Fire

9

Genos flew forty feet above ground to survey the landscape for his target, but in a matter of seconds he located the monster which was positioned only a killometre away. The red dinosaur like monster was standing doing nothing but Genos knew better than to underestimate the potential threat it possess. He saw that the monster was standing taller than the trees behind it, his calculations showed him that it was twenty feet tall. He saw that the monster was giving no sign of wanting to start an immediate fight, so he resorted to communicate with it first. Genos was a hundred metres away when the monster turned to it. It showed no response so Genos flew closer until he was thirty metres away. He zoomed onto the monster’s eyes and saw that the monster was looking directly at him.

“I am Genos from Konoha Hero Association. What are you here for?” Genos asked.

The monster let out a low rumble of laugh and then lifted it’s hand to reveal a light ball in it’s palm.

In response Genos readied himself into an attack stance. He aimed his right palm at the twelve foot monster standing twenty metres away from him. He activated his blasters in its lowest setting, showing the monster what his weapons were. He calculated his opponent’s potential firepower and possible next attack.

They were both facing each other in a clearance amongst trees  which a few kilometres from the city center so he had to also bear in mind that if the field caught fire from their blasts the fight would probably resume in the cities. There are about 10,000 people in the city alone so he better warn Konoha Hero Association first. He sent a note via his wireless connection to Konoha Hero Association (KHA) and then mapped out a few attack strategies.

“State your purpose,” Genos warned the monster in a neutral tone.

“Hahahaha,” the monster laughed. It's idiotic laughter booming across the field.

“We came here to terrorize Konoha, we will quash everything, blaze your house, your friends and families, until only ashes under our feet,” wailed the monster. Then it continued to laugh until Genos couldn’t stand anymore but as a hero they had a code of conduct above all since the monster didn’t start any attack yet.

Genos readied his other palm for attack and warned, “If that’s what you want then I have this to say to you, Konoha is not yours to destroy. The people of Leaf and its protectors will defend it till its dying breath”

“Hahahahha, whatever, you are going down first,” the monster said.

Without any hesitation following the ignorant statement from the monster, Genos sent a concentrated shot aimed at the monster's chest. The monster cried from being hit and flopped on its side while wailing painfully.

The crowd chanted Genos’ name and everyone cheered. Genos only then realized that he had an audience all along.

A woman’s voice boomed across the field. “Let’s give a standing ovation to our hero Genos the Demon Cyborg!” Then Genos noticed the camera drones which was shooting him in action.

Genos quickly relaxed and shut down his blazers. He flew down and a voice came into his ears. “Mr Genos please return to the stage for the remainder of the session, and that was a great show!”

“Ok.” was all Genos had said.

It was indeed all a show. When the company Super Mosquito Killer had approached him to grace the event, Genos thought that it was just a normal publicity function. He realized that he was still a novelty in Konoha being dubbed ‘Demon Cyborg’ with his orange eyes. The fangirls and fanaunts made the bulk of his fanteams. Genos didn’t usually mind them so he agreed to grace the event and it was also a way to connect with the citizens in a safe surroundings.

At the first meeting the CEO of Super Mosquito Killer, Mei Terumi was instantly taken by Genos. She asked for Genos to do a simple presentation for the Meet The Hero session and he had agreed to it. But when the day approached the ‘simple presentation’ had turned into a fight sequel. If Sonic had known about this she would have commented “They could kiss my arse for all I care and I still won’t do it.” But Genos, he would do it because he was a very compliant person when it comes to cheering the public and they offered to recommend his security services to their counterparts for no charge at al. Mei Terumi had offered him a hefty payment for doing the show but Genos declined, he hadn’t flexed action muscles for awhile. After they had done a rehearsal and made sure that the mock fight wouldn’t harm the public Genos prepared himself to treat the fight scene aka mock fight as something real. Genos didn’t have it in him to be a an actor so he had to think of this something real. He was assured that the public would be placed faraway and there would be cameras shooting him and the fight would be viewed on a giant stage at the event location.

