Prophecy Unveiled

Azar stepped out of the elevator, finding himself in a long, unadorned hallway constructed from reinforced steel. The utilitarian design was plain and robust, lacking any portraits, accolades, or touches of grandeur. The Hero Association's base had a certain practicality, and the cold, steely interior reflected the nature of their work: no-nonsense and prepared for anything.

His footsteps echoed as he made his way down the stark corridor toward the conference room at the far end. But just before he reached it, he caught voices from around the corner.

"Tatsumaki, maybe you should calm down…" came the steady voice of Bang, sounding both patient and firm.

"Calm down?" Tatsumaki's voice snapped, laced with irritation. "You brought him here," she spat, shooting a glance toward Saitama, "and he's not even remotely qualified. Why should we waste time with someone who doesn't even take being a hero seriously?"

Genos's fists clenched slightly as he stepped forward, standing firmly beside his mentor. "Sensei is here because his strength is unmatched. No other qualifications are needed."

Azar paused, watching the exchange with mild curiosity. Tatsumaki, the infamous Tornado of Terror, was not one to mince words. Small in stature but with an imposing presence, she floated a few inches off the ground, arms crossed and gaze hard as steel, scanning the group as if they were intruders on her territory.

Azar's eyes shifted briefly to Bang, and he gave the elderly hero a respectful nod. Bang returned it with a knowing look, his expression one of calm assurance. Without acknowledging Tatsumaki further, Azar continued down the hall, his gaze fixed on the door.

"Hey! Who do you think you are, ignoring me?" Tatsumaki's voice rang out behind him, filled with disbelief and anger at being brushed off so casually.

Azar didn't bother to turn around, raising a hand in a lazy wave as he moved forward. Her outrage echoed through the hall, and Bang shook his head, sharing a resigned glance with Genos and Saitama.

Saitama scratched his head, watching Tatsumaki's outburst with casual interest but said nothing.

Genos leaned toward Bang and muttered, "She doesn't seem to handle being ignored well, does she?"

Bang chuckled softly. "Not at all. But it seems Azar isn't one to entertain small matters." He cast a knowing glance at Azar's retreating figure, watching as Tatsumaki's complaints fell on deaf ears.

Saitama gave a shrug, blinking slowly. "Eh, she'll get over it."

Azar pushed open the doors to the conference room, stepping inside. The room was stark and imposing, dominated by a long, rectangular table flanked by sturdy chairs. Heroes were already seated, and their combined presence filled the room with an energy that was nearly palpable.

Seated near the end of the table was Superalloy Darkshine, his physique massive and gleaming under the fluorescent lights. He sat with his head held high, muscles bulging beneath his skin, which seemed polished to a mirror-like shine. Darkshine's gaze swept subtly across the room, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he wondered if everyone else was as captivated by his body as he was. His biceps flexed slightly as he adjusted his position, and he marveled, not for the first time, at how glossy and smooth his muscles appeared. Surely, he thought, no one else here had a presence as blindingly impressive as his.

Child Emperor was also present, small but watchful, his eyes sharp and calculating. Watchdog Man, garbed in his canine suit, sat with a casual yet alert posture, looking every bit as formidable as the rest despite his strange attire.

Azar took a quiet moment to assess each hero, sensing their power. For the first time, he recognized that while his strength had grown, there were still others around him who held power that was just as intimidating. Some might even be able to challenge him—and perhaps even surpass him in battle.

But he wasn't one to back down or feel overshadowed. Instead, Azar felt a quiet thrill building within him, a familiar excitement that only grew stronger with each powerful hero he surveyed. This was the level he had been striving to reach, the caliber of strength he aspired to fully understand, and eventually, to surpass.

Choosing an empty seat, he settled in, his expression cool and indifferent as he awaited the start of the meeting. It wasn't long before the doors opened again, and Tatsumaki floated in, her expression sour as she pointedly ignored him and muttered something under her breath.

Azar leaned back in his seat, observing the other heroes who had gathered around the long, reinforced steel table. Each one exuded a presence that commanded attention, but Azar remained unfazed, sizing them up silently. A few seats over, Metal Bat tapped his fingers impatiently on the table, muttering under his breath about how this meeting better be worth missing his sister's piano recital. "She's gonna kill me for this," he grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring at the empty space in front of him.

The sound of the door opening cut through the murmurs and shifting bodies, and Sitch entered with a grave expression. His usual calm demeanor seemed edged with urgency as he stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the assembled S-Class heroes before he spoke.

"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice low and serious. "What I'm about to share is of the utmost importance. It's not something I can force any of you to engage in, but understand this: if you choose to stay and listen, I expect each of you to act with the same dedication as always. This matter requires a unified front."

Several heroes exchanged glances, their murmurs fading into silence as the weight of Sitch's tone sunk in. Metal Bat scowled but sat up a little straighter, clearly waiting to hear what was worth dragging him away from family.

Sitch paused, taking a deep breath. "Earlier this week, Shibabawa, the great seer, passed away."

An air of shock rippled through the room, and a few gasps could be heard. Tatsumaki crossed her arms, her face tense, while Genos leaned forward, his mechanical eyes narrowing in focus. Saitama glanced around, less familiar with the seer's reputation but still intrigued by the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere.

Sitch's gaze darkened as he continued, "Her final prophecy was completed moments before her death. She foretold that within the next six months, a disaster of unimaginable scale will strike the Earth."

The silence that followed was thick, the tension palpable as each hero processed the gravity of the warning. Azar watched as some of the heroes clenched their fists, others exchanged worried glances. Even the usually cocky Tatsumaki's expression softened into one of faint concern.

"How big of a catastrophe are we talking?" Metal Bat's voice was gruff, trying to downplay the tension but betraying a hint of worry.

Sitch nodded gravely. "In her own words… a catastrophe that could spell the end of the Earth as we know it."

Another uneasy silence filled the room. Even Azar felt the weight of the statement, though a glint of resolve sparked in his eyes. This was the kind of challenge he'd never faced before—an unknown force of destruction looming over the world. The thought of something that could endanger the entire planet piqued his interest, his ambition for strength simmering beneath the surface.