“So, can you show us the power you received?” Hinata asked as they exited the rear of the agency building and were crossing back into Rumi’s compound. Sakura remained invisible, not wanting to show herself to the contractors still inside the building. Yu and Rumi were a couple of steps behind them, Yu still completely mortified from the earlier show. Even Rumi was quieter than normal, showing a bit of embarrassment for once. 

Not that I’m not a bit flustered myself. Oh well, we can do nothing about it now but laugh about it.

They had waited in the living room for them as he asked, and after a quick greeting from several blushing women, Anan gave John another kiss and departed, saying she would be late for her train if she stayed much longer. Afterwards, they had a cup of tea and made some small talk, Hinata acting as if nothing had happened. Sakura kept smiling, seemingly still believing that John had tied up Yu tightly with ropes or some other BDSM gear, which caused all those bruises. 

After tea, they went on a tour of the agency, which was still swarming with workers. John was impressed by the size of the interior and the amenities being installed, including a full gym, sauna, and hot tub. He needed to ask how it was being funded, but now wasn’t the time for that conversation. 

“There isn’t much to show. It’s an internal power called Ki. When I activate it right now, it only makes me about thirty percent stronger and faster than I am normally, though it has the potential to grow.” John replied, frowning at the rough hole Rumi had broken through the wall. He would have to come by with Dig and finish the sides a little cleaner. After she had cut down the fence and bushes, there was a concrete wall she ended up kicking through to finish the opening. 

“Ki? Well, to paraphrase ancient teachings from monks and religious texts, you would need to meditate and exercise to improve its power, but that is just good advice for anyone.” Sakura said thoughtfully, the ghost not taking shots at Yu for once. 

“Yeah. Well, that is pretty much my plan right now, unless I can find a Ki user in another world that can train me how to use it properly.”

“Maybe you should,” Hinata said.

“What?” John, Rumi, and Yu said at the same time.

“Maybe you should leave and come back later, once you have mastered control of this power.”

He laughed at that, causing her to frown. He quickly explained. “This is the first world I have been to that I have had time to train. In the other eight I have been to, I have been fighting full-on wars, alien invasions, zombie apocalypses or have literal devils and angels walking the land. In the only one that is somewhat peaceful right now, I am surrounded by paladins who are escorting me to see a pope who is in charge of a church that may or may not have become corrupted by human supremacist and demons. Oh, and I was almost assassinated there because I healed poor people for free.”

“You are leading one hell of a life, aren’t you?” Sakura added, materializing in the doorway of the dojo. They all followed her inside, so she didn’t accidentally show herself to the public.

“Yeah. Not to mention, I have two more worlds I need to enter first before I can go back to that world with the paladins to find some magic I need to deal with issues in another world. Plus, I have sixty-some people I rescued from another world, and I need to find a home for them somewhere where they will be safe. And no, I don’t think a world full of villains with Quirks is very safe for non-quirk users.”

“Fair enough. Still, now that you have had one of our fruits, you have nearly unlimited life. You could very well be immortal barring an accident. You could go to another world and stay there for a long, long time and grow stronger, then return here as if you had never left.” Hinata said, looking up with him, her blue eyes almost looking like she was pleading with him.

“Why the big push for me to grow stronger?”

“Do you want me to be honest with you?”

“Always.”

“It’s a selfish request. The sooner you grow stronger, the sooner you can help end our threat from Queen Bee, and the sooner I can stop burning my life when I need to use this weapon.” She said, patting the sword at her side.

“I see.” He replied, not sure where to go with that. On one hand, he was able to grow stronger here; barring a few fights he had over the last few weeks, he had been able to focus on training. On the other hand, she… she would one day be his mother-in-law, and had treated him with nothing but respect since they met. 

Yu and Mei obviously care for her despite the past, and she cares for them as well. And she isn’t ordering me or trying to manipulate me with tears, but appealing to me with logic. Still, I need to look out for myself here, too.

“Give me a month or two more training with Rumi, then I will leave. One of the things I have had issues with in all these worlds was close combat and endurance, and I have been able to build on that a lot since I arrived. Also, if you happen to know a competent sword master in the western styles, I could use more training in the art.” 

“I know me. Twice a week at your dojo work?” She said, sounding almost relieved that he agreed to leave and come back.

“It’s Rumi’s, but yes, that works fine for me.”

