Dimensional Chat Group: Speed-o'-Light

Last time, after having William "pass along" a message to Metal Knight, that sewer rat was so scared he immediately changed hiding spots again. Every time one of his hideouts got exposed, Kizaru was able to scoop up another batch of valuable loot.

These were spoils that could be taken back to the Pirate World. Even if they weren't that useful to Kizaru personally, they could still be used to arm the Navy.

Don't be fooled by how easily Metal Knight's war mech was crushed by Tatsumaki and Kizaru last time. If that machine were thrown into the Pirate World, it'd easily outclass even Vegapunk's Pacifistas.

Most regular Vice Admirals wouldn't stand a chance against it, and even some of the weaker Warlords would have a hard time dealing with it.

"I see... then I suppose he brought this on himself. I just hope you'll lend us your strength again for this crisis—these old bones of mine can't handle much more."

Bang sighed inwardly, but didn't try to plead on Metal Knight's behalf. Instead, he changed the subject, trying to bring up Kizaru's training camp.

Although the fact that Kizaru's training camp could partially unlock the heroes' limiters—giving them a huge boost in power—was still just a rumor among the top brass of the Association...

As a grandmaster of martial arts, Silver Fang had started to notice some things from the changes in the heroes who attended.

Especially during the battle against the Deep Sea King. Though the fight was short and not particularly flashy, it revealed a lot to the keen observer.

Many of the heroes involved in that battle were ones Bang knew well—like Snake Fist Snek, Blue Flame, and the Mumen Rider. Snek hadn't joined the training camp and performed within his usual range—he had no real issues, and getting beaten up by a high-tier Demon-level monster like the Deep Sea King was expected.

But the way Blue Flame and the Mumen Rider fought was… off. All three of them had trained with Bang at one point—Rider had even tried to become his student, though he was rejected due to lack of talent.

And yet, after just a few days in the training camp, Blue Flame had made a massive leap in strength, and the Mumen Rider was practically reborn. Bang had never seen anything like it.

"The training methods themselves aren't the main factor,"

Kizaru admitted honestly. "It's mostly because these heroes already had strong foundations—and they were willing to push themselves."

Kizaru wasn't one to steal credit. If it had been instructors from the Navy Academy training these heroes, the results might have been even better.

After all, his training plans were far too casual—he hadn't pushed the heroes to their limits, and some of the weaker ones couldn't keep up at all.

But asking Kizaru to create custom training plans for each of them was out of the question. He wasn't a stickler like Zephyr, and the Association's heroes weren't Navy cadets.

The reason the camp had such miraculous results in the One Punch Man world was mostly what Kizaru said—the heroes were already exceptional.

Setting aside the top prospect, Mizuki, who had the potential to become S-Class—even the weakest, the Mumen Rider, would qualify as officer training material in the Pirate World.

Before this, they'd just been squandering their talent in chaotic fights against monsters. Unless they had the sheer battle experience of someone like Metal Bat—surviving countless beatdowns and coming back stronger—it was nearly impossible to grow.

"I must disagree with that statement…"

At that moment, a brawny man in a tank top walked over. Fubuki quickly whispered in Kizaru's ear, giving a low-down on the man's identity and personality.

Tanktop Master—Rank 15 among the S-Class heroes!

"Hmph, true enough," Bang added. "Even with natural talent, they still need someone willing to guide them."

He wasn't about to accept Kizaru's downplaying. Just because Kizaru said the training camp wasn't special didn't make it so.

There had been similar institutions in the past—like the Ninja Village that Flashy Flash destroyed. But a camp that could help someone like the Mumen Rider undergo a total transformation? So far, only Kizaru's had done that.

"My boys caused you trouble. I apologize for that."

Tanktop Master stepped up to Kizaru and, to everyone's surprise, bowed his head in apology.

Metal Bat, who had been looking forward to some drama, immediately turned away in irritation. Child Emperor and Zombie Man, on the other hand, looked visibly relieved.

Things were going better than expected. Although Metal Knight couldn't make it due to Swift Flash's actions, as long as the remaining hotheaded S-Class heroes didn't stir up trouble, they still had a decent chance of overcoming this massive crisis.

"That guy your underling?"

Kizaru was pretty sure this was his first time seeing Tanktop Master—though his tank top did look vaguely familiar.

"Tanktop Vegetarian ran off to your training camp without asking me. Originally, he wanted to stir up trouble with you. But you not only didn't retaliate, you even trained him wholeheartedly…"

Tanktop Master was completely upfront about his underling's true intentions. Part of it was gratitude that Kizaru hadn't harmed Tanktop Vegetarian, but more than that, it was admiration for what Kizaru had done.

If it had been him, he wouldn't have shown that kind of patience with someone else's underling. Not beating the kid up would already be considered mercy—no way he'd go as far as teaching him how to get stronger.

Tanktop Master, like Metal Bat, had initially been a bit disgruntled about Kizaru suddenly being placed above him. But now, all he could say was: I'm convinced.

"Oh, so that was him? Well, I was just doing what anyone would."

Kizaru had absolutely no idea who "Tanktop Vegetarian" was—but since the guy was praising him so earnestly, it didn't seem appropriate to say "Who?"

"Yo, you guys sure got here fast…"

Before long, more S-Class heroes arrived—this time not alone, but with three disciples in tow: Atomic Samurai had come to broaden his students' horizons.

Unlike the other heroes who had come straight to confront Kizaru, Atomic Samurai didn't have much to say to him. He simply gave a brief greeting and found a seat with his students.