Genos finally landed on a raised stage and glanced to his behind where the monster caught on fire was already being hosed down with water by firefighters.

“Thank you Genos the Demon Cyborg, let's welcome the newest addition to our Konoha Hero Association,” a host called upon Genos and the crowd.

Genos looked at a green mint haired woman who flew down towards him. She had huge transparent colourful wings which reminded him of dragonfly wings.

“My name is Fu, from Konoha Hero Association and I am your host for today. Now everyone thank you for joining us in this meet the hero session courtesy of Super Mosquito Killer, the number one mosquito killer, efficient and deadly.”

The crowd cheered and clapped. A few whistled and phones were being pushed upwards to get a shot of Genos.

“What you just saw was an awesome display of Monster vs Hero fight which we had seen just now. Imagine a twenty foot monster, with malicious threat coming to destroy Konoha, but we hope that will never be as we now have Demon Cyborg to help defend us.”

Genos smiled at the crowd and then gave a wave. He glanced again to his back and at the monster - monster effigy behind him which was being gathered into a truck to be taken away. The monster was a mechanized puppet made from plastic and metal. Genos knew real monsters would be much vicious than that, some wouldn’t even boast but would approach with rapid fire burning the city into ashes just like they had during the Battle Of Monsters. His thought was with Saitama and he hoped that Saitama-sensei was doing ok in his investigation.

“Say hello to Genos everyone!” the host continued and pulling Genos back to reality.

“Genos, marry me!” someone shouted amongst the crowd.

Genos scanned the crowd and zeroed in on the woman who shouted a marriage proposal to him. His eyes and ears acutely picking her face from the crowd. She was older than him and she was quite pretty. Genos smirked at her and she let out a cry of joy and threw Genos a flying kiss.

“What you have seen just now is a splendid display or power and with us today specially for this event. How are you doing now Mr Genos?”

Genos closed the distance between him and the host and then smiled as Fu handed him another she had grabbed from a side table microphone.

“It feels great to be here today amonsgt people of Konoha. Thank you for accepting me into the community.” Genos waved to the crowd before him. He could see Mei Terumi and her officers standing under a tent on a corner of the event venue. They were doing the event in an open area in the edge of the city because they wanted the mock fight at an unpopulated area but still closer to the city.

“I am sure Konoha would love to get upclose and personal with you, tell us more about yourself. Oh, I can see those girls taking selfies from over there. Don’t worry girls, we will have an autograph booth if you purchase Super Mosquito Killer’s starter pack at rm49.90. For more details please proceed to the counter on your right. So Genos tell us about yourself.”

“Thank you Fu,” Genos started. He scanned the venue and could see that he barely know anyone here. He smiled a little larger and said, “I was not always a cyborg. A massacre happened in my village and I was only left with a brain, and a good doctor saved me and gave me a whole new body. I have been roaming from city to city for any hints of the one who was responsible for the massacre and found a sensei who taught me everything about being a hero. It is because of him that I became a hero under Hero Association of City A

9


Genos flew forty feet above ground to survey the landscape for his target, but in a matter of seconds he located the monster which was positioned only a killometre away. The red dinosaur like monster was standing doing nothing but Genos knew better than to underestimate the potential threat it possess. He saw that the monster was standing taller than the trees behind it, his calculations showed him that it was twenty feet tall. He saw that the monster was giving no sign of wanting to start an immediate fight, so he resorted to communicate with it first. Genos was a hundred metres away when the monster turned to it. It showed no response so Genos flew closer until he was thirty metres away. He zoomed onto the monster’s eyes and saw that the monster was looking directly at him.

“I am Genos from Konoha Hero Association. What are you here for?” Genos asked.

The monster let out a low rumble of laugh and then lifted it’s hand to reveal a light ball in it’s palm.

