"Ah… it connected!" Saitama's face broke into a smile.
"Hello?" Allen's calm voice came from the phone, with what sounded like wind in the background. "Saitama? Calling at this hour, are you going to invite me for barbecue again?"
A collective gasp filled the conference room. Sitch nearly slid off his chair, Tatsumaki's coiled hair bristled, Bang's hand, which was stroking his beard, froze in mid-air, and even Drive Knight's electronic eyes flickered a few times faster.
"Ah, it's not about barbecue." Saitama completely ignored the reactions of those around him and continued, "We're having a meeting right now, and everyone is arguing about whether you've turned bad, so I just called you directly to ask."
A few seconds of silence followed on the other end of the line.
"…"
"A meeting?" Allen's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "You S-Class Heroes are having a meeting, and you just call me, a traitor to the Association, like this?"
"They're just arguing back and forth with no results anyway." Saitama said righteously, "So, are you good or bad?"
The expressions of the people in the conference room varied; Metal Bat was suppressing a laugh, Tanktop Master looked helpless, while Genos leaned closer to the phone, listening intently to hear what Allen would say.
A dead silence filled the conference room, broken only by the faint sound of wind coming from the phone and Allen's slightly helpless breathing.
"Hello?" Allen's voice sounded again, with a hint of teasing. "So, are you holding a struggle session for me?"
Saitama scratched his bald head: "Something like that. So, are you a bad guy or not?"
A soft chuckle came from the other end of the line: "Saitama, what do you think?"
"I don't think you are." Saitama said bluntly, "Otherwise, you would have demolished my house a long time ago."
Someone in the conference room couldn't help but laugh out loud, then quickly covered their mouth.
Sitch was sweating profusely, frantically mouthing to Saitama: "Ask him where he is! Ask him about his plan!"
Saitama completely ignored him and continued speaking into the phone: "Then why did you join the Monster Association? Everyone is very worried about you."
Allen was silent for a few seconds, his voice becoming a bit more serious: "Some things need to be resolved from the inside."
Sitch was so anxious he was practically stomping his feet, whispering to Saitama: "Ask him his location! Ask him his plan!"
Saitama blinked, finally asking: "Oh, right, where are you now? The people from the Association want to come talk to you."
"Ah, I'm currently taking a stroll in the underground passages of Z-City." Allen's voice carried a relaxed laugh. "The people from the Association want to chat with me? Sure, let them come, but I suggest they bring several medical teams."
A chorus of coughs immediately erupted in the conference room. Sitch's face turned from white to green, and he frantically waved his hand at Saitama.
Saitama completely failed to understand Sitch's hint and continued speaking into the phone: "They said they want to have a good talk with you, the kind without fighting."
Allen's low chuckle came from the other end of the line: "Saitama, do you think those people from the Association just want to talk? They're probably stomping their feet in a hurry right next to you."
Sitch nearly choked, and Metal Bat couldn't help but snicker, getting nudged by Tanktop Master's elbow.
Hearty laughter came from the other end of the line: "I have things to do, so I'll hang up now, Saitama. Next time, let's go to the supermarket together to grab discounted eggs."
"Oh! Okay!" Saitama happily agreed, completely oblivious to the complicated expressions of those around him.
After the call ended, silence filled the conference room.
Sitch slumped in his chair, weakly rubbing his temples: "This… what kind of situation is this…"
Atomic Samurai was so angry he nearly bit through his toothpick: "This is clearly mocking us!"
Flash said with a cold face: "He's clearly provoking us."
Genos, however, was diligently taking notes: "Allen-senpai specifically mentioned discounted eggs. It seems the key to Sensei and Senpai's training is snatching discounted groceries."
Just then, there was a knock on the conference room door, and a staff member timidly poked his head in: "Director Sitch, Mr. Muzan and his companions have arrived at the reception room, saying they are here to discuss cooperation matters."
Sitch was stunned for a moment; he hadn't even sent out a formal invitation yet?
Bang slowly stood up, stroking his beard: "Since they're here, let's meet them. It's a good opportunity for us to hear their side."
Everyone exchanged glances and got up, heading towards the reception room. Tatsumaki floated at the very back, muttering softly: "What exactly is that idiot up to…"
In the reception room, Mr. Muzan sat elegantly on the sofa, dressed in a well-fitted black suit.
Behind him, Kokushibou, Akaza, and the other demons were also dressed in formal attire. Although they still looked somewhat intimidating, at least they wouldn't be immediately recognized as Monster.
Sitch led the S-Class Heroes in and couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight.
Mr. Muzan stood up and bowed slightly: "We heard that the Association has recently been discussing cooperation with us, so we came uninvited. I hope we haven't disturbed anyone."
His demeanor was polite and he looked completely like a gentleman.
Sitch cleared his throat: "We were indeed discussing it just now. May I ask why you suddenly wish to cooperate with the Hero Association?"
Mr. Muzan smiled faintly: "We simply wish to do something meaningful. Assisting the Hero Association in protecting the public seems like a good choice."
Akaza added: "And we are very strong; we can help."
Sitch cautiously observed Mr. Muzan and his group, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table: "Your strength is indeed evident, but the Hero Association needs reliable partners."
Mr. Muzan elegantly clasped his hands: "We understand your concerns. In fact, we have already assisted heroes in their work in multiple cities." He gently raised his hand, and Kokushibou immediately presented a document. "These are the records of all rescue operations we have participated in over the past three months."
Metal Bat leaned casually on the sofa: "I told you so. They even helped us evacuate the public during the Boros incident last time."
"But…" Atomic Samurai, with a toothpick in his mouth, his gaze sharp, "the source of your power remains a mystery, especially you, Mr. Muzan. Your aura always reminds me of certain dangerous Monster."
Akaza immediately tensed up upon hearing this, but Mr. Muzan raised his hand to stop him: "We are indeed different, but isn't that exactly what the Hero Association needs right now?" He looked meaningfully at Sitch, "Especially after Mr. Allen left."
Surprisingly, Prisoner Sexy-Sexy seemed a bit displeased at this moment: "Hey, what do you mean by that? Don't you know that the departure of my sweet Lin has always been a pain in my heart?"
Mr. Muzan's scalp tingled, but he maintained a composed smile on the surface: "Merely stating a fact. Mr. Allen's power is unmatched, and now the Hero Association urgently needs to supplement its combat strength."
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