(6)->FATEFUL ENCOUNTER & REUNION

---TATSUMA RESIDENCE, OKINAWA, JAPAN---

--Seiya's POV--

The naming ceremony was well underway with all the rituals being completed one by one. As soon as the final ritual was over, there was a huge round of applause from all the guests which mainly consisted of relatives and family friends as per the wishes of my mother who only wanted to make this a ceremony and not a social event. The charity gala would, of course, come after this.

All the guests came up to us, one at a time, with gifts in their hands, greeting us. The old ones blessed me while the younger ones wished to play with me when I grew up. The ones in between mainly wished me a happy life though I did notice some unkind gazes from the crowd, and from their aura, and the way they deliberately distanced themselves from the other guests, I could make out that they should be one of those jealous relatives who only take joy at other's misfortune and vice-versa. Though, I knew that such people were present everywhere, still, knowing about them and encountering such people are two different things.

I was feeling annoyed at these people and if I could, I would have thrown these people out the moment I caught sight of them but I did not let it show on my face which still had a smile on it. I knew, from my experience in my last life, that dropping all pretense and straight-up antagonizing such people is not worth the trouble. Moreover, this would ruin the good image of my parents in front of the other members of the family, after all, no matter how 'bad' these people may be but they are still a part of the family especially for the old ones who view everybody as their children and they certainly would not like it if one of those children attacked the other (socially) no matter what the reason. All the punishments, if any, must be meted out by them. (1)

Seiya: 'I hope that you don't mess with me for your sake.'

Not bothering with them anymore, I shifted my attention towards the other side where the young ones were playing all those party games that I used to see even in his previous life but my mood had clearly worsened from before and I could not help but want the gala to be over as soon as possible. As if sensing the change in my mood, notwithstanding that I was smiling the whole time, my mother started soothing me while my cute little 'Onesan' appeared before me and started with her antics like making funny faces and weird noises which really helped me move away from those annoying thoughts in my head.

Soon, it was time for the gala and the guests started arriving one after the other.

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--Author-san's POV--

The area around the Manor was packed with people. Most of them being the media crewmen and some die-hard fans of the Tatsuma couple (A/N: One hell of a hint this is!). The fans were here to catch a glimpse of the couple with their newborn son while the media were trying to cover the charity gala hosted by them which would be attended by various high-profile people and the top-pro heroes. This was the most important event of the year, after all the Tatsumas usually kept themselves from the public eye as much as possible.

It was time for the gala to start and the guests had started arriving at the <Guest Hall> since half an hour ago and were mingling among themselves and as time passed the arrival of the high-profile guests became more frequent with many of them being pro heroes as well as people with high posts in the government. The height of the moment came when the Prime Minister of Japan came to attend the gala, after all, it was rumored that he was trying to lobby the Tatsumas to support him during his re-election and his arrival basically confirmed it.

It seemed that the Prime Minister arrived at the right moment as just a minute later, Seiya's father appeared in the <Guest Hall> to welcome the guests and lead them into the <Main Hall> being the main host of the evening and all, following which all of them soon arrived at the <Main Hall> where many tables were placed with seats arranged around them.

Each of the tables was naturally reserved for their respective guests with the tables at the front reserved for the most important of them like the Prime Minister and the top pros who had their hero names written as they usually do not disclose it in public. What surprised most people that the central front seat was not reserved for the Prime Minister but this surprise soon turned to understanding when they saw the name on the table.

*ALL MIGHT & SIR NIGHTEYE*

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--Seiya POV--

Everything was new to me as I had never attended a gala before much less one with such high profile people, I mean the Prime Minister was sitting at the table right beside mine! I had dined with the king before in Ixphoria but it did not strike me much as I had not been born there and therefore, did not realize how much of a big deal it was for the commoners. Only now can I understand the feeling my companions had when I told them about the dinner. Seeing their reactions at the time, I had a good laugh at them.

Seiya: 'Sigh, is this what they call karma?'

Anyway, I had not wasted 10 years of my life only to lose my calm like this! Calming myself down, I started focusing on the other people in the gala and that's when I noticed something odd. The names on some of the tables and that too at the important ones were more like superhero names such as *Drive Knight*, *Flashy Flash*, *Stinger*, etc. Furthermore, the central table right in front of the stage also had such names, but the table was empty. Either these guests were not coming or were late, indirectly showing that they were more important than even the Prime Minister, after all, even he had arrived on time.

Stressing my ears to the limit, I tried to hear the conversation between the people at the other tables. Despite my heightened senses thanks to my still enhancing body, due to all the hubbub present in the hall, I could only make out some of the recurring words like 'pros' and 'heroes'. (2)

Seiya: 'Heroes? Like Superheroes? Is this world similar to those superhero comics in my previous life? Well, Ishtar-sama did say that these worlds are made from mortal imaginations, so, it is possible that this world just happened to be the imagination of a comic creator. Man, I wish I knew that guy, it would have made things so much simpler!'

