Chapter 041 - Trial

As I call Saitama, my voice echoes across the mountainside, and Genos looks at me in surprise. He's never seen me lose my cool before.

A few moments later, Saitama arrives, his hair still damp from playing in the waterfall.

"What's going on?" he asks, looking between Genos and me.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Genos here seems to think that I'm practicing some kind of contortionist act instead of fighting techniques!"

Saitama raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "Is that so? Genos, care to explain?"

"The training looks like that anime—"

"Are you saying that I am not a good teacher?!" he cuts Genos off.

"I only meant that—"

"Are youuuu vvvvery sureeee?" he asks again, walking closer to Genos.

As if an understanding passes through them, Genos straightens his back and says, "I apologize, Fubuki! What I meant was your posture is definitely looking better!"

Saitama nods in approval, satisfied with Genos' answer. "There you go, Fubuki!" he says. He then turns to me and asks, "So, should we see your stance?"

I frown, hesitating if I should still believe him.

"Hmm, you already perfected it?" he asks. "But I really think that you still need to work on your coordination a bit more. Earlier, your movements are still a little stiff."

"No," I answer.

"Come on now, don't let anyone tell you that you look like a contortionist."

When I did not respond, he swallows hard. "Now, let's get back to training! I want to see that new technique in action."

"I said no!" I blurt out, wind and dust rising up around me. "Stop fooling around with me!"

"But Fubuki—'"

"This time you are going to train me properly!" I say, stomping my feet. The wind starts to catch up and is making a little tornado on my feet.

Saitama nudges Genos and whispers, "A little help here."

"How dare you—"

"Shut up!" I cut him off.

I move closer to Saitama, but then Genos adds, "If you need to see if you got stronger, there is currently an invasion on G-City. You can test it there."

I shift my attention to him. "Let the Council of Swordmasters handle it!"

"Most are deceased and the others are busy with other missions. That's also the reason I am here. Heroes Association is calling for all available A-class and B-class heroes."

"They didn't send a message!"

"Communications are down as a result of the monster attack."

I grunt but then, after a while, "Fine, I will do it!" I say firmly.

"Great!" Saitama exclaims. He takes a deep breath as if in relief. "This will be an excellent opportunity for you to test out your new technique!"

"Shut up!" I snap at him. "Don't think that you're already off the hook!"

Saitama winces and Genos whispers to him again. "Need more help, Saitama-sensei?"

"Not yet..." he whispers back. "At least, not yet..."

And so, we quickly make our way toward G-City. As we enter the city, my annoyance is replaced with unease. The buildings are in shambles and the streets are littered with debris.

As we reach the epicenter of the invasion, I see a group of monsters wreaking havoc amongst the remaining citizens. The invasion is worse than I expected - the monsters are everywhere, causing chaos and destruction. People are running in all directions, screaming for help.

I take a deep breath and ready myself for battle. This is the reason the Heroes Association is calling for all A-class and B-class heroes.

"Hero!" someone calls from behind me. "Please save us!"

I turn around to see an elderly woman clutching her granddaughter close to her chest. She looks terrified by the oncoming monsters but still manages to hold her ground with courage, inspiring strength despite her terror and age.

With no time left to waste, I jump into action. Somehow, I can easily see the attacks and evade them as needed. My movements are swift yet precise as I dodge each incoming attack. All that while also managing to land several counterattacks of my own in between dodges and evades. It's like nothing I've ever done before and it feels amazing!

The adrenaline coursing through my veins only serves to heighten the feeling even further. I continue to fight off the monsters, one after the other, with ease.

When it's all said and done, the elderly woman runs up to me and grabs hold of both my hands tightly.

"Thank you!" she says, before running to safety.

I wave at her as a goodbye, but then I realize what I have done. Did I become a little faster, perhaps? Did that idiotic training Saitama has concocted actually make some improvement?

"See there!" Saitama says. "You've become faster, Fubuki!"

Suddenly, there is a monster that comes from behind him. It is about to attack him when Saitama raises his hand and, in a single blow, the monster is crushed.

"See, the training is useful!" he continues.

I open my mouth in disbelief! This is it! It's not because of his contortionist stance! It's because I've been sparring with him that I've become a little bit used to his speed! This idiot of a man!

"What? Amazed by my training now?"

"Train me more!" I blurt out.

"Ha?!"

"Let's do it again!" I repeat, maybe, just maybe, if I continue training with him, I will be able to reach my sister's level!

Saitama retreats from me, but I hold his hand. "Whatever you wish for, I will do it. So, let's train again!"

"No way!" he says, wincing.

"Saitama-sensei, there are still rampaging monsters," Genos interrupts.

"Right! Let's do some hero work!" he exclaims. However, when he is close to Genos, he whispers, "Thanks for the save, Genos."

Then he runs away from me.