Chapter 166: The Natural Election

Chapter 166: The Natural Election

~Third POV~

[Sometime later, Honnouji Academy Student Council Room]

Satsuki and the Elite Four were going over the footage of Mako and Mash as Inumuta showed in one of the monitors, "See? Mako's fist, while not at full strength connected perfectly with his stomach."

Nonon simply raised an eyebrow asking in a bored tone at Inumuta, "So? She was holding back."

However, Inumuta shook his head pointing out facts with a confused expression as he continued speaking in a disbelief tone, "That doesn't matter, Mankanshoku was wearing a Two-Star Goku Uniform and Mash was wearing a No-Star Uniform despite his One-Star Student status. The very instant that punch connected with his stomach, he should have died."

Sanageyama merely replied nonchalantly, gripping his kendo sword, "He must be pretty tough."

Satsuki closed her eyes and went over everything involving Mash as she spoke stoically, "Inumuta, what have you found out about him?"

To her question, Inumuta nodded his head showing educational files in a neutral tone, but his eyes glinted with curiosity, "Yes in fact I did! Other than the lack of biological files there are some cases of him going to rather basic standard education."

Nonon raised an eyebrow getting a bit interested as she spoke in a dry tone about how he managed to enter the prestigious Honnouji Academy, "How could someone like that possibly make it into Honnouji Academy?"

Inumuta nodded his head as he replied to Nonon's question in a fascinated tone showing his data on the monitors, "That is where it gets interesting, evidently despite his bare backbone's credentials needed to enter this academy all the teachers and those higher up don't seem to mind. It's as if his existence is something normal and when asked they simply ignore the topic. Doesn't help that his grades show he earned his right in this school which makes this whole situation even more confusing?"

Gamagori soon spoke in a serious tone with his arm crossed pondering the idea with narrowed eyes, "True… but do you expect me to believe that a stranger like him is capable of infiltrating Honnuji Academy and your defenses that easily without drawing suspicion Inumuta?"

Inumuta leaned his back on the couch his gaze looking up in the room as he spoke in a curious tone crossing his arms, "If only that was the case. But I haven't even seen or heard of an issue with our electrical security systems. If they were I would've known immediately it's as if he just decided to pop into existence as absurd as it sounds."

Satsuki closes her eyes recalling her conversation with Mash taking a sip of her tea in a neutral tone, 'As if he just popped into existence huh… that may not be too far from the truth if his words contain any truth to them.'

Regardless of the lack of data or info on the person of interest she opened her eyes giving the command to Inumuta gaining his attention through her stoic tone, "There is more to him, keep searching Inumuta. And the rest of you, make final preparations for the Naturals Election!"

Inumuta nodded his head as the rest of the Elite Four nodded their heads agreeing, "Yes!"

Satsuki looked out the window and at the city below as she thought to herself allowing a small smile to escape her in an interested tone and appreciation for him, 'Every day you fascinate me more and more, Mash… but soon your test will be near Bastion.'

/////

[A Few Days Later, Honnouji Academy]

Every student of Honnouji Academy including the three misfits that were Mako, Ryuko, and Mash, stood in the massive courtyard. Satsuki, in front of her council, stepped forth from her tower and spoke in her authoritative voice and commanding tone, "Today, I am giving the Honnouji Academy Student Council System a fresh start! All students have the right to attack other students! Secret meetings, scheming, backstabbing, anything goes! Seven days from now, reach the schoolyard alive! And then use your strength to lay claim to your social standing once again! This shall be Honnouji Academy's first naturals election!"

[FIRST HONNOUJI ACADEMY NATURALS ELECTION]

Gazing at the giant letters in the sky Mash's eyes squinted muttering to himself in a realization, "Naturals election? Oh, natural selection I get it. But seriously, should I even be surprised anymore?"

Mako and Ryuko were both confused by the announcement as Satsuki continued explaining in a commanding tone, "In this election, you will not be choosing some candidates! You will be choosing yourself! At 8:30 am, seven days from now, a sudden death runoff election will be held with the survivors who arrive in this schoolyard! Fight one another! Emerge victorious! And I will grant you your Goku Uniforms anew!"

