Z-City.
The afternoon sun, filtering through the large French windows, cast warmth and comfort on the spotless floor.
Hellish Blizzard stood beneath an apartment building, gazing up at the modern structure, her emotions a little complex.
In her hands, she carried two exquisitely packaged gift boxes.
One contained limited-edition macarons, pre-ordered from the most exclusive French patisserie in the city center;
The other held A5-grade Wagyu beef, air-freighted and kept in a temperature-controlled box.
These were the gifts she had meticulously prepared as a token of gratitude for Mr. KING, the man who had guided her.
Ever since Mr. KING's words enlightened her that day, Blizzard felt her life had suddenly become clear.
She no longer dwelled on comparisons with her sister, nor did she use bullying tactics to maintain the Blizzard Group.
She began to truly understand each member, discover their potential, and attempt to transform the Blizzard Group into a true 'team' in every sense of the word.
Although this path had just begun, she could already feel her team steadily growing stronger.
And all of this stemmed from that man's guidance.
So, when she found herself with some free time, she immediately prepared generous gifts and came to visit him.
However, reality dealt her a small blow.
"Not home...?"
Blizzard pressed the doorbell several times, but no one answered.
She stood somewhat dejectedly before Mr. KING's tightly shut metal door, a hint of regret welling up in her heart.
Was he out on a mission? Or...
Just as she was about to turn and leave, a thought, like a flash of lightning, streaked across her mind.
That's right! Mr. KING always seems to be with that bald guy... S-Class Rank 18, the Caped Baldy!
Blizzard's impression of Saitama was still of that somewhat dull-eyed man, whose strength was unfathomable but who seemed to lack interest in anything.
So... could Mr. KING be at that bald guy's house right now?
Once this idea appeared, it refused to leave.
Although it seemed a bit rude to interrupt someone's friends' gathering, the thought of being able to express her gratitude to Mr. KING in person made Blizzard decide to give it a try.
Saitama's residence wasn't difficult to find, mainly because he hadn't asked the Association to keep it secret.
Under the Blizzard Group's investigation, she quickly located Saitama's address—Z-City's uninhabited zone.
— — — — — —
Taking a deep breath, Blizzard adjusted her black dress, ensuring her posture was impeccable, then, carrying her gifts, arrived at Saitama's doorstep.
She reached out and pressed the doorbell.
"Ding-dong—"
After the crisp sound of the doorbell, a faint commotion came from inside the house, as if something had been knocked over.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
It was the familiar bald man who opened it.
Saitama was wearing a T-shirt with the word "Cabbage" printed on it, and a french fry dangled from his mouth.
Seeing Blizzard at the door, his dead-fish eyes merely blinked slightly, his expression unchanged.
"Huh? Who are you?" he mumbled indistinctly, "Looking for me for something?"
"My name is Blizzard."
Blizzard's temple twitched imperceptibly, but her good upbringing allowed her to maintain a polite smile.
"Excuse me... is Mr. KING here? I have something I'd like to thank him for in person."
"KING? Yeah, he's here."
Saitama stepped aside, clearing the doorway, and said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Come in, Genos and the others are ganging up on him."
Ganging up?
Blizzard's heart jolted, and her steps unconsciously halted.
Mr. KING, with his formidable strength, hailed as The Strongest Man on Earth, who could possibly gang up on him?
Could it be a powerful Monster organization that launched a surprise attack while Mr. KING was visiting a friend?
With a hint of vigilance and worry, she stepped into the apartment.
Then, she froze entirely in the entryway, the gift boxes in her hands almost slipping to the floor.
In the spacious and bright living room, there were no Monsters whatsoever, nor any fierce battle.
There was only... an extremely bizarre-looking tea party.
On the low table in the center of the living room sat a running game console, with a KO screen displayed.
And gathered around the low table were four faces she never would have dreamed of seeing together here.
S-Class Rank 6, KING!
He was leaning back on the sofa, leisurely drinking cola, his face bearing that characteristic, imperturbable expression of a powerful individual.
S-Class Rank 14, Demon Cyborg Genos!
He sat upright, holding a notebook, seemingly meticulously recording something.
S-Class Rank 3, Silver Fang Bangu!
This Martial Arts Grandmaster, a titan of the martial arts world, was now sitting cross-legged, holding a cup of hot tea, a gentle and admiring smile on his face, also watching KING.
And... an elder of unknown strength, but with extraordinary bearing, somewhat similar to Bangu.
He was holding a senbei cracker, munching on it while watching the game screen with keen interest.
Plus the S-Class Rank 18, Caped Baldy, who opened the door... one, two, three... four!
A full four S-Class Heroes! And one Martial Arts Grandmaster, seemingly on par with Bangu!
At this moment, they were gathered in this small living room, like a group of ordinary neighborhood uncles and otaku, playing games, drinking tea, and eating snacks!
Blizzard felt her brain short-circuiting.
What... what is this situation?
Is this the highest-level internal meeting of the S-Class Heroes?
Why would it be held at the Caped Baldy's house, who is at the bottom of the rankings?
And... why is the atmosphere so harmonious?
This was completely different from the scene she imagined, where heroes were constantly vigilant and their auras clashed!
"Hmm? Miss Blizzard, why are you here?"
Lin Mo was the first to react. He put down his cola and nodded slightly to Blizzard, his calm tone exuding a reassuring composure.
"Mr. KING!"
Blizzard snapped out of it, quickly walked into the living room, placed the gifts aside, and then bowed deeply to KING.
"Thank you very much for your guidance regarding the previous matter! I..."
"No need to be polite." Lin Mo waved his hand, interrupting her. "Have a seat."
His voice wasn't loud, but it naturally carried an aura that made it impossible to refuse.
Blizzard sat down somewhat self-consciously beside Bangu.
The Martial Arts Grandmaster nodded kindly to her, making her relax a little.
"Um..."
Blizzard looked at the game controller on the low table, then at Genos's densely written notebook, and finally couldn't suppress her curiosity, asking Bangu in a low voice:
"Master Bangu, are you... undergoing some special training?"