The Human Torch (Fire Force) Chapter 2: Flame On

[Third Person's PoV] 


4 years later… 


A blond-haired teen with blue eyes and a strong muscular build tossed his bag into a red convertible and jumped into the driver's seat. Adjusting the mirror, he looked at himself and nodded.


'Four long years... Four years since I reincarnated into an anime world I barely know or remember, and I'm still just as lost as when I got here. Only now, I'm more knowledgeable and skilled,' Johnny thought, turning on the car. He reached for his bag and pulled out an envelope. "I guess this is where everything truly begins."


Johnny stuffed the envelope back after reading the address and began driving away, his hand leaning out the window, feeling the wind in his blond hair.


After arriving at the area he was searching for, he still didn't know exactly where to go. Cruising slowly, he spotted a beautiful muscular woman with a black shirt carrying grocery bags.


"Hey, beautiful~" Johnny whistled to get her attention.


The woman looked at him in confusion, pointing at herself before glancing around to see if he was talking to someone else.


Johnny chuckled, amused by her expression. "Yeah, you. Do you see any other beautiful women around here?"


Blushing slightly, the woman walked up to him and asked, "Do you need help or something?" Her composure quickly turned to suspicion.


"Yeah, I actually need help with something." Johnny took out the envelope and showed it to her. "I'm looking for this address, but I'm a bit lost. Do you know the way?"


Studying the address, the woman looked surprised. "You're looking for the 8th Division Special Fire Force Company? May I ask why?"


"I'm a new recruit and I've never been around these parts, so I don't really know where to go," Johnny admitted, rubbing the back of his head. 'GPS isn't really a thing here...'


The woman gasped, then blushed as she batted her eyes at him. "Is this fate? Is this our fated encounter!?"


Seeing his confusion, she cleared her throat, embarrassed. "Sorry about that. I'm part of the 8th Division."


Johnny was genuinely surprised. He laughed lightly. "Then I guess it really is our fateful encounter. Hop in, I'll drive us there," he said, opening the door for her.


She graciously accepted. After closing the door, she extended her hand. "The name's Maki Oze. What's yours?"


After shaking her hand, Johnny brought his fingers together and made flames appear from their tips. "The name's Johnny Storm," he said, spelling out his name with fire.


"So you're a Third Generation since you can produce your own flames?"


Johnny nodded. "You guessed it. So, can you give me directions?"


"Right, sorry. I got a bit excited," Maki blushed as she began giving him directions.


As they drove, they made light conversation, getting to know each other.


"I was in charge of groceries—ah, we're here!" Maki pointed to a large church with a large red cross and the number 8 beside it.


After parking, Johnny helped Maki bring the groceries inside. As they entered, she shouted, "You guys wouldn't believe who I found on my way from the store!" she said happily.


Before they could respond, Akitaru Oubi, the battalion commander, rushed in uniform. "Maki, you're here, perfect. We received reports of ‘Flame People’ appearing. Get ready quickly."


Oubi stopped and looked at Johnny. "Who are you?"


Johnny saluted. "I'm the new recruit for your division, sir. Johnny Storm."


Oubi nodded. "Quickly, get into uniform. We have a situation. We'll introduce ourselves on the way. Maki, lead him to where he needs to get ready."


Maki nodded. "Follow me," she said with urgency.


Johnny set the groceries on a nearby table and followed. Having passed the training at the 4th Division academy, he knew what needed to be done. He got dressed and went to meet everyone.


Oubi stood with two others: a man with brown hair and glasses, and a nun with blond hair. Maki appeared by his side as they ran and got into a special armored vehicle with the number 8 on the side.


"Alright, quick introduction," Oubi said. "Our 8th Division is short-staffed as it's newly established. We have two Second Generations who can control and manipulate flames without combusting: our company commander Takehisa Hinawa and Maki Oze, who you met. I'm Akitaru Oubi, a non-ability user firefighter, and lastly, our sister Iris who prays for the repose of the souls of ‘Flame People.’ It was just us four until you came along, making us a group of five."


Johnny nodded and greeted everyone. "Well, I already introduced myself, but I'll do it again. The name's Johnny Storm. I'm a Third Generation flame user, meaning I can produce my own flames." He spelled his name in fire again.


"Is that how you introduce yourself to people?" Maki asked curiously.


"Yup, it's an effective way to make people remember my name," Johnny said as they made some twists and turns.


They soon arrived at a large restaurant, with broken windows on the top floor and smoke spilling out.


"There are three ‘Flame People’ inside that building, with five people—no, four people inside," Johnny reported.


"How did you know, and why did you lower the number?" Oubi asked, his tone heavy, already guessing.


"I can detect heat signatures, and one of them just went out, joining the flames," Johnny explained, his expression heavy.


"Permission to engage?" Johnny asked.


"Granted."


"FLAME ON!" Johnny said, immediately combusting into flames and taking those around him by surprise. "Hold on tight, I'll create an updraft that will carry us inside," he exclaimed, doing just that and carrying them to the open window.


"Well, that's useful," Oubi said, pleasantly surprised. His tone then turned serious. "Can you point us to the Flame People? I'll leave the evacuation of the civilians to you."


Johnny nodded. "The Flame People are that way, by the kitchen," he said, pointing.


Oubi nodded and ordered, "Maki."


Maki didn't need to be told twice. She moved quickly, while Johnny extinguished the flames around him and reassured the civilians, guiding them to safety.


He flew back inside, leaving a trail of flames. As he entered, he heard Iris praying, "The flame is the soul's breath... The black smoke is the soul's release... Ashes thou wert and art... May thy soul return to the great flame of fire."


In front of them were three Flame People, each wielding a large flaming kitchen knife.


Oubi maneuvered through the slashes and delivered a final strike with his axe to one. Hinawa aimed a bullet carefully and destroyed a core. Maki obstructed the knife of the last one, turning it into a cute fireball with a face.


Johnny, seeing his opening, flew past Maki and delivered a finishing blow with his fist, making a hole through the center.


All of this happened at the same time, and in unison, they all said, “Latom,” as they did the prayer hand sign forming a triangle while they watched them turn into ashes.


Oubi turned towards Johnny and nodded. “Nice work, newbie. Your help definitely made this go by quicker and helped us save those people.”


“I just did what I was trained to do,” Johnny shrugged.


“You're strong,” Maki said, nodding in appreciation. “Punching a hole through them isn't an easy feat.”


Oubi then instructed them to exit the building. As they walked out and the normal firefighters began doing their jobs, Hinawa turned towards Johnny, realizing he still had his flames on. “Why are you still using your abilities? You're worrying people around us.”


Johnny rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. “I'm not sure if you realized, but all my clothes burned off when I activated my ability. I'm currently naked as we speak…”


They all just stared at Johnny in pure surprise, slowly looking down and realizing he was indeed naked, though his private parts weren't showing, which made them sigh in relief.


“Let's just quickly go back to the base…” Oubi suggested.


Maki and Iris had their faces covered as they turned bright red, peeking through their fingers and nodding in agreement.


They got in their armored car and headed back to the base while Johnny flew right beside them, a small smile on his face.