"A Subterranean uprising?"
Aomori was momentarily stunned by the news. In his memory, the Subterraneans weren't supposed to surface for another three years, only to be wiped out by Saitama. Why were they appearing now? Was it because of his "butterfly effect"?
Before long, Aomori received photos from the scene and confirmed that these were indeed the Subterraneans he remembered, even the Subterranean King looked exactly the same.
"If the Subterranean King has been dealt with, I'm afraid the Deep Sea King, Sky King, and Ancient King won't be far behind."
It was a chain reaction. The current Hero Association could handle them easily, but Aomori had to consider the story behind the Subterranean King's sudden appearance. After a moment's thought, he sent Darkrai to rendezvous with Ditto to see if there was any intel from the other side. As for the captured Subterraneans, they would serve as laborers for Aomori for the time being.
…
Meanwhile, the Monster Association's successful first battle had sent morale soaring.
"Goketsu, now is the perfect time to open branch associations," Gyoro Gyoro said. "Dangling a big enough carrot will make them willing to pour out their sweat for us."
"Which executive should be sent to oversee affairs?" Goketsu asked.
"No, we cannot send an executive."
The so-called executives were top-tier monsters whose strength had reached Dragon-level. Most had their own agendas. If they were sent out to establish their own branches, they would inevitably become too powerful and difficult to control.
"Send a Demon-level monster," Gyoro Gyoro decided. "Wasn't there a newcomer who performed brilliantly this time? Appoint that one. We'll say it's a rapid promotion due to its great contribution. That way, the executives will have nothing to say."
"But with only a Demon-level monster in charge, wouldn't the branch be easily wiped out by heroes?"
"It doesn't matter. It's a dispensable arrangement anyway. It would be ideal if it wastes the Hero Association's energy. However, if a branch develops well without drawing the heroes' attention, we could potentially relocate there. After all, locations are static, but we are mobile. Wherever Orochi-sama is, that is the headquarters of our Monster Association."
The reasoning was sound. Goketsu nodded. "Understood."
…
"What? You want me to go to another city and establish a branch of the Monster Association?" Ditto almost failed to maintain its poker face.
In just ten days, it had moved up to Branch Chairman?
'I really am a genius!'
However, this meant it wouldn't be able to complete Aomori's mission. Ditto was torn.
"Yes." Goketsu, assuming Ditto was simply speechless with joy, struck while the iron was hot. "Because of your outstanding performance during the invasion of the Subterraneans, the Monster Association has decided to focus on cultivating you. Manage the branch well, recruit more talent, and it's not impossible for you to become an executive like me in the future."
"Alright, I'll do my best!" Ditto decided to accept for now. At worst, it could "die in the line of duty" later and return as a mole under a different identity.
"The city you are going to is J-City. It's near the coast and quite remote, perfect for your development. A monster from the Centipede clan will accompany you. Remember, do not be too conspicuous." After a few more instructions, Goketsu departed.
Ditto closed the door and let out a smug grin. "Promoted so quickly. Maybe I'll keep rising through the ranks and eventually replace that 'Orochi' as the master of the Monster Association. From then on, Aomori can rule the surface, and I'll rule the underground."
At the thought of the envious expressions on Absol and the others, Ditto became even happier.
"What are you so happy about?" Darkrai manifested behind it, having slipped through the door crack, and spoke abruptly.
Ditto jumped in fright, only relaxing when it saw it was Darkrai. "Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?"
"Aomori sent me." Darkrai explained the situation.
"The Subterranean King was driven out of the underground by the Monster Association; they likely wanted to seize their territory." Ditto shared everything it had observed over the past few days. Finally, it gave a sly grin and mentioned the recent promotion. "Go back and tell Aomori. Ask him what I should do next."
Darkrai nodded and vanished into the shadows. A short while later, it returned.
"Aomori said you should go ahead and be the Branch Chairman. You don't need to worry about things here anymore."
"Don't need to worry?" Ditto was confused. "Are we giving up? I feel like there are many secrets hidden here that might be disadvantageous to Aomori."
"It's fine." Darkrai pointed to itself. "I'll be in charge of this place from now on."
"What?" Ditto blurted out. "You're going to be a spy too?"
Darkrai nodded, waved, and exited the room. It then flew toward the strongest individual it could sense.