In response Genos readied himself into an attack stance. He aimed his right palm at the twelve foot monster standing twenty metres away from him. He activated his blasters in its lowest setting, showing the monster what his weapons were. He calculated his opponent’s potential firepower and possible next attack.

They were both facing each other in a clearance amongst trees  which a few kilometres from the city center so he had to also bear in mind that if the field caught fire from their blasts the fight would probably resume in the cities. There are about 10,000 people in the city alone so he better warn Konoha Hero Association first. He sent a note via his wireless connection to Konoha Hero Association (KHA) and then mapped out a few attack strategies.

“State your purpose,” Genos warned the monster in a neutral tone.

“Hahahaha,” the monster laughed. It's idiotic laughter booming across the field.

“We came here to terrorize Konoha, we will quash everything, blaze your house, your friends and families, until only ashes under our feet,” wailed the monster. Then it continued to laugh until Genos couldn’t stand anymore but as a hero they had a code of conduct above all since the monster didn’t start any attack yet.

Genos readied his other palm for attack and warned, “If that’s what you want then I have this to say to you, Konoha is not yours to destroy. The people of Leaf and its protectors will defend it till its dying breath”

“Hahahahha, whatever, you are going down first,” the monster said.

Without any hesitation following the ignorant statement from the monster, Genos sent a concentrated shot aimed at the monster's chest. The monster cried from being hit and flopped on its side while wailing painfully.

The crowd chanted Genos’ name and everyone cheered. Genos only then realized that he had an audience all along.

A woman’s voice boomed across the field. “Let’s give a standing ovation to our hero Genos the Demon Cyborg!” Then Genos noticed the camera drones which was shooting him in action.

Genos quickly relaxed and shut down his blazers. He flew down and a voice came into his ears. “Mr Genos please return to the stage for the remainder of the session, and that was a great show!”

“Ok.” was all Genos had said.

It was indeed all a show. When the company Super Mosquito Killer had approached him to grace the event, Genos thought that it was just a normal publicity function. He realized that he was still a novelty in Konoha being dubbed ‘Demon Cyborg’ with his orange eyes. The fangirls and fanaunts made the bulk of his fanteams. Genos didn’t usually mind them so he agreed to grace the event and it was also a way to connect with the citizens in a safe surroundings.

At the first meeting the CEO of Super Mosquito Killer, Mei Terumi was instantly taken by Genos. She asked for Genos to do a simple presentation for the Meet The Hero session and he had agreed to it. But when the day approached the ‘simple presentation’ had turned into a fight sequel. If Sonic had known about this she would have commented “They could kiss my arse for all I care and I still won’t do it.” But Genos, he would do it because he was a very compliant person when it comes to cheering the public and they offered to recommend his security services to their counterparts for no charge at al. Mei Terumi had offered him a hefty payment for doing the show but Genos declined, he hadn’t flexed action muscles for awhile. After they had done a rehearsal and made sure that the mock fight wouldn’t harm the public Genos prepared himself to treat the fight scene aka mock fight as something real. Genos didn’t have it in him to be a an actor so he had to think of this something real. He was assured that the public would be placed faraway and there would be cameras shooting him and the fight would be viewed on a giant stage at the event location.

Genos finally landed on a raised stage and glanced to his behind where the monster caught on fire was already being hosed down with water by firefighters.

“Thank you Genos the Demon Cyborg, let's welcome the newest addition to our Konoha Hero Association,” a host called upon Genos and the crowd.

Genos looked at a green mint haired woman who flew down towards him. She had huge transparent colourful wings which reminded him of dragonfly wings.

“My name is Fu, from Konoha Hero Association and I am your host for today.” The crowd cheered with her introduction and Genos gauged the audience’s reaction. He assumed that she was a well known hero in Konoha too though he had not met her the few times he was at Konoha Hero Association (KHA) office. The KHA had not done any meeting unlike the first meeting where Genos and Saitama had met all of the S class heroes san a Metal Knight, following an attack which could spell an end of their world, or even world. Genos had concluded the only time heroes ever met was maybe during emergencies.

