He had even been instrumental in resolving Dragon-level crises.
"Long time no see, Atomic Samurai." While Atomic Samurai was still trying to figure out who 'Lexon' was, Bang stepped forward from behind and greeted him.
"Oh... Silver Fang. It really has been a while. I figured you'd show up," Atomic Samurai responded with a smile.
"Staying cooped up in the dojo isn't good for these old bones. I had to come out and stretch a bit," Bang said. He then shifted his gaze toward Genos and pointed out to Atomic Samurai, "That man in black standing near the front is the B-Class Rank 1 'Mist Swordsman,' Lexon. He's been quite famous lately."
"Hmm?" Atomic Samurai shifted his gaze to Lexon, frowning slightly. "Only B-Class?"
It was easy to see that Atomic Samurai believed hero rankings were closely tied to strength.
The fact that someone who was only B-Class had received an invitation from the Association struck Atomic Samurai as odd.
'Could it be because of connections with those wealthy donors at the Association?'
Atomic Samurai couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Otherwise, he truly couldn't fathom why the Association would invite a mere B-Class guy to an S-Class hero meeting.
If the person really had the strength, even if their contributions were lacking, the Association would find a way to promote them.
It was impossible for someone to be content staying in B-Class, right? That would just be freakish.
Even that Sweet Mask guy maintains the A-Class Rank 1 spot.
But this guy is only B-Class...
Tsk, tsk, tsk...
"Yes, only B-Class." Faced with the slightly contemptuous remark, Lexon's expression didn't waver. He simply narrowed his eyes and responded with a smile.
"I hear your title is related to the sword?" Atomic Samurai asked.
"Yes," Lexon nodded.
"Do you belong to a school?"
"No."
"Heh... then keep working hard. If you want to improve, you can look up my disciples later for some pointers." Seeing Lexon's decent attitude, Atomic Samurai felt a slight inclination to help, though his words clearly treated Lexon as a junior.
He believed his A-Class disciples were more than capable of teaching him.
"In the future, I suggest you stop using such methods. There's no point. Improving your strength and rank is what matters most."
Finally, Atomic Samurai left after leaving those vaguely admonishing words behind.
"He seems like he really needs a punch," Saitama muttered from the side, expressing his annoyance.
"Should we corner him after the meeting ends?" Genos said, sounding like a mobster.
"We'll need to find a place without cameras," Fubuki added.
Mumen didn't say anything, offering neither objection nor agreement.
"Don't worry about it. Let's go to the meeting," Lexon told them to drop the idea.
He wasn't some petty man who held a grudge over every little thing.
He wouldn't take such a trivial matter to heart.
Besides, Atomic Samurai did mean well.
'At most, I'll just put him on the list of targets for a forced check-in later...'
The 'kind' Lexon thought to himself.
"Hey! What are you doing here?"
Suddenly, another voice came from ahead.
The crisp voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance, belonged—without a doubt—to the legal loli, Tornado.
She was currently looking at Lexon in surprise, hands on her hips.
"Do you know this brat, Lexon?" Saitama asked.
"No," Lexon said, shaking his head immediately.
"So is this kid lost?" Saitama scratched his head.
"Just ignore her and keep walking. Some staff member will probably take her to find her mother." With that, Lexon stepped forward and walked past Tornado.
"Oh." Saitama and the others followed.
"I'm not a brat!! And I don't need to find my mother!!" Tornado was just about to lose her temper when she caught sight of a figure shrinking back as they passed her. Instantly, the anger on her small face shifted, and she barked out, "Fubuki!"
Hearing her sister's call, Fubuki, who had been trying to slip past unnoticed, knew she couldn't hide. Her body trembled, and she stood straight before slowly turning to face Tornado.
The mature woman now wore an expression of clear timidness as she spoke softly, "Sister..."
"Eh? This kid is Fubuki's older sister?" Saitama was genuinely shocked.
"Why are you here?" Tornado crossed her arms, staring intently at Fubuki.
Despite her small stature, her aura completely overwhelmed Fubuki.
"I... I..." Fubuki's eyes darted away, not daring to meet Tornado's gaze. She hesitated for a long time without being able to string a full sentence together.
"I told her to come," a calm voice rang out.
Tornado frowned and looked at Lexon.
"You are not an S-Class hero," Tornado stated.
"But I was invited," Lexon replied with a smile.
"That has nothing to do with Fubuki."
"If I want it to involve her, it will."
This guy...
Tornado didn't bother arguing with Lexon further and turned her attention back to Fubuki.
"Go back."
The word left Tornado's mouth like a command.
Those simple words weighed on Fubuki's heart like a mountain, making it hard for her to breathe.
"Sister..."
"Go back."
Her tone grew heavier.
"I don't want to say it a third time."
Hearing this, Fubuki didn't respond. She lowered her head completely, eyes facing the ground.
Looking down, her eyes began to redden.
In front of her overbearing sister, she couldn't lift her head.
She couldn't even offer a rebuttal.
Just as Tornado viewed Fubuki's group as nothing more than playing house, Fubuki couldn't talk back to her powerful sister, nor could she change her opinion.
Tornado's presence loomed over Fubuki like a shadow; it had been that way since they were young.
She couldn't do anything.
She couldn't achieve anything.
She would never be able to compare to her sister, never be able to surpass her...
This was a lifelong trauma.
"Are you really content with this?"
A calm, nearly inaudible voice whispered in Fubuki's ear.
'Mist Swordsman'...
Lexon...
Fubuki's body jolted.
Lexon's words were like a sharp sword piercing her heart.
At the same time, the memory of his powerful combat performance in that strange dimension flashed through her mind.
'I... I'm not content. I want to become that strong too... to surpass my sister...'
The thought raced through her mind.
"If you're not content, then fight back."
Lexon's words seemed to carry a strange magic, entangling themselves within Fubuki's heart.
Then, gritting her teeth, courage surged within Fubuki, and she snapped her head up.
"I won't listen to you, sister! I'll decide my own matters myself!!"
Along with those words came the bravery of someone who refused to yield any longer.
Tornado didn't seem to expect her sister would resist like this; her expression turned blank for a moment.
While Fubuki hadn't exactly been obedient in the past, she had never ignored a direct command.
'Is it because of this guy...?'
Tornado glanced at the smiling figure for a moment before looking directly at Fubuki.
"This isn't something you should be involved in. You are not allowed to disobey." Tornado's eyes sharpened as she raised a hand, a green glow manifesting around her.
Since words weren't working, she decided to use force.
Tornado would never let her sister get involved in anything dangerous.
Sister is making a move...
Realizing Tornado was using her psychic powers, Fubuki froze, unable to react.
She knew that with her weak abilities, any resistance would be utterly crushed.
But at the moment the psychic energy erupted and was about to hit Fubuki...
A figure in black with flowing hair suddenly stepped in front of Fubuki, his right hand waving nonchalantly.
Crack...
In the invisible realm, it seemed as if something had been shattered.
My power was countered...
Tornado's expression stiffened.
"As her sister, you should show a bit more respect for her wishes," Lexon said to Tornado with a gentle smile.
"This is family business! It has nothing to do with you!" Seemingly provoked, Tornado's body slowly floated upward, the green glow around her intensifying.
"Then I'll just say it straight." Lexon's gaze remained unperturbed as he spoke heavy words. "Fubuki... she's under my protection."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]