One Punch Man: Heroics Start with Dual Kamui

Chapter 127: That Future

Seeing Psykos' expression, Shinji felt a trace of emotion stir inside him.

Right now, with him and Boros present, the Hero Association's combat power already far outmatches the Monster Association. That was only the visible part. If you counted hidden power like Saitama, the Monster Association would have no chance at all.

Psykos had to rely on Shinji to have any shot at turning things around. Her only hope was Shinji, who would recover his memories. Even if both Shinji and Boros defected to the Monster Association, it still would not change much, because no one could take care of Saitama.

Unless they brought Saitama over, too, but given his personality, that was impossible. So the Monster Association's defeat was already written. No arrival would change that.

"If I could, I would recover my memories, but for now I still do not know how to do it," Shinji said with a helpless smile.

"I have been researching memory recovery abilities hard these past few days, but there has been no result. I do not even know why you lost those memories in the first place," Psykos said, troubled.

She wanted to help Shinji restore his memory, but she had no leads.

"We can take it slow. No need to rush," Shinji smiled and sighed.

"We cannot afford to wait. According to the plan, our Monster Association is about to mobilize," Psykos shook her head.

"Are some members getting restless? If they act outside the plan, it will only cause trouble, right?" Shinji guessed.

"Right on the mark," Psykos replied.

"So, it's that situation again. Do I have to step in to suppress them?" Shinji asked.

To be honest, Shinji no longer knew what to do about Psykos and the Monster Association. If things followed this trend, a battle between the Monster Association and the Hero Association was inevitable, and the Monster Association would lose.

Shinji pondered whether to intervene. Even if he chose to act, how could he do it? It wasn't realistic to expect the Monster Association to come out on top, and he wouldn't support that out of respect for Psykos. Forcing them into hiding under Z-City forever would only delay the issue, which isn't a real solution.

The only way out might be to find how to go back to that past timeline, to the moment Psykos first gained the Third Eye and was influenced by God.

"No, this time I will not trouble Vice Chairman Shinji," Psykos said, shaking her head. "I will follow the plan. Perhaps the Monster Association will suffer a crushing defeat, but you will still exist. I believe you will eventually regain your memories, and then we can turn things around."

"Very well," Shinji said.

Since Psykos had made up her mind, Shinji stopped hesitating and decided not to interfere with the Monster Association's actions. His only remaining concern was how to find that timeline from four years ago.

"Vice Chairman Shinji, could you take me out to relax for a bit?" Psykos asked suddenly.

"Very well then." Shinji gave a soft reply, then took Psykos and shifted them away.

"Do you want to walk around the streets, or would you rather come sit at my place?" Now that they had surfaced in the abandoned zone of Z-City, Shinji asked her.

"Let's go out for a walk first. It's been so long since I set foot in human society." Psykos answered, looking a little nostalgic.

Ever since founding the Monster Association, she had hardly entered human society again. She usually dealt with association members only through her identity as the Great Seer.

"Got it." Following her wish, Shinji took Psykos into the populated district of Z-City.

The streets bustled with people, carrying the air of peace and harmony.

Shinji's appearance on the main street quickly drew attention from the pedestrians around them.

"Isn't that… the Hero Association's Kamui?"

"That's him. He's our hero here in Z-City. Back during the meteor crisis, he saved the city, and now he protects all of humanity. Thanks to him, our Z-City has become much safer."

"Being safer is good, but there are drawbacks. Just like Q-City after Watchdog Man made it the safest place, housing prices kept climbing. If I tried to move to Q-City, I'd never afford a house..."

"Haha, luckily I already bought a place here. If prices rise later, that only benefits me."

The people around cast admiring looks at Shinji. But soon, some noticed Psykos walking at his side.

"Who's that woman with the wavy hair? Is she a pro hero too? She's so fine~."

"I don't know. I've never seen her in the hero registry. If she were listed there, I'd at least remember her. Female heroes are already rare, and ones with her looks are even rarer."

"Maybe she's Kamui's lover? They actually look good together, a perfect match."

Their voices weren't quiet. Both Shinji and Psykos could clearly hear them.

Shinji felt a little helpless. At this rate, there would probably be rumors spreading by the next day.

Psykos, however, showed no reaction. She seemed preoccupied, her thoughts elsewhere, not even catching what the crowd was saying.

"Vice Chairman Shinji..."

Suddenly, Psykos spoke. "I often think about something. When I first awakened the Third Eye, I saw a future where I was utterly broken, drowned in despair. That was when I decided on the plan to wipe out humanity. But whenever I try to recall it clearly, I can't remember what that future actually was. In my mind, those memories are just a blur. Every attempt brings splitting headaches. I can't even tell if it was real or false."

She lowered her head slightly. "For a long time, I stopped forcing myself to recall it. Until Vice Chairman Shinji… until you appeared before me again. Then I had a sudden thought. Could your missing memories be the same as mine? Could they have the same cause?"

"...!" Shinji's pupils trembled at her words.

Psykos had actually begun doubting that future? That was an important detail!

He suddenly wondered: Had Psykos in the original timeline ever doubted the reality of that future?