When the cheers died down Fu interrupted. “Thanks for the love, I thought you all had forgotten me seeing the Demon Cyborg by my side. On with the show, everybody, thank you for joining us in this meet the hero session courtesy of Super Mosquito Killer, the number one mosquito killer in Japan and Malaysia, efficient killer in your palm.”

The crowd cheered and clapped not at the mosquito repellent but at Genos. A few girls and boys whistled and phones were being pushed upwards to get a shot of Genos.

“What you just saw was an awesome display of Monster vs Hero fight. No monsters was destroyed in the process, unfortunately. Imagine a twenty foot monster, with malicious threat coming to destroy Konoha, but we hope that will never be a huge threat to us, as we now have Demon Cyborg to help defend Konoha.

The crowd cheered and Genos smiled at the crowd and then gave a wave. He glanced again to his back and at the monster – a mechanized paper, plastic and metal effigy - was being gathered into a truck to be taken away. Genos knew real monsters would be much more vicious than that both in shape and manner. Most of the monsters Genos had met would greet the heroes with a boastful introduction before attacking, but some wouldn’t even stop to say hi and instead approach them with rapid attacks burning the city into ashes just like they had during the Battle Of Monsters. That brought his thoughts to Saitama and he hoped that Saitama-sensei was doing ok in his investigation. Last he heard Saitama was somewhere in ASEAN following a believable lead.

“Say hello to Genos everyone!” the host continued and pulling Genos back to reality.

“Genos, marry me!” someone shouted amongst the crowd.

Genos scanned the crowd and zeroed in on the woman who shouted a marriage proposal to him. His eyes and ears acutely picking her face from the crowd. She was older than him and she was quite pretty. Genos smirked at her and she let out a cry of joy and threw Genos a flying kiss.

“What you have seen just now is a splendid display or power and with us today specially for this event. How are you doing now Mr Genos?”

Genos closed the distance between him and the host and then smiled as Fu handed him another she had grabbed from a side table microphone.

“It feels great to be here today amonsgt people of Konoha. Thank you for accepting me into the community.” Genos waved to the crowd before him. He could see Mei Terumi and her officers standing under a tent on a corner of the event venue. They were doing the event in an open area in the edge of the city because they wanted the mock fight at an unpopulated area but still closer to the city.

“I am sure Konoha would love to get upclose and personal with you, tell us more about yourself. Oh, I can see those girls taking selfies from over there. Don’t worry girls, we will have an autograph booth if you purchase Super Mosquito Killer’s starter pack at rm49.90. For more details please proceed to the counter on your right. So Genos tell us about yourself.”

“Thank you Fu,” Genos started. He scanned the venue and could see that he barely know anyone here. He smiled a little larger and said, “I was not always a cyborg. A massacre happened in my village and I was only left with a brain, and a good doctor saved me and gave me a whole new body. I have been roaming from city to city for any hints of the one who was responsible for the massacre and found a sensei who taught me everything about being a hero. It is because of him that I became a hero under Hero Association and following the aftermath of Battle Of Monsters had to recuperate while waiting for a new body. Then while the cities were being evacuated and some of the heroes travelled overseas to investigate the forces behind the Battle, I was scouted by Mayor Tsunade..” Genos quickly scanned the area and found Mayor Tsunade talking to a white haired tall man.

“As I was saying, she scouted me and offered me to be a part of Konoha Hero Association for two years and also to upgrade my skills in battle and exchange knowledge with my fellow heroes in Konoha Hero Association,” Genos turned to Fu and smiled at her.

“Well, welcome to Konoha. How about your current life here, what do you do apart from being a hero?” Fu said.

