One punch man story 1

Saitama sat in the large, conference room, taking in the familiar faces of his fellow heroes. His thoughts wandered as he glanced around. "Wow, it looks like all of Class S and heroes from all lower classes are here," he thought to himself. His eyes briefly met Fubuki's, who gave him a curt nod, and Sweet Mask, who seemed to be in deep thought. The sheer number of heroes gathered was a bit overwhelming, but not enough to distract him from the fact that this meeting was probably going to be another dull affair.

Some of the heroes around the table were already engaged in hushed conversations, clearly agitated by the sudden gathering. "So, why have we all been called here for?" Bang, the wise and experienced S-Class hero, asked, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs of the room. His sharp eyes scanned the others, his usual calm demeanor betraying a hint of impatience.

Saitama, casually flipping through the brochure he'd been handed, stifled a yawn. He wasn't sure why he was here—probably just another strategic meeting that would be over in a few minutes. The truth was, he was mostly here for the snacks, but he didn't mind the occasional hero gathering as long as it didn't drag on too long.

Child Emperor, who was seated across the table, let out a frustrated sigh. "Class S Blast and Metal Knight aren't here again," he muttered, looking at the empty seats with a frown. "I really wish they'd show up for once. This is important, after all."

His mood didn't improve as he glanced down at his tablet, scanning through battle reports and statistics about recent monster attacks. He had hoped that these higher-ranked heroes would be more reliable. Blast's absence was particularly frustrating; as the most powerful hero in Class S, his presence was crucial, especially in situations like this. But for some reason, Blast seemed to be always absent when it really mattered.

Across the room, Puri Puri Prisoner shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his usual flirtatious demeanor replaced with an anxious energy. "This is my chance to get closer to Genos," he muttered under his breath, though loud enough for a few nearby heroes to hear. His eyes kept darting over to where Genos was sitting, his mechanical body glimmering under the dim lights. Puri Puri Prisoner was known for his bold behavior, and this mission was no exception. He was eager to show off for Genos—though his "showing off" was often more of a spectacle than a calculated move.

Tatsumaki, seated near Saitama, crossed her arms and huffed in frustration, clearly annoyed at the meeting dragging on longer than she expected. "Why were we called here anyway?" she whined, her voice high-pitched and childlike. "I had to drop everything, and I had to drag this stupid Baldy along with me." She pouted, her irritation palpable. Saitama, of course, didn't seem to notice her annoyance. He was busy daydreaming about the bowl of ramen he had to leave behind.

"Tatsumaki, can you stop whining for one minute?" Metal Bat grumbled from the far end of the table; his arms crossed tightly across his chest. He was clearly fed up with the constant meetings and deliberations. "I swear, if this is some dumb strategy session again, I'm going to tear this whole building apart." His voice boomed with frustration, causing a few heroes to shift uncomfortably in their seats.

Before the tension could escalate further, Saitama raised his hand innocently, his usual deadpan expression in place. "Can I have some tea?" he asked, interrupting the growing argument between Tatsumaki and Metal Bat. His tone was casual, almost like he didn't even realize the atmosphere had soured.

His question, though simple, was enough to momentarily halt the squabbling. Several heroes turned to look at him, bewildered by his ability to stay so unfazed amid all the tension.

But just as quickly as the room quieted, Sitch—the Hero Association's operations manager—stood up at the front of the room, silencing the chatter. His serious expression cut through the room like a knife. "We are here to discuss the recent events of monster attacks," he began, his voice commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "As you probably already know, monsters have been appearing all over the globe. This is the sign of the Monster Association's rise, and they must be brought down immediately."

The weight of his words hung in the air. There was an urgency in his voice, and a palpable sense of danger that had the room growing more focused by the second. The heroes exchanged glances, their expressions hardening with determination. Saitama, although indifferent to the usual pomp and circumstance, knew that the threat was serious. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of chaos would unfold this time.

"All Class S heroes, as well as heroes from lower ranks, will be tasked with infiltrating the Monster Association's base," Sitch continued, laying out the mission plan with clinical precision. "Your objectives are clear: rescue the prisoners being held within the base and eliminate the monster known as Orochi."

Garou, who had been quietly observing the meeting from a distant corner of the room, narrowed his eyes at the mention of Orochi's name. The memory of the monster's terrifying power still lingered in his mind. This mission would require all of them to operate at their peak.

Sitch continued, outlining the specific teams that would be deployed. "Atomic Samurai will follow Lord Vader into the Catacombs," he stated, his eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone understood their assignments. "Flashy Flash, Tank Top Master, and Puri Puri Prisoner will accompany the Blizzard Group to search the dungeons for any prisoners and to neutralize any threats."

The names of these powerful heroes sent a ripple of confidence through the room. Atomic Samurai was a master of swordsmanship, Flashy Flash was among the fastest heroes alive, and Tank Top Master's sheer strength made him a force to be reckoned with.

