for the one in my ship to come forth. I am actually seeing her ailments now. She will need…intense care. The moment the ship releases her," Chulz said. "The wounds on the body are reforming. The extent is…I am amazed at what you do to each other…"
"Ah!" Mitsumi gasped. Saitama pulled her close to comfort her.
"There is no way to heal that while in the machine?" Metal Knight asked.
"Unfortunately there is not. We tried to see what could be done, but it only created painful sores all over the body. It is best to have medical needs ready. But…the extent of the wounds…much older than five minutes. It looks like the female was tortured before getting killed. Her attacker clearly took his time. He tried to bleed her out first before dealing the killing blow," Chulz said with complete sorrow. "Much of the natural fluid is gone…"
"I'll be ready!" Akiyama said. "Let me know the moment she comes out."
"Did you want to wait to see my people?" Deep Sea Prince asked.
"She still has a few days. I can see them now and be back in time. Or…do you think I should wait until Lady Mitsumi's dad is back with us, too? I don't want your people to keep us there for so long," she frowned.
"We can wait. We must ensure that all goes well with Lady Mitsumi first," Deep Sea Prince said wisely. "Then we can visit my people. They are very understanding. They know I am courting. They will see that I'm still wooing you to my side in full. Even though…"
"I know," she blushed and giggled at his squeeze.
"Are you getting married?!" Tacki asked in the live chat.
"We may conduct a ceremony when I go to see my people," Deep Sea Prince chuckled. "It would be best. Thus, it is why she and I will wait."
"Good. And, as an added gift, I will grant you a human form in full to change into," Blue Ripple said in the live chat. "This is so you can meet with Akiyama's family without suspicion of being a monster. It will also not change when you go into any form of water."
"Great One! I am…truly blessed!" Deep Sea Prince said reverently.
"Such a good scaled kitty!" Mitsumi beamed and laughed at the snuggling she got now. "We should all see his new form to ensure it looks good."
"You will," Deep Sea Prince chuckled.
"What's next?" Saitama asked.
"There really isn't much else that we can do with Lady Mitsumi confined to the bedroom. We have been making building purchases in each city for Heroic Monster Association needs, though," Inichi said. "Stable Rock has been connecting each building with tunnels. We still have to collect the last artifact from the flower field. We have been going through the training rooms that were safely moved here, too."
"Blue Ripple, what happened to the room you were guarding? The treasure room? We can see things with the gems now," Saitama said to the strong water monster. "We should start knocking things out that we know we can take care of."
"That tunneling machine was pretty cool," Tacki said. "But we don't really need it with Stable Rock helping us. Hey, Metal Knight! Do you want it?"
"I can take it and assemble it into something worthwhile," Metal Knight agreed. "I shall collect it now."
"What was going on with that necklace, Tacki? The one given to you?" Mitsumi asked. "I am quite curious about it."
"I can examine it," Wind Crane said in the live chat. A few moments later had her returning to the live chat. "This is an intricate piece of Mitsumi's garments! It sits right below her throat in full as a symbol of leadership status."
"Good. We'll put it with the rest of her outfit. And that lantern?" Saitama asked to keep things going.
"It is part of a triple set," Blue Ripple sighed. "The entire set was missing."
"Oh no!" Mitsumi winced.
"Mom! I got the other two now!" Cold Snap said. "They are all covered in dust to show they were stolen and forgotten."
"Bring them to me!" Tacki said quickly.
"Blue Ripple, think of everything you had in that chamber," Cold Snap said. "I'm getting back stolen property."
"Thanks, son," Saitama said with a chuckle.
"Lady Mitsumi, there is someone at the main gate to see you," Grigos said in the main chat. He was given a headset some time ago to help with this and even listen in. It was Inichi with Fubuki that made their way over to assist.
"My name is Inichi. I am a brother figure to Lady Mitsumi. May I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?" he asked. He studied the rather well-dressed man in front of him.
"You're a monster?" the man blinked.
