As their companions discussed the situation after Tornado's departure, Three-Section Staff Lily walked directly up to Jack.
Bowing deeply, the lily-crowned girl said gratefully, "Jack-san, thank you so much for your help! If it weren't for you, we probably… On behalf of our Fubuki Group, I thank you for your help!"
"Yes, yes, thank you… Uh, Big Brother Jack!" Mountain Ape also came over, scratching the back of his head with his large, fan-like hand, smiling honestly.
Eyelashes pushed up his non-existent glasses, trying to maintain the demeanor of a B-Class Rank 2 hero, but his tone was much more polite.
"Sir, your strength is extraordinary. The one who just invited you was the founder of our Fubuki Group—Hellish Blizzard! Blizzard-sama is not only B-Class Rank 1, but also the younger sister of S-Class Hero Tornado-sama! Joining our Fubuki Group offers many benefits, and the treatment is absolutely generous!"
"It was just a small matter—no need to mind."
Before he could finish speaking, Jack waved his hand.
"I have other things to do, so I'm leaving first."
He had no interest in getting too entangled with the Fubuki Group—this collection of career elites in the hero world.
"Eh, eh, eh? Jack-san! Sir, please wait…!"
Three-Section Staff Lily remembered her elder sister's recruitment just now and quickly spoke, wanting to communicate more with their benefactor.
But Jack did not stop. He merely waved his hand casually, and his figure quickly blended into the crowd at the street corner, disappearing from view.
Eyelashes gazed in the direction Jack had disappeared, muttering, "This… this is the demeanor of a strong person?!"
Three-Section Staff Lily bit her lower lip, feeling a little disappointed—but her determination to become stronger grew even firmer.
—Only by doing so can she… protect the best Blizzard-sama.
Leaving the commercial street, Jack strolled along the streets of M City, his mind continuously replaying the scene where Tornado had gazed at him.
Her emerald eyes carried a strong sense of pressure—more like a natural suppression stemming from a higher level of life. Jack was no longer the weakling he'd been when he first transmigrated, so he naturally wouldn't be affected by a mere glance from Tornado. But he could imagine that even a casual look from her would be enough to make a weaker person's mind tremble and their guts quiver.
"Tsk—as expected of my wife Tornado, the Hero Association's strongest trump card… Hmm, not one of them, since Blast—the part-time hero who slacks off all year round—doesn't count."
Jack's lips curled slightly. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he'd come into close contact with his idol in reality. That incredibly vast Psychokinesis, even just a fleeting glimpse, made him feel the oppressive power of a top-tier superpower user.
With Jack's current strength, if he switched to his Monster form and went all out, he might not be at a disadvantage against Tornado. If he could successfully launch a sneak attack first… even Tornado would probably suffer greatly.
But if he only maintained his frail human form…
Jack stroked his chin and honestly reached a slightly depressing conclusion.
—I'd probably be pinned to the ground and rubbed—without even a chance to transform.
Tornado's superpower talent was truly a cheat. Any normal attack from her was comparable to a full-power area-of-effect attack unleashed by other heroes. If the stats were even slightly off, there was basically no chance to fight—one would simply be suppressed into a meat patty by overwhelming Psychokinesis.
"It seems I still need to continue improving my strength."
A sharp glint flashed in Jack's eyes. Any slight complacency or self-satisfaction he'd felt vanished after personally experiencing the pressure from this world's high-end combat power.
Indeed, the waters of a gag anime were terrifyingly deep. One must never let down their guard.
Before I can directly contend with Tornado in my normal human form—or even suppress her—joining the Hero Association or anything like that can wait for now.
Jack secretly set a new small goal for himself.
Either don't do it—or if you do… be the strongest human hero.
Of course—excluding the bald guy.
(Saitama, currently waiting in line for a special sale: "Ah, ah, ah… ACHOO—!!")
In the dark, deep seabed, a magnificent palace constructed from giant corals and shipwreck debris stood quietly. Mottled phosphorescent algae adhered to its surface, emitting an eerie, sinister aura, illuminating the surrounding several thousand meters of sea like a ghost realm.
This was the Sea People's stronghold—
The Deep Sea King's City.
Though called a king's city, it was actually a large tribe built around the royal court, where a great many Sea People lived. By virtue of their strong dominion over the sea, it had gradually evolved into the most powerful center of influence in this region.
Inside the main hall—built from hollowed-out shipwreck remnants—the atmosphere was so heavy that even the high-pressure seawater seemed to have solidified.
On the throne sat an exceptionally burly, giant merman. His skin was deep green scales. His knotted muscles were like steel, reflecting a cold, hard metallic luster in the dim light. His head retained the ferocious features of a deep-sea fish—massive mouth filled with sharp teeth—and a pair of millstone-sized yellow vertical pupils gleamed with ferocity and brutality.
The fins on his cheeks, spread open by sharp bone spurs, resembled a lion's mane. The crimson cape draped behind him and the golden crown on his head all highlighted his noble status as a ruler.
This was the king of the Sea People—
Deep Sea King.
At this moment, the sea overlord's face was grim, his gaze dangerous—clearly on the verge of a furious outburst.
Below the throne, the slender Sea Serpent Scout lay trembling on the ground, having just reported the tragic news of the three generals' deaths.
"Great White Shark, Eater Eel, Death Electric Eel—my three great generals… actually—all were slaughtered!!"
Deep Sea King's voice boomed like undersea muffled thunder in the ears of every Sea Person present, making the entire palace hum. He suddenly stood from the throne—his massive body, nearly twenty meters tall—casting a large shadow. The intense oppressive feeling made the surrounding seawater seem to grow viscous.
"This sea area has been completely ruled by me. The only enemy can only come from… the land!! Humans… are simply too deceitful!!"
A terrifying aura erupted from him, stirring the seawater in the hall into small whirlpools. The surrounding Sea People warriors standing by lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the king's towering rage.
"Hear my command!" Deep Sea King let out a deafening roar. "Assemble all warriors! I will personally flatten the land and let those lowly humans know the consequences of offending the King of the Sea!!"
"ROAR!!"
The Sea People in the great hall roared loudly, revealing fierce expressions, raising their weapons and claws in response.
But just as Deep Sea King was about to issue the general attack order and enjoy a slaughter feast—
*BOOM—!! *
A colossal sound—far exceeding the previous roar—came along vibrating water waves.
The Sea People looked in horror, only to see that the hundreds-of-tons-heavy gate of the King's City palace had actually been violently penetrated from the outside by a massive force.
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