[SUDDEN DEATH RUNOFF ELECTION]

Continuing with her explanation she finally gave the final command unleashing a battlefield to erupt from the students, "And now, comrades of Honnouji Academy, FIGHT!"

Seconds after her speech, the situation went from 0 to 100 quickly. The schoolyard was a battlefield with everyone attacking everyone. Satsuki's tower surrounded itself in a red shield as Mash turned to Mako and Ryuko in a curious tone, "You guys ain't gonna fight here?"

Mako shook her head as she explained herself with her arms forming a cross in a cheerful tone, "Nope! We're No-Stars, so we have nothing to lose, so we're going to stay at our house for the week with the One-Star District going crazy during this time."

Hearing this he simply shrugged as he had his plans to ensure during this speaking in a neutral tone, "Oh? Okay then suit yourselves. I may come to visit in a few days since I have something I need to do. But you guys be careful, cuz some crazy asshole could come attacking."

Ryuko simply grinned cheekily at his concern replying in a confident tone crossing her arms together, "Heh, look at you, actually worried about us?"

He simply grinned as he replied in a cheeky tone to tease Gear Eyes shamelessly when a thought occurred to him, "I'm more worried about Mako's family during the chaos Gear Eyes. You on the other hand can take care of yourself just fine. You know I'm just starting to ask myself why haven't we fought during the Fight Club shit."

Ryuko rolled her eyes at the mention of that club in an annoyed tone, "That's in the past, asshole!"

He simply laughed at her response which prompted Ryuko to seething and tempted to attack him. But he raised his hand and spoke in a casual tone, "Calm down, Gear Eyes I'm simply fucking with you, but not in the way you think of naughty girl."

Ryuko calmed down and blushed slightly as she steadily got her Scissor Blade for the last comment, "Oh, you wanna fucking go then asshole!!"

Mako watched them with a smile on her face looking between the two laughing lightly at their interaction, "Aww… they seem to be a cute couple with you two acting this way. They're so cute!"

Both momentarily froze listening to Mako's words before looking away from each other with an evident blush on their faces as they both spoke at the same time in a shy tone, "O-Okay see ya later fucker/S-See you later Gear Eyes."

The trio soon parted ways from each other with Mako talking to Ryuko about them being a couple causing her face to blush harder from her friend's words. Meanwhile, he turned to the battle as he spoke in a curious tone, "Hmm… I wonder why these plebeians aren't attacking me. Should I feel offended or not? Whatever. They all became my EXP points with me hunting them for a change of pace."

However, his true intention not staying shut like Ryuko and Mako was so that Mash could gain EXP during this event with so many weaklings it wasn't that difficult for him to grind the EXP from them. But soon his attention drifted to the Elite Four as he spoke in an interested tone, "Oh well, the grind doesn't stop, and neither – oh? Look there's the Elite Four… and I have a bolt of brilliance!"

He started walking towards the group of four, punching anyone who got within a two-meter radius of his person. He soon neared Sanageyama when the Kendo warrior suddenly went to punch without looking at him.

But his fist was caught, making them look towards Mash being the one to catch them as he spoke in a friendly tone, "You thought it was another mob character, but it was I, the deuteragonist!"

Gamagori spoke in a neutral tone analyzing Mash, "Mash Bastion."

Letting go of Sanageyama's fist he soon spoke walking beside them in a casual tone punching any nobody scrub in his way, "Yup! A pleasure to finally meet you in person for a change then you guys on the high ground."

Inumuta seeing the chance to gather info asked first in a curious tone adjusting his glasses and locking his eyes on him, "Oh? You coming to us is certainly a change but not considering the Matoi girl. Besides that, what purpose have you come here for unless you wish to ask Lady Satsuki?"

