Psykos wearily disconnected her neural link with Gyoro Gyoro, collapsing onto the lab's sofa. She rubbed her throbbing temples, letting out a long sigh.
"Honestly, even though he's infinitely more terrifying than that Orochi guy, he's completely uncontrollable," she muttered, her voice betraying little disappointment, but rather a strange sense of excitement.
She stood up and walked to the control panel, pulling up the surveillance footage of Allen from the control room. In the video, Allen simply stood there, radiating a suffocating pressure that was palpable even through the screen.
"However, that just makes it more interesting," Psykos's lips curved into an uncontrollable smile, her eyes gleaming with fanaticism. "The stronger he is, the harder he is to control, the more challenging he becomes. Perfect Monsterification—if he truly succeeds, what a magnificent sight that will be!"
She was lost in her wild fantasies, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the control panel.
Allen closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into a crimson mental domain. Through mental resonance, his voice directly entered the minds of Muzan and the other demons.
"The Association's high-ranking officials are corrupt. Avoid their direct orders and relay the message to trustworthy S-Class Heroes. On the final day of the Martial Arts Tournament, the Monster Association will attack Z-City."
Far away, Muzan suddenly stopped, his crimson eyes flickering slightly. He turned to Kokushibou behind him: "The Ancestor has given an order: inform all members to avoid the Association's high-ranking officials and deliver the warning to S-Class Heroes like Bang."
Kokushibou's six eyes rotated simultaneously: "Specifics?"
"When the Martial Arts Tournament begins, the Monster Association plans to attack Z-City on the final day," Muzan repeated Allen's words. "We must carefully choose who we deliver the message to, to prevent it from falling into the hands of corrupt officials."
Akaza clenched his fist: "Those hypocritical Association officials are indeed untrustworthy."
Daki snorted softly: "But some heroes are quite good, like that old man with the silver mane."
Gyuutarou tugged on his sister's sleeve: "It's always better to be careful."
Muzan assigned tasks: "Kokushibou, you are responsible for contacting Bang. Akaza, go find Metal Bat. Daki and Gyuutarou, notify Tanktop Master. Remember, you must avoid the Association's surveillance."
The demons acknowledged the order, silently melting into the night.
In a dilapidated tea room at the dojo, Bang was quietly sipping tea alone. Suddenly, he felt a familiar chilling aura. Kokushibou's figure emerged from the shadows, his six eyes emitting a faint glow in the darkness.
"Bang," Kokushibou's voice was deep, "The Ancestor has a message to convey."
Bang put down his teacup, his gaze sharp: "Speak."
"Martial Arts Tournament, the Monster Association will attack Z-City on the final day," Kokushibou conveyed concisely, adding, "The Association's high-ranking officials are no longer trustworthy."
Bang's hand, stroking his beard, paused slightly, and a thoughtful look flashed in his aged eyes: "What else did Allen say?"
"Only that we should avoid the high-ranking officials and deliver the message to trustworthy individuals," Kokushibou's figure began to dissipate. "Believe it or not, it's up to you."
On the other side, Metal Bat was practicing his swing at the training grounds. Akaza suddenly appeared at the side, striking a combat pose.
"Hey! You wanna fight, pal?" Metal Bat shouted, shouldering his bat.
Akaza said calmly: "The Ancestor asked me to deliver a message: at the Martial Arts Tournament, be wary of the Monster Association's attack on the final day. Also, don't trust the Association's high-ranking officials."
Metal Bat froze for a second, then grinned: "I don't know the specifics, but tell that kid Allen thanks for me!"
Similar scenes played out in different locations. When Muzan personally found Tatsumaki, the green-haired hero was floating in the air, impatiently glaring at the suddenly appearing Demon King.
"Speak, what news does that idiot have now?" Tatsumaki crossed her arms, her tone unfriendly but her eyes showed concern.
After Muzan relayed the message, Tatsumaki snorted: "I knew these Monster wouldn't miss this opportunity. Tell Allen to be careful himself!"
After the messages were delivered, the demons reported back to Allen via mental resonance. Allen stood in the darkness, nodding slightly.
"Well done. Afterward, proceed as planned."
...On the final day of the Martial Arts Tournament, Z-City's main stadium was bustling with activity.
The massive circular stands were packed.
A holographic projection rotated in the center of the arena, displaying the Hero Association's emblem. The stands were completely full, and the cheers of the audience surged like a tsunami.
The central ring had been specially reinforced, with energy barriers set up around it, strong enough to withstand S-Class Hero-level battles.
Bang sat in the judges' panel, his aged gaze sweeping across the entire venue. He noticed several familiar figures mixed among the audience. Metal Bat was casually seated in the front row, Tanktop Master was quietly observing on the other side, and even Tatsumaki had uncharacteristically appeared in the VIP section, though she pretended to be completely uninterested in the match.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the finals of the first Martial Arts Tournament!" The announcer's voice boomed through the loudspeakers, "Today we will witness the birth of a new generation of powerhouses! And the birth of a new S-Class Hero!"
On the judges' panel, Bang, Atomic Samurai, Flash, and other S-Class Heroes were seated as judges. Bang stroked his beard, but his gaze occasionally swept towards the various entrances of the audience, a subtle hint of vigilance in his aged eyes.
"Relax, old man." Atomic Samurai chewed on a toothpick, "It's just a Martial Arts Tournament."
Bang shook his head slightly: "I have a bad feeling."
In a corner of the audience, Garou wore a hood, his silver eyes coldly watching the ring. Not far away, Speed-o-Sound Sonic leaned against the wall, arms crossed, also searching for something.
"First match, Suiryu versus Bakuzan!" the referee announced loudly.
In the ring, Suiryu easily dodged Bakuzan's fierce attacks, his posture as graceful as a dance.
As the match reached its climax, a sudden loud bang echoed from the stadium's ceiling.
"Bang—!"
The stadium's ceiling suddenly exploded, creating a huge hole. Debris and metal supports rained down, and screams instantly swept through the entire venue.
Amidst the smoke and dust, a figure slowly descended into the center of the ring, dark red energy swirling around him.
"Apologies for interrupting your entertainment," Allen's voice was calm but clearly audible in every corner. "But I need to borrow this venue for something."
The audience plunged into chaos, people frantically rushing towards the exits, only to be blocked by suddenly deployed protective barriers.
"Please remain calm," Allen raised his hand, and ripples spread across the barrier. "I'm just here to spar with a few old friends; no innocent people will be harmed."
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