Yoshino sat alone in his small apartment, the silence a stark contrast to yesterday's chaos. No Genos around to nag him—the cyborg was still undergoing repairs after his massive destruction. Just him, his thoughts, and the lingering memory of Tatsumaki's stunned emerald eyes. He stretched out on his worn couch, wondering if she was still fuming about being neutralized.
Yoshino scanned through his phone, searching for any mention of Wavygyaza. The Neo Heroes hadn't officially appeared in the story yet—meaning she hadn't undergone her radical modifications yet. No underground procedures, no body modifications, no experimental drugs. Just a struggling pop idol named Wavygaza, desperate to outshine Sweet Mask but still years away from becoming a monster.
"Interesting..."Yoshino made a mental note—keep tabs on Wavygyaza. If she ever decided to undergo those radical modifications, he could potentially save her. Dr. Kuseno—the genius behind Genos's incredible power—was still available. If anyone could solve her problem without the catastrophic lifespan shortening, it was him.
He scrolled further—no underground procedures yet.
Yoshino tuned out the TV, barely paying attention as the news report discussed the Paradisers—unemployed young men who'd stolen high-tech battle suits and demanded society support them. Hammerhead's group, known for their anti-work stance, was making headlines again.
He didn't see any immediate threat there—just a bunch of delusional young men in stolen armor.
Yoshino's eyes suddenly widened—remembering Speed-O-Sound Sonic. The elite assassin would likely kill all the Paradisers under assignment. They were basically walking targets in those stolen suits. Without thinking, he grabbed his jacket and headed out—knowing Sonic would probably wipe out the entire group in minutes.Yoshino's eyes suddenly widened—remembering Speed-O-Sound Sonic. The elite assassin would likely kill all the Paradisers under assignment. They were basically walking targets in those stolen suits. Without thinking, he grabbed his jacket and headed out—knowing Sonic would probably wipe out the entire group in minutes.
Yoshino's thoughts raced—Sonic was a force to be reckoned with. His speed, weaponry, and stealth were unparalleled. If he'd been assigned to eliminate the Paradisers, they were literally doomed. He headed out, knowing Sonic's ruthless efficiency would likely leave nothing behind but empty battle suits.
"This is gonna be a mess..."
Yoshino knew exactly where to find them—a forested area on the edge of the city. The Paradisers were heading there to knock down a building—classic collateral damage tactics. But more importantly, it was prime hunting ground for Sonic. The trees would mask the assassin's movements perfectly.
He moved quickly through the streets, heading toward the forested district.
Yoshino froze—hammerhead was running, panicked, blood streaming from the wound in his skull. A kunai protruded from his egg-shaped head, sharp and deadly.
The leader of the Paradisers.
His eyes narrowed—this was clearly a ninja strike. Sonic was already here. The assassin's signature weapons.
"Dammit..."
Yoshino moved fast—he couldn't leave Hammerhead in that stolen suit, especially with Sonic on the prowl. He approached the wounded leader, whose eyes were rolling back. Hammerhead was barely conscious, the kunai still lodged in his skull.
Yoshino's fist glowed—BLACK FLASH. The impact shattered the stolen battle suit instantly, metal crumpling like paper.
Yoshino's shadow extended across the ground, drawing in the scattered armor pieces—the high-tech metal plates, the stolen weaponry, the reinforced chest pieces. Each fragment vanished into the void of his shadow with a flicker.
Hammerhead lay on the ground, his egg-shaped head still bearing the kunai wound, but now completely depowered without his suit.
"you can come out now I know you're there." He said, having sensed him earlier
The forest went silent. The wind itself seemed to hold its breath. Then—a blur of purple and black—and Speed-O-Sound Sonic appeared, crouching on a branch above. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and unmistakably amused—like he was surprised someone had actually detected his presence.
The kunai in Hammerhead's skull was his signature weapon—a deliberate message.
Sonic's expression darkened instantly—amused suddenly pissed. He threw another kunai directly at Yoshino's eye, speed faster than human perception. But Yoshino moved smoothly, blocking the point-blank attack. Before Sonic could even register the block, Yoshino had grabbed his blade, snapping it like a toothpick.
Sonic's eyes widened—his weapon destroyed like it was nothing. He backed up, trees swaying from his sudden movement. His pride as an elite assassin was visibly wounded.
"Tch—" Sonic hissed, reaching for another weapon—this time a katana strapped to his back. But his movements were different now—more aggressive, less calculated. He wasn't expecting resistance.
Sonic vanished—superspeed blur. Trees swayed violently where he'd been standing. He circled around Yoshino, a deadly purple streak. Every movement designed to confuse and disorient before striking a fatal blow. The forest echoes with the whistling sound of his passing speed. "Die."
Sonic's kick whistled past—missing by inches. Before he could recover, Yoshino's fist connected. Cursed energy reinforcement—Black Flash not needed for this impact. The hit sent Sonic skyrocketing into the atmosphere, a purple streak disappearing into the clouds. Trees groaned from the shockwave.
Hammerhead groaned on the ground, barely conscious. The forest fell silent.
Yoshino returned to his apartment—Genos waiting for him. The cyborg student sat calmly on the couch, legs crossed, hands resting on his knees. His red eyes tracked Yoshino's movements as he entered, assessing his master's condition. No signs of injury or fatigue. Success, evidently.
"today was something being a hero for fun is good and all that I wish I could get paid for this." He said
Genos' eyes flickered—processing that information. He stood abruptly, his mechanical body whirring slightly as he moved closer.
"Master Yoshino—you're not registered with the Hero Association?"
His voice held genuine surprise—a rare crack in his usual stoic demeanor. Genos had assumed his master was simply... avoiding attention for some philosophical reason. But this changed everything.
(hook line and sinker) he thought, knowing full wealth about the evil association. He just knew he couldn't join up without genos. "No, what's that?" he asked
Genos blinked—his mechanical brain processing the response. "The Hero Association—it's the governing body for all licensed heroes. They rank heroes from C-Class to S-Class. Provide funding, missions, disaster alerts—everything." He paused, tilting his head. "Without registration, you technically don't exist as a hero. No pay, no official recognition—"
"then what are we waiting for? Let's sign up."
Genos nodded mechanically, already accessing his internal systems. "I will handle the paperwork." His eyes glowed slightly as data flowed. "The Association headquarters is two hours from here—by civilian transportation."
Yoshino smirked internally. Perfect. Now he could see firsthand what the Hero Association truly was—and find potential allies or enemies among the ranks.