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--Author-san's POV--

---AICHI, JAPAN, EARTH, UNIVERSE-05022003---

Kohei Horikoshi: "Acchoo! Hmm? It looks like someone is thinking about me. Well, no matter, let's just complete this week's chapter and go to sleep."

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---TATSUMA RESIDENCE, OKINAWA, JAPAN---

The gala was proceeding smoothly with the guests being entertained from the various activities arranged like: an auction, casino-type games, and many more. The night was soon coming to an end with the guests enjoying their meals and drinks and the mood in the gala had turned calm but it did not last for long after the late arrival of one of the guests: the No.2 pro-hero Flame Hero: *Endeavor*.

The moment he arrived in the hall, all the attending guests including the Prime Minister stood up in greeting the Hero ignoring the fact that he was late for the gala, after all, a hero is always on duty saving the lives of people every day. Alas, they did not know that their so-called 'Hero' was late cause he was too busy to notice the time during his training.

(A/N: Man, he will always be a workaholic)

Following him were his wife, Rei Todoroki, and daughter, Fuyumi. Usually, he would never take anyone from his family with him during such social events for reasons known only to him. However, Mrs. Tatsuma has been a close friend of Rei since their school days and had specially invited her even to the ceremony before the gala but she did not go due to her husband who wanted to be as far away from Mr. Tatsuma as possible. There are only a few people who can scare him and Mr. Tatsuma was one of them even though he had retired from hero work.

(A/N: Now, nobody should say that I didn't give much information regarding his parents.)

After greeting everyone (of importance) along the way, they finally reached the Tatsuma couple's table where Seiya was currently sitting in his mother's arms and was watching them heading his way.

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--Seiya's POV--

Watching the tall, sturdily-built muscular man with short spiked crimson hair, turquoise eyes along with beard and mustache made of fire approaching our table, I started observing his aura to discern this No.2 hero but what I sensed shocked me.

He had a golden aura around him similar to that of his father with the difference being that his aura was not condensed and the size of it was larger than any other he has seen until now. Of course, he still had a feeling that his father must have strength at least equal to if not greater than him. But beneath that golden aura was hidden a deep dark aura corrupting him from within and slowly changing his personality unknowingly so much that one day he may become an entirely different person who may not even recognize himself but by then it would have already been too late.

Also, it seemed like it was also affecting those close to him like the lady standing beside him. (3) She was a fair and beautiful lady of average height and build with shoulder-length white hair with light brown-gray eyes. Her face had round features with a mellow expression similar to his mother but if one looked closely they could see her tired-looking eyes which seemed to give a glimpse of the mental and physical suffering she had endured as a result of her husband's actions. Adding the dark aura's influence on her, it is a wonder that she is holding onto her rational mind displaying her strong will but it could be seen that she would soon collapse under the pressure.

But soon, something strange caught Seiya's eyes. The little girl, who looked similar to her mother, holding onto her was not being affected by the dark aura at all. On observing her closely, Seiya discovered that her mother's aura was subconsciously protecting her from the dark aura by taking it upon herself.

Seiya: 'With the way things are progressing, she soon needs to be let out of this man's presence. But what can I do to help her? Hmm, maybe I should try to cheer her up with my childish antics, who knows it may be of help to her.'

Making up his mind, he started doing his best to imitate a newborn baby laughing gleefully and raising his hands in the air as if telling them to pick me up. It seemed to do the trick as soon I was being raised by the gentle lady and I could feel her unstable aura stabilizing a bit as if it was trying to soothe the baby in her arms.

Seiya: 'Sure enough, it works. The problem is such treatment has to be given regularly for its effects to remain permanently. Hah, I really want to help her. What can I do? Hmm, this feeling is similar to being held by mother.'

Not knowing why, but I started feeling drowsy but just as I was about to doze off a new commotion started at the entrance of the <Main Hall>.

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--Enji Todoroki POV--

Staying here for so long has been a trial for me. I don't know why but I can't seem to be able to bear the presence of the man of this house. It is not because I am afraid of him but because it seems that he is always ahead of me no matter how much I train myself. He still gives off that feeling, even after he retired from the hero work.

There is only one other person who gives me this kind of feeling but unlike him whom I know I will never be able to surpass in this lifetime, this man only feels slightly ahead of me which makes it even more unbearable that even after all the hard work and training I had done during these years, he is still ahead of me and unlike me, he did not neglect his family.