It was a trivial question actually, but Genos knew many of Konohans would probably ask the same question. Konoha was considered a safe city until a few attacks which had been thwarted by Maito and Rock Lee the Green Beasts. A crazed Konoha citizen by the name of Zetsu had been doing animal hybrid experiment at his secluded home and unleashed a terror of carnivourous plant and animal a year ago. It was reminiscent of the happenings in where Genos was from and when Mayor Tsunade heard that the heroes of cities A to E were down with no activity following the Batlle, she had looked into recruiting Genos to KHA.

“Apart from training and learning more about Konoha battle tactics and exchanging knowledge with the Association and fellow heroes, I am currently doing freelance work with my partner Miss Sonic.”

“Miss Sonic?”
“Is that your girlfriend?”
“I thought he’s single”.

Genos enhanced hearing could pick up the faint comments and questions among the crowd but he ignored them.

“We hope that you have a nice day in Konoha and we will talk with Genos the Demon Cyborg later, thank you Genos. Next up is Kurenai and Asuma with their legendary swords and weapons skill. Be mesmerized.”

The crowd cheered and Fu whispered into Genos’ ear, “Maybe we can exit via flight instead of walking out?” Genos nodded at her suggestion and then grabbed her waist and activated his thrusters. “Get ready Miss Fu.”

“Goodbye everyone and thank you for the lovely time,” he said and him and Fu flew away to the guests’ tent. Everyone cheered and wolf whistled at them He had Fu shrieking delightfully at his sudden stunt of grabbing her and flew away like that.

When they landed in the closed off area of the guests’s tent Fu laughed and wriggled from her grip.

“Sorry about that,” Genos said smirking naughtily. He had begun to be infected by Sonic’s naughty nature he thought, spontaneity was indeed fun.

“That was fun, but I have my own wings Genos. Hahahha,” Fu laughed until she tumbled over a table while walking out, luckily Rock Lee was just besid her and caught her in time.

“Be careful Miss Fu, how about learning Taijutsu from us?” Rock Lee gave his best hero pose to Fu.

“That would be good, but you all seem to be so busy with your charity taijutsu class, do you actually have time for me? Fu said while still heaving from her sudden flight.

“Sure, Gai-sensei would happily slot you in anytime you find the free time to come along.”

“Ah, then let me check my schedule first,” Fu said. She then remembered that she was supposed to take Genos to the dining area to have brunch. “Excuse me Lee-san, I have to take Genos along for brunch, call my people to arrange things later.”

Rock Lee was this time balancing a huge vase of flower on his index finger and Genos looked around, he was sure the vase came out of nowhere.

“Sure thing, I will let my PR call yours. Have a nice brunch, beautiful flower,” Lee said.

Fu laughed and grabbed for Genos’ hand and pulled him along. The trudged along a few tents and entered the dining area. There were a few dark haired people inside and Genos saw that they all had white eyes, the closer he came he could see that their eyes weren’t white but a really light lavender.

“Good morning Mr Hyugaas and Miss Hyuga. The four long haired people looked at her and then said, “Good morning Miss Fu.”

“This is Genos-kun, here under invitation from Mayor Tsunade,” she said.

“Please be seated and have lunch with us Miss Fu and Genos-kun,” one of the older looking lavender eyed people invited them.

Genos let a small smile appear on his fae, he didn’t want to appear to be unfriendly. Who knows that they might be his clients one day, he knew Sonic would be useless in the networking division so he did all the clients scouring while Sonic took care of the dirty job. He then noticed that the four were wearing kimono and haori and he noticed that the two younger people were actually a woman and a pretty man. He slightly glanced to the other older men and then noticed they looked totally alike.

“Sure, thank you Hiashi-sama,” Fu said happily. “Genos, these members of one of the prominent clan in Konoha, “Hiashi and Hizashi-sama, their children Neji-san and Hinata-chan. They are owners of the Hyuga Corps, the company which provides electricity to Konoha.”

