The figure who arrived was none other than the former supreme ruler of the One Piece World, the strongest person of the old World Government, Imu!
However, at this moment, she had clearly lost her former divine radiance. She looked very dirty and disheveled, becoming a prisoner with heavy sea stone (Kairoseki) shackles attached to her body.
Tatsumaki and the other S-Class heroes immediately became vigilant. They had all experienced how troublesome this creature was.
In the past, when Metal Bat interrogated Imu, he nearly let Imu escape due to his carelessness. If Saitama hadn't been nearby to help, Imu would have definitely gotten away.
As a result of Metal Bat's mistake, the Hero Association lost many staff members; three B-Class heroes were killed, one A-Class hero was killed, and four others were seriously injured.
"What did you bring her here for?" Metal Bat was the first to step forward, gripping his metal bat tightly, as if ready to attack if the answer given wasn't satisfactory.
The bespectacled man adjusted the glasses on his nose. The corners of his lips lifted into a cunning curve as he smiled: "Everyone, don't be tense. Through in-depth discussion, we've decided to let Imu participate in this operation. Of course, only as support."
"What?!"
"I don't agree!"
"Don't let her come along, it's too dangerous!"
As soon as the announcement was made, strong reactions emerged. Many people raised objections.
Tatsumaki furrowed her beautiful brows and asked: "Why should she come? This person isn't one of us. There are too many factors that can't be controlled. If she goes berserk, she won't just run away, but could harm our own people!"
That was a fact. All this time, Imu had suffered quite a lot at the hands of the Hero Association. To dig out the secrets of the One Piece World, the executives used every means to torture her.
Fortunately, Imu had extraordinarily special physical resilience so she could endure. One could imagine how great the grudge she harbored against them was.
The bespectacled man explained: "Imu was formerly the supreme ruler of the World Government, one of the people standing at the world's peak, equal to Pirate King Roger or First Hokage Senju Hashirama. Now she's our prisoner. The secrets she can provide have almost been completely extracted, and the deeper secrets can't be forced out. If that's the case, why don't we utilize her final value?"
While saying this, the man turned to look at Imu and smiled faintly: "As long as you help us capture the Bijuu, make this operation successful, and promise not to take revenge on the Hero Association, we will immediately release you after this mission is complete!"
Hearing that, Imu, who had been looking down, suddenly raised her head. Her eyes stared sharply at the bespectacled man. Her gaze was so terrifying that the bespectacled man unconsciously stepped back, feeling chills as if being stared at by the world's most ferocious predator.
"Can your words be trusted?" Imu's voice was hoarse, as if her vocal cords had been damaged.
"Of course!" the bespectacled man said proudly. "I am an executive of the Hero Association, my words can definitely be trusted!"
Imu said coldly: "I don't trust you. I want that baldy to give me his promise!"
While speaking, she raised her hand pointing toward Saitama.
Everyone turned toward where she pointed, but they found Saitama's previous spot was completely empty. Just as they were confused...
*BOOM!*
A loud thud was heard. Imu had already been slammed hard into the floor by Saitama who appeared suddenly. Saitama stepped on Imu's head while grinning terrifyingly: "Who are you calling baldy?"
Imu: "..."
The S-Class heroes: "..."
After pulling Imu out of the hole in the floor, Saitama said: "Fine, I promise you. Since this is the Hero Association's decision, I don't mind. But you'd better obey, or you know the consequences yourself!"
Imu's large body before Saitama looked like a chick being carried casually. She nodded with difficulty.
"Alright, then let's not waste any more time. Everyone prepare, we're departing!" The bespectacled man clapped his hands.
Outside the large glass window, the golden scroll in the sky changed again. A new ranking had appeared.
[Rank 13: Asura Kabuto]
[World Origin: One Punch Man World]
[Description: The strongest and most terrifying demon created by the genius scientist at the "House of Evolution". Due to his uncontrollable nature, he was confined deep underground. Possesses unmatched super intuition, even capable of predicting the future in a short time. This biological instinct is even stronger than Kenbunshoku Haki in the One Piece World. Has extremely strong evolutionary genes that allow him to continuously grow stronger in battle. Currently discovered and recruited by the Monster Association.]
[Growth Potential: 8 Stars]
[Taming Value: 1 Star]
[Golden List Reward: Asura Heart (When performing kills, he can absorb the life energy and energy of opponents to heal himself, even having a chance to permanently increase attributes. After entering "Asura" mode, attack power increases by 200%, defense increases by 200%, creates an Asura domain, intuition increases by 300%, but rationality decreases by 70%.)]
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At Monster Association headquarters, a beam of golden light descended and transformed into a light sphere floating before a giant beetle monster. That was Asura Kabuto.
"Kekekekeke—!" After being momentarily stunned, Asura Kabuto laughed terrifyingly with great arrogance: "I never thought I could also make it onto the Monster List! This is the Asura Heart? Truly a good item!"
He crushed the golden light, revealing a black heart that was still beating and emanating an extremely thick bloodthirsty aura. If ordinary humans were there, this aura alone would be enough to shatter their consciousness or make them faint instantly.
All the monsters present stared at that heart with greedy, covetous eyes.
"What, you want it?" Asura Kabuto clutched the Asura Heart arrogantly and said boastfully: "This is a reward from the Golden List. If you're not afraid of death, feel free to try taking it. Just remember Imu's fate from the One Piece World back then!"
These words made the monsters exchange glances with each other and immediately suppressed their greed. Although the treasure was good, it wasn't worth trading their own lives for.
"I never thought an insect like you could make it onto the Monster List, your luck is quite great too!" Black Sperm mocked beside him with a slightly envious tone.
He wasn't afraid of Asura Kabuto; he himself was an entity no less powerful, and what was here was just one of his body cells.
"That's right, a disgusting insect. Who knows what the Golden List was thinking that a creature like this could be ranked and receive a reward!" A long-haired, bearded man wearing a crown and robe (Homeless Emperor) sneered, appearing to greatly look down on this new member.