The Summoning of S-Class

The Hero Association headquarters in City A was abuzz with a tension that rarely took hold in its halls. Behind closed doors, the highest-ranking executives, analysts, and officials gathered, their faces taut with worry as they reviewed the message that had come in only hours earlier. The news was grim: Shibabawa, their most trusted and accurate soothsayer, had passed away after delivering a final prophecy.

"It can't be ignored," one official said gravely, looking at the last note left by Shibabawa. "She claimed this would be a catastrophe, something beyond anything we've faced."

The room fell silent, everyone's attention fixated on the words hastily scrawled on Shibabawa's paper, describing an impending disaster of unprecedented scale. It was rare for her to predict such a specific threat, and her final moments had only underscored the severity of what was to come. For years, they had relied on her cryptic predictions to prepare for looming threats, and she'd been correct every time.

"We should mobilize all the S-Class heroes," a grizzled veteran of the Association suggested, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "If there's any hope of withstanding this disaster, we need every ounce of strength we have. We can't afford to delay."

Another executive, a younger but highly trusted figure, raised a hand to voice a note of caution. "If we bring all the S-Class heroes together, we risk drawing public attention. This information can't leak beyond these walls, not until we're ready to act on it."

The lead official nodded, resolute. "We'll keep the details of the prophecy confidential and classify this as a high-priority emergency. Only the S-Class heroes will be called in and briefed, and they'll understand the gravity of what's at stake."

Within the hour, urgent messages were dispatched to each S-Class hero's device, summoning them to the Hero Association headquarters for a critical meeting. The message was simple but unmistakable: All S-Class Heroes Required – Emergency Meeting. Report Immediately.

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Elsewhere, on a quiet mountain ledge…

Azar felt a soft vibration in his pocket, jolting him from his focus. He reached for his device, mildly curious, and his eyes narrowed as he read the terse message from the Hero Association. An emergency meeting? He'd only joined their ranks recently, and it hadn't taken him long to realize that the S-Class summons were few and far between, reserved for the direst of situations.

A slow grin crept across his face. "So, they want to see me back in City A. I wonder what's got them so on edge." He straightened his back, eager to make his way back down from the mountain, where his days of solitary training had amplified his powers beyond what they were even during his battle with the Deep Sea King.

Packing up his gear, he recalled the last time he'd crossed paths with an S-Class hero. It had been Silver Fang, a fight that had tested his skills in ways he hadn't felt since his earlier days. If this emergency was as serious as the summons suggested, he'd have the chance to see all the highest-ranked heroes in one place—and, perhaps, finally weigh their strength against his own.

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Morning light spilled through the windows of Bang's dojo, casting a warm glow on the wooden floors. Bang, the esteemed hero Silver Fang, stood with his arms crossed, watching over Genos and his unlikely companion, Saitama. Genos was midway through a sparring session with Bang, adjusting to the elder martial artist's brutal speed and pinpoint accuracy, while Saitama looked on with a vacant expression, his mind seemingly somewhere else.

Bang observed both of them closely, intrigued. Genos's respect for Saitama was obvious, but the bald man's indifferent manner puzzled him. Was this really the hero Genos spoke of with such reverence? Even in Bang's experience, few could hold a candle to the most formidable heroes, yet Genos swore this ordinary-looking man possessed strength surpassing even that of S-Class elites.

Then, just as Bang was about to shift his attention back to Genos, a sharp knock echoed through the dojo.

"Master Bang!" Charanko called from the front of the dojo, rushing forward to answer the door.

The young student pulled it open, revealing a Hero Association messenger, his uniform neat but his expression tense. The messenger stepped in, looking briefly between the unusual gathering: the towering cyborg, the bald man, and the silver-haired master himself. Clearing his throat, the messenger delivered a crisp bow to Bang.

"Silver Fang, apologies for the interruption," he said, voice steady but urgent. "I've come on behalf of the Hero Association. All S-Class heroes are required to attend an emergency meeting at headquarters."

Bang's brows knit slightly as he listened, though he kept his expression neutral. Whatever this meeting was about, it was clearly of serious concern if it warranted a personal summons for all the top heroes.

"An emergency meeting for the entire S-Class roster?" Bang echoed thoughtfully, exchanging a glance with Genos, who looked equally attentive.

The messenger nodded. "Yes, sir. We urge all S-Class heroes to report to headquarters in City A as soon as possible."

Bang crossed his arms, and his gaze shifted over to Genos. He knew the young cyborg well enough to sense his determination, especially when it came to matters concerning the Hero Association.

"Genos, it appears we'll be heading to headquarters together," Bang said. "And perhaps your friend would care to join us?" He turned to Saitama, raising an eyebrow.

Saitama scratched his head, looking slightly bemused. "I mean… I'm not really an S-Class hero, so—"

"Sensei," Genos interrupted earnestly, his metallic fists clenched. "If the Association is calling all S-Class heroes, it's likely a matter of utmost importance. They may need your strength, even if you aren't officially ranked."

Saitama glanced at Genos, then let out a sigh. "Fine, fine. I'll come along. But if this turns out to be some boring hero thing, I'm heading out."

Bang chuckled lightly at Saitama's nonchalance, yet he noted the subtle tension that lay beneath the messenger's words. Even in his years with the Hero Association, rare were the times they called upon every S-Class hero. Whatever awaited them, he sensed that this meeting could mark the beginning of something significant.

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Elsewhere, the renowned hero known as King sat immersed in a video game in his apartment, blissfully unaware of the world outside. His device buzzed, but he kept his eyes glued to the screen, only glancing at the notification when he had a brief pause in his game. When he saw the message, his face paled.

"Emergency… meeting?" He gulped. This didn't bode well for his peaceful existence, but as an S-Class hero, he couldn't exactly ignore the call. He reluctantly set down his controller and prepared himself for the daunting journey to the Hero Association's headquarters.

Each hero received the message, and each reacted with their own mix of caution, curiosity, or outright dread. Atomic Samurai, the swift and lethal swordsman, was already preparing himself for battle by the time he read the call. He welcomed the challenge, his hand twitching at the thought of wielding his blade against a worthy foe.

Others, like Child Emperor, the genius young hero who had been tinkering with a new invention, adjusted his goggles thoughtfully as he considered what emergency could warrant such an urgent call.

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City A – Hero Association Headquarters

In the heart of City A, the Hero Association Headquarters stood tall, an imposing building that symbolized the strength and reach of heroes across the nation. As Azar approached the impressive structure, he took a moment to survey its massive glass-and-metal facade, the sight stirring something akin to amusement in his chest.

The streets around headquarters buzzed with excitement. Rumors of an S-Class hero meeting spread quickly, and civilians craned their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite heroes. Azar's imposing figure and the faint air of mystery he carried attracted their attention; whispers followed him as he made his way inside.

At the reception, a woman handed him a visitor's badge. "Mr. Azar, it's an honor. You're cleared to proceed directly to the upper conference hall."

Azar clipped the badge onto his jacket, nodding before he stepped into the nearby elevator. He could feel the hum of anticipation in the building. Whatever awaited him and the others above would demand the best of his abilities.

As the elevator doors closed, Azar folded his arms, his gaze focused yet distant, already preparing himself for what lay ahead.