Chapter 33: Investigation Results
“Bang— Bang— Bang—”
The blonde strongman, stripped bare, wildly struck the specialized punching bag in the spacious underground training ground.
Even though the outer skin was wrapped in a thick layer of animal hide, the areas hit by the strongman’s rapid consecutive blows visibly caved in. Fist imprints appeared on the punching bag, and finally, the surface was damaged, the entire punching bag directly broke apart, and was sent flying into the alloy wall by the side.
“Hoo— Hoo—”
Even Sato Shinichi felt a significant drain on his stamina from this level of high-speed consecutive blows. He stood in place and took a few breaths. The large muscles exposed outside were like marble carvings, straight and majestic, freely emitting the most primal physical charm of men.
After resting in place for half a moment, Sato Shinichi walked into the adjacent room and saw that it was empty, so he pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Tch, only one left?”
He directly hoisted the only remaining punching bag in the corner onto his shoulder with one hand, walked to the center of the field, and put the punching bag down.
Then, he retreated a few steps, positioning himself at a distance where his punch could just hit the punching bag. He took a deep breath, and in the next second, huge fists like rain struck the punching bag.
“Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang—”
The specialized punching bag, which was about the size of a normal adult, was like a small boat struggling in a storm under Sato Shinichi’s powerful punches, tilting uncontrollably.
As if recalling something else, Sato Shinichi, whose expression was already very solemn, frowned. Using the momentum from his previous punch, he stepped forward with his left foot, transferring the power from his lower body to his waist and then unleashing it with his right hand.
“Boom!!!”
Even the punching bag with its specialized alloy base was sent flying under that terrifying blow, crashing into the alloy wall in the distance and creating a considerable hole.
Looking up at the last punching bag he had also broken, Sato Shinichi turned his body with some dissatisfaction, casually picked up a towel, and walked towards the lounge.
While irritably wiping the sweat from his head, Sato Shinichi pushed open the door to the lounge, wanting to find a drink of water. However, sitting on the sofa not far away was someone he did not expect.
“Master.”
Upon entering, he saw Hamano Tsukasa sitting on the sofa, drinking tea. It seemed he was waiting for him to come out to say something. Sato Shinichi, who was already not in a good mood, didn’t have the energy to bicker with Hamano Tsukasa anymore. He respectfully called him Master, then picked up a nearby cup of water and drank it in one gulp.
“Hmm, are you done training?”
Seeing Sato Shinichi’s appearance, Hamano Tsukasa didn’t react excessively. Instead, he asked with a smile at his most favored disciple.
“No, but I broke all the punching bags, so I came out to rest.”
He had initially intended to find a large chair to sit on, but he felt it might not be good to be sitting much higher than Hamano Tsukasa. So, he canceled his transformation and plunked himself down on the chair opposite Hamano Tsukasa.
“Hmm, it’s fine. I’ll ask Misa to replenish them.”
Hamano Tsukasa nodded. It seemed these events had a considerable impact on Sato Shinichi, leading him to break so many punching bags as if venting his anger.
But these things were understandable. After all, he was still young. It was normal for him to be unable to calm down after experiencing such things.
He had also been through that age and knew how terrifying this thing called “emotion” could be.
This was also what Hamano Tsukasa was most satisfied with in Sato Shinichi. In a sense, his senior disciple, “Crimson Flame,” was even more outstanding than him. With a body trained over many years and powerful flame capabilities, he was almost a match for Hamano Tsukasa in his younger days.
But the difference was that “Crimson Flame” was too obedient, or rather, too compliant. Perhaps it was a problem with his own teaching. After training him into a qualified hero, he neglected the tempering of his personal will.
As a result, “Crimson Flame” had become a powerful hero, but he lacked his own pursuits and goals. This was also why he could never reach Hamano Tsukasa’s former level.
Without one’s own beliefs, one could never become a true hero.
However, Sato Shinichi before him was completely different from “Crimson Flame.” Although his abilities were indeed not as powerful as “Crimson Flame’s,” Hamano Tsukasa saw in him a contemplation of all things in the world, the pursuit of his own beliefs, and what was necessary to become a true hero.
