When entering the locker room, Joshiro, like the other candidates, received a bracelet similar to those given out at a public bathhouse. Each bracelet corresponded to a locker for storing clothes. According to the association's requirements, no equipment could be used during the test. Male candidates were only permitted to wear a pair of shorts provided by the association. Female candidates were given shorts as well, along with a fitted sports vest.
The proportion of female heroes had always been the minority. For example, on this day, nearly all the recruits were men. The locker room was filled with bodybuilder-level athletes flexing their developed muscles and trading training tips in loud voices, the atmosphere gradually turning competitive. The testosterone level in the room was enough to make the air heavy, but Joshiro ignored the noise and simply removed his shirt.
"Hey, this kid…"
The moment he pulled off his shirt, a low murmur came from one corner of the room. His tall frame, defined musculature, and broad inverted-triangle torso carried the balanced proportions of someone who had trained hard and gained additional enhancements from countless attribute cards. The end result was a physique that looked as durable as steel itself.
In that same corner, a silver-haired elder with sharp features opened his eyes wide and muttered with conviction, "Perfect. The body proportions are flawless, and even at a glance I can see immense martial talent. This young man is rare."
Joshiro felt a sudden sharp awareness press at the back of his mind, like a spider sense tensing. He glanced over his shoulder briefly and saw the elder smiling at him kindly, his expression not betraying the sheer density of muscle hidden beneath his shirt. Slowly, the elder removed his shirt as well, revealing a torso that should not have belonged to a man well over seventy years old. His body was sinewy and powerful, as if carved from stone.
"Damn it, this old man," Joshiro muttered under his breath. He recognized him immediately.
It was Silver Fang-Bang-future Rank 3 S-Class hero. A martial arts master once known as a Demon King-level fighter who had been considered invincible in his youth and would later become one of the strongest forces within the Hero Association and among humanity as a whole.
(T/n: before anyone say anything.. the current timeline is when saitama still has hair, so that meant the hero association is still a new thing.. thats why bang isn't a hero yet..)
Joshiro nodded slightly in acknowledgment of Bang's presence and locked his clothes away in the provided locker. The group of candidates then walked together toward the assessment area, Bang casually following at the back of the group but occasionally glancing at Joshiro with an evaluating eye.
The piercing weight of that gaze left Joshiro uneasy. He had always known Bang was a man who could recognize talent instantly, but now it felt as though he was already being measured and judged.
The testing area was divided into sections. Height, weight, vision, and lung capacity were recorded first-basic information to set a baseline for each participant. After completing those steps, Joshiro noticed Shizuka, the proctor assigned to his section, standing at the entrance of the strength test room waiting for him.
"Officer Joshiro, please follow me," she said.
He nodded and took a step forward, only to be interrupted by a familiar voice behind him.
"Excuse me, young lady. May I come along as well?" Bang asked.
Shizuka hesitated for a moment before turning to see the silver-haired martial artist's imposing frame. There was a gentle smile on his face, but instead of asking with words, his eyes alone seemed to press the question forward. She was just about to explain the regulations when Joshiro quietly stepped up beside her and said, "This is Master Bang, the martial artist."
"Martial artist?" Shizuka repeated in surprise.
Bang blinked. "Oh? Little brother, you know me?"
Joshiro nodded once and offered a respectful compliment. "Yes. I'm fortunate enough to have seen the Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist before." He followed the remark with a few casual hand motions to mimic the style.
Bang narrowed his eyes slightly. Though Joshiro's movements had no martial foundation, the intent behind his words was clear enough. Still, Bang deflected politely. "Forget calling me master. I'm only an old man who runs a dōjō these days."
Joshiro leaned closer and spoke quietly. "Either way, I know something of your reputation from when you were younger."
Bang's eyes sharpened briefly, tension flickering in his expression before he quickly smoothed it away. "You know too much." Yet after a slight pause, his voice softened. "Best not to dwell on the past. Tell me your name, little brother."
"My name is Joshiro Joestar. I serve in the police force."
"Mr. Joshiro, you should come visit my dōjō when you have the time," Bang said. "It's not far from City Z, and I believe you'll find the atmosphere worth your while."
Joshiro gave a single nod. "All right. I'll come when I can."
Shizuka blinked, momentarily speechless at the ease withwhich the two conversed. She hurried after them as they entered the testing chamber together. "This way, please. Both of you may test here. There's a separate room available."
Bang's eyes brightened with approval. "No need to queue? That works out nicely."
Joshiro sighed inwardly at his straightforward reaction but followed along nonetheless. Shizuka explained to the staff why there were suddenly two candidates instead of one while guiding them over to a large machine resembling a reinforced testing station. Joshiro and Bang exchanged a look as they prepared for the trial.
"Joshiro-kun, who should take the first attempt?" Bang asked.
"Master, please. I'd like to see your performance."
Bang inclined his head, then stepped forward without hesitation. He removed the last of his restrictive clothing, his gray beard shifting slightly as he lowered his stance. His legs bent, waist steady, one arm extended in front while the other rested behind his back. His body radiated calm control as he drew two arcs in the air like a Tai Chi diagram and then struck forward with sudden power.
"Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist!"
Joshiro's heightened perception caught each detail clearly. What looked casual and light was in truth condensed skill-perfect technique honed over decades to deliver explosive power with the smallest motion.
Bang's fist struck the machine's heavy leather pad with a compressed impact that echoed sharply through the room. The staff's monitors lit up instantly, displaying the numbers with a chime.
999.
The result drew immediate murmurs from the staff. "Nine hundred and ninety-nine kilograms! That exceeds the machine's measurement threshold!"
"Mr. Bang has achieved a full score in the strength test!" One of the examiners spoke in awe, eyes wide at the impossibly clear display on the machine's screen.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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