Chapter 36: An Errand to Hosu, An Alley of Vengeance.
The mission began, as most things involving Saitama now did, with a theatrical and slightly ridiculous premise from Principal Nezu. The principal's office was filled with the gentle aroma of freshly brewed tea as he explained the situation with the gravity of a world leader discussing a treaty.
"The 'Hosu Imperial Blend' roasted barley tea is a cornerstone of our diplomatic relations with the Hero Public Safety Commission," Nezu stated, his small, beady eyes fixed on Saitama and the Pro Hero, Manual. "Its acquisition is a task of the utmost cultural sensitivity. Manual-san, as a respected hero with an agency in Hosu, you are the ideal escort for our civilian consultant on this vital errand."
The Pro Hero Manual, a man whose earnest and dependable nature was as clear as the water he manipulated, nodded with solemn professionalism. "I understand, Principal. The mission's success is my top priority. I will ensure the consultant's safety."
Saitama, standing beside him, was processing none of the diplomatic nuance. His mind was focused on two things: the sheer, illogical distance one had to travel for a specific type of tea, and the glossy pamphlet Nezu had slid across the desk. It was a voucher for "All-You-Can-Grill Yakiniku," Hosu's most celebrated all-you-can-eat restaurant. The pictures of sizzling, perfectly marbled beef were far more compelling than any talk of cultural sensitivity.
"Okay," Saitama had said, his motivation secured. "I'll do it."
The train ride to Hosu was filled with Manual's cheerful, non-stop commentary on the various hero agencies visible from the window. Saitama simply stared at the blurring landscape, his mind already calculating the optimal grilling time for a thin slice of beef tongue.
They arrived in a city buzzing with a nervous energy. Hosu was a vibrant, sprawling metropolis, but a shadow lingered in its narrow alleys and under its flickering neon signs. The news was filled with stories of the Hero Killer, Stain, a fanatic who had been cutting a bloody swath through the city's Pro Hero population.
They had just secured the ridiculously expensive tea and were walking back towards the station when the city's tense quiet finally shattered. A raw, inhuman roar echoed between the buildings, followed by the sickening crunch of metal and concrete. A pale, multi-limbed Nomu, different from the one at the USJ but no less terrifying, tore its way out of a high-rise building, sending a wave of panic and screaming civilians flooding into the streets.
Manual's demeanor snapped instantly. The friendly guide was gone, replaced by a focused, determined hero. He shoved the small, elegant bag containing the tea into Saitama's hands.
"Code Red villain attack!" he yelled, his hands already glowing as he generated shields of water to protect the fleeing crowd. "You are a non-combatant! Your safety is my responsibility! Stand right here, in the mouth of this alley. It is out of the main path of destruction. Do not move from this spot! I will come back for you!"
With a final, determined glance, Manual charged into the fray, a beacon of order in a sea of chaos.
Saitama stood in the alley as instructed. He watched the hero work, saw the monster roar. He waited. The sounds of battle were loud and chaotic. After about thirty seconds of standing still, a profound sense of boredom began to creep in. He looked at the boring brick walls. He thought about the all-you-can-eat grilled meat. Waiting here seemed inefficient. The restaurant might get crowded after all this commotion died down.
"I'll just find a shortcut," he reasoned to himself, and with a final glance at the distant battle, he turned and began to wander deeper into the labyrinth of Hosu's dark, forgotten alleyways.
The alley was a dead end, smelling of damp garbage and cold, metallic blood. Tenya Iida lay on the ground, his body a prison. The Hero Killer's Quirk had paralyzed him completely, leaving him able to do nothing but watch in horror as the villain stood over the fallen body of the Pro Hero, Native.
"You are a fake," Stain's voice rasped, a sound like dry leaves scraping across pavement. "And so is your brother. The name 'Ingenium' has been corrupted by the pursuit of fame and fortune."
"You villain!" Iida roared, his voice thick with rage and helplessness. "He was a true hero! Better than you could ever be! I will… I will kill you!"
"Then you are the biggest fake of them all," Stain said, his long, grotesque tongue darting out to lick the blood from his blade. He moved with a terrifying, inhuman speed, his blades a blur. Iida's armor screeched as it was torn, and his body was wracked with pain. The fight was over before it had even truly begun.
Stain raised a long katana, its edge gleaming in the faint neon light, preparing to deliver the final, executing blow. This was it. This was the end of his foolish, vengeful quest.
Suddenly, a streak of green lightning illuminated the alley.
"SMASH!"
Izuku Midoriya, a whirlwind of desperate energy, had arrived. His punch, aimed at Stain, forced the villain to leap back, saving Iida's life at the last possible second. Midoriya stood over his fallen friend, his legs trembling, his face a mask of pure, terrified determination.
"Don't worry, Iida-kun," he said, his voice shaky but resolute. "I came to save you."
The chapter ends on this precipice of conflict. The desperate battle has just begun. The students are outmatched, in over their heads, and their only backup is a bored man in a tracksuit, currently lost, just a few dark alleys away.