138: Heroes' Reaction

"Actually, just transfer it to my acc—"

Kizaru paused.

"Never mind. Just give it to the Fubuki Group."

Fubuki hesitated. She had her eye on a pair of limited-edition heels, but after recently splurging on a luxury car, her budget was tight.

She'd originally planned to use the Association's reward money to buy them.

But then she remembered that the Fubuki Group's funds were running low.

With a heavy heart, she bid farewell to the limited-edition heels.

The executive didn't pay much attention to her internal struggle. He simply gave a brief instruction—staff would take care of the reward transfer later.

"Mr. Kizaru… Oh, my apologies. As per protocol, I should now refer to you as 'Swift Flash.' Do you have a place to stay? Would you consider settling in City A?"

The executive was enthusiastic.

His home, factories, and businesses were all in City A. If he could persuade Swift Flash to live there, it would be a great security boost for him personally—and for his assets.

The Hero Association was still a young organization.

At its inception, billionaire Agoni had donated a massive sum to establish its framework.

As a result, the current upper ranks were a mixed bunch—but mostly wealthy individuals.

Rich people valued personal safety and a stable environment above all else, naturally opposing monsters, who were born destroyers and unpredictable threats.

"No need! Kizaru—no, Swift Flash—will be staying with the Fubuki Group for now!"

Before Borsalino could answer, Fubuki firmly rejected the offer.

She was already upset that he hadn't officially joined her group. If the Hero Association headquarters poached him as well, she might actually spiral into depression.

"Let's go with what Fubuki said. After all, without her, I wouldn't have joined the Association in the first place."

Seeing Fubuki's pleading gaze, Borsalino went along with her decision, tactfully turning down the executive's invitation.

He had a well-known weakness—he couldn't say no to beautiful women.

And honestly, living at Association HQ sounded far less interesting than cohabiting with a beauty.

The executive was disappointed but didn't let it affect his attitude toward Borsalino.

After all, this man had just set a record—crossing 127 kilometers in three minutes.

Without question, he was the fastest hero in both S-Class and the entire Association.

Even if he wasn't stationed at HQ, having such a rapid-response S-Class hero available greatly improved the Association's security.

Once Borsalino completed his registration and received his communication device, the Association wasted no time in making an announcement.

[The Dragon-level threat, Vaccine Man, has been eliminated in City A by S-Class hero 'Swift Flash'!]

[Swift Flash: S-Class Rank 9!]

[Updated hero rankings: former S-Class Rank 9, Drive Knight, moves to Rank 10. Subsequent ranks have been adjusted accordingly…]

—

The announcement also included a brief profile on Borsalino, though it omitted his real name and exact abilities.

This was standard procedure.

On one hand, it protected heroes from disruptions in their personal lives.

On the other, it prevented monsters from gathering intel on their strengths and weaknesses.

—

"Tch! Taken down that fast? S-Class Rank 9? Is he really that strong? …Wait a damn minute! That means I just got pushed down to Rank 16!"

Metal Bat, riding his gang-style motorcycle, nearly lost control when he saw the update.

For a moment, he thought the Hero Association's HQ had been destroyed by a Dragon-level disaster.

But no—it was just that a monstrously strong new S-Class hero had appeared.

Someone powerful enough to solo a Dragon-level threat.

Even among S-Class heroes, that was no joke.

Not that Metal Bat cared about the Association's survival.

What pissed him off was that his hard-earned ranking—achieved through countless monster beatdowns—had suddenly dropped.

Now some newbie had jumped in and shoved him down the list?

Metal Bat wasn't happy.

And he wasn't going to forget the name "Swift Flash."

—

"Hmph. 'Swift Flash'?"

In a secluded training room, S-Class Rank 13, Flashy Flash, scoffed.

A name suspiciously close to his own.

And he dared to call himself 'Swift'?

To Flashy Flash, this was a blatant insult.

Once he finished this round of training, he'd go and show this upstart exactly who the real fastest hero was.

—

"Hmm… looks like we've got a rather strong newcomer."

S-Class Rank 4, Atomic Samurai, lay on a hillside, chewing a blade of grass while soaking up the sun.

Given the distance between his mountain dojo and Hero Association HQ, by the time he arrived, the headquarters would've likely been demolished eight times over.

"Master, didn't you promise to teach us Atomic Slash today?"

A-Class Rank 3, Iai Muta, sounded exasperated. She, along with A-Class Rank 2, Iaian, and Rank 4, Bushidrill, were all disciples of Atomic Samurai.

"Oh, right. Almost forgot… Well, each of you, do 20,000 practice swings first. You, add 5,000 more. Wake me when you're done…"

With that, Atomic Samurai pulled his straw hat over his face and promptly started snoring.

Iai Muta rolled her eyes but obediently grabbed her wooden sword and returned to the dojo atop the hill to begin her swings.

Even for an A-Class hero, 25,000 practice swings was no small feat.

—

Meanwhile, at K-City's television station, Sweet Mask had just finished recording a show.

Back in his dressing room, the first thing he did—after dismissing his assistants—was dial Hero Association HQ.

"What's the deal with this 'Swift Flash' in S-Class Rank 9? How did he get promoted straight to S-Class without going through me, the A-Class Rank 1?"

Sweet Mask was furious.