And now he even has a son who gives me a similar feeling like his father and yet this feeling is stronger at the same time. (4)

Enji: 'I have never seen such a child before. It seems that the Tatsumas would have yet another behemoth leading them in the future and this one would be even bigger than the previous ones, after all, that woman is his mother. But my new creation, Shoto, would become the strongest no matter who stands in his way!'

Looking at my wife who had taken the child in her arms, I felt something like remorse inside of me but soon brushed it off. I had done nothing wrong for I had married her for the very purpose of creating Shoto. However, I suddenly felt annoyed for some reason, and immediately after I heard footsteps coming from the hallway.

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--Author-san's POV--

Everyone in the <Main Hall> turned their heads towards the entrance door which led to the main hallway from where the sound of footsteps was coming. They wondered who would be coming this late to the gala and much more importantly, later than The Prime Minister and Endeavor and so focused their eyes towards the entrance door and a few moments later the door opened.

(A/N: I am sure you all can guess who he is by now.)

A man in a golden suit with black stripes and pants with a build even bigger than Endeavor appeared on the entrance door. The guy had a chiseled face with a strong jawline, pronounced cheekbones, and busy eyebrows. His strong features cast a shadow over his face, hiding everything but his bright blue eyes.

.

.

.

.

*Silence*

Seiya wondered if anything was wrong because of the sudden silence in the hall but as soon as he finished his thought, the <Main Hall> burst into an uproar with most of the guests (of course, with low status) chanting his name,

"ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT!"

On the other hand, the more reserved guests applauded cheerfully at the world's Symbol of Peace. Of course, some were not but they were people who nobody would dare question like his father and Endeavor. Seiya who was still in Rei's arms was dumbfounded.

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--Seiya's POV--

Seiya: 'All might? Isn't that the name on the central front seat? Could it be that he is the No. 1 Hero?'

I had a hunch that my guess was right.

Seiya: 'But this reaction is completely off the charts compared to the fire-beard. He is second only to this guy, right? So, why such a difference?'

I turned my head to look towards Endeavor who had a frown etched onto his face with anger and frustration evident in his eyes.

Seiya: 'Hmmm, I may have found the cause behind the fire-beard's dark aura.'

I turned back to look at the guy in bright shining clothes. He was everything like the typical comic superhero stereotype. Colorful and filled with dramatic flair and sporting a giant smile and giving off a friendly and approachable vibe.

Taking note of his aura, I was shocked senseless cause of the aura leaking off of him. Even after being concentrated, his aura was bigger than Endeavor's and naturally his father's as well. Moreover, the color and brightness of his aura were also never seen before. The color was completely golden without even a single blemish and it was shining so brightly that I almost had to shut my eyes due to the glaze.

Seiya: 'He really deserves to be called the No.1 Hero and if his aura and the guests' reaction is anything to go by then there is quite a difference between the No.1 and No.2 heroes.'

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--Toshinori Yagi (All Might) POV--

All might: 'Phew, I finally made it to the party albeit a bit late.'

I was afraid I was gonna miss it even after promising Tatsuma-san to arrive as soon as possible. That shark villain appeared all of a sudden in Tokyo and took quite some time to take care of. And then I had to run all the way from Tokyo to Okinawa by foot leaving Nighteye to take care of the remaining formalities all by himself.

After shaking hands, giving autographs, and taking pictures with almost all the guests present in the hall, I finally made my way towards the Tatsuma couple's table where I saw Endeavor and his wife with a small child in her arms and a little girl who looked similar to Endeavor's wife.

All might: 'She must be his daughter but the child in her mother's arms does not seem similar to Endeavor or his wife. Ah! He must be Tatsuma-san's newborn child.'

All might: "Good Evening, Endeavor! It is good to see you here. How are you doing?"

Endeavor: "I am doing just fine, All Might."

I knew his reply would be something like this. His rude personality and no-nonsense attitude have always been there but it has gotten worse after he took the No.2 position. Still, I respect him as a hero who made it here solely through his efforts though I do not agree with his methods.

Turning my head in the other direction, I saw the Tatsuma couple approaching me.

Mr. Tatsuma: "Good Evening All Might. It is a good thing that you could make it here. I thought that yet another case will keep you busy again."

All Might: "Ha Ha Ha, well another case did indeed come up but I remembered about the promise I had made and after quickly resolving it I came as fast as I could. Meanwhile, Nighteye is still there completing the proceeding formalities and hence could not make it. He did tell me to give you his greetings."

Mr. Tatsuma: "Heh, looks like the brat is learning some manners. Did you teach him those manners yourself, All Might?"

All Might: "No, no, he seems to be learning through his own experience, and considering the hell you put him through last time, it is only natural. Putting these matters aside, is he young Seiya?"

Pointing my hand to the baby in Endeavor's wife's hands, I asked to which he gave me a nod. Focusing on the newborn baby, as I took him into my arms, I could see his ruby-like eyes and he had a feeling that he was holding onto not a baby but a powerful master even though he was no bigger than my palm. I could feel my instincts telling me that one day, this child will become someone of great stature just like his father.

All Might: 'I guess I should have brought Nighteye with me so that he could have told me something regarding the boy. Well, no matter, I just can't wait to see what great things you achieve in the future young Seiya.'

Of course, he could not have guessed that this boy would soon change the very hero society itself and ushered the world into a new era.

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--Seiya's POV--

Sitting in the palm of his hands, I could feel the strength hidden inside his body. Of course, my older strength before the <Dragonification> was also at least on par with him if not greater but I no longer had it. But my new and modified body may surprise me, after all, the dragon core which I had not been able to properly utilize in my last life was now fused with my new body.

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-2 hours later-

The gala was now over and the guests had left. The staff was taking care of the clean-up and I was resting in my cradle exhausted. I still had not gotten over the frequent feeling of exhaustion. I think it has something to do with how my body is evolving slowly but steadily and the nutrition that I get from my mother's milk is certainly not enough to support me for a long time and hence this exhaustion.

But I would never ask for more as I had to ensure my mother's health as well and I would prefer sleeping than over-draining her milk. My parents were also preparing for the night but there was a sudden visitor in our room. It was the head stewardess along with her husband, the head steward.

Just 2 days ago, she had given birth to a girl and it seems that today was the day that she got discharged from the hospital and was here first thing to introduce her daughter. The couple was loyal to the Tatsumas as I could see from their auras and both of them came from families that had long sworn to serve the Tatsumas for eternity.

Though I don't necessarily judge a person by their aura like fire-beard, it does help me with rather normal people along with the other observations in judging their personality.

It seemed that the couple was here to ask their masters for a suitable name for their daughter. But soon my thoughts came to a sudden halt as I saw the baby girl for the first time and realized not only from her facial features and the spiritual connection I felt with her but also the fact that she winked at me! (A/N: See! And you guys that I am not giving you enough lemon scenes) and in the end, I could only reach out to her and say,

"Ariadoa?"

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/Author Notes\

Phew, finally I made it! I mean I know that I told you guys that I would be releasing this chapter by yesterday but you know I just started adding new things and conversations. Moreover, I also started thinking about future ideas and how I could incorporate them from the beginning. Add on to the fact that I have to deal with the upcoming end-sem exams too that are only a week away. God, I just want to give everything up and stop writing here. But! I will not stop here! No way in seven hells, would I stopping here after putting in all the time and effort I have into this up until now.

So, I thought of another way to help myself without having to stop writing. Honestly, when you have to write on a fixed schedule, it kinda starts feeling like a chore and it is not the right thing especially in the case of creative work where you must come up with new ideas and imagine as much as you could.

As such, this would not only be the last chapter of the week but for this month and the first half of the next month as well (till the end of my end-sem exams). Now, I would not be releasing any chapter during this entire period. But this is not a break, as when I return, there will be a mass release of all the pre-canon chapters at once!

This will also solve the problem with the slow pace with the waiting period between each chapter. I will also make an announcement regarding this for those who do not read the /Author's notes\

So, without further ado, here are some points that you may have doubts about, throughout the chapter.

1)This is what usually happens in those old clans where traditions and heritage are taken very seriously.

2) Now what I mean by 'still enhancing' and 'steadily evolving' body is the power of the dragon core constantly strengthening his body albeit slowly. Now, this does not mean that he would soon become overpowered. As I said 'slowly', I meant that after the initial boost his growth would slow down, and by the time the canon began, the growth would be negligible in the short term but it would still be there. This growth is only in his base characteristics excluding his modified body's natural growth.

3) This is similar to those cases where the people in a mental asylum or a jail get affected by the environment there and slowly their personality changes over time.

4) This feeling is his instinct that can indirectly sense aura and the aura is from the dragon core inside Seiya's body.

Any further doubts can be asked here through the comments.

Also, you may have noticed (you would have to be blind not to) that I changed the name of the series of chapters. This was mainly because the series would become too big if I continued with childhood. Moreover, he is an infant now and not yet a child so it does not make any sense to name it childhood now. And for those who are wondering, no the no. of chapters have not increased cause of the name-change.

I am thinking about creating my discord channel. Hmm, maybe after I come back.

I have another request of you my dear readers and that is if, after I mass-release the pre-canon chapters, you could review the novel as I do not know how you guys feel about my work other than a few who give me some comments (again thanks for that).

For those who like the story please vote some power stones so that even more people can get to know about it. (Rankings matter a lot sometimes)

Now, I will be finishing my ramblings and I hope to see you guys soon. Zàijiàn.

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