The Association only invited Lexon and Genos; even Fubuki, the leader of the B-Class rank two Fubuki Group, didn't receive an invitation...
This was normal, as this meeting was meant only for S-Class heroes.
Although Lexon was B-Class, his merits and strength were undoubtedly S-Class in the eyes of the Association headquarters, which was why he received a special invitation.
In the end, however, it was decided that Fubuki, Mumen, and Saitama would all go together.
Saitama was going simply because he had nothing better to do.
Fubuki had actively proposed coming along because she didn't want to miss such an obviously major event.
Even if she didn't have the ability to participate, she still wanted to see it for herself...
As for Mumen, Lexon wanted him to relax and see a bit of the world.
He was quite dedicated to this student he had taken on.
'It's definitely not just to let Mumen see the eccentric behavior of the S-Class heroes so he can make more "interesting" choices after he gets stronger...'
As an S-Class hero and a special invitee, Genos and Lexon bringing a few people along obviously—should, perhaps, maybe—not be a problem... right?
And so, the five of them set off for City A.
It didn't take much time.
The distance between City Z and City A was only a few cities apart.
Moreover, as the location of the Association's headquarters, City A was economically developed with an extensive transportation network.
Under the Association's arrangements, they reached City A in just a few hours by train.
...
In front of the Hero Association headquarters, gazing up at the towering black building, Saitama couldn't help but marvel, "That's a really tall building."
"I heard it was built with the help of the S-Class Rank 6 hero, Metal Knight. It's extremely sturdy, enough to withstand most explosions and impacts," Genos provided the background information.
"Eh? Is it really that impressive..." Saitama's voice trailed off.
"Of course. This is the Hero Association headquarters; it wouldn't do if it wasn't at this level." Suddenly, an unfamiliar, elderly voice joined the conversation.
The five people present couldn't help but look toward the source of the voice.
They saw an old man dressed in light black clothes and sweatpants. His hair and beard were completely white, his back was slightly hunched, and his hands were clasped behind him.
The man was clearly quite old, but he looked full of spirit. One could faintly sense a sharp, poised aura radiating from him.
This old man was not someone to be trifled with.
This thought simultaneously surfaced in the minds of Genos, Mumen, and Fubuki.
"Yo... Hello there, unknown old-timer," Saitama greeted him familiarly.
"Hello," the old man replied politely, his tone very gentle.
Then, looking at the cape and outfit Saitama was wearing, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you a hero too?"
"Are you one as well, old-timer?" Saitama asked back after hearing the question.
"Saitama-sensei, he is indeed a hero. He's the S-Class Rank 3, 'Silver Fang,'" Genos quickly recognized the man's identity by comparing him to the hero registry.
Seeing that he had been recognized, "Silver Fang" Bang looked toward Genos and then remarked in surprise, "Isn't this the S-Class Rank 16, 'Demon Cyborg'?"
"Yes," Genos nodded.
Having received a positive response, Bang shifted his gaze to Saitama.
'What did he just call this person?'
'Saitama-sensei?'
Bang's thoughts began to race.
'The teacher of an S-Class hero? A hidden powerhouse? Did "Demon Cyborg" invite him out because of the major event that's about to happen?'
Bang, who had an older brother who was also a martial arts master, deeply understood that there were still powerful people in this world who didn't reveal themselves to the public, so he couldn't help but think along those lines.
'But he looks a bit...'
Looking at Saitama—who had no proper posture, a face full of boredom, a shiny bald head, and was covered in harmlessness and openings—Bang couldn't sense even a hint of a powerhouse from him.
As the S-Class Rank 3, Bang naturally wouldn't recognize a C-Class hero who could be replaced at any time.
'The only characteristic that might make someone think they are master and disciple is probably the fact that they are both bald.'
Bang thought to himself.
"Let's go, time to head in," Lexon spoke up, interrupting their chat, and led the way toward the entrance.
"Understood, Mr. Lexon!" Genos replied with great respect.
Saitama and the others followed suit.
Lexon?
Hearing the name, Bang was stunned. It felt familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
Oh, right... his disciple, Charanko, had mentioned it...
He was the B-Class hero whose fame had suddenly skyrocketed recently.
'But it seems like... the S-Class "Demon Cyborg" is quite respectful to this B-Class hero?'
'What's going on?'
Bang couldn't figure it out.
From the frequency of their steps and their positions, he could clearly judge that Saitama and Lexon were the equal leaders among the five.
Meanwhile, the S-Class "Demon Cyborg" was a level below them...
This fact left Bang feeling a bit bewildered.
However, he didn't dwell on it for long and followed them into the headquarters, keeping pace with the five in front.
"He's following us. Should I chase him away? Saitama-sensei, Mr. Lexon," Genos asked, seeking the opinions of the two in front as he sensed Bang approaching.
"If the old-timer wants to walk with us, let him. He's also attending that meeting or whatever, so we can ask him if he knows any inside info," Saitama said.
"It's fine," Lexon added.
He didn't feel any need to distance himself from Bang; in fact, he had no intention of distancing himself from any of the S-Class heroes.
After all, these S-Class heroes could be considered top-tier sign-in resources in this world.
Once he finished signing in for the ones he specifically wanted, he could sign in with the remaining S-Class heroes as he saw fit.
Either way, it wouldn't be a loss.
And Bang, this "Martial Arts Master," was a relatively useful sign-in resource.
Lexon believed that the things he could sign in for from him would be of significant help when he entered a restricted world or a new penalty world in the future.
As they were talking, everyone noticed another figure standing ahead.
He wore traditional samurai attire, had a long ponytail tied back, carried several sheathed katanas at his waist, and had a piece of straw in his mouth.
He had the relaxed air of a traditional wandering swordsman.
"S-Class Rank 4, Atomic Samurai," Genos said directly.
"'Demon Cyborg'?" Atomic Samurai noted their arrival and spoke to Genos.
"Yes," Genos nodded again.
"Are all these people with you? The waiting room isn't in this direction," Atomic Samurai's gaze shifted to Lexon, Saitama, and the others.
Having brought his own disciples, he naturally knew where those unqualified to participate in the meeting were supposed to go.
"Yes, they are all here to participate in this meeting," Genos replied.
"They're all participating in this meeting?" Atomic Samurai asked in confusion, then grinned. "Hey, hey, stop joking. This meeting is only for S-Class heroes. Don't think you can just mess around just because you're an S-Class yourself."
"The Association doesn't seem to have forbidden other capable heroes from participating, nor did they say we couldn't bring people along. Besides, Mr. Lexon was specifically invited by the Association," Genos stated, presenting Lexon after offering two somewhat shaky reasons.
"Lexon?" Sure enough, Atomic Samurai was intrigued by the character "specifically invited by the Association." His smile faded as his gaze shifted between Saitama, Lexon, and the others, seemingly trying to figure out which one was the sacred figure and what kind of power they possessed to earn a special invitation.
In truth, this was only natural. Lexon's achievement of eliminating a Dragon-level threat had been hidden at his own request. The Association wouldn't go out of its way to inform all S-Class heroes and tell them to be careful not to offend him.
Even if they had been informed, most of the other S-Class heroes wouldn't be wary or yield just because someone had resolved a few Dragon-level crises.
After all, the truly powerful heroes at the top of the S-Class rankings had basically all dealt with Dragon-level crises before.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]