"Yes. I am. I'm in a human form for now, as you can see. And…oh! You worked closely with Etsuji? Why are you…?" Inichi frowned and studied what came out from the man's thoughts. "You helped him secure a set of fans."
"Ah! How…?!" the man gaped.
"I am extremely telepathic," Inichi chuckled.
"You should ask him next time to be allowed to read his thoughts," Fubuki said with a soft chuckle. Inichi found himself sighing and nodding with agreement. Then she looked over at the speechless man. "Are you well?"
"Are you…also a monster…?" he asked.
"No," she chuckled. "I am Blizzard of Hell. Rank 1 in B class. I'm a hero of the association. Inichi is my life partner. He was human before, too."
"Oh!" the man said with complete surprise.
"I am most curious on why you appeared, though. Were you here to confirm something?" Inichi asked calmly.
"I had a lot of unanswered questions, really," the man admitted. "I went by the restaurant, but I was told to come here."
"I see…" Inichi mused. He thought to Saitama and nodded to himself. "At this time, Lady Mitsumi and Saitama are both indisposed. Are you able to come back in one month?"
"Ah…I think so…" the man thought aloud.
"If you encounter any issues, think of my name. You will reach out to me. I can relay any messages. No phones needed," Inichi chuckled and winked.
"Of course. Also, ah, if I know of any others…?" the man asked carefully.
"Bring them by in one month. In fact, we may be doing an event at the high class hotel in City H. Put yourself on a listing to get an event notification from there with any others," Inichi advised. The man nodded and was quick to walk off.
"In a month?" Fubuki asked.
"He was extremely loyal to Etsuji. So, Etsuji should be back with us by then," he chuckled softly. Fubuki found herself smiling and nodding with understanding. "I will address him properly when he's standing before me."
"I understand. I'm sure everyone will be showing him complete respect," Fubuki chuckled. "Etsuji Takashi was a very well-known man."
"I know. Hmm…what else can we…?" Inichi frowned.
"Hey. Everyone with a monster partner needs to meet up at the arena. Right now," Zenchu said when he appeared before them. Inichi and Fubuki looked at each other before doing as he said.
"I will…return…" Stable Rock grunted. Saitama nodded and watched his pet vanish. The powerful earth monster reformed as his human self in the middle of the arena. He watched all of the various couples arrive to sit around him. He did pause and focus to bring Metal Knight and Siren to them now.
"Ah!" Metal Knight gasped.
"It's okay, Bofoi!" Siren said. She had shifted into her basic form when Stable Rock warned her in advance. "He knew where we were. You're safe."
"Just…unexpected…" he shivered.
"Calm yourself. I will return you both after this. It is too important to do this from afar," Stable Rock said to ease his nerves. "And if anyone tries to approach you, then they approach me."
"Eh. I don't care," Kamikaze smirked with Tacki in his lap. "It's nice to see ya in the flesh, anyways. No need to hide inside a hunk of metal."
"As you say…" Bofoi grimaced. "But…from my main base?!"
"You are in earth. And I am earth," Stable Rock chuckled.
"Ah…I see…" Bofoi sighed and adjusted his lab coat.
"I have been hinting with others that there is a large chance that monster partners can be given gifts. Including giving their partners life extensions," Stable Rock said gravely. That got the others there to pause with surprise. "If it is wanted, the gift can be done."
"Oh!" Iwasaki blinked and looked at Flashy Flash.
"What of Lady Mitsumi and Saitama?" Kamiko asked.
"That must be done at a very careful level," Stable Rock said. "We are still in discussion about it. Also, the ones that were monsters before that were cured. You can have the choice to change back into your prior forms. Back and forth. Much like Rendor and his spiritual guide."
"It was spoken of," Kianna smiled. King nodded at this and swallowed. "I was told I could even become a full animal form, too."
"That is true," Stable Rock smiled. "Practically all of you can."
"I'm not sure about myself," Kamiko smiled. "I'd become a rather small chameleon. If that was the case."
"Sometimes…small areas are best accessible with small creatures," Stable Rock grinned in knowing. That got her to blink at the realization.