Sitch's eyes then turned to Tatsumaki, and he spoke with a firm, unwavering tone. "Tatsumaki will confront Gyoro Goro, one of the main leaders of the Monster Association. Her mission will be to capture Phykos, another key figure within the organization."

Tatsumaki's eyes gleamed with the promise of battle, but her expression remained steely as she nodded in acknowledgment. She was no stranger to dangerous missions, and her power made her one of the most capable heroes for a task like this.

Finally, Sitch's gaze fell on the last member of the mission team. "Blast will be on standby," he said, his voice laced with an edge of authority. "He is S-Class Ranked 1, and his presence is essential for this God-level threat scenario. He will coordinate with other heroes if needed, but we expect him to be a backup in case things go awry."

The room fell into a brief silence as the magnitude of the mission settled in. It wasn't just about the Monster Association anymore—it was about the survival of the Hero Association, and possibly the entire world. Garou, who had been quietly sitting through the whole meeting, felt a flicker of something in his chest. Was this the final push for him? The chance to fight for something bigger than himself? He couldn't help but feel the stirring of ambition in his gut.

"Gyoro Goro?" Tatsumaki scoffed, crossing her arms tightly against her chest, her expression one of unshaken confidence. "Sounds easy enough." The words hung in the air, but the flicker of doubt in her eyes betrayed her usual coolness. She wasn't sure why this mission felt off, but she refused to show it.

"Don't underestimate him, sister," Fubuki's voice came, stern and filled with caution. She met Tatsumaki's eyes, her posture rigid. "Who knows, this battle might be difficult even for someone of your standards." The words weren't just a warning—they were also a reminder of the fragile line between overconfidence and reckless arrogance.

"Shut up, Fubuki!" Tatsumaki snapped, her voice biting and full of frustration. "At least I work alone—unlike you, always relying on your Blizzard Group to do everything for you."

Fubuki flinched, the sting of Tatsumaki's words sinking deep. "I'm only worried about you!" she yelled back, her voice cracking with emotion. "But of course, all you care about is your damn ranking! You don't care about your sister at all!" Her words cut deeper than she intended, and the air between them thickened with the weight of unspoken truths.

Tatsumaki's face twisted in a mixture of anger and guilt. "How dare you suggest that?" she yelled, her voice trembling slightly. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and the once-cold eyes now held a flicker of regret, but her pride wouldn't let her show it. "I've always protected you! Always!"

Fubuki stood her ground, her chest heaving with emotion. "Because it's the truth!" she screamed, her eyes blazing with frustration and pain. "All you do is insult my group, insult my decisions... You don't understand how much they mean to me!" Her voice broke, her heart aching with the weight of Tatsumaki's dismissal. "They're my family now! They care about me, even if you don't!"

"I'm only trying to protect you!" Tatsumaki shot back, the words spilling out, reckless and biting. "Those friends of yours will only slow you down! Real friends are supposed to be useful in battle, Fubuki! Even Baldy there—" She pointed at Saitama, who stood off to the side, looking completely uninterested in the tension. "Even he's better than your lot of idiots!"

"Ehh? Me?" Saitama asked blankly, pointing at himself as if he'd just been dragged into a conversation, he didn't want to be part of.

Fubuki's eyes narrowed, her hands trembling with restrained fury. "Is that what you think?" she asked, her voice soft but piercing with hurt. "My group may not be as strong as you, but at least they care about me. They understand me, something you never will." She took a step forward, her chest rising and falling with each breath.

Tatsumaki's expression darkened, her voice thick with disdain. "You ungrateful little brat!" she spat, her voice rising in fury. "You want to remain weak? Fine! You can die for all I care!" She immediately regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. "Wait... I didn't mean to—" But it was too late.

Fubuki's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with shock and pain. Her hands shook violently as hot tears began to spill down her cheeks. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What did you just say?"

Tatsumaki flinched, her heart pounding as the enormity of her words sank in. She reached out a hand toward her sister, her guilt overwhelming her. "Fubuki, I didn't mean it..." she started, her voice cracking with remorse.

But before she could take another step, Fubuki swatted her hand away, her eyes burning with a mixture of hurt and fury. "Perhaps I should have died all those years ago in the labs!" Fubuki shouted, her voice raw with emotion. "All you do is insult my group, my choices, you never think about how your words affect me... Always suffocating me with your need for me to not rely on others so that I will become more like you! It's a real treat to be your little sister!" She wiped her tears away angrily, her body shaking with barely contained rage. "I'm leaving—and I'm never coming back!"

Fubuki turned and stormed out of the room, her sobs echoing as she fled, her footsteps fading as she disappeared into the dark corridors.

"Wait, Fubuki..." Tatsumaki whispered, her voice weak, her hand still extended as if she could somehow reach her sister, but it was futile. She stared down at the ground, her heart heavy with regret, but her pride kept her from chasing after her.

"Fubuki deserves better than you," Eyelashes growled, his voice filled with disgust. His eyes burned with contempt as he glared at Tatsumaki. "She may be weak to you, but not to us. We'll take care of her."

