Who's For It? Who's Against It? (About 5,000 Words)

A few minutes later...

Starlight led a team of cleaning staff who were already used to seeing strange things into The Seven's conference room.

"You killed her!?"

Starlight stared wide-eyed at Storm, who was lying on the floor. She had lost the most important part of the human body and become the headless horseman of Irish folklore, yet her body seemed not to have died and was still trembling faintly.

"Her cells are extremely powerful and filled with potent healing capabilities. Her metabolism is also different from that of ordinary people. This is an extremely rare superpower. I hope the company can study her thoroughly and strive to develop medicine that can help create a better world as soon as possible."

Jupiter stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the headless horseman on the floor as he spoke softly.

At that moment, Jupiter looked at the female supe on the floor and shook his head repeatedly. He suddenly thought of the term "Aurora-chan."

For a disgusting creature like this, nothing made her seem cuter than adding "chan" to her name. They had to pay tribute to their great senior, the Moe organization.

"Find all her detailed information. Dig as deep as you can, and investigate every residence she has ever lived in! She's far from as ordinary as she appears. I believe that once we uncover everything, Storm's past will definitely bring a few pleasant surprises and breakthroughs to our plans."

After making a small joke, Jupiter faced Starlight and spoke coldly.

"Sure! Of course!"

"Mr. Edgar told me to give you my full support."

It was impossible for Starlight to have no resentment. After all, she had practically devoted her entire life to the company. Yet now the company had made her work under a lunatic who had only recently joined. Worst of all, that lunatic possessed the most powerful force in the world and killed without batting an eye!

No one knew how helpless, furious, and terrified she felt every day when facing Jupiter.

"Then what are you waiting for!?"

Jupiter looked at Starlight and asked.

"All right! I'll take care of it right away..."

Starlight was deeply uncomfortable with Jupiter's arrogant tone, but she still controlled her emotions and forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart.

"Hmph~"

Jupiter could sense Starlight's unwillingness, but he did not care. Whether she accepted him or not would not affect him at all. All that mattered was that she did not interfere with his plans.

The Vought Family's efficiency was indeed impressive. Just a few hours after Jupiter asked Starlight to handle the matter, he obtained what he wanted...

Compound V that could be used on adults!

"You were right!"

Starlight stood before Jupiter with the documents in her hands. She no longer felt the slightest bit of resentment.

The facts had proven that Jupiter was right. He was practically a prophet, foreseeing everything in advance!

Starlight now suspected that Jupiter possessed a superpower that allowed him to see the future. If that was true...

With that thought, Starlight reined in all her emotions. From that moment onward, she decided to work earnestly for Jupiter until he successfully won the election for President.

"Excellent. Then it's time to begin our great undertaking!"

Jupiter looked at the blue drug in Starlight's hand and smiled faintly.

That afternoon, Vought officially announced that Free Man Jupiter intended to run for President of the Free Nation!

The moment the news came out, the entire country went crazy!

The people who had set their sights on the election stared at Free Man, floating in the air with a smile on his face. Their expressions turned grim as they sensed the danger. They knew Free Man would be their greatest threat in the race for President of the Free Nation.

"Friends, people of the Free Nation! After much consideration, I've decided to remain silent no longer. I've decided to step forward!"

"This country needs someone to shoulder every responsibility, protect the people's safety, and wipe out robbery, shootings, and all kinds of criminal acts. This country needs someone to stand up and become the people's guardian!"

"And I! I can become your guardian!"

"As long as I'm here, all evil in the world will disappear! When you're threatened by evil, look up at the sky. Your President will protect you from everything!"

Jupiter spoke passionately to the television cameras. He seemed intent on turning his image into a symbol, an emblem.

Jupiter's approval rating soared. Countless people switched their votes to him. Compared with those hypocritical politicians who were always making empty promises they could never fulfill, people trusted someone who was a hero both onscreen and in real life.

However, although Jupiter appeared to have everyone's support and was far ahead of the other candidates, those candidates did not give up. They continuously spread rumors online that were unfavorable to Jupiter.

The most damaging point they raised was this: What if Jupiter was also a beast in human skin like Homelander? What would they do then!?

When Homelander went mad, they had Free Man to oppose him. But if Free Man went mad, what could they use to oppose him!?

The only thing capable of opposing Free Man was a nuclear weapon! If Free Man held the nuclear launch button, then nothing in the world could ever restrain him again. Therefore, they absolutely could not let Free Man win the election. He could be a hero, and he could become the symbol of the Free Nation, but he absolutely could not become its President!

This concise yet powerful article caused an uproar online. Countless people believed its author was right. If Free Man went mad, how could they fight him!? With the guns in their hands!? They had to be kidding. Bullets could not even penetrate Free Man's eyelids.