"What about pregnancies?" Kamikaze asked.
"They will all be safe," Stable Rock nodded.
"No more sleep!" Tacki whooped. Kamikaze gave a small glare at her beaming grin. "What? You even said we were gonna test it!"
"Yeah, yeah…" Kamikaze muttered.
"May as well do it," Rendor said. "I don't want the spirit within me to have to go to another if it can be helped. Lady Mitsumi was even discussing of building a secret retreat. We can easily retire there and appear in rare circumstances."
"Would it be okay to do that?" Tatsumaki frowned.
"It may be needed," Stable Rock said. She nodded at this. Now he swept his glowing amber eyes over all there. "Do you all consent?"
"Please," Inichi nodded.
"I accept it," King said with his own nod.
"I would enjoy living life to the fullest with Iwasaki at my side," Flashy Flash said. Iwasaki blushed softly next to him.
"I am unsure if Kamiko can give me extended life, but I will accept whatever she can give to me," Genos nodded.
"You already know my answer. It's yes," Bofoi nodded.
"What would happen to me?" Fumio asked.
"We can still provide the gift. It can be granted to one when you know it's time," Stable Rock smiled lightly. "You can also be gifted with your prior fish monster form, too."
"Cool! Can I also become a fish?" Fumio asked. It was agreed to get him giggling with complete delight.
"We are still in the dating phase," Do-S said from where she sat with Suiryu.
"I understand. You will know when it is time," Stable Rock nodded to her.
"This can go to any of us?" Zip asked from where he sat. Scout looked over with a small chuckle of his own curiosity.
"When you believe you find a life mate of your own. That is when the gift will be given," Stable Rock said. Masaki could only sigh before glancing at Tangled Vine's appearance before him.
"I know you have a dilemma. I can let you change back and forth to help?" the strong plant monster asked.
"I…I think I want that," Masaki swallowed and nodded.
"Can it be the same with me?" Isobe asked.
"As you are mainly metal, I can assist," Stable Rock smiled.
"Can we all have this option?" Zip asked now.
"Of course!" Tangled Vine agreed.
"I just think it would be best to do in case we do need to run errands or look for others. We don't have to do it all the time. Just…safety, you know?" Zip stated. "I know nothing will happen to us. I just think we need a safety net if something does go down."
"Not a bad strategy," Tangled Vine nodded. Then he looked at Kianna. "Did you make a choice to my offer?"
"I did. I think it would be beneficial," Kianna smiled. "I'll keep my mind and be able to help protect my family and friends."
"I feel the same," Kamiko said.
"Me too!" Tacki grinned.
"I can't see myself without Lily," Garou said and squeezed Lily close. "She saves me from myself. Just like Lady Mitsumi."
"The gifts and forms are granted," Stable Rock smiled.
"I feel like…" Inichi blinked and looked at Fubuki. On holding her hand, she felt a touch more vibrant now. It was the same the others felt with their monster partners.
"Could I…also have the form I had before?" Do-S asked.
"It is given," Stable Rock nodded. "Just behave as you have been. You are doing very well with yourself."
"Thank you!" she shivered.
"Let me know if you need clothes," Tacki smiled.
"I will," Do-S chuckled. Tacki jumped out of Kamikaze's lap and focused to change into her original monster form. She stretched out her wings and looked at Kamikaze's speechless face.
"Brings back memories?" she asked.
"Yeah. It does," he said lightly. He watched her pull a few feathers off of herself and shift back human. "What are you doing?"
"Testing something," she said and became her monster form again. "Ah! My feathers came back!"
"I added that," Wind Crane said when she walked over. "However, you can only do that once a day."
"Aww! Can it be twice? For today?" Tacki asked with a beaky smile.
"For today as you were testing," Wind Crane laughed softly.
"Next test! Will I need sleep?!" she asked.
"Really?!" Kamikaze grimaced while the others laughed. She did revert to her human self again to let him hug her with a sigh.
