I Am Who I Am

Power increased.

And a new effect had been added.

Secondary Impact—every attack now carried a 'Secondary Impact' effect.

Though it was limited to physical attacks, still...

"This feeling of genuinely getting stronger is really quite pleasant."

Azu smiled, turned around, and flew toward the video store.

In no time at all, Azu was back inside the video store.

"Welcome—oh, Homelander!"

Hughie saw Azu in his blue battle suit, his eyes shining with admiration. "What happened earlier is already on the news. You saved everyone again—you're so cool!"

Azu waved his hand, signaling it was nothing, then said, "My stuff?"

"Right here."

"Here, and your credit card back."

Hughie handed over the already-wrapped Teddy Bear to Azu.

Azu took it, thought for a moment, then said, "Mr. Hughie, if that bearded guy comes looking for you again, would you be willing to give me a call?"

Hughie paused, then nodded happily. "Of course."

He lowered his voice. "That bearded guy is a terrorist, right?"

Azu chuckled. "Of course not. He's a paranoid—he wants to kill me, but he's not a terrorist."

"Do you have a pen?"

After leaving his phone number, Azu walked out of the video store with the gift in hand, shot up into the air with a whoosh, and flew away.

In a coffee shop a few streets over from the video store, Butcher took off his sunglasses and stared thoughtfully at the bustling crowd outside the window.

He suddenly said, "Don't tap my shoulder unless you want to lose your hand."

Behind the bearded man, a bespectacled white man smiled. "You're quite cautious, Mr. Butcher."

"I watched your livestream. I have to say, you're the bravest man I've ever seen."

Butcher turned around with a cold, humorless smile. "If you don't quickly tell me why you're approaching me, I swear I'll cut off your hand and shove it up your ass."

The bespectacled man pulled out a business card and placed it on the table. "Mr. Butcher, we have a common enemy."

"If you want the power to stand against Homelander, consider coming to find me."

"Have a pleasant evening."

He waved and walked away.

Only then did Butcher pick up the card. On it was written: 'Olga Weapon Research Company.'

Back at the Seven Tower, Azu knocked on the door.

The door opened, and the young, beautiful Angelina looked confused.

"A gift for you."

Without waiting for her consent, Azu strode forcefully into the room, tore open the packaging, and placed the Teddy Bear—complete with its hidden camera—in a prominent spot in the living room.

"Master, when can I begin my revenge?" Angelina closed the door.

Azu gave a slight smile. "Soon."

"You need to be patient."

"And have faith in me."

Angelina thought for a moment. "Are you staying here tonight?"

"If that's an invitation?" Azu shrugged. "I don't think I'd refuse."

Angelina bit her lip lightly. "I'll go take a shower."

The next morning.

Azu glanced at Angelina's beautiful bare back, satisfied, and got out of bed.

A moment later, he walked into the command hall.

As soon as he entered, his assistant Ashley followed.

"Fantastic, Homelander."

"How did you come up with using a livestream to build a relatable image?"

"You must have figured that a flawed hero is more down-to-earth, so you deliberately found that bearded guy to put on a reality show with you, right?"

"Who's the director?"

"Who wrote the script?"

"Can you tell me? I think this production team is worth a long-term partnership."

Azu closed his eyes slightly and raised a finger. "First, that wasn't a reality show."

"Second, you're too loud."

Ashley quickly shut her mouth, while a flurry of thoughts raced through her mind.

'Could it really be true?'

'Homelander slept with that woman named Becca?'

'He seemed to have stayed in Miss Angelina's room last night.'

'I wish I could have something happen with him.'

'That would be so thrilling.'

Shaking her head, Ashley continued, "Even though it wasn't a reality show, the effect was surprisingly good. Today, your male approval rating rose by 27%, and your female approval rating also saw a slight increase."

"Our polls show that people think you took responsibility for last night's events. Quite a few believe this version of you makes them feel safer."

Azu smiled. He couldn't care less about such things.

In the face of absolute power, whether people supported him or not truly didn't matter.

Would a lion care if a colony of ants liked it?

And if they didn't, so what?

One swat and they're dead.

"Ashley, I've picked two members of The Seven. Arrange a time for me to meet them."

Ashley quickly replied, "Got it. 'Princess Frost' and 'Livewire.' I'll set up the meeting as soon as possible."

"Do you have time Sunday afternoon?"

Azu nodded.

Ashley pulled out her memo pad, jotted it down, then added, "Oh, right. The criminal who took a hostage last night—his identity has been confirmed."

"It's Nathan. A-Train's brother."

"Looks like he wanted revenge for his brother. What a foolish move!"

Azu waved his hand, cutting her off. "Go call the costume design team for me."

Ashley blinked. "You want a new suit designed?"

A moment later, the Seven Tower's costume design team stood before Azu in the command hall.

Azu yanked off the Stars and Stripes cape behind him.

"I want you to redesign my suit."

"First, I don't like the Stars and Stripes cape design."

The design team leader frowned. "But, Homelander, the Stars and Stripes reflects your patriotism and echoes your name."

"That's not my name."

"That's just a title."

Azu corrected him. "I am who I am. I am no one's property. No one gets to define me—not even this country!"

"I'm not discussing this with you. I'm giving orders."

"I order you to have a viable plan ready by Monday."

"My requirement is that the new suit has nothing to do with the nation."

"It must represent me!"

"Understood?"

The design team nodded like chickens pecking at rice, not daring to linger as they bowed their heads and filed out of the command hall.

Azu's eyes lit up. Adjusting the power, he incinerated the Stars and Stripes cape with a blast of Laser Eyes.

"After being reborn, I always felt something was missing."

"Now that feels right."

Watching the cape burn, Azu smirked.

Just then, The Deep's voice rang out. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, boss, what are you doing?"

Azu looked up. Led by Maeve, the members of The Seven were filing in one by one.

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