One Punch Man: Heroics Start with Dual Kamui

Even though Shinji hadn't taken off his tiger-skin mask for a single moment, Psykos was absolutely certain that the man standing before her was truly Shinji.

Those eyes…

That aura…

There was no mistaking him.

"Sorry, but I really have no idea what you're talking about…"

Even Shinji, with his so-called "God's-eye view," found himself completely baffled. He couldn't figure out how Psykos knew him or what she meant by calling him "Vice President Shinji."

From what he recalled, during her school years, Psykos had been the vice president of the Esper Research Society, which Fubuki had led. So when had he supposedly become the vice president? That didn't line up. Psykos and Fubuki's student days were at least four or five years in the past, whereas he had only recently transmigrated into this world.

And there was another issue. Psykos claimed she had been president of the Monster Research Society, but he had absolutely no memory of any group by that name.

Too much of this didn't make sense.

"I see…"

Psykos looked like she had reached a conclusion. "Maybe you've lost your memories… but it's okay. I'll help you recover them."

Shinji had intended to reject that theory, but after a moment of thought, he chose to play along. He might be able to get more information this way.

"I can't say for sure if I've lost any memories, but I do know that there isn't a single trace of you in my mind."

"Can I take off your mask and see your face?"

As Psykos reached toward him, her tone was gentle.

"…Alright."

Shinji didn't resist, letting her remove the tiger-skin mask that had concealed his face.

The moment she saw him clearly, Psykos exhaled softly, almost trembling with relief. She had been right after all.

Which could only mean… Shinji really had lost his memories.

"I had no idea what happened to you. You just vanished one day. After that… we never met again. Until now…"

Her voice dropped, shadowed with quiet sorrow.

"But I'll do everything I can to bring your memories back. Are you in college right now? Or doing something else?"

She still remembered how, just before graduation, Shinji had promised they'd apply to the same university and keep building the Monster Research Society together. But then he disappeared. No messages, no contact, not even a goodbye.

And with that, the one person who had ever truly understood her was gone. Whatever belief she still had in society faded away. Her dream of going to university shattered along with it.

Instead of moving forward with her academic plans, she turned to something else entirely, laying the foundation for what would become the Monster Association.

Never in her wildest thoughts had she imagined that, after all these years, she'd see Shinji again.

Only now, he was someone who didn't remember her at all.

"I'm currently a professional hero with the Hero Association," Shinji said plainly.

He said it deliberately, just to see how she would react.

"…What?!"

Psykos's face twisted in fury. "You actually joined the Hero Association?! Then those bastards must've tampered with your memories! That has to be it!"

"Doesn't seem likely. I remember everything after joining the Association just fine," Shinji replied, his tone carrying a trace of confusion.

"They must've altered your past memories without you even realizing it. It's entirely possible."

Her expression darkened further, brows furrowed in anger and frustration. But then, something seemed to click in her mind.

"By the way," she asked suddenly, "I looked at the Hero Association's rankings earlier. I didn't see your name anywhere. Why is that?"

"Maybe because I hadn't officially joined the Association at that point," Shinji said. "I only registered on the hero registry recently."

"…What's your current rank on the registry?" she asked after a short pause.

"A-Class, Rank 5," he replied.

"What? You're not even an S-Class hero?"

Psykos looked genuinely shocked. Then, a slow smirk crept across her face, followed by a sneer that dripped with disdain.

"What a joke the Hero Association is. Someone like you, who should obviously be ranked first in S-Class, is only fifth in A-Class. Pathetic... just a bunch of ignorant humans!"

"Wait a minute. You even know how strong I am?" Shinji asked, now slightly baffled. "Even if you're familiar with my strength, calling me 'S-Class Rank 1 material' feels like a stretch."

"Not at all. S-Class Rank 1, Blast, hasn't been seen in years. As for S-Class Rank 2, Tornado of Terror… she's just okay."

Psykos gave a faint smile, calm and confident. "In my eyes, you're more than qualified to be number one."

Hearing her so casually dismiss Tornado of Terror made Shinji instantly recall the great war between the Hero Association and the Monster Association, specifically, the moment Psykos was completely wrecked by Tornado. To be fair, Psykos was powerful, but she had clearly overestimated herself and underestimated her opponent.

"The Hero Association has treated you so unfairly. Why not join us instead?" Psykos looked directly into his eyes, her voice firm and sincere. "I'll make you the King of the Monster Association. That's what I truly want. There's no need for you to keep enduring that nonsense from the Hero Association. This is your real home, Vice President Shinji…"

"Hold on…"

Shinji felt his thoughts start to spiral.

Wasn't Orochi supposed to be the Monster King?

Why was she offering that title to him?

Wait a second… could this be one of those versions of the world that doesn't include Orochi?

As many fans knew, the One Punch Man universe had two different canons. In one version, Monster King Orochi didn't even exist, or if he did, he was never referred to by that title.

"If you're confused, I can explain everything to you." Psykos's tone remained calm and steady, almost tender, as if she were speaking to someone precious she didn't want to scare away.

"Then start with this, what exactly do you mean by 'Vice President Shinji'?" Shinji asked immediately. "Maybe it really is because I've lost my memories, but I don't recall ever being anyone's vice president."

"Oh, that… that was just before we graduated."

Psykos's expression softened, a nostalgic smile forming on her lips. "After I split from that woman in the Esper Research Society, I ended up meeting you. It was your idea to start the Monster Research Society. Back then, it was just the two of us, me as the president, and you as the vice president.

But then, you disappeared out of nowhere. I was getting ready to graduate, and with you gone, the Monster Research Society had no choice but to dissolve."

Her eyes flickered with a hint of lingering sadness, but the moment passed quickly.

"But that's alright. Since then, I've created the Monster Association and raised it to heights no one could have imagined. And now, your return… your return couldn't be more perfect."

Her voice grew more passionate, almost breathless with anticipation.

"You will lead the Monster Association as our King, and I'll be your right hand. Together, we'll wipe out all of humanity!"