"S-Class Rank 14?"
The moment those words were spoken, the commotion in the conference room, which Sitch had just forcefully suppressed, erupted once again.
The Hook-Nosed Executive was the first to frown. He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced on the table, and said, "Only Rank 14?"
"If the battle report is true, he annihilated Elder Centipede with one blow. For such a feat, to be ranked only above Demon Cyborg… isn't that too low?"
His words seemed to be an outcry for Saitama, but in reality, he was expressing his doubts in another way.
The implication was: If you insist he has such a great merit, then why give him such a low ranking? Isn't that a contradiction in itself?
"Director Mars, you have a point."
The Rating Supervisor immediately nodded and bowed. He, of course, understood the meaning behind the other party's words and quickly explained, "This is precisely the most difficult part for our Rating Committee."
"On one hand, Caped Baldy's achievements are indeed immense. But on the other hand, the ranking of S-Class Heroes is not solely based on a single battle record."
He opened the tablet in front of him and projected a document onto the central holographic screen, which listed various data for S-Class Heroes.
"Please look, everyone." The supervisor pointed at the screen and said, "Heroes ranked in the upper echelons of S-Class, such as Superalloy Darkshine, Flashy Flash, Watchdog Man…"
"They not only possess immense strength, but more importantly, they have long-term and stable battle records, enjoy extremely high prestige among the public, and their contributions to the Hero Association are multifaceted."
"Their rankings have been established through countless battles and the test of time."
"And Caped Baldy," he switched the screen, and Saitama's resume photo and pitifully few battle records appeared.
"He has only recently ascended to S-Class. Apart from this Elder Centipede incident, his previous battle records, though impressive, have all been controversial."
"For example, in the alien spaceship invasion incident, although several S-Class Heroes testified for him, claiming he was the key to ending the battle, but… we have always lacked the most direct video evidence."
"Relying solely on the verbal accounts of a few heroes, it is ultimately difficult to convince everyone."
"Moreover," the supervisor's finger swept across the bottom of the screen, and several abysmal data points were specially highlighted with red circles.
"His public support rate, media exposure, and contribution rate to the Hero Association's daily tasks… are all still at the bottom tier among S-Class Heroes."
"So," the supervisor took a deep breath and concluded.
"To directly promote him to the top ten of S-Class, or even higher, not to mention how the S-Class Heroes would react, just the public and sponsors would be difficult to explain to."
"Ranking him at Rank 14, surpassing Genos, with whom he has a close relationship, is both a huge affirmation of his current achievements and a… relatively stable, buffer plan that can be accepted by all parties."
His explanation was well-reasoned and clear.
The discussions in the conference room gradually subsided, and many executives showed expressions of approval.
Indeed, the operation of the Hero Association is not simply the logic of "whoever is strongest ranks first."
It is a complex system that is vast and requires consideration of various interests and influences.
After a long pause, the Hook-Nosed Executive was the first to slowly nod.
"I agree with this plan." He said in a deep voice, "The Rating Committee's consideration is very thorough. The Hero Association is a whole, and stability overrides everything."
His stance was like a signal.
Soon, the other executives also successively expressed their agreement.
"I also agree. Gradual progress is more stable."
"Hmm, Rank 14, this position is very clever. It is both an honor and a threshold. We can see his subsequent performance."
"We need to immediately begin positive image packaging and public opinion guidance for him."
Finally, everyone's gaze converged on the man at the head of the table who had remained silent throughout—Sitch.
Sitch still maintained the posture of pressing his brow with his fingers, making his expression unreadable.
He had listened to all the discussions and seen everyone's choices.
He knew that from the perspective of the Hero Association, the Rating Committee's plan was indeed the impeccable optimal solution.
However… in his mind, he couldn't help but recall King's calm and profound eyes, and Saitama's indifferent expression after his world-shattering destruction.
To measure such an existence with our self-congratulatory "rationality" and "balancing"… is it really… correct?
A trace of unease quietly entwined around his heart.
But he finally slowly lowered his hand and opened his eyes.
The sharpness and decisiveness in his eyes were replaced by a deep, more complex consideration.
He knew that he could not, based on his own opinion, overturn the consensus reached by the entire high-level after rational analysis.
That was not what a qualified leader should do.
"Good."
He only said one word, but it represented the final decision.
"The resolution will be implemented according to the Rating Committee's plan."
Sitch slowly stood up and, with his unquestionable voice, issued the final order.
"The ranking of S-Class Rank 18 Hero, 'Caped Baldy' Saitama, will be raised to S-Class Rank 14. The resolution takes effect immediately, and the hero roster will be updated at once."
"At the same time," he added, his gaze sweeping over the female executive from the publicity department.
"The derogatory hero name 'Caped Baldy' will be immediately abolished. This is the most basic respect for a strong person."
"The Hero Association will propose several new hero names for him to choose from. Until he makes a choice, he will be temporarily referred to externally as 'S-Class Hero Saitama.'"
"Finally," Sitch's gaze swept over every high-ranking official present.
"Remember to inform all other S-Class Heroes of the merit evaluation report for this incident and the final resolution of the ranking change. Let them know what happened."
Sitch took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision, and slowly said:
"Within the Hero Association, a new, powerful hero has emerged. As for how far he can ultimately go, let the facts speak for themselves."
"—Meeting adjourned."
With Sitch's final two words, the meeting concluded.
The high-ranking executives left the conference room one after another, their expressions varied.
Most of them were satisfied with this "stable" resolution.
They had successfully brought an uncertain factor temporarily within controllable limits.
Only Sitch remained alone in the empty conference room.
He looked at the somewhat dazed face of the bald man on the holographic projection and let out a soft sigh.
"I hope it's the right decision…"