"Shut up," Tatsumaki muttered, her voice thick with tears that she refused to let fall. She covered her face with her hands, the weight of her words crashing down on her. She had gone too far. Fubuki was right—she had always put her own ambitions above her sister's feelings.

"Fubuki is the strongest woman I have ever known", Lily said, her voice soft. She looked at Tatsumaki condescendingly, turning her head away with a hmmph. "I feel sorry for her to have such an overbearing sister, although I know you mean well".

"Come on, let's go after Miss Fubuki." Eyelashes gestured to the rest of the Blizzard Group, who, though visibly shaken, nodded in agreement. Together, they left the room in pursuit of Fubuki.

"Well, that went well," Metal Bat said with a half-hearted chuckle, though there was little humor in his voice.

"It isn't funny, Metal Bat." Bang rebuked, his tone stern and understanding of the emotional turmoil at play.

"Right, sorry," Metal Bat apologized, glancing down at Tatsumaki's trembling form sympathetically. "I understand what siblings go through sometimes."

This meeting is at a close, Sitch decided, as the heroes got up from their seats and left the meeting room.

Tatsumaki's sobs had quieted, but she still shook with the force of her emotions. "Tatsumaki, perhaps you should sit this one out," Saitama suggested gently, his hand resting on her trembling shoulder, offering silent support.

"Yeah, I should." Tatsumaki's voice was barely a whisper. She felt like she had ruined everything. "Can you... can you come with me?" Her voice was small, vulnerable in a way that was rare for the usually confident, overpowering hero.

"Of course." Saitama's response was immediate and sincere. He reached out and took her hand, leading her away from the chaos that had consumed the room.

"Why are you so nice?" Tatsumaki whispered, her voice trembling as she walked beside him. "I always insult you, and after what everyone just saw, you should hate me." She couldn't understand how he could remain so calm, so kind, after all the things she'd said and done.

Saitama glanced at her with his usual blank expression. "What you did was wrong," he acknowledged, his voice surprisingly gentle. "But I know you didn't mean it. I guess it's just stress... and fear of losing your sister, right? It's making you feel like you need to push everyone away."

Tatsumaki let out a long sigh, feeling a little lighter with his words. "Yeah... I'm already starting to feel better." She looked up at him, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Saitama. Really."

The two of them stood in the quiet for a moment, the weight of the confrontation beginning to lift, but there was still the matter of what came next.

"We should probably get going," Saitama said, looking out toward the horizon. "The attack on the Monster Association should be happening soon."

Tatsumaki nodded, wiping the last of her tears away. "Yeah... let's go." She stood up straight, the resolve in her eyes returning, though there was still an underlying softness in her demeanor. Together, they walked out of the room.

As they walked, Tatsumaki's voice broke the silence. "You know, I never told anyone this before, but..." She trailed off, her gaze distant. "My life started out good. I had a good family... I still remember me and Fubuki playing under the sun, until..." Her voice faltered, a growl of bitterness slipping into her words. "Until those scientists attacked our home. Killed my parents... and took me and Fubuki to their underground base."

Saitama's expression softened as he listened, his concern evident. "Oh..." he said quietly, not sure how to respond.

Tatsumaki's eyes darkened as she continued. "They ran painful experiments on me and Fubuki for days. And they rewarded us with candy when we cooperated... It was hell. Until one day, Blast—the S-Class Hero—came and rescued us." Her voice grew low and bitter. "He told me to never rely on others for help, to protect myself and everyone around me, no matter the cost. I guess that's why I'm so overprotective of Fubuki. I just want to keep her safe."

Saitama nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "I see," he said softly. "But I think what he meant was that you shouldn't rely on others when you can handle things yourself... but if it's out of your hands, it's okay to ask for help."

Tatsumaki looked up at him, the corners of her mouth twitching as she considered his words. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense," she murmured. "You remind me so much of him."

Saitama blinked, not sure what to make of her statement. "Okay? What about it?"

Tatsumaki's cheeks flushed a deep red, and she turned away slightly. "I think I may have fallen for you," she admitted quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

Saitama blinked again, his eyes widening slightly. "Uh..." he stammered, completely thrown off guard.

"Be quiet, Baldy," Tatsumaki cut him off with a huff, her face a deep shade of pink. Before he could respond, she leaned in quickly and planted a kiss on his lips—an impulsive, brief touch. "Don't overthink this. It's just my way of showing my appreciation. That's all."

Saitama stood frozen for a moment, a wide grin slowly spreading across his face. "O-Okay..."

"Let's just go already," Tatsumaki muttered, her face still glowing with embarrassment. She grabbed his head and effortlessly lifted him off the ground.

"Hey! You can't just grab people's heads like that!" Saitama protested, but Tatsumaki was already soaring through the air.

"I don't care! We're late anyway!" Tatsumaki shot back, and within moments, they arrived at the aircraft.

As the door closed behind them, the pilot shouted, "Prepare for takeoff!" And with that, they were off, heading straight for the Monster Association headquarters.