Box

"You know that I dont like it if you interrupt me like that Yusuke!" Metalman groaned. "But you can't call this a fight. It's more like a waste of time. You know that Kojima doesn't like that. Or do you want your name stained in the news?" Protector explained.

"I don't care about them. Do you believe even just one thing that's being reported on there? I most definitely not. That woman committed a crime! She protected a boy who should have been punished by me!"

"And do you have any proof for that?" Hope replied. "You can't just attack innocent people! Especially as a Top-hero you should be careful. I've been doing this for a very long time but I've never met someone like you before..."

Kinzu seemed to be irritated by Hope's statement: "You little..." "Enough!!" The protector yelled. "There are still enough civilians present! We better clear up this problem at the headquarters. And you? I can see that you're very interested in superheroes. I bet you've always wanted to see the headquarters of the Freedom-Hunter am I right?"

Takeru blushed a little. "Are you talking to me...?" "Yea, I'm talking to you! What's your name?" "Uh, I'm Takeru. Takeru Sarugaki." "Nice to meet you Takeru, I'm the Protector. I'm sorry you had to see this little fight, you're still a kid. How about I show you the headquarters of the Freedom-hunter, the "Box"?"

"Oh yes, Takeru had told me that he always wanted to go there!" explained Hope.

"But Master…" "You don't have to be so shy! A professional hero has just asked you, of course you don't refuse! Please forgive my student's reserved manner. He's always so shy in front of professional heroes..."

"Oh that doesn't matter, does it Metalman?" laughed Protector. "Anyway..." Metalman muttered.

The misunderstanding was cleared up so that the media would not spread fake news. Metalman's image was preserved, and Hope escaped without penalty for attacking Metalman.

And so Hope and Takeru went to the headquarters of the Freedom Hunter along with Metalman and Protector. It was a large building called the "box". Around it there were a lot of tall gun turrets, a huge steel wall and barbed wire. Like in a prison. However, a base should not look nice, but should be well guarded. You could only enter the building with a permit. It was an ID, a hero license was required. This was like a normal identity card. In today's world, a hero no longer has a normal identity card, but what is known as a "hero card".

The Protector held his hero badge up to a control machine. A small barrier opened so that he could pass through. Metalman did the same. There was a small house next to the barrier. A young woman was sitting there. Metalman knocked on the window and shouted: "These are guests, they have got permission from Protector to enter the box!" The woman smiled and said: "Okay, go through the barrier please!" "Thank you very much, if you have nothing to do tonight then you could w- ..." Metalman's flirting was interrupted by Hope: "Not here Metalman, not in front of the child!" "But master!" Takeru contradicted : "I'm not a child anymore, after all I'm already 16! Stop treating me like a little child!" "Oh Takeru, I'm just kidding. I wanted to change this uncortable mood..."

"Haha, that's not funny young lady." Metalman declared in a bad mood. "Anyway, Metalman, young lady. Protector said, frowning. "What is your name again?" "My name is Hope. Just Hope." "Nice to meet you Hope!"

The three entered the box. Everything was lined with bright lights and thick steel walls, as well as ammunition and equipment. Takeru couldn't stop being amazed and asked: "Why are there so many soldiers walking around here who all look the same? I thought heroes always have hero costumes, just like you and Metalman have..."

"My boy these aren´t directly heroes, rather our subordinates. They are just soldiers, but they are very effective. You could call them the Freedom Hunter special unit. Each of them had a tough training. As you may already know, the Freedom Hunter are divided into several sectors: the Alpha Sector, the Beta Sector, the Gamma Sector, and the Delta Sector. In each of these sectors there are around 50 men and women who risk their lives every day as an elite unit. And at the top of them are two of Japan's top heroes. "Protector explained.

Metalman started talking: "I'm part of the Delta Sector, because I'm Number 7. But don't worry, it's not about strength, otherwise I would've been at least Number 2. Am I right Yusuke?" Protector frowned: "Kinzu, I don't need your jokes now. Yes, you are strong, but also clumsy. This mess only happened because of your acts. You can only hope that U.P doesn't notice this..."

"Who is U.P?" Takeru asked. "Isn't that the Number 1 hero in all of Japan?" Hope completed his question. "Exactly, he is something like our boss." Metalman explained. "Anyways, Hope, may I ask you to follow me to my office? I wanted to discuss something important with you..." "Okay, but what will happen to Metalman and Takeru?" Hope asked. "I will take part in this conversation. It was also my fault, I provoked you. I really have to apologize to you." He bowed in front of her. "I deeply apologize, Hope." She looked bewildered: "Oh...everything okay, I didn't expect this. It's alright, beginner mistakes happen."

Metalman was once again irritated by Hope's words. But before he could reply, Takeru started talking: "Is it alright if I take a closer look at the box? I've been wanting to explore this building for such a long time now. And who knows if I'll ever get the chance again..."

The Protector smirked: "But of course kid. I can see immediately that you're a hero fanatic: don't worry, go and take a closer look, your master will find you right?" "Yea, I will. By the way, that part with the hero fanatic seems familiar. I also said that to him back then..."

And so Number 2, Number 7 and also Hope went to the Alpha sector. That sector was led by the number 1 hero "U.P". His Spirit is still unknown in the media to this day. Only a few people know about the powers of the top-hero. Not even the Protector, the Number 2 and deputy of the Alpha Sector knows about it. The family of U.P is one of the richest one in the country and has a big influence on the economy.

Takeru went to the opposite direction of his master and started exploring the box. Everywhere were soldiers, technicians, many different kinds of employees. "How many employees do the Freedom-hunter have...?" He asked himself. He kept going, looked at every angle and whistled at the same time. Suddenly another boy ran into him: "What the hell do you want from me?" Takeru looked him in the eyes, they were colored in an icy light blue. He had short turquoise hair. The stranger was around Takeru's age. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see you there, I was so focused on this building..."

The stranger raised his left hand: "You want to fight, am I right?" His finger tips slowly changed their color. Frost formed on his raised hand. It was ice. "Wait, what are you doing?!" "Me? I'm using my Ice-Spirit to show you that I'm the stronger one of us two. And now, show me your Spirit and fight...!"