"Seriously, though. Did my monster form…bring back memories?" she asked softly. He looked at her and gave a rather small, gentle smile.
"Yeah. It did. Not gonna lie. I guess a side of me kinda did miss it. I dunno if anything else would happen, though," he shrugged. Then she whispered in his ear to get him sputtering hard. Inichi coughed out laughter and winced. Kamikaze looked at Tacki and said, "You…are just…amazing."
"Gotta keep you on your toes!" she grinned and laughed at his tickling pokes to her sides. They were free to head back to their apartments, and Siren was sent back with Bofoi to his underground lab. He could only stare with shock at her human form that was gifted back to her.
"Um…I don't look terrible…?" Siren winced.
"I…am speechless…" he whispered. She was much like an overly slender waif of a girl with short, black hair that was lightly spiked all over. She had a bit of an underbite, but it wasn't intense. He was drawn to her eyes, though. They were the most startling emerald green he ever saw.
"I was never popular. Not really pretty…" she said and worried her lower lip. "But…I hope this doesn't change anything…"
"Not at all," he smiled and pulled her close to hug her. "It is true, that your monster form will always be stunning. But sometimes…the simplest of things is also the most beautiful. Your eyes, though! I have never seen such a color! Absolutely stunning!"
"Oh…" she blushed. "Um…there was something else…"
"Yes?" he asked.
"I was told…in my human form…children…might be possible…" she blushed a bit more. Now he looked at her with surprise. "So…"
"I see," he said softly.
"I don't know…if…" she swallowed.
"Let's build up to that point when we feel we are ready," he said to get her smiling with a nod. As much as the others were now testing forms, including Fumio and his recovered fish form, Stable Rock knew he had to make one more stop. And it was a very secretive stop.
"Tajima?" Sweet Mask asked and saw her answering the door. He found her staring at Stable Rock's tall form looking down at her with a gentle smile.
"I need to speak with Sweet Mask. And you," he said. "May I enter?"
"Oh! Ah…of course!" Sweet Mask blinked. The earth monster was able to shrink his size slightly to enter the door.
"I'll never quite understand why dwellings are so small!" Stable Rock said with a bit of mirth. "Anyways, we do need to speak."
"This way," Sweet Mask said. They were all sitting down in the main room, and the earth monster sighed on how to begin.
"I know what you are," Stable Rock said to put it bluntly.
"Ah…what…?" Sweet Mask blinked.
"Brother. Do not toss aside my statement," he said carefully.
"Sweet Mask?" Tajima frowned.
"I…well…" Sweet Mask swallowed. "I would have said something in time, but…I didn't know…when to…"
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"He is like me. In that sense," Stable Rock explained lightly. Now Tajima paused and realized what he was saying. She looked at Sweet Mask and saw him starting to shake.
"Are you a monster?" she asked softly.
"I…I am…!" Sweet Mask winced and shivered. "I didn't…know…how to tell you! And if anyone else found out… I mean…Inichi knows…but…"
"I love you no less. And your secret is safe with me," Tajima said gently. Then she hugged him tightly to show she wasn't leaving his side. Now she looked at Stable Rock and asked, "Is this why you came here?"
"No. Far from it," Stable Rock said softly. "I knew his secret had to be laid bare to you. Even I vow to hold it close to heart. But, I wanted to give him a gift that he can give to you."
"What?" Sweet Mask blinked at this news.
"Any monster that has a human life partner can be gifted with the ability to give their life partner longer life. To live as long as the monster," Stable Rock said with a small chuckle. Sweet Mask stared at him with shock. "Of course, there may be a chance that you will need to retire away with her when the time comes."
"I…you mean…Tajima…?!" he stammered.
"Yes. She can live as long as you do. If you want this," Stable Rock nodded. "What do you think?"
"I wouldn't know what to think. Do we have time to consider and talk about this?" Tajima asked. Sweet Mask looked at her now and rose up his hand.
"I want this gift," Sweet Mask said. Now Tajima's jaw dropped. "I know. But…I don't want to be alone. You are the only one I know I can trust completely. I know that I can't be with any other."
