Near Gotham Stadium, inside a patch of woods, a small Boom Tube opened.
Cyborg had picked the spot using satellite maps—hidden enough that random passersby wouldn't notice.
To avoid drawing attention, Cyborg had deliberately dressed down in a hoodie and jeans, and even wore gloves to cover the mechanical parts of his hands.
Ben and Shazam didn't transform either. They came along as "Victor's neighbor's kids," just there to watch a game.
The three stepped out of the Boom Tube, crossed the trees, and headed toward the stadium.
Night had already fallen, but the stadium blazed like daytime. Even though the game hadn't started yet, loud chants and cheering were already rolling out from inside.
Billy was practically glowing with happiness behind Victor—finally, he didn't have to rack his brain figuring out how to sneak into a stadium to watch football.
And this time their seats weren't just good—they were the best of the best: a super VIP private box. Supposedly, it was arranged because the team's new sponsor had ties with the stadium operators.
"The last time I watched a game…" Billy said, staring at the giant venue, "was the last time I had to sneak in—and I sat in the seat Victor saved for his dad."
Now back in his normal identity as Billy Batson, Shazam took in the arena with pure nostalgia, remembering that incredible game he'd witnessed before.
He turned to Ben, excitedly retelling Victor's performance that day.
"You didn't see it—Victor's last game-winning touchdown pass was insanely cool!"
Victor looked a little embarrassed, smiling shyly.
"It wasn't that dramatic. If my teammates hadn't played it perfectly and caught that ball, it wouldn't have mattered."
Even though the accident during Apokolips's invasion—what happened at STAR Labs—had left Victor half human and half machine…
Ben's upgrades had restored as much of his normal sensation as possible. And since Billy often dragged him into gaming sessions, Victor's personality hadn't shifted much.
At that moment, the team's coach noticed the hooded Victor from a distance and walked over with a friendly grin.
"Victor! I'm really glad you still remember us, even after becoming a superhero!"
He clapped Victor on the shoulder. Seeing that half-mechanical face up close, the coach couldn't help feeling a pang.
If Victor hadn't ended up like this, he'd have been the brightest star on the field tonight—no question.
"Who would've thought," the coach sighed, "that the Victor who used to dominate the stadium would retire out of nowhere—and become a world-saving hero?"
Ben and Billy immediately shut up the moment they realized Victor had run into someone from his old life. Better to say nothing than accidentally let something slip.
Victor, facing his former coach, felt a wave of longing for those days—training with the team, fighting side by side on the field.
Becoming a top-tier football player had always been his dream.
But now, he couldn't step onto the field anymore.
Even if he could control his strength to match what he used to have, no one would ever approve of him playing in this body.
"I didn't want to retire," Victor said quietly. "But after that accident… I became like this."
The coach listened, then glanced around with curiosity.
"What about your Justice League friends? They didn't come with you?"
Since Billy and Ben had to keep their identities hidden, Victor could only explain it vaguely.
"They've all got their own cities to protect. I just brought a couple kids from my neighborhood. They like football too."
"Oh… right." The coach's face flickered with a trace of disappointment—but it vanished fast, replaced by a smile. "Want to visit the locker room and see your old teammates? Give them a little boost?"
"…Yeah." Victor's eyes softened. "After everything that happened, I never really got to say goodbye properly."
The coach pointed down the corridor.
"Just follow that way. Two turns and you're there."
As Victor moved to bring Ben and Billy along, the coach spoke again, gently guiding him.
"You probably have a lot you want to say to them. I'll take these two kids to the box seats first."
Victor looked at Ben and Billy.
Both immediately threw up an "OK" gesture.
So Victor headed off alone toward the locker room.
Ben and Billy followed the coach into the VIP box.
Billy immediately bounced onto the plush couch like he owned it, eyes shining as he stared through the glass down at the field.
Ben didn't react nearly as strongly.
If anything, he felt the coach was… a little off.
So Ben did what a rebellious fifteen-year-old would do: slouched into the sofa and played on his phone, acting like he didn't care about anything.
After confirming the two really were just ordinary kids, Victor's coach forced on a warm, overly-friendly smile and started making conversation—circling toward the real reason.
"Kids, in a little bit, there's an important guest who needs to talk business with your big brother. When the time comes, you two just watch the game and don't cause trouble. If you want anything, just say the word."
Ben instantly recognized the vibe.
This guy wants something.
So Ben didn't hold back even a little—he went straight for maximum greed.
"Start with chili fries—double chili. And a slushie. Extra-large."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 120)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 95)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 85)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter85)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter81)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter60)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter66)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 40
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 50
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