If only I'd switched Jordan and Tatsumaki's seats!
In any case, given the former's personality, he likely wouldn't care about gains or losses in hero rankings.
In the end, I was bewitched by Lanny's beauty... no, her wicked scheme!
While the meeting's host, Sitch, was still overwhelmed with mixed feelings, Jordan's gaze had already swept over the S-Class members on both sides of the long table.
The S-Class heroes from the technology department had not yet appeared. The rest were all familiar faces.
According to seating order, from Jordan down:
Tatsumaki "Tornado of Terror,"
Bang "Silver Fang,"
Atomic Samurai,
Super Alloy Darkshine,
Watchdog Man,
Flashy Flash,
Metal Bat,
Zombieman,
Tank Top Master, and
Puri-Puri Prisoner.
Apart from one hero who seemed to have disappeared somewhere, a total of eleven S-Class heroes were present this time.
While they were still somewhat behind the seventeen S-Class heroes from the main storyline, it could be said that the people present were the strongest fighters the Hero Association could currently field.
Zombieman, whose destructive power was somewhat lacking due to reliance on high-powered firearms, also had the characteristic of "immortality" to compensate. In addition, he'd completed many impossible missions in cooperation with the association, which had earned him a ranking above several muscular fighters.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the initiator of this meeting—Sitch."
After calming himself, Sitch gave a brief self-introduction and began performing his duties, announcing the start of the meeting.
"We can't reach Blast yet, but all the remaining S-Class heroes are present. On behalf of the Hero Association, I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this gathering at headquarters!"
"The purpose of this gathering is mainly to let everyone get to know each other. After all, we'll be comrades in the same trench in the future. There might come an enemy that requires all of you to work together to defeat, and it wouldn't be good if there were any mishaps in our coordination..."
Sitch's words made Jordan glance at him slightly.
Is this how you're supposed to jump to the prophet's conclusion in the first round of speeches?
It's over. It's over.
There would be more than one enemy requiring S-Class teamwork in the future, but for now...
S-Class heroes all had their own pride. They might not care about the rankings given by the association, but deep down they would never admit defeat to anyone else.
The only way to get these problem children/youths/old men to cooperate sincerely was if a real apocalypse were to occur.
"Hey. You called us here for this reason, and we've already wasted most of the day."
Metal Bat, a student who was already a troublemaker, slammed the association's specially made alloy bat on the table and rubbed his pompadour, which he'd sprayed with who knows how many bottles of hairspray.
"If it's dealing with monsters or something, I can handle it by myself. Having more people would just get in the way."
"Indeed. I also refuse to cooperate with the weak." Atomic Samurai fiddled with the toothpick in his mouth. "But he's right about one thing—this meeting was indeed a bit of a waste of time."
"Huh? What do you mean, old man? Do you think I'm weak?"
"You're the one who took it personally. And I'm not some old man—I just turned 35. Don't call me that next time, or you'll be in big trouble."
Metal Bat blazed with fury. "What did you say, you old geezer?! Want to fight?!"
The exchange between the two quickly ignited the atmosphere, with even the usually quiet ones declaring they didn't need any teammates.
Jordan looked at Bang's fellow martial artist, Atomic Samurai, with some bewilderment. At 35 years old, he could be a grandfather in the Naruto world. Why won't he admit he's an old man?
He really is a guy who refuses to acknowledge his age.
"Young man," Atomic Samurai suddenly turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife as it cut toward Jordan, "I have a feeling you're thinking about something rude. Coincidentally, the number one S-Class isn't here. I still have some questions about why you're ranked ahead of me. How about a match?"
Ignoring the sharp gaze that carried a hint of mental attack, Jordan glanced at Tatsumaki and Bang beside him with a puzzled look.
So... I look weaker than a little girl and an old man, right?
What kind of thought process is this?!
Jordan wasn't going to let it slide. As he moved his fingers, a crisp cracking sound came from his knuckles. "If Lord Atomic is itching for a beating, I'd be happy to loosen up your muscles."
"Oh? Not bad. Then..."
Seeing that the newly formed S-Class heroes were about to start fighting amongst themselves, Sitch's round face was once again covered in sweat.
With the fighting power of these people, the headquarters building won't be able to withstand it!
Please don't let a fight break out!
Just then, a voice rang out, stopping Super Cop and Atomic Samurai from their duel. The person who spoke at that moment seemed like an angel to Sitch.
The tips of Tatsumaki's hair shone with the distinctive green light of her psychic powers. Her slender body slowly floated into the air.
The heroes who'd previously dismissed the little girl because of her appearance were all taken aback, keenly sensing a hint of danger in the increasingly heavy air.
"Even if it's a challenge, shouldn't I go first?" A hint of excitement flashed in Tatsumaki's eyes. The green light emanating from her body spread throughout the room, causing the tea and documents on the table to tremble and float. "Sitch, aren't the S-Class rankings determined by combat power? So if I defeat Jordan, can I return to my rightful place?"
That's only one factor!
Just as Sitch was about to speak, he realized his ability to speak had been blocked by telekinesis. He could only shout in his heart, jumping up and down in anger.
How kind and lovely the angel was just a moment ago. How much despair the little devil brings in the next instant.
"So this is what you meant by settling scores before?" A bright blue aura of psychic energy also appeared on Jordan's body as he fearlessly met the exceptionally heavy green psychic energy. "In that case, let's fight to decide who should sit in this position."
"Tch. That's exactly what I was thinking!"
The blue and green psychic powers surged almost simultaneously. The manifested spiritual energy was like two heavy hammers colliding violently, instantly triggering a hurricane-level impact that radiated in all directions!
The conference table—fixed to the floor—began to shake and vibrate. The once spacious conference room now seemed exceptionally small, with two solidified mental energies, one blue and one green, each occupying half the space.
The armored walls, which were strong enough to withstand artillery fire, were gradually squeezed and deformed, emitting an unpleasant creaking sound.
They showed signs of being unable to withstand the aftershocks of just the confrontation between two top-tier psychic users.