Pushing His Luck

Meanwhile, Fubuki got a clear look at the uninvited guest.

Shock spread across her face.

Superman? That was Homelander!

First, he had to put his own house in order. With that done, Homelander turned his attention to the threats outside it.

According to the files Madelyn had given him, three targets had escaped capture during the last hunt.

Luke, who had placed first in the physical assessment and was suspected of defeating the formidable sea monster, The Deep.

Serizawa Masao, who had beaten the Hundred-Ghost Machine Operator—one of the Fear Nova's top six—in a head-on fight and nearly killed him.

And Mitarai Fubuki, who had defeated Blood Bat Shou, ranked ninth.

Homelander preferred to pick off the weakest first and save the best for last.

So he chose Mitarai Fubuki, whose record looked the least impressive of the three.

To his surprise, Fubuki lived in one of the most famous wealthy neighborhoods in the world.

Her file showed that her parents had emigrated from Neon Country seventeen years earlier and bought a mansion in Frieza Heights. A few years later, both died in an accident, leaving their enormous fortune to their children.

The file also mentioned that Fubuki had a sister, though it did not say whether she was older or younger.

It said nothing about her parents' past. Many wealthy people kept a low profile, so the lack of information was nothing unusual.

With Fubuki living in Frieza Heights, Homelander would have to show some restraint.

Celebrities and business magnates lived there, people with considerable influence throughout society. Even Homelander could not run wild in a place like that.

Still, quietly disposing of an Esper would be no trouble for him.

Homelander landed on the grass beside the pool.

Instead of looking at his target, Fubuki, he raised his head toward the sky.

A little Girl in pink pajamas hovered overhead, a faint green glow surrounding her.

She was probably Fubuki's younger sister.

It seemed both sisters were Espers.

In that case, he would get rid of them both.

Homelander turned toward Fubuki.

She was staring at him in astonishment.

Clearly, she had recognized him.

Homelander had seen plenty in his time, but even he had to marvel at her beauty.

The little Girl in the air was striking too, but he had no interest in a Young Girl who had not yet grown up.

The Girl beside the lounge chair was different. She was a breathtaking beauty.

Her delicate face, shapely figure, and cool, proud bearing were flawless.

Homelander had come to silence her for good. Now he was having second thoughts.

Killing a beauty like her would be a waste.

Fubuki saw the intent in his eyes. She knew why he had come.

The Blizzard Group's activities had probably caught Vought International's attention.

Fubuki was about to speak when Tatsumaki broke the silence first.

"Hey, big guy!" Tatsumaki called down. "Are you Superman?"

Superman? Homelander laughed.

What a little kid. She still believed in superheroes.

No wonder she was hovering around in the middle of the night, showing off her powers.

"I'm Homelander." He was in no hurry to attack. He wanted to toy with the sisters first.

Homelander? Tatsumaki remembered him. He was one of Vought International's superheroes.

In fact, he was its star attraction.

"So you're Homelander." Tatsumaki's face turned disdainful.

Supposedly, Homelander was the strongest Esper in the world.

He did not look like much.

Tatsumaki took a large swig of mouthwash, swished it around, then spat it into the pool.

Her cup and toothbrush floated out of her hands and drifted down, settling neatly on the glass tabletop beside the pool.

At the same time, Tatsumaki floated over and stopped in front of Homelander.

She hated standing on the ground and looking up at people, so she hovered a head above him and examined him closely.

Homelander had never heard anyone speak to him with such disdain. Still, she was only a kid, so he did not mind much.

What did surprise him was the control she had just shown over her powers.

The little girl was clearly adept at using her Psychic Powers.

"You're an interesting little squirt," Homelander said with a smile.

Tatsumaki frowned.

She hated it when people called her short, even indirectly.

"Who are you calling a little squirt?" Her anger was plain in her voice.

Small as she is, she's got quite a temper, Homelander thought.

"Run along, little Girl. I need to talk to your older sister." He had no desire to keep arguing with her. He had business to attend to.

"Little girl? I'm twenty-five!" Tatsumaki snapped. "And who said she's my older sister?"

Homelander assumed Tornado was joking. Twenty-five? She was obviously a Girl of thirteen or fourteen.

Few women claimed to be older than they were. Only an immature little Girl desperate to grow up would do that.

Homelander pointed at Fubuki. "Isn't she your older sister?"

Tatsumaki seethed.

She hated being mistaken for Fubuki's younger sister too.

In just a few sentences, Homelander had managed to hit two of Tatsumaki's sore spots.

"You big idiot! If you can't see properly, try some Santen FX. She's my younger sister!"

Fubuki's heart lurched. She was beginning to worry about how this would end.

Not because she feared for her older sister.

She was afraid Tatsumaki might blast Homelander away without another word.

Homelander kept finding new ways to call her sister short and small. He was pushing his luck.

Big idiot?

Not only did the little squirt have a temper, she had a mouth on her too.

Homelander had never let anyone insult him like that. Even if she was a child, he could not let it slide.

He decided to teach the little brat a harsh lesson.

A strange light flickered in his eyes.

Before he could make a move, an invisible force slammed into him.

Homelander flew backward and struck the mountainside beside the courtyard.

Boom!

His body plunged into the rock, leaving a man-shaped hole in the mountainside.