It was worth noting that Atomic Samurai's three disciples—Iaian, Okamaitachi, and Bushidrill—ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the A-Class.

To deal with this unprecedented God-level threat, the Hero Association had summoned every S-Class hero they could. Excluding Watchdog Man, who refused to leave his territory no matter what, and the ever-elusive Blast, the only one missing now was Metal Knight.

"Swift Flash-senpai, sensei told me to give you his regards."

Even Genos and Flashy Flash had arrived, shortly after Superalloy Darkshine. In total, fifteen out of eighteen S-Class heroes were present—a record since the Association's founding.

After all, S-Class heroes usually stuck to their assigned regions. Even in the case of Dragon-level threats, it was rare to mobilize so many all at once.

But this time was different—the incoming crisis could very well be a God-level threat unlike any before. That was the only reason the S-Class heroes had shown such respect.

Once they had all gathered, Association staff guided them into the conference room to wait for upper management to arrive.

"Damn, what a crowd! I'm getting fired up already. Hope the enemy really is that strong!"

Metal Bat, slouched in his chair, swung his bat a few times, treating the air in front of him like an imaginary enemy.

"So many people… Let's hope we can settle this without too much trouble…"

Despite his steel-forged physique and intimidating build, Superalloy Darkshine didn't act as fierce as he looked.

"…So Metal Knight really didn't show. We've been pushed this far? Unbelievable…"

Drive Knight scanned the area. Surprisingly, he couldn't detect any of Metal Knight's surveillance drones. He gave Kizaru a quick glance, visibly stunned.

He had originally thought Metal Knight was plotting something again and had planned to warn Swift Flash.

But to think the rumors were true—Metal Knight had been so intimidated by this new S-Class hero that he was actually hiding, not even daring to spy on the man's location.

"Please don't worry, boys. As long as I can still move, I won't let any of you get hurt!"

Puri-Puri Prisoner's eyes gleamed as he scanned the room full of S-Class heroes. He had to admit, most of them were very easy on the eyes.

Even the muscleheads like Tanktop Master and Superalloy Darkshine had their admirers.

Not to mention Kizaru, Flashy Flash, and Genos—those three could pass for pop idols with zero effort.

For a hero like Puri-Puri Prisoner, being in this room was like a mouse falling into a rice sack—paradise.

Unfortunately, he couldn't beat a single one of them, which meant no chance of "getting close."

"You bastard! Stay the hell away from me!"

As Puri-Puri Prisoner's gaze swept over him, Metal Bat felt a chill run down his spine.

He barely restrained himself from smacking the guy upside the head with his bat.

Thankfully, just then, the Association's upper brass finally entered the conference room.

Only three people arrived: Miss Perus, representing the tycoon Agni; William, who had dealt with Kizaru before; and several staffers in charge of equipment and briefings.

"First of all, thank you all for stepping up to protect this world and humanity…"

Madam Perus showed none of the sternness she displayed in front of other upper-level members. Even her tone had softened considerably—she seemed like a kindly old lady.

Even Metal Bat, who had been sitting with his bat slung across the back of his chair in a show of defiance, begrudgingly sat up straight under Madam Perus's gaze.

However, William—dragged along to support her—definitely didn't see it that way. It was hard to say who he feared most, but if you had to name his top three, Madam Perus would absolutely be on that list.

"There's no need to repeat the obvious. We're all aware of the situation. The question is—what's the Association doing to prepare? Do we even know who the enemy is?"

Child Emperor spoke up while licking his lollipop. He didn't have time to waste—his teacher was already getting mad about how often he skipped class.

"Do you have any idea what we're up against?!"

Receiving a signal from Madam Perus, the reluctant William stepped forward and slammed his palm on the table, yelling at full volume.

This kind of speech was supposed to be someone else's responsibility, but that person had weaseled out of it. And since William owed Madam Perus a favor, he got stuck with the job.

Relying on the moral high ground, William let loose a storm of shouting at Child Emperor, throwing accusation after accusation at the boy.

Despite being a certified genius, Child Emperor had never faced something like this before. He was no match for a seasoned manipulator like William.

"Alright, calm down, Mr. William. Child Emperor just didn't realize the seriousness of the situation…"

Once again, Madam Perus stepped in to play the good cop. Child Emperor, not yet realizing he was being used as the scapegoat, let out a small sigh of relief.

His IQ was undeniably the highest in the room—but his EQ still needed work. By the time he figured out what had happened, it'd probably be too late for payback.

"So then—what preparations has the Association made?"

Just then, Kizaru let out a yawn and asked lazily.

Another troublemaker—just great. William cursed inwardly. He had barely caught his breath when another voice interrupted… but the moment he realized who it was, his temper evaporated.

He had a lot he wanted to say, but none of it dared leave his mouth. Unlike Child Emperor, who had only ever fought monsters, Kizaru was an unknown variable—even among the S-Class heroes.

No one in the Hero Association knew Kizaru's true background, but to the higher-ups, he was clearly not someone to be taken lightly.

Especially William, who had once been terrified by nothing more than a glance from Kizaru.

Even as Madam Perus kept throwing him meaningful looks, William couldn't bring himself to speak. His round face turned beet red from holding it in.

"Ahem… Lord Swift Flash, the Association has made preparations. Please trust in our professionalism…"

Madam Perus gave William a withering glare, then forced out a kindly smile.

To the Association's upper echelons, even S-Class heroes were nothing more than tools—though that was something they'd never admit aloud.

"Oh, I'm sure the Association wouldn't leave us with no plan and just expect the S-Class to throw themselves into the fire. So—let's hear about these preparations."

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