"Hmm... are they going to be okay?"
Tatsumaki, standing nearby, watched the chaotic scene in the conference room with some concern—she was genuinely worried that Zuke might end up killing these people.
Although she had no fondness for them whatsoever, if all the higher-ups of the Hero Association suddenly died, it would undoubtedly cause turmoil within the organization. After all, the Hero Association needed to make money to pay the heroes—these executives might not understand heroes, but they certainly knew how to turn a profit.
"Don't worry, I won't kill them."
Zuke narrowed his eyes, observing the Hero Association executives who were still writhing in agony, before finally ceasing the mental assault from "Black Bird · Lovers." Soon, the screams gradually faded away—this time, the gazes directed at Zuke were no longer dismissive but filled with sheer terror.
"Y-you... what did you do to us?"
One of the Hero Association higher-ups trembled as he asked Zuke. They were fully aware that the excruciating pain in their heads had been caused by him.
After all, the moment Zuke said "shut up," their minds had been flooded with unbearable agony. To think it had nothing to do with him would be delusional.
What terrified them even more was that Tatsumaki, who should have been on the Hero Association's side, had watched their suffering without lifting a finger to help. She had even been chatting with Zuke, which made the executives panic even further.
A few of them had even tried to order Tatsumaki to restrain Zuke.
But given how close she seemed to be with him... it was clear she wouldn't lift a hand against him.
"Calmed down now? Good. Let's talk properly."
Zuke looked at the terrified executives, walked forward, pulled up an empty chair, and sat down calmly.
Meanwhile, Tatsumaki stood beside him like a subordinate, a far cry from her usual domineering demeanor as an S-Class hero. The higher-ups finally understood—Tatsumaki was on Zuke's side.
The details of Zuke's discussion with the Hero Association executives remained unknown to outsiders.
However, judging by the way Sitch respectfully escorted Zuke out afterward, it was clear the executives had submitted to him.
At least for now, while the Hero Association officially belonged to these higher-ups, in reality, it had become Zuke's personal domain.
But Zuke was well aware that these executives wouldn't just accept defeat. They would undoubtedly try to break free from his control.
In fact, he could already guess what they would do.
They knew Zuke had planted something in their brains—so, predictably, they would likely seek help from Child Emperor or Metal Knight. These two S-Class heroes were exceptionally skilled in technology, and the executives would probably hope they could remove the foreign objects from their minds.
Unfortunately, "Black Bird · Lovers" was a Stand. Even if Child Emperor or Metal Knight scanned them with X-rays, they wouldn't find anything.
Once the executives had exhausted their efforts, Zuke planned to use "Black Bird · Lovers" to kill a few of them as a warning—forcing the rest to abandon any thoughts of resistance.
First, give them hope. Then, crush it. Finally, execute a few as an example. That should be enough to make these cowards submit completely.
By then, the Hero Association would effectively be in his hands—and Zuke could test whether it could be incorporated into his "King's Army."
Before leaving the conference room, Zuke also issued an order to the Hero Association:
—Devote all resources to locating the "Hero Hunter," Garou.
After all, this guy was one of his mission targets. Though Garou wasn't particularly strong, Zuke still needed to keep an eye on him.
...
"Why are you looking for that 'Hero Hunter'? Is there something special about him?"
After leaving the Hero Association with Zuke, Tatsumaki looked at him in confusion.
She had no interest in Garou, but Zuke was going out of his way to track him down, which puzzled her.
From the Hero Association's reports, Garou wasn't even that strong—he'd get injured fighting an A-Class hero, putting him far below Zuke's level.
"That guy's potential is anything but ordinary."
Zuke smiled. If anything, Cosmic Garou was arguably the most impressive character in the series—second only to Saitama.
After all, he was the one who forced Saitama to break through his limits, something even Boros failed to achieve.
But right now, Garou was just a thug who could barely match some S-Class heroes using the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist. He was still far from becoming Cosmic Fear Garou.
That's why Zuke planned to use the power of God to "accelerate" his evolution, pushing him into the "Universal Horror Mode" ahead of time.
"I've got things to do next. You head back first."
Zuke ruffled Tatsumaki's hair dismissively, about to send her home so he could head to the Monster Association.
According to Black Sperm's report yesterday, today was the day Evil Eye would enter the Underground Kingdom and transform it into the Monster Association's base.
Zuke needed to go there to find Homeless Emperor—the only way to make contact with God at this stage.
"What are you planning? Can't I come with you?"
Seeing how Zuke seemed to be brushing her off, Tatsumaki frowned, visibly annoyed.
She knew she wasn't on his level, but she was still the S-Class Rank 2 hero. Was she really that much of a burden?
Zuke gave her a strange look.
It wasn't that he underestimated her—in this world, Tatsumaki was one of the top-tier fighters.
Even the Monster Association didn't have a single member who could defeat her one-on-one. In the original story, they had to rely on ambushes and gang-ups just to injure her brain.
"You really want to come?"
Zuke was heading to the Monster Association. If Tatsumaki encountered them prematurely...
"Fine, you can come. But you have to follow my orders. No acting without my permission."
After all, Tatsumaki's first instinct upon seeing monsters would be to snap their necks. But Zuke wasn't going there for a massacre.
He needed to locate Homeless Emperor—and might even take control of the Monster Association.
Though the Hero Association was already as good as his, Zuke preferred to play it safe—securing both organizations.
"If you disobey, I will punish you."
Zuke grinned, glancing meaningfully at Tatsumaki's backside.
"Even then, you still want to tag along?"
"...You bastard!"
Tatsumaki's face flushed red as she instinctively covered her rear, seemingly recalling yesterday's humiliating spanking.
Logically, she should have refused outright. But for some reason, her face burning, she gritted her teeth and spat out:
"I'm going!"
If I don't act out, he won't have any reason to spank me, right?
That's what Tatsumaki told herself—yet a strange, unbidden thought kept creeping into her mind...
To be continued…
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