The Human Torch (Fire Force) Chapter 3: Fire Brigade Divisions

[Third Person's PoV] 


When Johnny and the others returned to the church, they noticed a red convertible parked outside.


“Who does that vehicle belong to? I don't think I've ever seen a car like that before,” Oubi asked as they all got out of their armored vehicle.


“That actually belongs to me, sir,” Johnny admitted, still covered in his flames.


“I see. Where did you get such a fine piece of machinery?”


“I built it myself,” Johnny said proudly. ‘It's funny since I've loved cars in my past life and I reincarnated as Johnny Storm, who was known to be a mechanic,’ Johnny mused inwardly.


“You're a mechanic!?” Oubi asked excitedly.


“Ah, yeah?” Johnny responded, unsure why Oubi was so thrilled.


“This is perfect! All we need now is a scientist or researcher, and we would truly be a Brigade,” Oubi said, pumping his fist.


Hinawame stepped in, “That can wait. Go and get changed.”


Johnny nodded and deactivated his flame abilities, leaving him nude, with a flash of fire covering his crotch area for privacy. He walked confidently while the two girls covered their eyes, blushing.


Hinawame sighed and shook his head. They all headed towards their desks, disrobing from their heavy suits and leaving their firefighter pants on with their overalls over black shirts.


Hinawame went through some files at his desk. “Here we go... Johnny Storm... Oh?”


“What is it?” Oubi asked, with Maki growing interested in what he found.


“He's actually the top of his class. I mean, he was valedictorian with a perfect score on everything in the academy. He's actually pretty popular gaining the Moniker: The Human Torch, due to his abilities... That makes sense”


“He's powerful, smart, and cute... talk about the dream man... Not to mention he called me beautiful…” Maki muttered to herself before realizing they heard her and were staring at her funny, causing her to blush.


“And he chose to apply to the 8th? Why?” Oubi asked aloud.


Iris looked at Oubi, confused. “I thought it was the Academy that decided where they went?”


“That is the case, except for the valedictorian. They choose where they want to go, a special privilege reserved only for them. Most of them choose to go to the 1st Brigade or the 2nd,” Hinawame explained.


Johnny walked in, wearing a tight black shirt and combing his blonde hair back with his hand.


“Why don't we ask him directly?” Oubi suggested, looking at Johnny.


“Ask me what?” Johnny tilted his head in confusion. “How I look this handsome? It's God-given, I'm afraid. Sorry, captain.”


Oubi laughed heartily, Iris giggled, Maki had an amused expression, and Hinawame just faintly smiled.


Oubi shook his head. “I wanted to know why you chose our small little group. You could have done wonders in a larger Brigade, like the 1st or 2nd.”


“A few reasons, really. The 1st is too close to the Temple. I'd feel restricted and would have to be on my utmost behavior all the time. No offense, sister, but that sounds exhausting, and I would be a horrible priest.”


“No offense taken,” Sister Iris smiled.


“I didn't join the 2nd for the same reason as the 1st. It's a military Brigade, and I won't look good in a buzzcut. Plus, it sounds too strict. The 3rd is run by a man wearing a plague mask… what more do I need to say? 


The 4th is the academy, where I already spent the majority of my time. I need to spread my wings, not to mention I'm tired of school.


5th: I'm not a researcher.


6th: I'm not a healer.


It was actually a tie between the 7th and 8th because I wanted to see what the strongest firefighter is like. But then I decided to think rationally about where to go since I would be spending the majority of my life fighting side by side with this Brigade. 


So in the end, I chose the 8th for two reasons. One, you guys are small and intimate. I feel like you treat each other like a small family, not like subordinate A or subordinate B or whatever. I thought that would be nice,” Johnny said, a bit embarrassed.


All of them had small smiles hearing that and nodded at the reason. Hinawame then asked, “And the other reason?”


Johnny's expression turned serious, setting the mood for his next words. The others, detecting the serious atmosphere, straightened up and gained serious expressions as they saw Johnny's eyes gain a flaming glow.


“This Brigade is made to keep an eye on and investigate the 1st through 7th Special Brigades, as they could potentially be hiding information from the entire organization for personal reasons, given that almost every single one is aligned with other factions. Since this is an investigation Brigade, I feel that I would be able to find information about my sister… Everyone claimed her as dead, but I know for a fact that she is alive. I need to find out where she went… where she was taken…”


‘There is no denying that I am now Johnny Storm. No matter what I do, say, or act, it's going to change that. So I will take his wishes and make them my own. He wanted to find his sister, so that's what I will do. And now that I am Johnny Storm, that means she's my sister as well,’ Johnny thought.


Johnny closed his eyes, causing them to return to normal, as he took a deep breath to calm himself down.


“I see,” Oubi muttered, nodding his head. Then he smiled at Johnny. “Alright, since you believe she is still out there, then that can only mean we have to try to find her. Since you're now part of the 8th Brigade, that means you're a part of us. We'll help in any way we can.”


Hinawame nodded in agreement. “As long as you don't stop searching, something will eventually come up. That's how investigations work.”


“Thank you,” Johnny said graciously, giving them a salute. “Now then, to do what I was going to do: upgrade that thing you call a vehicle.”


“What? What's wrong with Matchbox?” Oubi said, offended.


“Matchbox?” Johnny asked in amusement.


“Cool name, right? I thought of it myself,” Oubi said proudly.


“Sure thing, captain. Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Johnny said, shaking his head as he went out to his car.


Johnny returned with a box of tools and parts from his trunk. He set everything up and began to work.


The day went by as they started filing reports about their previous encounter with the flame person or infernal, while Johnny was working and tinkering with the engine.


As Johnny was working underneath the vehicle, he felt a tap on his leg. He pushed himself out from under it to see Maki holding a boxed lunch. “Here. You've been working all day and haven't taken a break.”


“A beauty bringing me a boxed lunch after a hard day's work. Is this what heaven is like?” Johnny said teasingly.


Maki scoffed and rolled her eyes, trying to suppress her growing smile. “Just go wash your hands and join us.”


“Yes, ma'am,” he said with a salute.