For a time, Free Man Jupiter's approval rating kept falling. His enemies seized the opportunity to deliver speeches and spend huge sums of money creating an organization specifically opposed to Metahumans. Most of its members were people who had been harmed by Metahumans, along with others who had spotted an opportunity. The anti-Metahuman organization rapidly expanded...

On the surface, the candidates all delivered positive speeches. Their content was nearly identical. They supported Free Man's actions and admired his noble character, which was as free as the Free Nation itself, but believed that the highest authority in the Free Nation should be held by an ordinary person.

Although the speeches had nothing particularly remarkable about them, they worked unexpectedly well, and the candidates' approval ratings continued to rise.

"Jupiter, your approval rating keeps dropping!?"

"Why did you have me write an article specifically targeting you?"

Ashley looked at the computer with a headache. Indeed, the article currently circulating online and dragging down Jupiter's approval rating had been written and published by Ashley at Jupiter's request. Everything behind it had been orchestrated by Jupiter.

"Because even if we didn't act, someone else would eventually think of this. Remember, a qualified person in power must control everything at all times, including his own weaknesses."

"As a member of my behind-the-scenes team, your task is to find my weaknesses and then think of ways to overcome them based on those weaknesses."

Jupiter patted Ashley on the shoulder and explained with an utterly calm expression. He seemed completely untroubled by his falling approval rating.

"What do we do now!?"

"Our approval rating has already hit rock bottom!"

Ashley understood Jupiter's reasoning, but understanding it did not mean she knew how to reverse their disadvantage.

"Prepare a press conference!"

"If I had you write that article, it means I already have a countermeasure."

Jupiter stood with his hands behind his back and spoke with complete composure.

"Understood!"

Ashley nodded lightly at his words. As long as Jupiter had a way to deal with it, everything would be fine. She knew that Mr. Edgar, Starlight, and the others were all giving Jupiter their full support. In other words, the entire Vought Company was now on the same boat as Jupiter. It was a massive gamble: if they won, Vought would control the entire Free Nation; if they lost, Vought would suffer decades of damage.

With Ashley's efforts, all the most famous reporters in the Free Nation had been gathered within half an hour.

"Mr. Free Man, what do you think of the article circulating online!?"

One reporter went straight to the point, bringing up the online article immediately.

"I've read it. It's very well written, with excellent word choice and pleasant phrasing. The author has a solid command of language."

Jupiter wore a sunny smile and nodded lightly, expressing his admiration for the author.

"Uh..."

"I mean, what do you think of the article's impact on your campaign?"

The reporter opened and closed his mouth before asking helplessly.

"Impact on me!?"

"I don't think this article can have any impact on me."

Jupiter continued answering with great smoothness.

"..."

After hearing Jupiter's answer, the reporters looked at one another. In the end, they reached a conclusion: they had to press harder, or they would not uncover anything they wanted to see.

"Mr. Free Man, the article says that if you ever went mad like Homelander, we would have no way to deal with you besides nuclear weapons. What do you think of that?"

At last, one reporter mustered his courage and asked nervously.

"That makes sense!?"

"Why don't we give it a try?"

As Jupiter spoke, his eyes began to glow crimson.

"Oh..."

The crowd instantly erupted into chaos.

"Hahaha..."

"I'm joking!"

Jupiter chuckled lightly at the agitated reporters.

"Yes, no one can guarantee that they'll never have a day when they go mad!"

"Before Homelander revealed his true nature, we all thought he was a good person."

"But when Homelander truly showed his real face, a hundred good people died!"

"I sincerely don't want to see such a day again..."

Jupiter pretended to be overcome with grief and covered his cheek with his hand.

"We understand. We don't want to see it either."

Someone among the reporters seemed to empathize, revealing a sorrowful expression. He had lost colleagues and friends in that riot.

"If such a situation happened again one day—if a Metahuman went mad again—what would we do!?"

"The enemy ignores bullets, runs faster than cars, and can even fly through the sky!? Are we supposed to kneel and pray!?"

Jupiter spoke loudly. The words he was saying were precisely from the speeches of the organizers opposing Metahumans becoming President of the Free Nation.

"Fuck! He stole my words!"

The leader of the anti-Metahuman organization was watching television. Seeing Jupiter deliver the impassioned speech, he angrily shouted his accusation.

"No! We don't have to merely kneel and pray. We can fight back—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!"

"After the Homelander incident, I began cooperating with my company, the Vought Family. I hoped to develop a superhuman drug that could allow every good person to become a superhuman. Perhaps God was moved by my determination. After countless efforts, we finally used my blood to develop this serum: Compound V! It can turn ordinary people into Metahumans!"

