Initial Clash

In the multipurpose hall on the seventh floor of Hero Headquarters in City A, dozens of figures milled about, seemingly discussing something.

"I am Sekiguchi, director of the Hero Association's Prophecy Emergency Countermeasures Team."

A booming voice drew everyone's attention. Sekiguchi stood at the podium, calmly surveying the crowd.

"First, I would like to thank you for responding to our summons."

"I'll repeat this: the Hero Association will not pursue the crimes you have committed or the business you have been involved in. Nor is this a trap we have set."

"The heroes present are merely my bodyguards."

Sekiguchi's gaze shifted toward the people standing beside him.

"Hahaha, heroes? Let me kill a few for fun."

"A bunch of trash. Why not just take over Hero Headquarters right now?"

"That's true. Lately, we keep hearing about heroes being defeated by monsters. And now even City A has been destroyed by monsters. Doesn't that show how incompetent the Hero Association is?"

The crowd below instantly erupted, with everyone shouting wildly.

"Wanted criminals, first-rate assassins, even prison escapees. Why did Sekiguchi gather all these people at headquarters?"

A man dressed like a magician, wearing a black eye mask, suddenly spoke.

"Who cares what they're planning? A bunch of trashy criminals dare swagger around in front of us? They must be tired of living."

The burly man beside him spoke in a rough voice, his face carrying a trace of disdain.

"If they make any suspicious moves, burn them all to ashes."

A young man in blue clothes remained calm, seemingly unconcerned by the clamoring crowd below.

"A-Class Rank 7, Magic Hand. A-Class Rank 5, Heavy Tank Underwear, and A-Class Rank 6, Azure Flame."

"Bodyguards like them are enough to suppress an ordinary Demon-level Monster."

Wu Di looked at the three heroes, but his expression was extremely serious. The people below were far more than ordinary criminals.

"Hey, newcomer, relax. They aren't monsters. We represent the Hero Association; dealing with people like this is easy."

"If you're nervous, just watch from here. I alone could crush them."

Seeing Wu Di's expression, Azure Flame mistook it for nervousness and tried to reassure him.

"These three top-ranked A-Class heroes are no weaker than S-Class heroes in combat ability. As for the newcomer, B-Class Rank 5 Wu Di, it is said that he has even slain a Dragon-level monster."

"With the four of them here, no fool would dare cause trouble."

Sekiguchi was not worried about the crowd below at all. With these heroes present, even a Demon-level Monster would be doomed.

"Then, I'll get straight to the point."

"Hold on!"

A voice suddenly rang out as Sonic stepped forward.

"This gathering is to respond to the prophecy of the great prophet Shibawa, isn't it? You want to defend humanity by accepting everyone, regardless of good or evil, even criminals?"

Sonic sneered as he looked at a flyer he had obtained from somewhere.

"I don't want to play some childish hero game with you. B-Class Wu Di, once I finish off Saitama, you're next."

Sonic glared at Wu Di with fury, but then turned and left.

"Is what he said true? Are you really accepting the aid of this bunch of scoundrels just for power? Is this the Association's decision?"

Azure Flame's angry voice rang out. He did not even try to stop Sonic from leaving on his own.

"That's right. All humanity must unite if we are to overcome this crisis. The current number of heroes is nowhere near enough."

"As long as you defeat monsters, the Association will pay you the appropriate reward."

Sekiguchi's voice carried throughout every corner of the hall, but the heroes beside him had already had enough.

"Save it. When the critical moment comes, this bunch of trash won't be of any use."

"Who are you calling trash?"

Boom! A blond-haired man who stepped forward was sent flying by a single punch from Heavy Tank Underwear.

"That's right, because they have no conviction."

Several heroes stepped forward at once, and Sekiguchi no longer knew what to do.

"Hey, is the legendary God-level disaster about to descend? This old man is right. A bunch of trash like them can't defeat monsters. The same goes for heroes."

With silver hair and an utterly arrogant expression, the moment Wu Di saw this person, he could not help feeling excited. However, he quickly forced the feeling down.

"Huh? Who are you?"

Sekiguchi stared expressionlessly at the man below. To spout such nonsense in front of so many heroes was simply courting death.

"My name is Garou. I admire monsters and have wiped out countless dojos. Why don't all of you come at me together?"

A wicked smile curled across Garou's lips as he mockingly waved a hand.

"Enough. You can leave."

Sekiguchi spoke impatiently. In his eyes, this man was probably insane.

"Leave? Is this how your Hero Association treats its guests?"

"I've made up my mind. Evil must prevail, trash must be punished, and the slaughter party is about to begin!"

Bloodthirsty killing intent flashed in Garou's eyes as Sekiguchi silently removed the microphone.

"Sorry, everyone. Time to work. Throw him out!"

"With pleasure."

Magic Hand was the first to charge out, swinging his wand.

Bang! In just one exchange, Magic Hand was tightly gripped by the throat by Garou.

"Die!"

A huge figure appeared behind Garou. Heavy Tank Underwear threw a heavy punch, but it struck only an afterimage.

"Hey, old man, your conviction isn't firm enough!"

Garou teased him. Only then did Heavy Tank Underwear realize that one of his arms had been twisted into a knot, before Garou swept his legs out from under him and knocked him to the ground.

"Hahaha, pretty impressive!"

"I told you these heroes were all trash! Nice job, keep going!"

The people below grew even more excited and jeered loudly, but Garou slowly turned around.

"Huh? What the hell are you vermin talking about? You're going to die too."

"What did you say, brat?"

"Aren't you on our side?"

"Heroes always arrive late. Monsters always make their move. You are humans, and I am a monster. Of course I have to wipe you all out!"

Garou wore a proud expression.

"You dare call yourself a monster? I'll cremate you right now!"

Boom! Flames shot from Azure Flame's hand, and Garou vanished in an instant.

Just as Garou was about to break Azure Flame's arm, a fierce gust swept in.

Bang! Caught off guard, Garou was forced back, while Wu Di saved Azure Flame.

"You?"

Cold sweat streamed down Azure Flame's face. If Wu Di had not acted just now, he would have been dead or crippled.

"Oh? Looks like the Hero Association isn't entirely trash after all. At last, someone worth looking at has shown up."