They all nodded and Genos and he tensed at having to eat with them, but then Hinata broke into a smile, “I am a fan of Saitama-sensei… I lllike how… how he is a hero with no flashy clothes and just an awesome sense of justice.” Hinata blushed.

Genos smiled and bent to honour them, “Thank you Hinata-chan, he would love to hear your praises.”
“Now, let’s sit down and Waiter!!!” Fu called for an approaching employee who wore an apron around his waist with a cap on his head.

As they sat beside the Hyuga, Fu who must have been very close to everyone in Konoha made a quick comment regarding the Hyuuga, “Neji and Hinata are psychics and they are part of KHA too.”

Genos tried remembering that and noted that there were even normal looking heroes. Ok, so the Hyuga don’t really look normal at all but still in their kimono and haoris looked very normal.

“Fu, don’t forget us.”

“Ah, sorry Hiashi-sama, my favourite twins of all Konoha are also psychics but they have since retired to run their business.” Fu explained as she thanked the waiter for handing her the menu.

Hiashi shot her a glare while Hizashi ruffled her mint green hair. Fu just laughed with adoration.

Genos received his menu and promptly browsed for something none oily and fish based. He noted fish soup and decided to order it with rice.

“Would you like to order now miss?” asked the waiter who stood purposely beside their table.

Fu smiled at the waiter and made her order… but a male voice proceeded “She's ordering beef hotpot and Genos-kun, fish soup with rice. Drinks, iced green tea and coffee.”

Fu looked at Hiashi and pouted, “Uncle, there's no need to flaunt your powers around.”

Genos nodded in amusement at their exchange.

“These are my godfathers actually. My mom was also a hero and when she died giving birth to me. I lived at the Hyuga Village until I got these wings and became a jinchuuriki at 12, well cut story short I entered the Hero Academy in Mumbai, and now live at KHA quarters since I was 16. Don't be fooled by their tight faces, they are all nice people.”

Hinata got up and hugged Fu from behind, “Thanks Minty, that… that was nice.”

“I love you too Nata-chan,” Fu grabbed on Hinata’s hands which were wrapped around her neck and smiled.

“Is that all sirs and madams?” the waiter asked breaking up their banter.

“Yes that's all”, Genos replied. He was sure that was all that they were ordering. He was hungry, his energy was low. He didn't want to use his reserves on a slow day like this.

“Thank you,” Fu sing songed to the waiter. The waiter laughed and went to the kitchen to pass their orders.

“Genos,” Neji said. His lavender eyes on his golden ones.

“Yes, Neji-san.”

“I am intrigued by your ability to stay human though you are essentially artificial intelligence.”

“The honours should be directed to my good doctor Dr.Kuseno. This was all his genius showing. Mine was only in executing his inventions towards the good of mankind.”

Neji smiled and nodded at his father. “We would like to extend our invitation to Dr.Kuseno to come to Konoha and share knowldege with us.”

“I will relay your invitation Hyuga-sama, but Dr is currently engaged with reviving his destroyed laboratory. But he will surely welcome any chance to further his research and development. Thank you sirs.”

Neji smiled widely and replied, “I understand that. We were also impressed by the recent developments in the destroyed cities. Our condolences on the Battle. We hope there will never be another.”

“Yes,” Genos said. He was very passionate when it comes to preventing another Battle. “My sensei Saitama is working with other heroee at the moment to fidn the cause for it. They came at us with surprise.

Suddenly the ground was shaken and Hinata’s cup of water vibrated. Everyone held onto their seats, Genos sat up and his heightened hearing located something unusual outside the tents. He scrambled outside and saw something very familiar.

There just above the horizon of Konoha’s forest, where the trees lined up in a harmonious row a very familiar looking monstrosity hovered.

Genos grabbed his phone and dialled Sonic’s number. He gritted his teeth and impatiently waited for his roommate to answer his call.

“Sonic get out of the house, run!” he shouted as soon as he heard Sonic’s lazy before lunch voice.

“Run!”