“Good. Now, it’s time for us to leave. I need to head to Tokyo to talk with the head of the HSPC about changing your hero credentials to include your healing and increased strength. I’ll message you once I have my schedule cleared for your training times.”

“Sounds good. Thank you so much for that.”

“And I apologize again for interrupting your… activities this morning.” She said, blushing a little bit. 

“It’s fine, darling. Try as it might, I’m in charge, not that little guy.”

“Not so little. Take care, John.” She said, then pecked him on the cheek and started to walk away.

“I still don’t think she deserves you, but I will abide by your decision,” Sakura added, then glared at the Yu for a moment.

“Mom, stop being so bitter! Just because you think he is the perfect specimen of a man doesn’t mean you get to ruin Yu’s relationship because you don’t think she deserves him. Are you just jealous you can’t have his children?”

“I… I… ARGH! Damn you, daughter, such disrespect for your elder. I shouldn’t have spared the cane so much with you.”

“Enough! I will have no more of this bickering. Sakura, back in the sword and leave Paladin Wayne alone. They are the living, and we are naught but spirits. We remain for advice, not to meddle in their affairs.” A deep male voice said.

Another ghost materialized beside them, this one an old man with a long grey beard. He bowed towards John. “My apologies for my daughter, Paladin. I am Sano Takeyama, the other spirit within the Godslayer sword. Please, treat my descendants as you will. For the will of a true Paladin shall not be fettered by rules of the unwashed masses, but by the moral code of the man himself. For as long as he is just, it is his will that is truer than anything voted on by compromise and committee.”

John, not expecting the arrival of another ghost, paused for a moment before he bowed back. “I will treat your lineage with nothing but the greatest respect, Sir. Though if I could, I might cane that daughter of yours once or twice, but I am afraid I don’t have a switch that works on a ghost.”

“Ahh, that would be just for her meddling. I know of where there is a spiritwood tree that still grows. If you are willing to take a bit of a journey, I will gladly tell you of its location.” He said seriously, causing Sakura’s eyes to open wide.

“You wouldn’t-“

“SILENCE, GIRL. You have already acted disgracefully to a true paladin with your machinations. If he chooses to switch your behind, I will do my best to provide him with the tools required to do so. If he wanted your head, that is well within his rights, and I would help him as well!”

“That won’t be necessary. At least, not at this time.” John said, remembering that this ghost has been around for over thirty thousand years. If John was Old Testament in some ways, this spirit was walking the Earth for centuries, even before it was written. He wouldn’t have the same beliefs as modern people would have.

“As you say, Sir. Also, I will help teach you how to wield that sword on your hip, along with my granddaughter. A paladin must be a master of his weapon to be effective in imposing his will on the world and protecting the innocent from the barbarians. Now, excuse me, I believe I will retire for now. I don’t materialize much anymore as I rest within the blade, and it becomes exhausting.” Sano said, bowing to John again and disappeared, followed quickly by Sakura, who bowed as well.

“Well, you have now met my grandfather and the original head of the Takeyama family,” Hinata said, looking like she had seen a ghost.

“Are you okay?” John asked.

“I think he likes you.” She replied, then, at his confused look, continued speaking, “That was the fourth time I have seen him in the last five hundred years. He speaks more than he shows himself, but even then, it is not that often.

“Well, he seems like he was a hard man.”

“He lived in hard times.” She replied, then gave her daughter a hug goodbye and whispered a few words into her ear, which caused Yu to blush yet again. Afterwards, she left, leaving the three of them in the dojo. 

“Can we call a raincheck on that massage? We need to get a little sleep before we head back out.” Rumi asked, sounding disappointed, but the unexpected visit had tossed a wrench into her plans. Yu nodded along, looking half asleep standing there.

“Yeah. I need to head to the school anyway. I don’t have Midoriya’s number to message him about training times and locations.” John replied. He pulled them both in for a hug and kissed the tops of their heads. “Tonight?”

“Tonight sounds good, but only after your training. I wasn’t joking about pushing you even harder. I want you strong enough to stand toe to toe with just about anyone before you leave this world for wherever you are going next.” Rumi said, nuzzling his chest with her face.

“Thank you for handling my family,” Yu whispered, leaning on him as well.

“Any time, darlin. Any time.”

