Chapter 123: Bright Sunshine!
Imma be honest...
I didn't write yesterday not because of important stuff like work or anything like that. That's why I didn't tell you guys in advance yesterday. Umm, I'm pretty shy talking about this, let just say I got distracted by a creature called a woman.
So, I, mythoast, am GUILTY AF, YOUR HONOR!
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"Are we... safe now?"
This thought echoed in the minds of everyone who had been gripped by despair, knowing that even the S-Class hero, Genos, had been defeated so miserably.
They all turned their eyes to the young figure who had suddenly turned the tide, disbelief etched on their faces.
"Whoaa!"
"We can live! We're alive!!"
The air, once thick with gloom, was now filled with cheers and cries of joy, growing louder as more and more people joined in the celebration.
"I was underestimated... that's why I could kill him," Tsuna muttered, his voice barely audible over the roaring cheers that drowned out even the heavy rain.
He glanced back at the aftermath of his actions.
A deep crater, filled with the blue-ish liquid that seemed to be the monster's blood, lay beneath the pillars of earth spears that had impaled the Deep Sea King.
As an assassin, he had a keen sense for recognizing dangerous opponents—those who exuded a strong presence and the stench of death. The Deep Sea King had given him both, making this the closest brush with death he had faced in this life.
Even Kaede and her tentacles hadn't sent chills down his spine like this encounter had.
"Y-you... are you a hero?"
Genos' voice was barely audible, but Tsuna managed to catch it. He turned to see the cyborg, with only his upper body left, looking at him from where he lay on the ground.
Tsuna couldn't help but blurt out, "A-are you alright, bruh?"
"I-I'm fine..."
No, you're not...
Tsuna felt his lips twitch in disbelief as he noticed the visible electric currents sparking from the numerous chopped parts of Genos' body.
Shaking his head, he then asked, "Umm... So, who's gonna take you back to, well... wherever you get treatment?"
"I've—Keuhakk...!!"
Genos started to respond, but he suddenly coughed up a few bolts along with a dark, oily liquid, causing Tsuna to raise an eyebrow in intrigue.
"I'm sure you're gonna smell like a new car later..."
Tsuna muttered, half to himself, imagining the irony.
Genos shook his head with his breath ragged, "I don't understand what you mean, but you have yet to answer my question. And how do you know my master? I remember you saying his name when you arrived."
"Yeah, right..."
Tsuna mumbled, watching Genos struggle like a patient in his final moments. He responded casually, "I'm just a guy who cooks for fun..."
"...?"
Why does that sound familiar?
Genos tilted his head slightly, trying to place the odd sense of recognition.
"And Saitama? He's an acquaintance. Though I have to admit, I didn't expect him to take on a disciple. That was... surprising."
"Yes," Genos replied, his voice tinged with pride. "My determination, my resolve for revenge, and strength must have convinced Sensei to accept me."
Tsuna's expression shifted subtly. He skeptically listened as the cyborg continued earnestly, "Although I had to pay my rent. But I'm sure it was so I wouldn't be burdened with too much gratitude toward him..."
"...This guy probably misunderstood something here," Tsuna thought, resisting the urge to facepalm.
Knowing Saitama, he was almost certain that the hero had accepted Genos primarily because of the hefty rent payment, not the noble ideals Genos had concocted in his mind.
However, Tsuna had underestimated the cyborg's penchant for overcomplicating things. Genos continued his elaborate explanation of why Saitama was the best teacher he ever had, causing Tsuna's lips to twitch in speechless disbelief.
"Whatever, man, good for you..." Tsuna sighed, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.
He casually picked up the plastic bag he had thrown earlier, its contents likely destined to be his lunch and dinner today.
Just then, a nonchalant voice echoed through the air, "Huh? Is it already over? Looks like I'm too late..."
Genos' eyes instantly brightened as he turned to the newcomer.
Tsuna also then turned as he saw—a seemingly ordinary-looking man with a bald head, brown eyes, and a lean yet well-built physique of average height and weight.
The man wore yellow spandex with red gloves and boots, a white cape draped over his shoulders. His expression was one of mild boredom as he surveyed the scene before his gaze landed on Genos.
Saitama's eyes widened slightly as he stammered, "G-Genos, are you alive?"
"Yes, sensei..." Genos replied, his voice strained with effort.
"...You don't look fine, though?"
Saitama scratched his bald head, concern flickering across his usually indifferent expression.
He then turned to Tsuna, blinking in confusion. There was something vaguely familiar about the teen standing before him, but he couldn't quite place it, "And who are you again?"
"You don't even remember me, huh?"
"What do you mean? Have we met before?"
"Yeah..."
Saitama frowned, clearly struggling to dig up any memory of meeting this particular teenager.
At that moment, the rain began to cease, the dark clouds overhead gradually parting to reveal the sun. As the city was bathed in golden light, the sun's rays reflected off Saitama's bald head, causing a blinding glare.
Tsuna immediately shielded his eyes, wincing at the sudden brightness, "Yo, Saitama, put your cape over your head! Your bald head's giving me way too much sunshine exposure!"
"Dammit!"
Saitama yelled, recognition dawning on his face as he pointed an accusatory finger at Tsuna, his expression shifting from confusion to indignation.
He could never forget that tone—the one that always hit where it hurt most!
"You're Tsuna! How the hell do you still look 15 years old? W-what the...?"
Tsuna smirked, amused by Saitama's exasperation.
It seemed that after all these years, some things never changed.
With that, Tsuna had reunited with a friend from the first world he had ever traveled to.
After a brief exchange, Tsuna casually asked, "Saitama, mind if I crash at your place? I don't exactly have anywhere to stay right now."
Genos shook his head at this, he assumed Saitama would decline, "I don't think Sensei would agree..."
"Sure, why not?"
"W-wha?"
Genos froze in stunned silence, his mechanical eyes narrowing as he shot an intense glare at Tsuna, who couldn't help but be amused by the cyborg's reaction.
Together, they left the battlefield, leaving the citizens behind to wonder about the mysterious teenager who had saved them.
None of them had ever seen a hero like him before.
Meanwhile, the Hero Association quickly sprang into action upon learning that the Deep Sea King had been defeated.
Scouts were deployed to assess the situation, and all the surviving, injured citizens were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Fortunately, the invasion hadn't resulted in many fatalities, much to everyone's relief.
However, when the higher-ups reviewed the footage of the final battle, they were both shocked and alarmed. The new face had effortlessly defeated a monster that even an S-class hero couldn't handle.
"...He's that strong?"
In a busy hospital, within the critical care unit where heroes were being treated, Max stared at the news on his tablet, his expression one of surprise.
"Mhmm! Mhmm! Mhmm!"
Beside him lay a mummified figure, bandaged from head to toe, with only a few openings in certain areas.
Puri-Puri Prisoner!
Max scratched his head in confusion, trying to understand the garbled noises, "You know I don't even know what you're saying, right?"
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I'm about to play beach volleyball this week, and I suddenly thought of Haikyuu! Which brings me to my question:
Would you guys like to read a Haikyuu fanfiction?
I had an idea and just wrote it down in my notes. If I see lots of comments expressing interest, I might schedule a time to develop the storyline and possibly start writing it after I finish this book. What do you think?