His fingers were pressed together, forming a spear-like shape aimed directly at Megumi Fushiguro's throat.
Megumi's pupils contracted as an intense sensation of danger surged through his body. The cold grasp of death seemed to seize his heart.
But just as the fingertip was about to touch his skin, the Simulated Sol's movement suddenly stopped.
The illusion disappeared instantly.
The training ground returned to its original appearance, with silver-gray metal walls surrounding the area.
Itadori had just pushed himself up from the ground. Nobara remained frozen in her throwing stance, while Megumi Fushiguro stood motionless, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his temple as his Adam's apple moved unconsciously.
Child Emperor's voice echoed through the broadcast system.
"Simulated combat concluded. Target strength: Sol 10%. Duration: 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Evaluation: Tactical coordination has improved, but the gap in individual strength and combat awareness remains significant. Targeted basic training is recommended."
The three of them breathed heavily.
They looked at each other, exhaustion visible on their faces, yet their eyes shone with excitement.
"10%… and he's already this difficult to deal with." Itadori gasped, but quickly grinned. "But we lasted more than four minutes!"
Megumi Fushiguro steadied his breathing and analyzed the battle calmly.
"His fighting style is too refined. There are no unnecessary movements at all. In his eyes, our coordination probably looks full of openings."
Nobara put away her hammer and rubbed her aching arm.
"But it worked! Next time, we challenge 15%!"
Just as the three were discussing their next simulation, the entrance to the training ground slid open.
Zombieman walked inside.
"Looks like you're adapting well."
He looked at the three of them.
"Mr. Sol sent word that he and Miss Tatsumaki won't be returning tonight. Your accommodation has already been arranged in the Hero Association Headquarters' living area. Do you want to see it now, or do you still want to continue training?"
Only then did the three realize how late it had become.
The exhaustion from the intense simulated battle, both mentally and physically, finally caught up with them.
"Let's rest first!" Itadori immediately answered. "Only by eating properly and getting enough sleep can we continue challenging him!"
Megumi and Nobara nodded in agreement.
Zombieman then led them out of the training ground and toward the living area passage of the Hero Association Headquarters.
Meanwhile, the city's neon lights had already illuminated the night.
Inside a private room of a sushi restaurant, Sol placed his chopsticks down.
Tatsumaki also let out a satisfied sigh, gently patting her small stomach that remained unchanged.
"Let's go."
She floated into the air and used Telekinesis to pay the bill before leaving the private room first.
Sol followed behind her.
One walked ahead while the other followed, and the two soon blended into the bustling night streets.
Tatsumaki showed no intention of immediately returning home. She floated leisurely ahead, occasionally glancing at the brightly lit shops along the street.
As they passed a dessert shop with an antique-style sign, her speed noticeably slowed.
Sol followed her gaze.
Displayed inside the shop window was a newly released matcha mille-crepe cake.
"Do you want it?" Sol asked.
Tatsumaki immediately looked away and lifted her chin.
"It's nothing. I was just checking whether it looked good enough."
Sol did not reply.
He simply walked into the shop.
Tatsumaki stopped in midair, watching his tall figure disappear through the entrance.
The corner of her mouth curved slightly before quickly returning to its usual expression as she pretended to look at the surrounding streets.
A few minutes later, Sol walked out carrying an elegant takeout box and handed it to her.
Tatsumaki accepted the box.
It felt cool against her hands.
She opened it slightly and looked inside.
It was the exact matcha mille-crepe cake she had been watching.
"I can't finish it by myself…" she muttered softly.
However, she hugged the box against her chest while carefully maintaining its temperature with Telekinesis.
"Let's go. We're heading back."
This time, Tatsumaki no longer wandered around.
She immediately floated toward home, her speed slightly faster than before.
As night grew deeper, the Hero Association Headquarters' living area remained brightly illuminated.
Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara rested in their spacious rooms, yet none of them could fall asleep.
The battle against the 10% strength Simulated Sol remained deeply engraved in their minds.
"I couldn't even touch him." Nobara stared at the ceiling and muttered, "It was like fighting a shadow."
Megumi Fushiguro rested his hands behind his head, his voice low.
"His movements contained no unnecessary details. Every dodge and counterattack was terrifyingly precise. That isn't simply a difference in strength or speed. It's a difference in experience and understanding."
Itadori suddenly sat up, his eyes shining in the darkness.
"But we lasted more than four minutes! That means we have a chance!"
He clenched his fists.
"Megumi, Nobara, let's try again tomorrow! This time, we challenge 15%!"
His determination spread to the other two.
Although they had been completely overwhelmed, they had genuinely improved.
Early the next morning, as the first light of dawn appeared, the three eagerly rushed toward Training Ground Seven.
However, they discovered that the area outside the training ground was unusually crowded.
Metal Bat stood there with his signature bat resting on his shoulder, talking with Tanktop Master.
Bang, the elderly martial artist, walked over leisurely, while Saitama looked around curiously beside him and Genos seriously recorded notes.
Not far away, Superalloy Darkshine was striking various bodybuilding poses, seemingly preparing himself.
"Oh? Are these three little guys planning to challenge Sol's early simulated form?" Metal Bat noticed them, grinned, and pointed toward them with his bat.
At some point, Zombieman had appeared beside them.
He explained:
"Your record from using the highest-level simulation training ground yesterday has been made public within the Hero Association."
"Many people have become interested in challenging Mr. Sol's past data."
Tanktop Master nodded seriously.
"Understanding the growth path of a powerful individual is extremely valuable for improving one's own training. We don't mind offering some guidance."
Bang chuckled.
"Hehe, watching young people temper themselves is also an enjoyable experience."
Itadori and the others looked at each other.
They had not expected their special training to attract so many S-Class Heroes.
Not only were they watching, but they were even willing to guide them.
"This is great!" Itadori was the first to react, shouting excitedly. "Please give us plenty of guidance, seniors!"
Nobara's fighting spirit ignited as well.
"With S-Class Heroes helping us, we'll definitely succeed this time!"
Although Megumi Fushiguro said nothing, his eyes became noticeably more serious.