Chapter 70 |
Whirr, whirr, whirr!
Before long, another fleet of helicopters appeared in the sky above the desolate outskirts of City Z, rapidly deploying groups of B-class and A-class heroes.
Since the Monster Association had not only kidnapped one of the Hero Association's primary shareholders but had also demonstrated a massive threat level, the Hero Association had mobilized every available resource.
The S-class heroes were tasked with infiltrating the Monster Association's headquarters to rescue the hostage, while the B-class and A-class heroes were responsible for neutralizing any monsters remaining on the surface.
The Tornado of Terror and the Thunder God remained on the surface as well. In addition to providing support for the S-class heroes, they had several secondary objectives related to the coordination of the lower-ranked heroes.
"Blizzard Group, move out!!"
Fubuki was also participating in the operation.
Influenced by Yeruashi, she had abandoned her plan to remain at the top of the B-class and had finally advanced to the A-class. Now, Hellish Blizzard stood as the rank 10 hero of the A-class.
Leading the Blizzard Group through the deserted, silent streets of City Z, she paused to look up at the sky.
'Sister...'
Fubuki whispered the word in her heart.
Tatsumaki noticed Fubuki and gave a satisfied nod, seeing that her younger sister was finally leading her people from the front instead of hiding behind them as she once did. "You've grown a little, sister."
"And what about you?"
Yeruashi glanced at Tatsumaki with a playful smile.
Tatsumaki crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from Yeruashi, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It is very difficult for me to keep increasing my spiritual power, but I can definitely do it if you give me some help... Wait! What kind of growth are you talking about?!"
A sudden realization hit her, and she snapped her head back toward Yeruashi, glaring at him as he flew alongside her.
Yeruashi only chuckled and shook his head, choosing not to rise to her bait. At the same time, his gaze swept over the B-class and A-class heroes below, picking out Fubuki among them.
Then, with a flash of azure-blue light in his pupils, his vision pierced through layers of earth and concrete, looking directly into the Monster Association's underground headquarters.
Yeruashi narrowed his eyes, observing one of the battles unfolding deep below. 'It seems Garou might be of some use after all.'
Garou had invaded the Monster Association's headquarters a couple of days ago and had caused quite a stir. Initially, Garou hadn't been able to defeat a Dragon-level monster, but just yesterday he had managed to overcome Gouketsu. Now, during the S-class heroes' assault, he had clashed with Superalloy Darkshine. Once again, he found himself at a disadvantage, yet he continued to evolve.
Superalloy Darkshine versus Garou.
Child Emperor versus Phoenix Man.
Flashy Flash versus Hellfire Flame and Gale Wind.
Tanktop Master versus Fuhrer Ugly.
Watchdog Man versus Overgrown Rover.
Atomic Samurai versus Black Sperm.
...
Immediately after infiltrating the headquarters, the S-class heroes had clashed with Dragon-level monsters that had been lying in wait for them.
Since the power of S-class heroes generally fluctuates between Demon and Dragon levels, and most high-ranking heroes are firmly in the Dragon tier, the battles erupting throughout the facility were largely evenly matched and exceptionally brutal.
Only two S-class heroes had not yet been dragged into a desperate struggle.
One was King, because by sheer luck, all the Dragon-level monsters that had prepared ambushes along his path had ended up engaging other S-class heroes instead.
The other was Saitama. No matter what kind of monster stood in his way, they were all turned into a red slurry with a single punch.
"Hmm..."
"Of all the invading S-class heroes, our forces have been unable to stop only the Bald God and King..."
Psykos, hiding in the depths of the headquarters alongside Saman, took a deep breath and whispered.
Most S-class heroes could be delayed or even defeated simply by deploying a Dragon-level monster, but that bald monstrosity, who stood head and shoulders above the other S-class heroes, was entirely different.
Psykos turned her head and looked expectantly at Pain, who continued to stare at the ceiling of the spacious chamber with total composure and indifference.
All this time, a ceaseless roar and rumble had been echoing from above, until the ceiling finally cracked and shattered into pieces.
Along with a shower of debris, Saitama dropped down and landed directly in front of Pain.
"..."
At the sight of Saitama, Psykos instinctively raised her hand, preparing to unleash her telekinetic power.
But a split second before she could act, Pain intervened. "Retreat. You will only be in the way."
Cold sweat broke out on Psykos's brow as she slowly lowered her hand.
She seized the hostage with her telekinesis and retreated further into the depths of the headquarters, leaving Pain alone with Saitama.
Saitama clenched his fist and tilted his head to the side, looking at the figure before him with curiosity. "Aren't you that durable guy I couldn't kill last time? Why do you seem much weaker?"
Pain slowly rose from his throne and looked down at Saitama, standing more than a meter taller than the hero. He spoke in a calm, steady voice. "I have long awaited this battle... This time, I will show you my true power. This time..."
He paused, his battle intent flaring as he locked eyes with Saitama. "...I will definitely be the victor!"
Saitama gave a faint grin. "Your fighting spirit is much stronger this time, but..."
As the two spoke, the previously calm atmosphere suddenly became incredibly heavy and oppressive. A terrifying pressure descended upon the room instantly.
Saitama's fist tightened, and his gaze became unnaturally sharp, his voice full of resolve. "...I don't intend to lose; after all, protecting Earth is my duty as a hero!"
In the next instant.
Saitama threw a punch at Pain, and Pain threw a punch at Saitama.
BOOM!!!
From the collision of their fists, white arcs of lightning-like energy streaked out in all directions—shrieking air compressed under incredible pressure. The ground beneath their feet instantly spider-webbed with deep cracks.
Saitama's fist didn't budge, but Pain's fist buckled and exploded, taking his entire arm and part of his shoulder with it.
Although Pain, manifesting his full power under Yeruashi's control, was not much weaker than Yeruashi in his uncontrolled Ten-Tails form, that strength was still not enough to fight on equal terms with Saitama.
They were on different levels.
If Saitama hadn't been holding back, fearing he might cause irreparable damage to the planet, that single strike could have reduced Pain's entire body to dust in one go.
Yet, it was precisely under this insurmountable and tyrannical pressure from Saitama that the unbreakable chains strictly limiting and suppressing Pain's power began to crumble!
The time for the destruction of the limiter and Pain's final evolution had come!
"Excellent."
"Just what I needed."
Pain's arm regenerated instantly as if nothing had happened. The massive muscles across his entire body flexed and swelled to their limit, emitting a terrifying pulse of energy.
...
On the surface.
Yeruashi floated calmly in the sky, maintaining his control over Pain in the depths of the Monster Association's headquarters.
His steady, confident gaze pierced through the layers of earth and concrete, encompassing the entire facility, including its deepest and most hidden corners.
"It has begun."