"The gift is given," Stable Rock nodded. "I need to get back. And you should lay yourself completely bare to her."
"I…see. Yes," Sweet Mask nodded. Stable Rock chuckled and let the earth take him from the home. Tajima frowned softly and blinked at the feeling that filled her when Sweet Mask took her hand. "In our home…call me Beaut. Please. I do insist on this."
"Oh! I…of course…" she whispered.
"I need to tell you about my life in full now. I can't hold any secrets against you anymore. I don't think I had anything else planned," he smiled.
"Same," she smiled back. He nodded and checked the time.
"Not late enough for dinner, but just past lunch. Do we have anything in the kitchen?" he asked and rose up with her.
"I think we have some leftover appetizers and pizza," she said thoughtfully.
"What?" he blinked.
"Just teasing," she grinned and winked.
"I am going to have to get you back somehow," he muttered and found himself laughing at her. Now they got into the kitchen to prepare a light lunch, and Stable Rock was swooning at the head scratches from Saitama. Tangled Vine was getting scratches from Mitsumi, and the other pets were soon getting their own form of scratches and belly rubs to appease them.
"Good. What else is next on our list?" the bald hero asked.
"Give us a bit! We're testing things with monster forms!" Tacki said in the live chat. "I wanna see if coffee does anything to me as a monster!"
"NO!" Kamikaze shouted to get everyone dying with laughter.
"But, honey, it may not have any effect!" Tacki argued with him.
"After the pregnancy!" he growled.
"Oh, fine…" she sighed hard. Grigos was heard in the live chat next shortly after the laughter ended.
"Mr. Saitama, you have a visitor. You told one by the name of Hammerhead to arrive today after a work shift was over?" Grigos asked.
"Crap! Crap! Crap!" Saitama shouted. "I can't do anything about him right now! Mitsumi can't leave my side! And I can't leave her side!"
"I can still have him run through a track for your amusement. Then have him fight me," Zenchu said confidently.
"Eh…" Saitama grimaced.
"Darling, you did tell him to come by today," Mitsumi said softly. "He did as you instructed."
"I can't take on another disciple! I just…I can't!" he said.
"Love, listen to me," she soothed. "Let him fight against Zenchu. If he doesn't last, then he can disciple under Bang."
"What?!" Saitama asked. Kamikaze was now dying with laughter.
"Good thing Old Man isn't in here," Garou snickered in the live chat.
"Why would he need to go to Bang?" Genos asked. "Can you clarify?"
"He would need to learn the basics on fighting. So, Bang can help him with that and discipline him properly," Mitsumi smiled. "Grigos, please see if Hammerhead accepts this."
"Of course," Grigos chuckled and relayed the message. On getting back to the live chat, he said, "He is disappointed, but he accepts the challenge to fight Zenchu. Is he running through a track?"
"No. Just fight Zenchu and see if he lasts. He must do twenty pushups if he wins. Only if Saitama is present will he need to run through the track," Mitsumi ordered lightly.
"He should still run through my track," Saitama grumbled.
"Do you want him to?" she asked.
"Eh…" he seemed to shrug. "I just can't deal with him right now. I can't deal with anyone until our son is born."
"I know it. So, give him this choice. He can try to fight Zenchu now. Or he can wait a month when we will be more prepared to pay attention to things. He can also see what Bang can do for him to help him properly prepare. Please relay this, Grigos?" Mitsumi asked. "We really can't do much of anything right now."
"I am aware, Lady Mitsumi," Grigos agreed. This message was relayed now, and Saitama listened intensely to what he was able to hear over the headset audio. He was clearly getting pissed.
"Want me to handle it?" Bright Bolt asked.
"I guess…?" Saitama shrugged. "He just won't leave."
"I'll make him fight or leave," Bright Bolt nodded.
"If you make him leave, I will give you butt scratches," Saitama grinned.
"Score!" the powerful electric monster whinnied. He was quick to reach out to Cold Snap for a quick teleport. He even became his human form before walking over to see the large man. "Hi."
