Sorry, I forgot to let you know about the wedding, I think I mentioned it would be this week, but I probably should've told you it was this Saturday!
That's why I didn't post a chapter last night.
But anyway, here's a chapter today. I'm having dinner with them tonight—umm, I forget the term as I don't speak their language but basically, it's an afterparty dinner with only close friends and family. (I don't know why I was invited, but I feel both happy and flattered. I thought we were just regular colleagues, lol.)
I'll try to write more tomorrow so I can post two chapters to make up for it. So expect two chapters tomorrow, and feel free to remind me if I don't deliver so I can feel the pressure to write more!
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After stepping out of the lift, they entered a long corridor and made their way through.
"Oh, Silverfang!"
An excited voice called out as Tsuna turned to see an elderly samurai with long black hair tied into a ponytail. The old man was chewing on a splinter of wood, which made Tsuna raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
"It's been a while, Atomic Samurai!" Bang responded warmly, clearly recognizing the man. Tsuna noticed the high respect Atomic Samurai seemed to have for Bang, his beaming smile giving it away.
"I knew you'd come this time around..." Atomic Samurai said with a grin. His gaze shifted to Genos.
"You brought S class Hero, Genos along with you and..." He paused, looking at Tsuna and Saitama. "Hmm, I don't recognize you two."
Eith a smile, Bang introduced them. "This is the new S-Class hero, Tsunayoshi Ito, and B-Class hero, Saitama. Both are talented young men with very promising futures."
"Tsunayoshi Ito, nice to meet you," Tsuna said, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Hahaha!"
Atomic Samurai laughed heartily.
"Another new S-Class, huh? Great to meet you, young man! And as for you..." He glanced at Saitama before adding, "I only acknowledge the strong. I'll shake your hand when you become an S-Class!"
Tsuna could sense that Atomic Samurai only respected those he deemed "strong," which made him almost chuckle. He glanced at Saitama, who remained unfazed.
Silently, Tsuna thought, "This guy could blast the earth with a punch, what do you mean only acknowledging the strong?"
Genos merely gave Atomic Samurai a brief glance. Tsuna noticed that the cyborg seemed accustomed to such treatment and didn't react.
"Alright, since the others might already be waiting, why not jus—"
"Hmph!"
A disdainful scoff echoed through the corridor, drawing everyone's attention to a little girl with emerald green hair.
She walked toward them, arrogantly pointing a finger at Saitama.
"You're only B-Class and you dare step foot in this place? You must be one of those people looking for an autograph from us S-Class heroes!"
"...!"
Tsuna watched as veins bulged on Saitama's shiny head. He couldn't help but be amused as Tatsumaki continued, "But seeing such a massive bald head, I might consider giving you an autograph right on that shiny dome if you just ask nicely!"
"You... you little twat..."
Saitama's face flushed with anger, his expression barely contained. He took a deep breath, turned around, and continued walking, Genos quietly following behind.
Tsuna nodded in understanding. Tatsumaki's words were sharp, but Saitama wasn't running away. He recognized that Saitama was using the art of winning without a fight.
Mumbling to himself, Tsuna thought, "Pretty wise... looks like he's grown a bit. Not all muscle anymore."
"And you, Tuna!"
Tatsumaki's shout was now directed at Tsuna, who pointed at himself in confusion. "Tuna? Who's that?"
"You only have a tiny fraction of my power! How dare you go around showing off like that, acting like you're cool? Hmph!"
Tsuna chuckled, then shot back sharply, "I might have a tiny fraction of your power, but you've only got a tiny fraction of my height. What are you gonna do about it?"
The others froze mid-step as Saitama's face lit up with amusement, watching Tatsumaki's face turn livid with rage.
If being called bald was Saitama's sore spot, being called short was definitely Tatsumaki's!
"H-how dare you make fun of a woman's height!"
The ground shook as she floated off the floor, green energy swirling around her body, her hair rising with power. Tsuna sneered, "I wasn't making fun of any woman. All I see is a little girl, barely of age..."
"Y-you...!"
"Hahaha! Nice one, Tsuna!"
Saitama was thrilled, watching as Tsuna completely dismantled the one who had beaten him in a verbal confrontation.
"Hmph! I'll let you off this time!" Tatsumaki pouted, looking away before scoffing as she floated off ahead of them, bolting into the room where the gathering was supposed to be held.
Tsuna chuckled, amused at how she was essentially running away from him.
"Call it double standards or whatever, but if my opponent walks away from a fight, they're running away..." he thought, savoring the moment of victory as Saitama gave him a thumbs-up.
Bang and Atomic Samurai just shook their heads with a mix of amusement and disbelief as they followed and entered the room.
The lights from the massive screen illuminated the long table in the center of the room.
The S-Class heroes who had been invited were seated patiently in the chairs surrounding it. The table itself was a screen, displaying a hologram of the headquarters, casting reflections of light onto each hero's face.
"..."
The silence was deafening as everyone quietly turned their heads toward the newcomers. Recognizing Bang and Atomic Samurai, their eyes then landed on the new S-Class heroes, Genos and Tsuna.
As Tsuna scanned the room, he barely remembered any of them until his gaze stopped on a man in a dog costume, behaving exactly like a dog and sniffing the air. He blinked in confusion, "A dog?"
His eyes shifted again, landing on a familiar face—the one he'd seen when he first arrived in this world.
"As expected of an S-Class hero, I guess. He actually survived that..." Tsuna mused as he noticed Puri Puri Prisoner flinch at the sight of him. The hero quickly looked away in fear, prompting Tsuna to smile even wider, "Don't worry. I saved you once, and I'll save you again."
"Oh! King!"
Before Tsuna could process the moment, Saitama's loud greeting echoed through the room. King's expression remained as cold as ever, though Tsuna could spot a drop of sweat sliding down his forehead.
The others seemed completely unaware as Saitama sat down next to King.
Following suit, Tsuna took a seat beside the bald hero, overhearing Saitama ask, "How are you doing, man?"
"Nothing much, Saitama," King replied before turning to Tsuna.
With a nod, Tsuna greeted, "Hey man, been a long time. You've changed a lot..."
"...I know," King replied, though a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. Tsuna didn't seem much different from what King remembered.
Still, King shook off his uncertainty before asking, "Tsuna, are you planning to cook anything soon?"
Although a bit surprised by his own question, King couldn't help but salivate at the memory of Tsuna's incredible cooking.
His eyes sparkled with hope as he looked eagerly at Tsuna.
"Genos!"
"I know, Sensei!"
Saitama and Genos suddenly exchanged a glance, seemingly communicating with their eyes.
They both remembered the rather questionable creature Tsuna had caught earlier that day. Knowing they'd be forced to eat it anyway, they figured—why not bring another victim in?
They nodded in unison before Saitama, smiling kindly, said, "We're having a little party tonight. Why don't you join us? You can grab a meal and we can catch up."
"Really? Then, I'd love to come..." King's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
Tsuna glanced at Saitama and Genos with a knowing smile, causing both of them to immediately avert their gazes, pretending not to notice.
Meanwhile, the other S-Class heroes watched the interaction curiously.
None of them had expected the two new S-Class members—and a seemingly random hero like Saitama—to be so well-acquainted with King, the strongest man on Earth!