He had deliberately held onto his A-Class Rank 1 position for so long to prevent unworthy heroes from easily ascending to S-Class.

In his eyes, S-Class should be reserved for only the most exceptional heroes.

Those who lacked the necessary strength should stay in A-Class instead of accumulating minor achievements by fighting weak monsters and undeservedly climbing into S-Class—ultimately lowering its overall standard.

Maybe Swift Flash was strong enough, but this direct promotion? Unacceptable.

It undermined the whole purpose of Sweet Mask gatekeeping the top of A-Class.

"Watch your tone! Are you questioning the decisions of the Association's upper management?"

The executive on the other end wasn't pleased either.

When HQ was in danger, Sweet Mask hadn't shown up. Now that someone else had saved the day and earned their promotion, he was throwing a fit?

"If the Association continues with these direct promotions, bypassing me entirely, then yes—I am questioning your decisions!"

Sweet Mask didn't wait for a response.

He hung up.

Then, for good measure, he blocked the executive's number.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he called his assistants back into the dressing room.

If he wanted to prevent heroes from bypassing his test and jumping straight to S-Class, there was only one solution—he had to prove that Swift Flash wasn't qualified for S-Class.

Even if it was unfair to the newcomer, it was necessary.

"Should I investigate this Swift Flash?"

His assistant hesitated.

He was used to Sweet Mask's unusual requests, but investigating a newly promoted S-Class hero? That was on another level.

Sweet Mask had considerable influence within the Hero Association and the media, but when it came to S-Class heroes, even the most powerful figures had to tread carefully.

S-Class heroes were the Association's trump cards.

Their information was highly classified and fiercely protected.

"That's right. I'm going to prove to everyone that Swift Flash is not a real S-Class hero!"

Sweet Mask didn't bother to hide his intentions.

He would target Swift Flash.

He would make the newcomer realize that he wasn't qualified, forcing him to step down voluntarily and return to A-Class—to face Sweet Mask's personal test.

And if Swift Flash managed to pass?

Sweet Mask wouldn't mind personally recommending him for S-Class again.

"Understood… Give me some time."

The assistant still looked troubled, but he would carry out the order regardless.

As an influential idol and celebrity, Sweet Mask held considerable sway within the Hero Association.

Even though S-Class hero files were highly confidential, he had plenty of ways to get his hands on them.

—

Meanwhile, Borsalino was still unaware that someone had set their sights on him as a newly promoted S-Class hero.

Not that he would care even if he knew.

After registering his hero profile, he accompanied Fubuki to visit Lily's mother.

By sheer luck, because she couldn't afford to live in a neighborhood close to Hero Association HQ, Lily's mother had avoided harm during the recent Dragon-level disaster.

Despite her delinquent-like appearance, Lily's mother turned out to be surprisingly warm, kind, and—quite beautiful.

Unfortunately—or fortunately—she was a bit older.

Otherwise, Borsalino couldn't guarantee he wouldn't find himself relating to a certain historical chancellor.

—

"Are you really not considering joining the Blizzard Group? If you do, I'll make you my second-in-command."

Thanks to Borsalino, Fubuki managed to hitch a ride on a helicopter that the Hero Association had arranged to take them back to City B.

For the entire flight, she tried various ways to change his mind, but none succeeded.

By the time they landed on the Blizzard Group's office rooftop, more than half an hour had passed.

Only now did Fubuki fully grasp just how terrifying Borsalino's speed was.

Crossing over a hundred kilometers in just three minutes meant he was moving at least three times the speed of sound.

If not for his Armament Haki protecting her, the sheer force of the rushing air could have killed her instantly.

"How generous. But I'm feeling a bit hungry right now—how about we talk after a meal?"

Borsalino didn't mind joining the Blizzard Group.

But if he agreed too easily, it would take away Fubuki's motivation.

It was better to keep a goal dangling in front of her—something to keep her actively trying.

"Then… how about steak?"

Fubuki wasn't discouraged despite Borsalino's continued evasiveness.

Recruiting an S-Class hero into a team that was mostly B-Class was naturally a difficult task.

Still, she knew exactly how strong Borsalino truly was.

He wasn't S-Class just because he barely made the cut—he was S-Class because there was no higher ranking.

No one seriously believed that S-Class Rank 16, Puri-Puri Prisoner, was in the same league as S-Class Rank 2, Tatsumaki.

And in Fubuki's mind, Borsalino was stronger than even her sister!

"Sounds good. Let's see how the food in this world compares."

Borsalino stroked his chin.

So far, he had traveled to multiple worlds.

In Jotaro's world, he had been too busy fighting DIO.

In Akame's world, he only had a showdown with Esdeath.

In the Marvel universe, he spent his time partying for days at Stark's mansion—mostly "exchanging experiences" with beautiful women.

He had never seriously sampled the cuisine of other worlds.

"No problem! I know a fantastic restaurant—you won't be disappointed!"

Fubuki was full of confidence.

She might not be the strongest, but when it came to food, entertainment, and leisure, she was an expert.

Hearing this, Borsalino only smiled.

He didn't bother telling Fubuki that his little sidekick, Gild Tesoro, had a floating golden casino with the world's finest team of chefs.

In a way, that kitchen was the "All Blue" Sanji had always dreamed of.

°°°

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