As Jupiter spoke, he pulled out a tube of blue Compound V.

"What the fuck..."

The reporters stared wide-eyed at the blue drug in Jupiter's hand. At that moment, they were all dumbfounded. They had imagined countless things Jupiter might say in rebuttal, but they had never expected him to produce a superhuman drug and tell everyone, Come on, babies~ The next era belongs to superhumans!

"When I successfully become President of the Free Nation, I'll have Congress provide every family and every person in the Free Nation with a dose of Compound V. Friends, throw away the guns in your hands! They can't protect us anymore. This is the age of superhumans! An age belonging to the superhumans of the future, an age belonging to all of you! Now tell me! Can the future superhuman President of the Free Nation really be an ordinary person?"

Jupiter extended a finger and pointed at the cameras, at everyone watching television.

"What the fuck..."

"We can become superhumans!?"

"Can I fly too?"

The leader of the anti-Metahuman alliance watched the words on television. After thinking for five seconds, he announced his resignation. Just like that, the anti-Metahuman alliance disbanded on the spot.

At the same time, an organization supporting Metahumans was established. When all was said and done, it was still the same group of people...

"That's all."

Jupiter finished speaking. Before the reporters could ask any questions, he instantly rose into the air and flew into the sky.

The reporters stared at Jupiter as he took off, their mouths hanging open. They still had not recovered from what they had just heard. Everyone in the world could become a fucking superhuman!? How insanely explosive was this news!?

In an instant, Jupiter's approval rating exploded!

Although countless people tried to obstruct him, it was useless!

Those people would never understand how determined an ordinary person could be to become a superhuman!

They would rather die than remain ordinary. They had to become Metahumans before they died!

The outcome was already decided. Jupiter won by an overwhelming margin...

But sometimes, those tedious and meaningless public formalities could not be discarded. Even if they were all bullshit in Jupiter's eyes!

Several candidates and Jupiter arrived at the building together. In a moment, they would participate in an intense debate.

Although they knew the debate's significance was already minimal, it would be their final struggle, so they still cherished the opportunity.

"Well! I'm a little pressed for time, so I'll keep this brief."

Jupiter checked the time and could not be bothered to deliver any pointless speeches.

"Go ahead..."

Although the candidates were dissatisfied, they still wore faint smiles.

"Camera operator..."

Jupiter nodded, then gave the camera operator a look.

"All right~"

The camera operator nodded lightly. His eyes flashed with arcs of electricity, and in an instant, every piece of filming equipment in the room was covered in static.

"Hmm!?"

The candidates stared at the camera equipment emitting crackling noises. Their brows furrowed tightly as a bad premonition rose in their hearts.

"My dear candidates..."

"I suggest that once the program begins, you directly announce that you're withdrawing from the election!"

"In this election, and in every election hereafter, I will be the President!"

"Who's for it? Who's against it!?"

As Jupiter spoke, his eyes suddenly blazed with crimson light, and he revealed a sinister smile.

"Uh..."

The candidates felt the temperature in the room continually rising. As they looked at Jupiter's burning red eyes, their expressions changed one after another. They were certain that if they said no or uttered any words of opposition, they would die right there.

"I'm for it!"

The first to agree was a middle-aged man. He did not want to lose his life there.

"I'm for it too!"

"So am I!"

"Me too..."

Once the first person agreed, the others found it much easier. They all chose to approve Jupiter's "little suggestion" and withdraw from this election.

"Excellent..."

Jupiter looked at all the candidates who had chosen to withdraw with satisfaction.

"You've just made the greatest and wisest choice of your lives!"

"For that, I'll provide each of you with a dose of the purest Compound V!"

As Jupiter snapped his fingers, one staff member after another walked over carrying suitcases filled with azure Compound V. In front of everyone, they placed the blue gold before the candidates.

"..."

The candidates stared silently at the enticing blue bottles. It was impossible not to be tempted. After all, possessing Compound V meant becoming a superhuman. But if they actually accepted the drugs, they would truly have no hope of turning things around. No one would vote for a group of people who had gone back on their word—people who had just claimed that Metahumans were dangerous, only to become Metahumans themselves the next second.

The candidates knew that Jupiter was forcing them to make a choice.

"Thank you for the Free Man's generosity!"

After a moment of silence, the first candidate to agree with Jupiter briskly picked up Compound V and injected it into his arm.

"Uh..."

The next second, the others who were still hesitating also picked up Compound V one after another.

"Well done."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Jupiter watched those who had chosen to inject Compound V and gave a slight nod.

When training a dog, you had to offer a few candies right after the whip. Jupiter's path to stability lay ahead; the experiment game had officially begun.