During the flight, the Dark Pulse it had been suppressing was released without reservation for the first time in the world of One Punch Man. The powerful entities present sensed it instantly.
"An unfamiliar, evil aura... it's heading toward Orochi-sama." Gyoro Gyoro narrowed its eye and huffed, flying in that direction. "Foolish! I hope I can make it in time to save it."
Darkrai sped through the corridors and entered a vast cavern. Its pupils shrank as it saw a behemoth over ten meters tall sitting inside.
'Is this the leader Aomori mentioned... the Monster King, Orochi?!'
Orochi's face looked like a mask, and his body appeared to be composed of dozens of intertwined dragons. He looked up at the suddenly appearing Darkrai and said indistinctly, "Intruder? Submit or die!"
'Let's test him a bit.' Darkrai tilted its head and condensed a Shadow Ball nearly as large as its own body, hurling it downward.
Before it could get close, Orochi extended a tentacle and popped the Shadow Ball like a bubble.
"Is that your choice?"
In the next instant, several dragon-headed tentacles flew out from Orochi's body, piercing through space to appear instantly before Darkrai. The psychic barrier Darkrai had set up shattered like paper. Darkrai used Teleport to vanish from the spot.
Bang!
The wall behind it was easily pierced by the tentacles, kicking up clouds of dust. Darkrai reappeared above Orochi's head, cupped its hands, and fired an energy beam.
Hyper Beam!
Faced with this powerful strike, Orochi remained calmly seated. A tentacle with a snake-like head emerged from the back of his neck, opened its jaws, and unleashed a torrent of ultra-high-temperature flames. The beam and the flames collided, erupting in a massive explosion.
At that moment, Gyoro Gyoro arrived. Seeing Darkrai holding its own against Orochi, it became intrigued.
"To be able to withstand several moves from Orochi-sama proves its strength is extraordinary. It seems the Monster Association has gained another executive."
Cloaked in a black aura of evil, Darkrai was clearly perceived by Gyoro Gyoro as a monster coming to pledge allegiance. Seeing more tentacles twitching, and wanting to prevent Orochi from getting truly enraged, Gyoro Gyoro shouted, "Orochi-sama, please stay your hand! This new executive only challenged you because it admires your strength. Please forgive its impudence."
"Is that so?"
Both Orochi and Gyoro Gyoro stared at it. Darkrai knew that continuing the fight would lead to an uncontrollable situation, so it took the olive branch. Floating to Gyoro Gyoro's side, Darkrai nodded, and its clear voice echoed in their minds: "I acknowledge your strength. I am willing to call you the Monster King."
'Telepathy?' Gyoro Gyoro narrowed its eye.
Orochi glanced at Darkrai. "Don't let there be a next time."
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Orochi-sama!" Gyoro Gyoro said. Darkrai also gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Afterward, Gyoro Gyoro took Darkrai to its room on the level above. "How shall I address you?"
"Darkrai."
"Darkrai?" Gyoro Gyoro repeated, praising, "A fine name. Your presence will surely bring nightmares to our enemies. The Monster Association doesn't have many rules. Just ensure you don't attack our own people and contribute your strength when dealing with humans and the Hero Association. Otherwise, you may come and go as you please. However, do not provoke the Hero Association on your own; if you do, even I won't be able to save you."
Darkrai nodded calmly. Seeing that Gyoro Gyoro had nothing else to say, it floated away.
"Darkrai, huh? I hope it lives up to the name." Gyoro Gyoro watched Darkrai leave, a mysterious smile playing in its large eye.
…
On the other side, Ditto met the member of the Centipede clan Goketsu had mentioned.
"I am Senior Centipede. Please look after me." The centipede's head bore the face of a beautiful woman, and she spoke to Ditto in a flirtatious tone.
"Just don't drag me down," Ditto said coldly.
"Don't worry. My burrowing skills were among the best in Centipede School. I'll complete the mission perfectly."
Burrowing? A monster-brand excavator? Ditto mocked internally but remained outwardly indifferent. "Then let's go."
"Alright."
As they walked side-by-side, Senior Centipede repeatedly tried to strike up a conversation, but Ditto remained cold. 'Is this guy made of stone?' The social Senior Centipede was frustrated. Guessing that Ditto was the type who worshipped strength, she steered the conversation in that direction.
"Did you know? A new executive just arrived. Apparently, it's called Darkrai." She had overheard others discussing it on her way over.
