"You!"
Sweet Mask was furious. The energy blast in Genos's palm made him feel the chill of death, but for someone as arrogant as him to beg for mercy—he couldn't get the words out.
"…"
The arena fell into an eerie silence. Energy continued to gather in Genos's palm cannon as Sweet Mask clenched his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Looks like you've chosen death."
There was no emotion in those golden eyes. To Genos, a foe who had just tried to kill him deserved no mercy.
Boom—
A solid beam, as thick as an arm, shot from his palm straight at Sweet Mask's head.
"Enough! This farce ends here!"
Suddenly—
A crisp, cold loli voice rang out. Emerald-green psychic energy intervened at the last moment, twisting the beam's trajectory so it struck the alloy floor beside Sweet Mask's head instead.
Floating in midair in a high-slit qipao that revealed pale, delicate legs, with bouncy curled long hair, Tatsumaki crossed her arms, lips pouting in displeasure as she looked down at the two of them.
"S-Class heroes are resources for the Association's war readiness. Wasting time here is less useful than fighting monsters. I don't care if you live or die, but this ends now! Sweet Mask, Genos—apologize to each other and shake hands."
"Huh? Tornado of Terror—she's been watching the whole time?"
"Well, too bad~ since Lady Tatsumaki has spoken, this match is over."
"She's the Association's trump card. No one can beat her."
"Didn't expect Genos to be this strong. His power could rank in the top ten… maybe even top five!"
The crowd murmured, and Sweet Mask let out a long breath of relief. He hadn't expected Tatsumaki to step in at this critical moment.
"Heh, an unexpected outcome. But at least this headache is over. I guess I've repaid my favor."
Atomic Samurai pursed his lips and sheathed his blade. He had promised Sweet Mask to block Blizzard, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"Alright, break it up. That guy Saitama came back without even telling us. I'm curious what he brought back this time."
Child Emperor finally relaxed, a small smile appearing on his tense face.
"Let go. It's over…"
Sweet Mask glared at Genos, his face darkening as he noticed the alloy floor beside him.
That casual palm cannon had blasted a hole so deep he couldn't see the bottom?
This was alloy personally engineered by S-Class Rank 6 Metal Knight, a mad scientist's creation strong enough to withstand anything below a nuclear warhead—and it had been pierced like paper.
The watching heroes and Association staff sighed in amazement as they dispersed. No one dared complain about Tatsumaki.
After all, she had the "proud" record of flipping an entire branch headquarters by herself.
"It shouldn't be like this."
The quiet voice wasn't loud, but in the silence, it was crystal clear—enough to make everyone pause mid-step and turn to look at the speaker.
"What's he doing?"
"That bald guy, Saitama? Don't tell me…"
"Oh god! Is he about to—"
As Saitama walked toward Tatsumaki with a blank face, every heart in the area seemed to climb into its owner's throat. No one dared breathe too loudly.
"I think this is wrong. Sweet Mask almost destroyed Genos just now. Now he's just the one on the ground, and even if there's an apology, it shouldn't be mutual—it should be him apologizing to Genos."
Saitama spoke with complete seriousness, looking directly at Tatsumaki.
Hiss—
The sound of sharp intakes of breath filled the arena.
"It's over. That bald guy's done for."
"He actually questioned Tatsumaki's decision?"
"No wonder he's stuck at C-Class Rank 233. Someone call medical—he's gonna need it."
"Does he have no brain? Doesn't he see that even the other S-Class heroes aren't talking? What's a C-Class got to say here?"
In the Hero Association, aside from the rules in the handbook, there was one unspoken law everyone knew:
Never—ever—provoke—Tatsumaki.
There hadn't always been only 18 S-Class heroes. At its peak, there had been nearly 30… until Tatsumaki arrived.
The details didn't need repeating—every S-Class veteran understood.
Now everyone knew why Tatsumaki was called the Association's secret weapon.
"Sensei…"
Genos felt warmth in his chest, gratitude in his eyes. His teacher was standing up for him—facing all the skepticism and mockery without hesitation.
Only his teacher could do that.
His fists clenched slightly, his resolve to follow Saitama stronger than ever.
"Heh… are you questioning my decision, Baldy?"
The little loli's eyes narrowed slightly, lips curving in irritation as she floated above, arms crossed, looking down at Saitama.
(End of Chapter)
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