"Technician?" Zack let out a dry laugh, then slapped Cloud on the back hard enough to make the young trooper stumble forward.
"BWAHAHAHA! Listen to me, Cloud. Don't be fooled by the dirty jumpsuit and this beat-up toolbox."
Zack hooked his thumb toward Johnny, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"This guy... a year ago, he blocked my sword attack in the Sector 5 Church. We even fought all out."
Cloud's eyes went perfectly round, his jaw dropping slightly. "B-blocked a 1st Class SOLDIER's attack?"
"Yeah," Zack answered, his tone turning serious for a moment. "He's not a Shinra trooper or a SOLDIER. But his sword technique... it's wild. Brutal. Johnny is a natural-born fighter. If he wanted to sign up, he could join SOLDIER tomorrow morning and make 1st Class by lunch."
Zack leaned his face closer to Cloud, his eyes shining as he recounted the legend.
"Not only that, Cloud. I saw it. He stood his ground against the onslaught of Angeal and Genesis simultaneously. Even when the golden Bahamut Fury rained down lasers on us..."
Zack made a wide gesture with his hands mimicking an explosion, "...Johnny stood tall and then destroyed the monster's wings."
Cloud stared at Johnny with blue eyes sparkling full of admiration, as if looking at a god of war.
"And you know what else?" Zack continued, enjoying his stage. "I idly read a classified report on Tseng's desk."
Johnny snorted roughly, folding his massive arms across his chest. "Damn it. So you peeked at my personal file?"
"Of course! I'm a 1st Class SOLDIER, I have access!" Zack winked. "You know, Cloud? According to Turk surveillance, this 'technician' has exterminated nearly a thousand experimental monsters that escaped in the Slums over the last two years."
Johnny scratched the back of his head, looking away. "You talk too much, Zack."
"Is... is that true, Bro Johnny?" Cloud asked, his voice trembling with enthusiasm.
Johnny just waved his hand dismissively. "That's just side work. Looking for money for my parents and fiancée."
"He's being humble," chuckles Zack. "His kill count rivals my own report. Someday you have to see us duel, Cloud. It's a must-see."
Johnny cleared his throat loudly, deciding to shift the topic from the praise that made him uncomfortable. He looked at Zack sharply. "Enough with the tall tales, Zack. There's something I want to ask. It's important."
Zack and Cloud immediately straightened up, sensing the sudden serious shift in atmosphere.
"What is the situation with the G-Copies?" Johnny asked, his voice lowering. "I still have to exterminate them time and again in the Slums. Wasn't your mission in Modeoheim a success?"
Zack's smile faded. A shadow of sadness crossed his face. "I thought so too, Johnny. I... I managed to defeat Angeal." He sighed heavily, the weight of the Buster Sword seemingly pressing on his back. "Angeal is gone. But Genesis... I never confirmed the body. And a few months ago, during a mission in Junon, Hollander was seen leading a squad of G-Copies. They tried to attack civilians."
Zack nodded toward Cloud. "Cloud was there with me too. I still remember you vomiting in the helicopter before we landed, right?"
Cloud immediately stood at attention, his face flushing red. "Sir! Forgive me, Captain!"
"This plague is spreading, Johnny," Zack continued grimly. "When I was at the Wutai border, I found them too. Genesis isn't dead. Hollander and Genesis are gathering strength."
Johnny's jaw hardened. This was a big problem. Shinra soldiers might be spread across the world, but not all of them can handle the G Copies. But for a civilian like him, this meant a threat. He, Aerith, and his gang of thugs would have to constantly do "clean-up."
"That's your business," Johnny said coldly. "You guys are the heroes of Shinra."
"Come on!" Zack urged, stepping forward. "I'll recommend you to join an official mission. We can exterminate Genesis and Hollander together! With your strength and... you know... Cet blood—"
Johnny's hand shot out fast, clamping firmly over Zack's mouth.
"Mmph!"
Johnny glared from behind his sunglasses. "Sssst! Shut your mouth. Don't mention that. I don't want my identity leaking."
Cloud heard the fragment of the word but looked confused, staying silent and not daring to ask.
Zack removed Johnny's hand, taking a breath. "Okay, okay! But come on, man. Every high-level mission is just me and Sephiroth. We're the only First Class left."
Upon hearing the name Sephiroth, Johnny's head throbbed violently. His vision blurred for a moment due to past trauma.
"Don't," Johnny growled while massaging his temples. "Don't say Sephiroth's name in front of me, Zack. My head hurts instantly."
"Okay, okay, so sensitive," Zack raised his hands in surrender.
"No means no," Johnny stated firmly. "I won't leave Midgar. I prefer to be close to my fiancée."
Johnny took out his PHS, flipped it open, and showed off his wallpaper: a candid photo of him and Aerith laughing.
"Look at that. My dear Aerith."
Zack groaned, looking up at the ceiling. "You crazy lovesick fool! Hahaha!"
"Whatever," Johnny replied while putting his PHS back. "That's why you should get serious with Cissnei. Does your PHS have a photo of her?"
"Of course it does!" Zack beamed. He took out his own PHS. The screen displayed a photo of Zack and Cissnei on the beach at Costa del Sol, both smiling broadly with the sunset in the background.
Johnny nodded in agreement. Then, both grown men turned simultaneously toward Cloud.
"What about you, Spiky?" Zack asked while nudging Cloud's shoulder. "Got a partner yet?"
Cloud scratched his cheek awkwardly, his face turning red. "Uhh... that..."
"Come on, tell us!" Zack pressed.
Cloud looked down at his boots. "I... I like someone. In my hometown. But I haven't become a SOLDIER yet. I... I don't dare to see her until I'm successful."
"Hey, you're already a Shinra Trooper, that's a good achievement, you know!" Zack comforted.
"Not enough, Captain," Cloud whispered, his fists clenching at his sides. "It's just... I feel I'm not strong yet. I'm still weak."
Zack stroked his chin, looking at the despairing boy, then looking at the giant beside him. An idea popped into his head.
"Oi, Johnny. I have an idea."
"What?" Johnny looked suspicious.
"I'm always busy every time Cloud asks for extra training," Zack explained while pointing at Johnny. "But you... you're in this city. How about... you become Cloud's Mentor?"
Cloud's head snapped up instantly, his eyes rounding with hope. He turned to face Johnny and performed the crispest military salute.
"Please accept me as your student!" Cloud shouted, then bowed deeply, almost 90 degrees.
Johnny sighed long, weighing it. His work at the workshop was already plenty. He also had to manage the underground business, protect Aerith, and help Elmyra. But... the idea made sense. He was getting tired of having to kill every monster alone. Having an assistant he could train might lighten his load.
"Fine," Johnny grumbled. "Zack, you can tell Tseng. Every time there is a monster extermination mission in the Slums, assign Cloud as my escort."
"Done! That's easy!" Zack cheered. "Train him hard, Johnny. So he doesn't get dizzy and nauseous easily anymore."
"Thank you, Captain! Thank you, Mentor Johnny!" Cloud beamed, saluting again and then bowing repeatedly out of pure joy.
For Johnny, being called "Mentor" or "Commander" was normal in his past life as Captain of the Band of the Hawk. But it felt strange seeing a Shinra trooper bowing respectfully to a civilian technician like him.
"Okay, business is settled," Zack clapped his hands. "By the way, how about we head to Cissnei's apartment now? Her pet dog there has a weird shape but it's cute. You have to see it."