The attacks continued.
But Zero no longer looked at them the same way.
Before, every incident had appeared to be part of Earth Zero's attempt to destroy the peace treaty.
Now Zero saw another pattern beneath the chaos.
Hiro.
It was always connected to Hiro.
The attacks threatened civilians.
Hiro appeared.
The situation became dangerous.
Hiro responded.
People witnessed his actions.
Then his name spread further through the human domain.
At first, Zero believed it was simply a coincidence created by Earth Zero's manipulation.
But the more he watched, the less convincing that explanation became.
Earth Zero wasn't merely creating opportunities.
He was arranging them.
Zero sat alone inside his room.
Several reports were spread across the table.
A map of the human domain covered the center.
Beside it were newspapers.
Each one carried Hiro's name.
HIRO LEADS SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
HERO RESPONDS TO BORDER CRISIS
CITIZENS PRAISE HIRO'S COURAGE
Zero stared at them silently.
