A brief silence fell over the conference room. Sitch's proposal was like a boulder thrown into calm water, creating ripples. The S-Class Heroes exchanged glances, their expressions varied.
"Recruit those demons?" Atomic Samurai was the first to break the silence. He scoffed, the toothpick in his mouth bobbing up and down. "Is the Association so short on people that it needs non-human beings to fill its ranks?"
"That's not how you should put it," Child Emperor pushed up his glasses and analyzed calmly. "According to data records, Muzan and his demons have performed excellently in multiple disaster events and have never caused civilian casualties. Their assistance has indeed lightened the burden on Heroes."
Superalloy Darkshine folded his arms in thought. "But their origins are still unknown. That Muzan gives off a very eerie feeling."
"Dangerous?" Tatsumaki floated in the air, her green hair gently swaying. She snorted coldly. "Who here isn't dangerous? What matters is what they're doing now. At least they haven't messed around like a certain idiot." As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept over the image of Allen frozen on the screen.
Metal Bat, carrying his bat, grinned. "I think it's fine! Those guys, even though they look weird, are pretty reliable! During the Boros incident, they even helped me evacuate the public!"
Tanktop Master nodded steadily. "I agree. Since they are willing to help humanity, we have no reason to refuse cooperation."
Just then, the conference room door slid open again.
Genos walked in with steady steps, his golden mechanical eyes scanning the room. He bowed slightly. "Apologies for being late, everyone." Behind him, Saitama followed in nonchalantly, yawning and scratching his bald head.
"Oh, everyone's here," Saitama blinked, found a corner seat, and sat down. "You guys continue, don't mind me."
Sitch's eyes lit up slightly when he saw Genos but quickly returned to a serious expression. "Genos, you've just been promoted to S-Class. This meeting is very important for you to understand the current situation."
Genos nodded solemnly, but his gaze involuntarily turned to Allen on the screen, his mechanical fingers tightening slightly.
"Regarding the proposal for Muzan and his demons," Drive Knight's cold electronic voice sounded, "I believe an observation period and restrictive clauses are necessary. Their power system has similarities to Monster, and they must be treated with caution."
Zombieman exhaled a smoke ring. "We can let them start by assisting lower-ranking Heroes with disasters to gradually build trust. After all, our primary problem right now is—" He pointed at the screen.
The topic returned to Allen, and the atmosphere grew even heavier.
Bang finally opened his eyes and spoke slowly. "Allen's power indeed exceeds our previous understanding, but more importantly, it's his intentions." The old man's wise gaze swept across the room. "He clearly had the opportunity to cause greater casualties at the stadium but didn't harm anyone, did he?"
"Who knows what that madman is thinking!" Atomic Samurai said irritably. "He might just try to kill us next time we meet."
In the shadowy corner of the conference room, Garou stood silently against the wall, a sarcastic curve on his lips beneath his silver hair. Speed-o-Sound Sonic stood on the other side, arms crossed, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.
"So," Sitch concluded, "regarding the proposal for Muzan and his demons, the Association will hold a vote. At the same time, concerning the threat of Allen, we need to formulate a joint response plan. No one is allowed to engage Allen directly if they encounter him alone; they must stall him and immediately request support."
Genos suddenly spoke. "Mr. Allen wouldn't harm others without reason; the stadium incident proves that." His voice carried firm conviction.
Saitama nodded in agreement from the side. "Yeah, Allen, that guy, even though he's reckless, he's not a bad person."
"How could that be! If he's not a bad person, why did he join the Monster Association?" Atomic Samurai roared loudly, still brooding over Allen breaking his beloved sword with two fingers.
It seemed like anger towards Allen, but it was more like annoyance at his own insufficient strength.
"Does joining the Monster Association necessarily make someone a bad person?" Metal Bat retorted unceremoniously, slamming his bat heavily on the ground. "Maybe he has his own plans! Didn't you see he didn't try to kill anyone at the stadium?"
"Not trying to kill doesn't mean it's goodwill!" Flash interjected coldly, arms crossed. "That might just be part of a larger plan, a means to mislead us. His power is too dangerous to be judged by ordinary standards."
Drive Knight's electronic eyes flickered. "Logically speaking, Allen's behavior contains a huge contradiction. He publicly betrayed the Association, made contact with the Monster Association, yet showed restraint in combat. Behind this contradictory behavior, there must be motives we are not yet aware of."
"Motives?" Tanktop Master said in a deep voice, his muscles bulging. "Perhaps he just wants to change this corrupt Association in his own way! I believe in Mr. Allen's character!"
Superalloy Darkshine folded his arms in thought. "His power is indeed terrifying, but if he truly harbored malicious intent, the casualties at the stadium would never have been zero."
Tatsumaki floated in the air, her green hair moving without wind. She impatiently interrupted the argument. "What's all this arguing about! Even though that idiot never considers the consequences of his actions, he would never become the kind of person who senselessly kills innocents! I know that better than all of you!"
Sitch rubbed his temples, a headache forming as he watched the Heroes argue endlessly. "Everyone, please calm down. What we need now is a countermeasure, not an argument."
Saitama scratched his bald head, looking bored as he watched everyone in the conference room argue about whether Allen was good or bad.
He yawned, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He slowly pulled an old flip phone from his pocket and began clumsily pressing buttons, much to everyone's surprise.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Sitch asked with a frown.
"Calling Allen," Saitama replied without looking up. "Wouldn't it be easier to just ask him directly?"
A sudden silence fell over the conference room. Everyone stared at Saitama, dumbfounded. What was this guy talking about?
"You, you have Allen's contact information?!" Tatsumaki's voice was slightly distorted, and her fair face instantly turned red.
She didn't even have it!
Saitama had finished dialing and held the phone to his ear, looking completely matter-of-fact. "Of course, we often arrange to go to the supermarket together to grab discounted items."
Saitama slowly finished dialing the number amidst everyone's shocked gazes, even putting the old flip phone on speakerphone.
"Beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep."
The busy signal was exceptionally clear in the silent conference room. Everyone held their breath; even Atomic Samurai forgot to continue fuming, staring intently at the phone emitting the busy signal.
"Uh... no answer?" Saitama scratched his bald head and pressed redial again.
This time, the busy signal only rang twice before it was answered.
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