That Afternoon

U.A. High School

“Remember, everyone. You need to report to your assigned hero agencies on Monday morning to start your on-the-job training, not come to school. No one will be here if you do- Mr. Wayne? Can I help you?” Aizawa asked, just noticing John standing by the open doorway to class 1-A. 

“Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just waiting for your class to end.” John replied. 

“Mr. Wayne! You’re okay?!?” “Hah, I told ya he would be fine.” “Are you a secret assassin who got poisoned by another assassin?” “He was poisoned? I thought he was defeated fighting three villains while defending a box of orphaned kittens.” “Saving kittens from villains? That’s Metal. “Momo is wearing a pink thong- Ack!” “Mr. Wayne! We missed your exercises!” “We all have hero names now!”

The chorus of noise from the students’ well-wishes overwhelmed him for a moment, but made him happy. He enjoyed the few classes he had with them so far and was glad to see they did as well. He wasn’t sure what someone said about Momo, but she was currently throttling Mineta, so he assumed the sticky ball kid said something inappropriate again.

Note that down for the next time I talk with him.   

“It’s good to see you all, too! What is that about hero names?”

“We just finished up choosing hero names earlier, Mr. Wayne,” Tenya said, the class rep seated closest to him. “I picked Ingenium, like my brother.”

“I’m Pinky!” “Froppy, *ribbit*”  “Uravity!” “Red Riot!”

The students all started belting out their new hero names, which John noted as best he could, but they were coming so fast he couldn’t write them all down in his notes.

“Enough! You can all accost Mr. Wayne on your own time. As I was saying, make sure you arrive at your hero agency next week, not here at the school, as no classes will be held. Does anyone have further questions?” Aizawa said, speaking over his students. The man looked exhausted, like he had been awake for three days straight.

“Did you save the kittens? I’d like to adopt one if you did!” Kirishima asked John, the student who could turn his body into stone, apparently thinking he saved a bunch of kittens for some reason. 

Aizawa sighed loudly, “If there are no questions that DON’T involve Mr. Wayne, you’re dismissed for the day. I’ll see you all in a week. Enjoy your time at the agencies.” He then wrapped himself up in his sleeping bag and lay down on the side of the room. 

For the next five minutes, many of the students stayed behind and pelted John with a few more questions, mainly involving what happened to him. Kirishima was sad that no kittens had been saved, but Bakugo bonked him on the head and dragged him out of class. They slowly filtered out after that, leaving Midoriya, Momo, Ochaco, and for some reason, Asui and Aoyama.

“You ready?” John asked Midoriya.

“I- I wasn’t sure you were still coming since you were recovering.”

“If you made plans already, it’s fine. I didn’t have your number to message you first.”

“No, it’s not that. You see-“

“We are coming too! *Ribbit*” Tsui said, standing beside Midoriya’s desk with Ochaco. 

“Excuse me?” 

“You are going to the agency that Thirteen is now at, right? Well, we want to see where it is since we are working under her and Mt Lady next week.” Ochaco said. “That and we were hoping for some combat training from Mirko, and advice from you, John.” 

I really need to ask them what in the hell they did with the agency when I was out. Wait… do they know I’m the Twilight Knight too? 

He glanced over at Aizawa, but the man appeared sound asleep already, so he just shrugged. “Sure, let’s go. You coming too, Momo?”

“Yeah. Mei is already waiting outside for us… she was really worried about you.”   

“Hah, so be ready for a pink missile. Got it.” He said, leading the students out of the room. A few moments later, Aoyama followed behind them.

When they left, Aizawa cracked an eye open, then sighed in relief. His class had been distracted by John’s absence all week, and begged him to show them how to win the man’s escort challenge during the hero class periods he had to cover for him. The problem was that there was no guaranteed way to win in that scenario, just how to respond to the attack. It was exhausting to try to explain that to them, and it was even more exhausting to run the scenarios anyway since he didn’t have John’s drones. He did his best, but ended up doing something else for the second class instead. 

“Thank god I have the next week off. Losing Yagi, Anan, and John at the same time really messed with the scheduling. At the next staff meeting, I really need to talk to Nezu about having some substitute heroes on standby for situations like this. Otherwise, it just isn’t sustainable to keep teaching.”

He closed his eyes and went back to resting, his thoughts drifting to something other than the students and teachers of U.A. 

He really needed a vacation. 

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep