"Mr. Aokiji, the testing ground is just ahead. The exam will be hosted by an Association executive, so I won't be going in."
The receptionist who'd registered him and then personally guided him hesitated.
She finally handed Aokiji the business card she'd been clutching.
"H-here's my card. My contact details are on it. If you run into any trouble with the Association later, feel free to reach out… Good luck with your test! I'll be going now!"
Cheeks flushed, she trotted away.
The neat suit she wore swayed with every step.
Since transmigrating, Aokiji had yet to meet a girl who wasn't good-looking.
Then again, even the mosquitoes in this manga were pretty.
Plenty of people had even developed… special feelings for the 'lone-gonad warrior, Sonic'.
Aokiji studied the slightly crumpled card: printed number plus private socials.
Fan number one, basically.
Though her motives seemed a bit impure.
He pocketed the card and walked into the testing area.
A space the size of two or three football fields.
Walls and floor forged from hard alloy.
A big-nosed man in a crisp suit and a neat side-part hurried over.
"Mr. Aokiji, I've seen your physical-stats report—astonishing! The Hero Association is honored to welcome a powerhouse like you!"
Sitch, senior executive, bowed respectfully.
Strength that strained credulity, plus rare Esper powers—enough to make the top brass take notice.
The upper echelons were already in conference, debating whether to promote him as their new public face.
The upcoming Esper test would decide their final call.
Aokiji answered absent-mindedly.
All he wanted was registration on the hero roster to unlock his progress bar.
He had zero interest in publicity that didn't boost actual power.
Besides Sitch, the only other Esper present was someone he recognized.
Jet-black bob cut, vivid emerald eyes, exquisite features and poised curves, arms folded with regal pride.
Fubuki—history's strongest Esper's little sister.
Aokiji waved lazily. "Yo, thanks for waiting."
Anyone who'd read One Punch Man knew Fubuki.
Teacher Qingtan's art had captured her perfectly.
He hadn't expected her to join the Association this early, though.
The original never specified her enlistment date.
She was sizing him up too.
Tall—almost two meters—yet balanced, not bulky; must be the perfect proportions.
Rugged, masculine looks, but that sleepy, indolent air… The exec said his physical stats were insane—an Esper who actually trained his body?
Probably because his power itself was weak.
Hence the muscle focus.
So Fubuki reasoned and felt satisfied with her deduction.
She inclined her head like a haughty cat, acknowledging his greeting.
Away from her overpowering sister, Fubuki brimmed with confidence.
Fubuki, age twenty.
Currently enjoying a glorious runaway from home.
To prove herself to her sister, she'd joined the fledgling Hero Association.
Overshadowed all her life, she'd never once taken first place by her own definition.
It might be fleeting,
but in this brand-new field of heroes
she wanted to claim top spot with the Esper power she'd trained herself!
Yet—
"Why…?"
Her brilliant jade eyes dulled.
Her dress-clad figure trembled from cold and shock.
The empty arena had turned into an apocalyptic world of frigid Hell.
Bullets hung frozen, linked by icicles to the machine guns; shells solidified mid-burst; an armored vehicle caught mid-charge, encased in ice.
Super-hard alloy was pierced by delicate-looking frost; a swarm of drones slept silently within glaciers overhead.
The man responsible breathed out chill air without the slightest strain:
"Sitch, these toys on loan from the military?"
The test had been boring until the Association rolled out the hardware.
"Y-yes!" Sitch snapped out of his daze.
"We cooperate with the government; that's why licensed heroes can carry heavy weapons. We borrowed this gear from the army."
Fubuki stared, spirit crushed.
Years of training had let her lift a truck back in high school.
Sure of being top-tier among civilians as long as her sister wasn't around,
she'd never seen a blow this sudden.
Was her sister right—was spending life under her protection the only path?
With nothing stronger to throw at him, the Association declared the Esper test over.
No written exam existed yet; after the two tests, Aokiji became a certified hero.
[Condition met: Become a hero — achieved]
[Belief of the Strong progress bar activated]
[lazy justice: 0% completion]
Sitch enthusiastically listed membership perks while walking him out.
Fubuki trailed behind, lost in despair.
Was her grand escape and vow to prove herself doomed from the start?
"Here are your official handsets—signal anywhere. Snap photos after missions to earn points and climb the ranks."
Taking the phone, Aokiji finally understood.
No wonder early heavyweights like Bang ranked so low in the Association's infancy.
Current rank ignored combat strength entirely.
Bang had a whole dojo to run;
Superalloy Darkshine spent most of his time pumping iron;
Watchdog Man confined himself to Q-City;
Metal Bat, delinquent or not, was still a student.
Each had reasons
preventing them from going all-out as heroes.
Unlike three years later, when Genos could shoot straight to S-Class on reputation and test scores.
Sitch saw them off before finally saying goodbye.
Fubuki, silent until now, steeled herself:
"Aokiji… teach me how to get stronger!"
"No thanks."