One Punch Man: Heroics Start with Dual Kamui

Chapter 177 177: Captain Mizuki

"So only Shinji agreed? What a bunch of unreliable people. Fine, I'll accept your request too, but only reluctantly."

With that single statement, Tatsumaki suddenly shifted her answer.

"Eh...?"

Sitch froze, stunned by what he had just heard. Miss Tatsumaki had actually agreed? Was it because of… Mr Kamui?

"What's with that tone? Didn't you hear what I said?" she pressed impatiently.

"Yes, yes, I understood. I'll register your name immediately!"

Not daring to risk her changing her mind, Sitch rushed to complete the paperwork and secure her participation.

...

At the Hero Association Headquarters Fortress, the executives had gathered for a high-level meeting.

"So the only ones who accepted are Kamui and Tornado of Terror? Just two, and yet those two are completely unexpected choices..." one remarked.

"Exactly. I assumed the lower-ranked S-Class heroes would be more willing, since training rookies could give them a faster way to climb the ranks. Instead, we ended up with the second and third-ranked elites."

"Metal Bat excused himself by saying he needed to take his little sister shopping. Puri-Puri Prisoner claimed he had to dote on his prison 'babies.' The Demon Cyborg was too busy with his own matters. And most of the others just dismissed us with the same excuse, that they didn't have time."

"Still, having two S-Class mentors is already a positive start. Let's launch the first round and evaluate the results. If it proves effective, we can prepare a second and third phase. If it fails, we can quietly scrap the plan."

The executives exchanged opinions, their tones mixed with caution and resignation.

Sitch added, "As for the rookies, nearly everyone we invited has agreed, except for one or two who truly couldn't make it."

"Excellent. That gives us twelve trainees. Send the roster to Shinji and Tatsumaki."

"I already did," Sitch replied, suppressing a sigh.

It was always the same. These people only pretended to care about serious projects during meetings, yet outside the conference room, they were lazy and detached. With most of the executives working this way, Sitch couldn't help but worry about the long-term future of the Hero Association.

...

Even before the meeting wrapped up, Shinji and Tatsumaki both received encrypted emails.

Shinji entered the password and opened the document. Inside was a roster of twelve trainees, each with a portrait and a detailed profile. All of them had been marked by the Hero Association as promising rookies, though to Shinji, most of the names and faces were strangers.

Only one stood out to him: Captain Mizuki.

Her profile described her as a gifted athlete who had won multiple Olympic gold medals. The Association believed she possessed the potential to eventually rise to S-Class. At present, she was ranked 71st in B-Class.

Although she had only recently become a professional hero, Mizuki displayed extraordinary fighting spirit, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility. She embodied what the Association considered the essence of a true hero. Out of all the rookies chosen for this round of training, she was the one the executives pinned the greatest hopes on.

The schedule indicated that the program would officially begin in just two days.

...

When the appointed day arrived, Shinji made his way to the Hero Association's special training facility. He arrived half an hour early, only to find that nearly half of the trainees had already gathered ahead of him.

"Instructer!"

Captain Mizuki was the first to spot Shinji. With a bright smile, she ran over and greeted him. "I'm Mizuki, one of the trainees for this Intensive Training Course!" Her voice carried both energy and respect.

She looked lively but also very polite. A small bandage clung to her cheek, and her outfit consisted of a sports vest and shorts that showed off her tall, athletic figure. Her muscles were firm yet not overbearing, her lines graceful enough to highlight a healthy, powerful body without losing any feminine charm. In her hand, she carried a relay baton specially modified by the Association, a tool that also doubled as her weapon.

"I know who you are. Do your best these seven days," Shinji replied evenly.

"Really? I'm honored you even know me, Instructer!" Mizuki chuckled and scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.

The other trainees began to gather around as well, each of them eager to greet Shinji. Their excitement was plain.

"We're so lucky. For the very first round, our mentors are Kamui, ranked second in S-Class, and Tornado of Terror, ranked third. It doesn't get better than this!"

"Exactly. Who would have thought top-ranked S-Class heroes would agree to teach us? And not just one, but two of them! We have to make the most of this chance."

"Those who refused will regret it for sure. Opportunities like this won't come around twice."

...

Before long, the remaining trainees arrived. Even the last one showed up ten minutes early. Not a single person dared to risk cutting it close, much less being late.

"Looks like everyone's here. Let's do roll call."

Shinji unfolded the roster and started checking names. Attendance was more than formality—being late or skipping class meant wasting Association resources, and anyone who did so would quickly find themselves squeezed out.

"Captain Mizuki."

"Here!"

"Gear Crystal."

"Here!"

In short order, all twelve names were accounted for. Since there were still a few minutes left before the official start, Shinji decided to simply wait. At this point, he still didn't know Tatsumaki had also accepted the Association's invitation. No one had bothered to tell him.

Just one minute before training was set to begin, Shinji looked over the group and reminded them, "We're about to start. Is everyone ready?"

Right then, a flash of green light split the sky. A figure descended swiftly, hovering before touching down.

"I should be just on time. I didn't arrive late, did I?" Tatsumaki floated down beside Shinji, arms folded across her chest.

Shinji blinked, startled. "...What are you doing here?"

"What, you think you're the only one allowed to show up? I can't?" she shot back instantly.

"No, I just didn't expect you to accept this kind of invitation," Shinji admitted.

"Let me make something clear: I didn't accept because you were coming or anything like that. Don't get the wrong idea!" Tatsumaki gave a sharp huff, her face practically spelling out tsundere.