Chapter 011
After discovering that they had stumbled into something important, the Z-City Hero Association Branch began to operate with the efficiency of an engine at full power. Joshiro and Bang returned to the dressing room to change back into their own clothes before being invited by Shizuka to the reception room for tea.
At this point, the Hero Association had not yet established written tests, and only the physical examination items were treated as completed.
According to Shizuka, the Association currently classified heroes into only three categories: A-Class, B-Class, and C-Class. Evaluation looked at four aspects: monster subjugation records, combat ability, social contribution, and public popularity. Each accounted for 25%, and rankings as well as hero levels were recalculated on a weekly basis.
In other words, one was not automatically A-Class simply because they could fight well.
Joshiro and Bang, who had been directly invited into the Association rather than applying on their own, were expected to enter at higher rankings due to their obvious combat strength. Their initial placement would likely benefit from this, with future progress depending on activities, achievements, and popularity with the public as they competed with other heroes for position.
"Rankings aren't important," Bang said with little interest. "I didn't come here to compete with children over jobs."
Joshiro nodded. "I feel the same, but if you run into a monster you can't deal with, you can contact me."
"Okay…" Shizuka could see both men were unconcerned with rankings and felt somewhat discouraged, but she quickly composed herself again. "The results of this morning's physical tests have already been sent to headquarters. The Association will review them and decide your respective hero levels and rankings. We'll send official notice within three days."
Bang stretched his back with an audible crack and rubbed his waist. "Good. My old bones can finally rest. It's almost lunchtime anyway. Shall we find a place to drink?"
Joshiro suppressed a sigh at Bang's theatrics but went along. "Why don't we head to my place? I can make a side dish and let Master Bang taste it along with my treasured 1982 beer."
"Eh? Brother Joshiro, you can cook? Then as an old man, I have no excuse but to give it a try." Bang paused, squinting. "Wait… what beer from 1982?"
Joshiro shrugged. "Just a joke."
"Is that so…"
By then the two men had already walked out of the reception room while Shizuka was still mid-sentence. Watching their backs, she realized they had no intention of staying longer. Keeping her professional composure, she hurried after them, extending her business card.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. My number is here."
"Okay," Joshiro responded briefly.
"Understood," Bang added with a nod.
She stood at the corner of the street, watching until their silhouettes disappeared, then exhaled deeply. The polite smile on her face faded into a colder, more composed expression as she adjusted her burgundy-colored glasses. Turning back toward the building, she quickened her pace. Arrangements for Joshiro and Bang's ratings needed to be processed as soon as possible.
…
On the way back, Joshiro stopped with Bang at a convenience shop. He moved easily among the aisles, selecting fresh fruits and ingredients. Watching him work with practiced efficiency, Bang let out a low chuckle.
"There aren't so few young men these days who can take the time to cook for themselves," Bang noted. "Joshiro-kun is truly versatile."
Joshiro replied simply, "I just had the time and learned some skills. People working tirelessly in this society don't always have that luxury."
They left the shop carrying several bags, though in the next instant those bags vanished from Joshiro's hands as they were tucked away into cards. Bang blinked, his mouth twitching faintly.
"...I must say, your ability is quite convenient."
Joshiro agreed with a nod. "Yes, I think so as well."
Their conversation was interrupted by two figures rushing out of a nearby alleyway. A man's shouting followed immediately behind.
"Stop! Don't run!"
Joshiro's senses sharpened instantly, locking on the pursuer's presence. He recognized him at once: a black-haired man in worn sportswear. It was Saitama. The one he chased looked human but radiated an unnatural aura, with blue skin showing under a green coat.
Bang had noticed as well. "Joshiro-kun… those two…"
They exchanged a brief glance and came to the same conclusion.
"Follow them and take a look."
…
At a dead end in the neighborhood, Saitama had cornered the strange blue-skinned frog-like man. Panting and sweating heavily, the monster rounded on him with narrowed eyes. "What a persistent guy! Who are you?"
Saitama stood on the railing of a four-story building above him. His voice was calm as he answered, "Me? I'm just a guy who became a hero for fun."
The sun positioned directly behind him cast his figure in shadow, making his stance appear sharper. Then he bent his knees and launched himself down toward the street with force. Months of harsh training had strengthened his body to far beyond what it once was. The drop should have been nothing to him.
But as he landed with a solid thud, a harsh tearing sound followed immediately. Looking down in alarm, he realized his sweatpants had ripped apart from the waist down, exposing the pink boxers underneath. He reflexively put a hand behind him to cover up, his expression caught awkwardly between his usual seriousness and the sudden embarrassment of the situation.
On a higher rooftop nearby, two observers watched in silence. Joshiro pressed his palm over his face, struggling for words. Bang glanced sideways. "Joshiro-kun, do you know the man below?"
Joshiro muttered, "Don't ask me right now…"
The frog man began laughing cruelly at the sight, but his laughter stopped suddenly when he saw Saitama's expression shift into something sharper. A sense of dread overtook him before he could finish his jeering words.
Moments later the frog-like monster was lying beaten and unconscious, the stolen goods spilling out of his pockets across the pavement. Saitama shook green slime from his hands and frowned slightly. "So much for recovering stolen property like this."
His eyes lifted suddenly as his senses caught something above. His voice was controlled, steady. "Who's there?"
From the rooftop, Bang finally spoke. "Well done, young man. Have you considered learning martial arts?"
Joshiro followed with his own words, calm as he stepped into view. "I didn't expect to meet you again so soon, Saitama-kun."
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
💕💕
READ 45+ ADVANCED CHAPTER AT MY P@TREON! FOR ONLY 10$
at [email protected] /Zaneninjacat
💕💕
💀💀 gimme powerstones!💀💀