The three army regiments stationed outside New York were already gone.
Erased.
They had been struck head-on by a Ghost-Class disaster — the Deep Sea King.
"Run away? Heh… dream on."
"Not a single one of you is escaping."
"You killed my soldiers. I'll return that debt a hundred million times over."
With a devilishly powerful physique and rows of shark-like teeth, the Deep Sea King stood amidst mountains of corpses. Tanks, artillery, defensive lines — to him, they had been toys. The entire clash had barely qualified as a warm-up.
Crushing severed limbs beneath his feet, he inhaled the thick smell of blood like a stimulant.
"Time to head to the main battlefield. Those pitiful humans should be collapsing by now."
He had already learned enough about human weapons.
Rifles were only dangerous if they struck vital points. Heavy weapons could kill common soldiers, but against Tiger-Class commanders, the damage was insignificant.
"If this is the extent of humanity's strength… they should obediently submit to the rule of the Deep Sea Race."
He began walking toward the city.
A calm voice sounded behind him.
"For the outcome of this war… what is your view, Aizen?"
"Even if the Boss never joins the battlefield, victory is already decisively ours."
A brown-haired man adjusted his glasses and spoke gently.
Kind eyes. A scholarly face. A warm smile that made him look harmless.
Aizen — the second S-Class hero of the Hero League.
He had descended into this world in a perfected state, completely fused with a forbidden evolution core. Among S-Class heroes, he stood at the absolute peak. More frightening than his strength was his mind.
At first, Aiden Cross had expected him to arrive as a disaster.
Instead, he appeared as an S-Class hero — and one with absolute loyalty.
Because of Aizen's spiritual pressure alone, Aiden Cross's own presence had risen to near Vice-Chairman tier. Combined with his telekinetic force, he had likely surpassed what this world defined as "Skyfather level."
"The Boss's decision is something I deeply admire."
Aizen spoke like a grand strategist reviewing a finished masterpiece.
"After this battle, the Hero League's reputation will reach its peak. At least within New York, it will surpass the government."
"Not only that — the entire world will recognize the Hero League as an overwhelming power. Future actions will carry unquestioned authority."
"And if we wish to recruit powerful individuals from this world later, it will become effortless."
Aiden Cross listened calmly.
Inside, he was sweating.
He hadn't thought this far ahead at all.
He was simply irritated by the government.
But after hearing Aizen's explanation, it suddenly sounded like a brilliant master plan.
Aizen continued.
"There is one more point the Boss surely considered, though I only just realized it."
"…Go on."
"Currently, the Hero League's influence is limited to New York. Once the world witnesses the terror of monster armies, establishing Hero League branches across nations will become inevitable."
"The Spatial Transfer Chamber allows instant global support, but its cost is too high for constant use."
"I suggest assigning each A-Class hero as a regional branch leader. Deploy them with select teams into major countries first… then expand outward like blooming flowers."
"Eventually, the entire world will rest in—"
Aiden Cross coughed loudly.
That was enough.
Aizen had just casually proposed a peaceful world domination strategy with near-perfect feasibility.
Slow encroachment. Make the world willingly accept the Hero League's authority instead of resisting it.
"We don't have enough A-Class heroes yet. Postpone this plan."
"Understood. I will begin drafting a complete long-term outline."
"Approved."
At present, the Hero League had only three true A-Class combatants: All Might, Ulric Cinder, and Stella Nightfall.
And Stella absolutely could not handle independent command.
Even including B-Class heroes like Gareth Ironblade and Jeanne d'Arc, the numbers were far from sufficient.
Child Emperor and Annie were still children.
The road toward a Hero League spanning the world… was still very long.
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