The Madman to the Left, the Saint to the Right

"Homelander's tragedy happened because Free Nation didn't regulate superheroes strictly enough!"

"We must strongly reject and never hire heroes with dark pasts and poor track records!"

"Heroes who break the law are equal to civilians in the eyes of the law! They must all face legal consequences!"

"Though we can't change the tragedies of the past, those old wounds will always serve as a warning!"

"I swear, as long as I'm standing here, I will never allow evil to happen—not by anyone, no matter who they are!"

Jupiter floated in the air, waving his arms as he spoke with fervor.

"Free Man! Free Man! Free Man!!!"

Rescue teams, doctors in white coats, police officers...

One after another, people from Free Nation were swept up by Jupiter, shouting the hero's name.

The Old Gods were dead. The New God had to rise!

"So what exactly do you want?"

At Vought's headquarters, Starlight rubbed her forehead with one hand and used the remote in the other to turn off the news broadcast. It had been reporting that Free Man had defeated Homelander, and that Free Man was the one who upheld true justice. She turned around to look at the man behind her—the same man who had delivered a passionate speech in front of reporters ten minutes earlier, and was now sitting in her office.

"I want to take over Vought. I can guarantee your interests, but you need to understand that this isn't simple charity. The next election is coming, and you have to support me in running for President of Free Nation!"

Jupiter looked at Starlight and spoke plainly.

"You've lost your mind!"

Starlight snapped. In her eyes, Jupiter was a madman, a lunatic.

"Watch your words."

Jupiter stared at Starlight, his eyes glowing crimson.

"Oh, shit!"

Starlight stared at Jupiter's glowing eyes and felt a jolt of fear. Only then did she remember that the man sitting across from her desk had killed the most powerful Metahuman in the world just ten minutes ago. He was not only insane but powerful, and could take her life at any moment.

It all sounded so unbelievable that Starlight had no idea what to expect. For a moment, she couldn't figure out how she should act.

"I'm sorry. I mean, your plan sounds a little too crazy. Running for President—ha! I don't think even Mr. Edgar would dare dream of that."

Starlight was still shaken. All she could do was bring up Mr. Edgar, hoping that the ever inscrutable man might make Jupiter feel even a little pressure.

"I dare..."

"Besides, I'm ninety percent sure I can win this election."

Jupiter was utterly calm. He had a complete plan to win every vote.

"What?!"

Starlight stared at Jupiter, stunned. A ninety percent chance of winning the election?! That was outrageous. No candidate in any election had ever been so sure of claiming the office.

"I can do it, but I'll need your cooperation."

Jupiter faced Starlight and smiled faintly.

"What do you want us to do?"

Starlight asked, confused.

"It's simple..."

"Make Compound V public, and explain what it does. Let everyone in the world understand one thing: if they have Compound V, they can become the next Superman, too."

Jupiter spoke calmly.

"Impossible."

Starlight immediately rejected his proposal. Making Compound V public?! That was absurd!

"Do you know what would happen if Compound V were made public?"

"Do you know what that would do to Vought?"

"It would be a devastating blow! I absolutely won't let you destroy the company."

Starlight mustered her courage and raised her voice.

"Listen."

Jupiter shook his head helplessly. She was too shortsighted. All he could say was that Starlight was too shortsighted to see the big picture.

"Everyone in Free Nation—and the whole world—is scared shitless right now. They're afraid another lunatic in a cloak, with red eyes glowing, will show up and slaughter them! They're afraid the guns in their hands won't protect them. They're afraid the Chicago plane incident will happen to them!"

"If this country is so damn crazy and free that a bunch of boys can get a real M16 for their birthday, then why can't we legalize superpowers?!"

"I promise every person who votes for me a bag of Compound V as a reward for their support! Just imagine it—who in the world could compete with me then? Who could oppose me? Tell me!"

Jupiter's eyes blazed with a hot, crimson light as he challenged Starlight.

"What the fuck..."

"You want to create a world full of superhumans?!"

Starlight finally understood what the man in front of her was really after.

"No! I don't want to create a world full of superhumans. I want to lead all primitive humans toward evolution! According to Darwin's theory of evolution, all living things strive to evolve! And I'll help every human being on Blue Star complete that evolution! I'll become the ancestor of all the new humans! Their guiding light! I am Ancestor Person!"

Jupiter's plan had never been to become some lousy President of Free Nation. His vision was far greater. His goal had always been to become the one true progenitor of the entire omniverse—the true Ancestor Person. He would become the Superpower Progenitor, the pioneer who would carry the banner of human evolution!

In terms of culture, history, strength, and spirit, he was the Progenitor!

With the help of his countless subjects, Jupiter's banner and glory would shine across the entire omniverse.

And the world of The Boys was Jupiter's testing ground.

"Oh my God..."

"That's insane. This idea is absolutely insane..."

After hearing Jupiter's words, Starlight gently pressed her fingertips to her temples. While Vought was still thinking about how to make money, Jupiter was thinking about the evolution of the human race?! Insane, and yet magnificent!

The madman to the left, the saint to the right!?

Perhaps every saint seemed mad to outsiders. They were so radical that they seemed determined to turn the world upside down...

"I need to think about it."

Starlight shook her head. She didn't dare gamble, didn't dare stake the entire company on this wild wager with Jupiter! If they won, the Vought Family would endure for all time. But if they lost, the Vought Family would be doomed.

"I'm not asking for your opinion."

"I hope you understand that I'm only informing you, dear Ms. Starlight~"

"Your opinion has never mattered to me."

Jupiter looked at Starlight and spoke coldly.

"Without me to persuade Mr. Edgar, you'll never get your hands on the Compound V formula."

Starlight felt insulted. She spoke in a low voice.

"Clap!"

Jupiter said nothing. He simply placed a USB drive in front of Starlight.

"I hope you don't disappoint me."

After saying that, Jupiter turned and left.

"?!"

Starlight stared at the USB drive, her expression darkening with uncertainty. In the end, she opened it. She wanted to see what Jupiter was up to.

When Starlight opened the drive and saw what was inside, her eyes widened. It contained the formula for Compound V.

"Fuck! Mr. Edgar surrendered first?! Then what the hell am I still resisting for?!"

Starlight shook her head. The day's events had truly left her astonished.