Genuinely curious Mash replied with a light shrug rolling his eyes as he spoke in a casual carefree tone, "Not much. Besides your lady was the one to call me not the other way around since I'm gonna be busy for a while to do much of anything during this Natural Election thing going on Foureyes."

Nonon raised an eyebrow with Inumuta twitching at the nickname as she spoke in an annoyed tone, "Well smartass, why are you here if you have something oh so important for you transfer student."

He simply grinned which earned Sanageyama's attention in a casual tone replied, "To get richer. I wanna bet with you guys."

Sanageyama grinned seeing his gambling addiction showing, "I wanna bet!"

Fortunately, Inumuta grabbed him by the shoulder pulling him back and scolding his colleague in a harsh tone, "Leave the betting to the professionals."

Mash grinned seeing they all had their attention on him as he spoke in a casual tone the rules of the bet using his future knowledge to his advantage, "Okay it seems like you all are in. So, here's the bet…"

/////

[Later on, the Highway]

*BOOOOM*

A small explosion could be seen from an alleyway as Mash came through unscathed dusting the debris off his body in a calm tone, "Levels 1-3. That's just sad. For One-Star Students, they even earn that much for me to grind. Sigh… hopefully something happens but I suppose…"

*Bang*

*Bang*

*CRASH*

Soon sounds of gunfire were heard that made him stop in his tracks. Following the gunshots was the sound of a car crash as he rushed towards the source of the noise looking from a hiding point.

Out from the corner of his eye, he saw the car crash into the wall of the highway and the Automotive Club surrounded the vehicle. Ryuko got up, preparing to face them, but was stopped by Gamagori speaking out loud, "Matoi, stay out of this. It was my mistake, I'll fix it."

Gamagori stood in front of the small army of One-Star students, without any trace of doubt. The students launched a rocket at Gamagori only for him to transform from his voice, "Three-Star Goku Uniform: Shackle Regalia!"

*Shiii*

Gamagori's Three-Star Goku Uniform transforms into a diabolical-looking mummy-like bondage suit with the kanji Shackle displayed on its chest. The uniform renders him invulnerable to external physical attacks while also boosting his strength and size relative to the amount of damage absorbed. The outer suit is made of extremely tough cloth armor instead of Life Fibers, so attacks that seek to absorb Life Fibers are also ineffective.

[THREE-STAR GOKU UNIFORM SHACKLE REGALIA]

Mash had a deadpan expression as he thought to himself in a dry tone, 'Oh, goodie. More transformations…'

The students began to fire at Gamagori, and while their shots did connect, the pellets didn't seem to be affecting him as he spoke enthusiastically, "Not just hard! That's it! More! Punish me more! Punish me! Every time you punish me, my heart is whipped!"

Mash took a step back out of pure disgust hearing that sentence as he shook his head scratching it as he thought to himself in a stunned tone, 'Whaaaat the fuck is wrong with this place?'

Gamagori just stood there pausing before he finally said in a determined tone, "Just like that day… that was how I first met Lady Satsuki!"

Mash paused at this getting confused before eyes widening in pure disbelief in a shocked tone in his head, 'All you did was pause… Wait, did he have a fucking flashback?!! That's a thing here?!!'

But soon his attention drifted to Gamagori's uniform as it began to expand with each hit he received as he spoke in a serious tone, "The instant my climax, the power that has been building up inside of me will burst out… ALL AT ONCE!!! Three-Star Goku Uniform Scourge Regalia!!"

[THREE-STAR GOKU UNIFORM SCOURGE REGALIA]

*SWOOOSH*

*KRAK*

Gamagori's uniform transformed yet again, this time, however, it launched massive whips in every direction, completely decimating the army that was attacking him. Seeing how everything was taken care of Mash decided to leave shaking his head and thinking to himself in a curious tone, 'Sigh… now I can never unhear what I heard from that man. But I suppose it's something to look forward to in the future. Maybe I should get a Kamui myself for the buff but the transformations though….'

Leaving the area Mash contemplated obtaining his own Kamui down the line… but for now, refocused his efforts on gaining EXP for the grind.