'Darkrai? Could it be... that guy actually became an executive already?' Ditto suddenly felt that its position as Branch Chairman wasn't so impressive anymore.
"Hmph. I'll become an executive sooner or later too!" Ditto was filled with fighting spirit, and its pace quickened. Senior Centipede, sensing a breakthrough, hurriedly followed.
…
Hero Association Headquarters.
Sitting in his office, Aomori received the message brought back by Darkrai.
"Darkrai successfully became an executive. Not bad, much faster than Ditto."
Moreover, its stealth capabilities allowed it to easily bypass monster sentries to deliver messages to Aomori. However, traveling back and forth was risky. He thought about giving Darkrai a communicator to hide in a secret location, allowing for direct communication whenever necessary.
As for Ditto, becoming a Branch Chairman was an unexpected development. If the Monster Association were allowed to spread everywhere, Aomori's plan to wait for them to gather and then wipe them out in one go would fail.
"Should I cooperate with Darkrai for an inside-outside pincer attack and invade the Monster Association now?"
Aomori frowned, thinking it over before deciding against it. Without the bald Saitama and lacking Blast, the Hero Association wasn't guaranteed to defeat a Monster Association led by the Monster King Orochi. Furthermore, Aomori himself wasn't strong enough yet. Starting the war now would mean missing out on many kills, which meant points and experience.
Time was on the Hero Association's side. Once Aomori and Saitama had another six months to a year to develop, they could easily crush the Monster Association. Having clarified the situation, Aomori took a deep breath and turned his focus back to Chibaku Tensei.
…
"Ironclad Warrior, congratulations on passing the assessment. You are now a true C-Class hero."
'Finally!'
Thinking back on the hardships and sweat of the past month, Fubuki felt her efforts hadn't been in vain.
'I should tell Sensei the good news.'
Fubuki, in high spirits, took the bus to the Hero Association Headquarters. She made her way to the top floor and saw Aomori for the first time in a while.
"Sensei!" Fubuki bowed to Aomori. Even behind the armor, Aomori could imagine her joyful expression from her lighthearted tone.
"Congratulations on passing the assessment."
"Hmph. With Sensei's guidance, the assessment task was far too simple." Fubuki, of course, wouldn't admit how nervous she had been.
"Is that so?" Aomori smiled. "And what about the homework I assigned?"
"Heh heh." Fubuki was prepared. She pulled out a rubber ball and focused her esper powers.
The rubber ball burst instantly, splashing water everywhere.
"I was a top student; I understand fluid dynamics perfectly," Fubuki said proudly. She had actually struggled for a long time before looking it up online, where she found the solution.
Is that how it works? Naruto would be so annoyed, Aomori thought.
"Not bad. What about the air-filled rubber ball?"
"Er, well... I'm still working on that one." Fubuki stuck out her tongue behind her visor.
"Come with me. I'll show you the true power of this forbidden technique to boost your enthusiasm for learning."
Aomori took Fubuki to a demonstration room containing a large steel plate 20 centimeters thick. "Try attacking it with your most powerful skill first."
"Alright!"
Fubuki steadied herself, concentrated her power, and unleashed her ultimate move, Hell Storm. The violent wind pressure slammed into the steel plate, leaving only faint scratches.
"If we were outside, my ultimate move would be much stronger!" Fubuki blushed and defended herself.
"Blaming the environment is a bad habit," Aomori lectured. He stepped forward and lightly raised his right hand, palm upward.
Fubuki watched as the air in the room converged into his palm from all directions, condensing into a transparent sphere. Within it, she could sense hundreds of spiraling air currents.
"Watch closely." Aomori thrust the transparent sphere toward the steel plate.
The contained spiraling air currents smashed through all resistance upon contact, scattering in all directions. Fubuki removed her helmet, her eyes wide as she saw the steel plate twisted and deformed under the impact, unrecognizable. She could imagine what a monster would look like if hit by this attack.
"So powerful!"
Even my sister might be injured if hit by this move, she thought.
Fubuki's eyes sparkled. She turned and asked, "What is the name of this move?"
"Forbidden Ultimate Technique: Rasengan!"
…
A deeply inspired Fubuki departed. Aomori headed down to the underground secret chamber, where Ditto and Darkrai were already waiting. He returned the two to his system inventory, preparing to enter a new Level 20 dungeon.
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