Sol watched Tatsumaki hurry toward the bedroom, a faint smile resting on his lips. Without hesitation, he sent a telepathic command to Muzan and his demons.
Do good deeds openly, make sure people see it.
Inside the bedroom, Tatsumaki stood in front of her wardrobe, hesitating. Her hand hovered over her usual black slit dress, but after a pause, she pulled out a light green dress she had never worn before.
"It's just a change of style," she muttered to herself, quickly changing.
She spent a bit more time than usual fixing her curls in front of the mirror.
When she floated out, Sol paused.
Under the sunlight, the light green dress softened her entire presence. Her pale skin looked even clearer, and her curls rested neatly over her shoulders, giving her a gentler look than usual.
"What?" Tatsumaki asked, shifting slightly under his gaze. "Does it look strange?"
Sol shook his head. "No. It suits you. You look good."
Her ears turned red instantly. She looked away.
"Stop talking nonsense. Let's go."
Green energy wrapped around both of them as they floated out through the window. During the flight, Tatsumaki kept a deliberate distance, though her eyes kept drifting toward him.
They landed in front of the Hero Association headquarters. The guards at the entrance stared for a second at her appearance before snapping to attention under her sharp glare.
Inside the conference room, several S-Class heroes were already present.
As Sol and Tatsumaki walked in together, Metal Bat let out a whistle. "That was quick. Things moving fast, huh?"
Tatsumaki's hair bristled. "Mind your business!"
Bang, calm as ever, stroked his beard and looked at Sol. "Your injuries, are they better?"
"Much better, Bang senpai," Sol replied with a nod.
His gaze swept across the room, briefly landing on Child Emperor, who was staring at him with clear suspicion.
Chairman Sitch cleared his throat, and a projection lit up the room.
"According to recent intelligence, a group of monsters calling themselves demons appeared this morning. They have been… assisting civilians in City A."
Child Emperor adjusted his glasses, confusion evident. "Monsters helping people? That's unusual."
"Hmph." Tatsumaki crossed her arms as she floated slightly. "It's obviously a trick. Monsters don't help humans."
She glanced at Sol, but his expression remained calm, unreadable.
"Rookie, what do you think?" she asked suddenly.
Sol looked back at the screen. "It's strange, yeah. But if they haven't harmed anyone, watching them for now isn't a bad idea."
Tatsumaki turned away. "You're too relaxed about this."
Sol sat beside her, his eyes moving across the images on the screen, images of Muzan and the others helping civilians. Internally, he was satisfied. Things were progressing faster than expected.
Sitch cleared his throat again.
"There's another matter. This is the main reason for today's meeting. Mr. Zenil has proposed a reassessment of S-Class Hero Sol's qualifications."
The room fell silent.
Tatsumaki's hair spiked instantly. "What?"
Bang frowned. "Explain."
Sitch sighed. "Mr. Zenil believes Sol has been absent during key battles and has shown irregular behavior. He claims this does not meet the standards of an S-Class hero."
The screen shifted, showing Zenil's face, wearing a polished smile.
"I am simply thinking of the Association's future. If certain heroes cannot fulfill their duties, then more capable individuals should take their place."
Sol narrowed his eyes slightly.
So this was retaliation.
Zenil had chosen his moment well. This would put Sol directly under scrutiny, the exact opposite of what he wanted.
"Bullshit!" Metal Bat slammed his fist on the table. "The Rookie pulls his weight!"
Tanktop Master stood up as well. "Sol's strength is obvious."
"Enough," Sitch said firmly. "This is only a proposal. It will be decided by vote."
Tatsumaki floated closer to Sol, her energy flickering faintly.
"Don't worry," she said quietly. "They won't touch you while I'm here."
Sol glanced at her, smiling slightly. "Thanks."
Child Emperor observed this exchange closely, adjusting his specially designed glasses. Doubt flickered in his eyes. With Sol's abnormal physical data, did he really need protection? Something didn't add up.
The voting process began, and the room quickly turned chaotic.
Officials supporting Zenil argued aggressively, while the heroes pushed back just as strongly.
"Enough!"
Tatsumaki's power surged, shaking the entire room.
"Anyone who keeps targeting the Rookie, I'll throw them out myself."
Bang stepped forward calmly. "If Sol is to be demoted, then the responsibility lies with me. A student's fault reflects the master. I will accept the same judgment."
Zenil's expression flickered with unease before returning to his usual smile.
"Please, there's no need to be emotional. We're all working toward the same goal."
"Emotional?" Tatsumaki's hair rose again, her temper flaring, but Sol gently took her hand.
"Relax," he said softly. "Getting worked up doesn't suit you."
He released her hand and turned toward the screen.
"Zenil, know your place. Donating money doesn't give you the right to treat S-Class heroes like tools. You think people don't see what goes on behind the scenes?"
The room erupted.
No one expected him to speak so directly.
But no one could deny it either.
Corruption within the Association wasn't a secret. Many heroes had long been dissatisfied.
Sol's approach was deliberate.
If he appeared weak or defensive, suspicion would only grow. But by confronting the issue head-on and stirring tension, he shifted attention away from himself.
For the officials, status and wealth mattered most.
If they backed down, fine.
If they didn't, it didn't matter.
Sol already had alternatives.
Muzan and his demons had drawn attention. And if needed, Sol could bring in forces from other worlds like Baki or Demon Slayer.
The Association needed manpower.