COUNCIL CHAMBER – ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS – THE NIGHT BEFORE
The room was circular, lit by dim neon lights that seemed to drink the light itself. Fifteen armchairs surrounded a polished ebony table, and in each armchair sat a masked figure.
Anastasia and Arata, the chief administrators, stood before the assembly, files in hand. Their voices were clear, professional, but a palpable tension hung in the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now address Crow's report."
Crow stepped forward into the light. His bird-of-prey mask gleamed faintly. He placed a USB key on the table.
"The experiment is conclusive. The heroine Erasered – Number 7 of Class S – conducted field tests. The artificial demon sent into a random zone was a total success."
He activated a hologram. Images flashed: a city in panic, citizens fleeing, heroes rushing in.
"The rate of hero intervention requests increased by 43% following this incident. Association revenues are skyrocketing."
A murmur ran through the assembly.
Rat, eyes gleaming behind his rodent mask, whistled.
"43%? Not bad. Not bad at all."
Crow continued, unflinching.
"My plan is simple: for the Association's influence to grow, we must intensify the production of artificial demons."
Silence.
"Our heroes have become too efficient. Citizens are no longer afraid. No fear, no need for heroes. No need, no revenue."
He turned to the assembly.
"We must make them taste the golden age of heroism again."
Anastasia raised her hand.
"One detail, Crow. The demon was defeated. By an unknown person."
Crow froze.
"What?"
Anastasia pressed a command. A hologram showed the ruins of the devastated district. A little girl, eyes still wet, was being interviewed by a reporter.
"It was a young man with white hair. He came out of nowhere. He just… pushed the monster. It fell. That's all."
The silence in the room was heavy.
Arata spoke up.
"Good timing. Because this mysterious young man, we're starting to identify him."
He activated another hologram. A profile appeared.
NAME: ONE (full identity unknown)
RANK: C (provisional)
ETHER GAUGE: [UNDETERMINED – INFINITE LIMIT?]
"He was recently discovered by the Association after generating off-the-charts Ether spikes. Our analyses reveal he possesses an Ether gauge… with no limit."
The assembly erupted.
"NO LIMIT?!"
"Impossible! Even Zero has a limited gauge, even colossal!"
"This is an anomaly! A threat!"
The President – Sakura, the Dragoness – raised a gloved hand. Silence fell instantly.
"How is this possible?"
Eagle stood, his bird-of-prey mask glinting.
"We have prepared a stratagem. We forced his registration into the sidekick tournament to keep him under surveillance. For now, he is under control."
The Dragoness slowly nodded.
"Good. Continue."
---
NEXT SUBJECT: SIDEKICK ASSIGNMENTS
Anastasia unrolled a holographic list.
"First name. One."
Crow immediately stood, his voice brooking no argument.
"I'm handling everything. I've already assigned him to Captain Man. He's the only one capable of keeping him under surveillance."
"Accepted," said the Dragoness. "Next."
Rabbit waved her hand.
"Zane. I propose assigning him to Lior."
Wolf slammed the table.
"Bullshit. For someone who prioritizes speed, he needs Fast Track. It's crystal clear."
The assembly murmured, then approved.
"Adopted. Viper?"
Fox raised his mask.
"He has assassin vibes. Why not Shadow G?"
Bull growled.
"Are you serious? He's not at that level."
Rat snickered.
"Oh, but he is. He made it to the semifinals, that's no small feat."
A quick vote. Adopted.
"Pinky?"
Crow stiffened.
"Do as you see fit."
Boar stood up, a greasy laugh escaping his mask.
"Oh là là… you're talking about the little pink-haired girl? What if we put her with her mother? That would make a perfect duo."
He rubbed his hands together.
"I can already imagine that little ass in her tight costume… mmh."
Crow turned to him. His gaze, even behind his mask, was icy.
"Watch your tongue, or I'll make you eat it, you filthy pig."
Boar stepped back, but kept his smile.
"Oh, come on. Can't even joke around with you people."
He stood, pushed his chair back.
"Anyway, you're all useless here. I'm sick of this fucking meeting."
He headed for the door, but turned one last time.
"You're going to pay for this, dear Crow."
The door slammed.
The Dragoness sighed.
"Let's continue."
Fox raised his hand.
"I suggest we be strategic. Pinky has great combat potential. Physical training with Iron-Tank would do her good."
General approval.
"Adopted. Next: Grann."
The assembly tensed.
Lion leaned forward.
"Him, we can't get wrong."
Proposals flew.
"With Angel!"
"No, with Shadow G!"
"With Erasered!"
The Dragoness raised her hand.
"Enough. He will be with Angel."
Rat slammed the table.
"Stop, stop, stop! Instead of bickering over this, you forgot someone."
Silence.
"The ugly little one. Kotobe."
Fox shrugged.
"He doesn't meet aesthetic standards."
Rat sneered.
"I thought you were smarter than that. You forgot the Kotobe-mania? After his victory against Dante, he was welcomed as a hero by the public. We can't leave him like that. We'd look like idiots."
Bull nodded.
"He's right. We had a robot project recently. What if we sent him a prototype?"
The assembly approved.
"Adopted."
Let's continue now. We will discuss the complaints related to material damage in our dear country of JIPANGU. [Parody of Japan.]
——
MEANWHILE – TOUCHÉ D'OR CASINO
Boar was at the height of his glory.
In the casino's VVIP lounge, he was buying rounds for everyone, pockets full of chips, head full of champagne. Around him, girls in glittering dresses laughed at his sleazy jokes.
"WHAT DO THOSE FUCKING IDIOTS THINK THEY ARE?!" he shouted, glass in hand. "LOOKING DOWN ON ME? ME?!"
He downed his drink in one gulp.
"CROW! HE'S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS! HE'LL FUCKING PAY!"
A silhouette approached him. A slender man, impeccable suit, polite smile but hard eyes.
"You seem tense, sir."
Boar looked at him, eyes glassy.
"How those idiots think they can do whatever they want! Who are they, huh? Looking down on me!"
The man nodded sympathetically.
"You must have many things to share. I'm the manager of this casino. I have a hyper-VVIP room where you can talk about everything… without fear."
Boar looked at him, suspicious.
"What's your name?"
The man smiled.
"You can call me Mr. M."
Boar sneered, and followed him into the depths of the casino.