Just then, a sharp voice interrupted their conversation.
"Hmph, what boring pleasantries."
Everyone looked over at the sound, only to see Atomic Samurai, S-Class Hero Rank 4, widely regarded as the strongest swordsman of his generation, slowly rising from his seat.
He was dressed in a retro samurai outfit, with dark patterns embroidered on his black robes, and something unknown was clenched in his mouth.
However, what was most striking were his eyes—full of the arrogance and scrutiny characteristic of a swordsman.
"How can data possibly measure a true powerhouse?"
Atomic Samurai's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of every hero present.
He paused, then slowly walked out from his seat.
The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly tense with his movement.
He walked straight to King, stopping three steps away, his sharp eyes burning as they fixed on King's expressionless face.
"King," he began, "I've heard about you. Evaporating a Demon-level monster with a single energy wave… sounds like a decent move. The name is quite grand too, Purgatory Matchless Exploding Heat Wave Cannon, isn't it?"
"But in my opinion, over-reliance on such flashy and impractical techniques will lead to neglecting the refinement of one's own martial arts."
Lin Mo's heart tightened.
Atomic Samurai? What did he want?
The Emperor Engine's roar, due to his tense heartbeat, unconsciously grew more rapid.
"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Atomic Samurai evidently heard the increasingly loud roar, but he merely raised an eyebrow, interpreting it as the resonance or fighting spirit of a strong individual.
He extended a finger and said to King:
"We martial artists focus on technique. Your so-called Purgatory Matchless Exploding Heat Wave Cannon has too wide a range, its power is too dispersed, and it has too many flaws."
"I don't believe that's your strongest move."
Atomic Samurai's gaze became incredibly serious, his sharp eyes looking at King.
"The real you should be stronger. People say you are The Strongest Man on Earth, so how fast is your sword?"
Lin Mo's eyebrow unconsciously twitched, and cold sweat almost seeped from his temples.
Was he… challenging him to a duel? In a setting where all S-Class Heroes were gathered? How could he refuse? He didn't know any swordsmanship at all!
However, the more Lin Mo remained silent, the calmer his expression became, and the more profound the roar of the Emperor Engine grew.
All of this, in Atomic Samurai's eyes, became proof of King's unspoken acknowledgment and unfathomable depth.
"Very good." Atomic Samurai's smile deepened. He slowly withdrew his finger and drew a fruit knife from his waist with his left hand.
Immediately after, he pulled a plump, round apple from his pocket.
"I won't use my katana; that would be too unfair to you."
Atomic Samurai's tone was calm, yet it exuded extreme confidence.
He gently tossed the apple upwards, and it arced gracefully through the air.
Just as the apple reached its apex and was about to begin its descent, Atomic Samurai's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he tightened his grip on the fruit knife with his right hand.
"The moment this apple lands, I will slice it into one hundred even pieces. And you,"
His gaze locked onto King, "only need to use your finger to leave a mark of your own on the apple at the moment you deem most appropriate."
"Let me witness it, The Strongest Man on Earth's… reaction speed!"
No sooner had he spoken than the red apple had already passed its peak and began to fall.
In that instant, the air in the conference room solidified, and the gazes of all S-Class Heroes focused on the two men and the falling apple.
In the corner, Flashy Flash, who had been resting with his eyes closed, curved his lips into a barely perceptible, light smile.
In his opinion, such a contest was not even a challenge; it was child's play.
He had even begun to simulate in his mind how he might snatch the apple before it could be sliced.
However, just as Atomic Samurai was about to exert force with his wrist, an unexpected change occurred at that critical moment!
An aged yet strong hand gently pressed down on Atomic Samurai's knife-wielding wrist.
At the same time, another hand moved later but arrived first, catching the falling apple with a seemingly slow yet nimble motion.
The entire process was fluid and seamless.
"That's enough, Atomic Samurai."
A gentle and steady voice sounded.
Silver Fang, S-Class Hero Rank 3, had appeared between the two of them at some unknown point.
He was not tall, and his hair and beard were white, but his eyes seemed to see through everything.
"Silver Fang?" Atomic Samurai was somewhat perplexed. "I merely wanted to witness King's strength."
Silver Fang shook his head, glanced at the calm-faced King, then swept his gaze across all the S-Class Heroes present, shaking his head and saying:
"Now is not the time for sparring. Let's first understand the true purpose of the Hero Association's extensive mobilization, gathering almost all of us here. It is extremely rare for all S-Class Heroes to be present."
Atomic Samurai paused, staring into Silver Fang's eyes for a few seconds, seemingly understanding something, yet also seeming to understand nothing at all.
Finally, he let out a cold snort, put away his fruit knife, and said, "Then, if there's an opportunity next time, I shall seek guidance from King."
With that, he said no more and walked straight back to his seat, resuming his unapproachable demeanor.
Silver Fang smiled, greeted King and Saitama and Genos nearby, and then slowly sat down.
Just as the atmosphere in the conference room had begun to ease, the heavy conference room doors were suddenly pushed open.
Sitch, the highest-ranking executive of the Hero Association, led a group of staff members into the conference room, their faces grim.
He stood at the head of the conference table, surveyed the S-Class Heroes present, and spoke in an unprecedentedly serious tone:
"Everyone, thank you for coming despite your busy schedules."
"Just an hour ago, our association's proud and great prophet, Madam Shibabawa… after delivering her last prophecy, passed away due to over-excitement, choking on a cough drop…"
At these words, the entire conference room fell into a deathly silence.
Madam Shibabawa's prophecies were almost 100% accurate; her very existence was a trump card for the Hero Association against disasters.
Her death was an immeasurable and enormous loss.
Sitch turned on the projector in front of him, and a line of shocking blood-red characters appeared on the screen—words Shibabawa had written before her death.
"The Earth…" Sitch's voice trembled slightly with fear, "is doomed!!!"