“Shinichi, the results from that side are out. Fukada Akihiko has completely disappeared. No trace of him has been found on either side.”
“As for Kazumi Shimizu, we haven’t found any direct evidence of her contacting the [Dark] Organization. She’s still considered a highly suspected individual for now, but not confirmed, so no arrest has been made.”
Pulling his thoughts back, Hamano Tsukasa looked at Sato Shinichi opposite him and said.
“Then, Master, what are your plans for Kazumi Shimizu?”
The cup of water Sato Shinichi was drinking was directly crushed. Shards of glass splashed onto the floor. Sato Shinichi paid no attention to it and looked at Hamano Tsukasa with a face full of hope.
“Then, what arrangement do you wish for?”
Smiling, Hamano Tsukasa threw the question back at the extremely excited Sato Shinichi.
“I…”
The question thrown by Hamano Tsukasa made Sato Shinichi unsure how to answer.
“Although I really hope nothing has happened to her, her parents are members of the [Dark] Organization, and we…”
He had simply assumed what he wanted to happen, but when the problem was truly placed before him, Sato Shinichi realized that as a hero, he couldn’t utter such words.
He lowered his head, and his originally raised tone became quiet again.
Seeing Sato Shinichi’s current appearance, Hamano Tsukasa nodded with satisfaction. Knowing what was in his heart, he could still choose to make sacrifices for more important things. This was what Hamano Tsukasa wished Sato Shinichi to possess – his own thoughts.
Of course, as a master, Hamano Tsukasa did not want his disciple to be so indecisive in such matters. After all, Kazumi Shimizu’s situation was not particularly severe.
“Shinichi, what do you think is most important for a hero?”
Picking up the strong tea by the side and taking a sip, Hamano Tsukasa looked at Sato Shinichi and asked.
The sudden change of topic startled Sato Shinichi, but he still obediently pondered Hamano Tsukasa’s question.
“Great power, and an unwavering belief in justice?”
Looking at Hamano Tsukasa, Sato Shinichi said his answer with some uncertainty.
“Everyone’s answer is not wrong, but I think, as a hero, the most important thing is to have eyes that can see through true good and evil…”
Hearing Sato Shinichi’s answer, Hamano Tsukasa wasn’t surprised. After all, no matter what, Sato Shinichi was still just a boy of fifteen or sixteen. It was already quite remarkable that he could start contemplating these issues.
“Master, don’t think too much about what has already happened. That incident was not your fault.”
Seeing Hamano Tsukasa looking wistfully at the side, Sato Shinichi knew that Hamano Tsukasa was thinking about past events again and spoke to comfort him.
“I know. It’s just a bit regrettable that I didn’t see clearly beforehand.”
Sighing, Hamano Tsukasa said with some disappointment, then changed the subject and looked back at Sato Shinichi.
“Hey kid, how about you investigate Kazumi Shimizu’s case this time?”
“Wh… What?!”
Sato Shinichi was stunned by Hamano Tsukasa’s decision and asked in disbelief.
“You’re more familiar with her, so you’ll definitely be able to get the most useful information. Sometimes, overly aggressive methods can’t accomplish everything, can they?”
Hamano Tsukasa shrugged at Sato Shinichi with a playful smile.
“Master…”
Sato Shinichi looked at the thin old man before him with some emotion. Knowing how the Heroes Association operated, he also knew that even Hamano Tsukasa must be under much more pressure than he appeared on the surface.
“You brat, don’t give me that crying look! I just believe that my disciple will never make a decision that disappoints me!”
Looking disdainfully at Sato Shinichi’s tearful expression, Hamano Tsukasa arrogantly rejected Sato Shinichi’s gratitude.
“En!!”
Sato Shinichi nodded heavily twice and immediately stood up, wanting to leave.
“Hey, where are you going now?”
“Didn’t you ask me to investigate Kiyomizu-san’s information?”
“You’re going to meet that girl at ten o’clock at night! Get back here! You’re going tomorrow!”