"Ah…oh! It's you…" Hammerhead blinked.
"Yeah. Me. From the hotel. I'm a messenger, though. Saitama is pretty much tied down. He can't leave Mitsumi's side for anything," Bright Bolt said.
"I know. I just…you know how I am! I have to see things through! And to wait a month?! I just…I don't know," Hammerhead sighed.
"A month can fly by pretty fast if you focus off of things. However, as it stands, you will have to fight Zenchu if you stay. If you wait a month for a proper assessment, you'll still have to fight Zenchu. But you can ready yourself and prepare," Bright Bolt explained carefully. "We were thinking of you to report to Bang. He is Silver Fang in S class. He teaches how to fight, and it may help you last a bit against Zenchu."
"Who is Zenchu?" Hammerhead asked. Then his jaw dropped when the shadow monster appeared next to Bright Bolt.
"You saw me with my daughter, Starlight. I work with the shadows. I'm also Lady Mitsumi's older brother. I won't kill you. But I'll beat the living shit out of you. If you still stand, then you do twenty pushups right after that. So the choice is yours," Zenchu shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest. "Of course, you'd also have to run through his track of hell before fighting me."
"I…um…" Hammerhead winced.
"We don't have all day. So, what'll it be?" Zenchu asked.
"How would we fight?" he asked.
"I'd tag you with my tail and punch you. Maybe kick you around. I have claws, but I'm not gonna kill you. I'd keep them in," Zenchu said and revealed his claws. "But I'd still focus on kicking your ass."
"I'm always one for a good fight," Hammerhead grinned and hunkered down. Then he blinked when Zenchu shadow phased behind him and slammed him into the wall. Bright Bolt held his gut and died laughing.
"You forget. I use the shadows to move," Zenchu grinned. "Last chance. We fight for five minutes. Or you leave and come back in a month."
"Yaaah!" the large man lunged out. He ran right into another wall and got kicked straight through it. He was now outside the home walls and on the street.
"I'd advise to prepare and come back in a month," Grigos said while looking through the hole. "You have no real fighting style at all. Much less a way to block an attack properly."
"Like he said," Bright Bolt said after coughing from laughing so hard.
"Ugh…" Hammerhead coughed and blinked at Zenchu's offered hand up.
"Like I said before. I'm not out to kill ya. I just want to make sure that this is what you want," Zenchu said calmly. Hammerhead took his hand and got hauled up to his feet. "Saitama has very strict rules when it comes to being his disciple. If you can't last against me, there'sno waythat you can last against his training. And I know you survived that monster mutt's gas. But you have yet to survive against its teeth. Be glad you'd be fighting me and not the mutt."
"Just a tiny dog?" Hammerhead smirked and shrugged. Zenchu looked over at Overgrown Rover trotting up to them from Cold Snap's teleport. It tilted its head and grew five times larger. Then it snarled viciously. "Oh…"
"Yeah, you don't want it to chase you through the track. It's immune to everything," Bright Bolt snickered wickedly.
"Ah…!" Hammerhead gaped. Overgrown Rover growled again and looked at Bright Bolt to huff at him.
"Are you fighting? Or leaving?" Bright Bolt asked carefully.
"I think I need to prepare myself. A month?" the large man asked.
"Roughly. We'll let you know when it's safe to come by again. Just keep working and seek out Bang. Here's his dojo. Go there," Zenchu said and provided a slip of paper that was given to others for tryouts. At a nudge from Inichi, he grinned. "Bang is now expecting you. If you don't show up, he'll drag you to his dojo. You have ten minutes to get there."
"Ah! I'm going!" Hammerhead grimaced. He made his way out quickly.
"He left! I get butt scratches!" Bright Bolt whooped. He reverted back to his natural form and ran off. Overgrown Rover was right behind him in its tiny form. Zenchu was dying with laughter at the whole thing.Now I have to wonder if he'll be better than Charanko! I'll make sure to ask that to the others!