In the Sand Village, the clones are everywhere, and the Arkham game begins

Chapter 469 Standards for S-Rank Promotion
The tornado in the sky looked down at Shimizu, who was treating Fubuki, and almost ground its teeth to dust.

To prevent her naive and innocent younger sister from being taken advantage of by a gigolo again, Tatsumaki showed up without hesitation and took Fubuki away without saying a word.

Before she can figure out what this man is really like, Fubuki can't be allowed to continue seeing him. Otherwise, one day the silly little sister might fall too deeply in love and discover that he's a scumbag. Wouldn't that make her even more heartbroken?

On the other side, Shimizu also opened the gift box in his hand with a puzzled look on his face.

Is it really a gift?
Where is my 100 million yuan?

Why a latest high-end graphics card?
what does this mean?
"I've heard that some thoughtful girls are giving their boyfriends graphics cards and sneakers as gifts these days. Mr. Shimizu is so lucky!"

Makoi looked at the graphics card inside the gift box in Shimizu's hand and smiled as he leaned closer.

"Um... my relationship with Fubuki isn't what you think."

Shimizu shook his head at Macoy.

What the hell?

No way, no way, Fubuki isn't really smitten with me?

Hmm... It's not impossible!

That's true. It's perfectly normal for a high-quality human being like me—powerful, handsome, and able to guide young women who are lost in life—to receive the admiration of such a beautiful girl.

A certain high-quality human male stroked his chin, thinking with a touch of narcissism.

but……

Although Fubuki is very beautiful and fits my aesthetic, what if I actually have a relationship with Fubuki? Will I be killed by her sister Tatsumaki?

Well…

Life still matters.

And what if I misunderstood what Fubuki meant?
"Ah? Is that so? I understand. But after all, Ms. Fubuki's sister is the second-ranked S-class Tornado. In the year and a half since Mr. Blast disappeared, Ms. Tornado and Mr. King have become the association's most powerful trump cards. If they want, they can mobilize a lot of energy and resources. If we can be on good terms with them, it will be of great help to you, Mr. Shimizu..."

“Ahem, Mr. Macoy, you seem to be talking a bit too much.”

Shimizu put the gift box into his pouch and said to Makoi.

"I understand, I understand. After all, with Mr. Shimizu's strength, becoming an S-class hero is a foregone conclusion. There are some things that don't need to be done; we can just do whatever we feel like."

Macoy smiled and waved his hand.

"Oh? You know about the new association hero rankings for tomorrow?"

"Yes, Mr. Shimizu, the basic discussions were completed yesterday. I was present at the meeting. According to the plan discussed at the meeting, we are just waiting for Mr. Sweet Mask, the number one A-rank hero, to review and approve your information today. With your recent achievements, you should be able to become the seventeenth S-rank hero tomorrow."

With a polite smile on his face, Makoi spoke to Shimizu.

In fact, he wasn't sure if Shimizu could successfully advance to S-rank.

To be promoted to an S-class hero, one must gain the approval of Sweet Mask, the number one A-class hero, especially after Sexy Prisoner.

Last time, the association's higher-ups didn't question Sweet Mask. After Sexy Prisoner killed a Demon-level monster, they bypassed Sweet Mask, who was ranked first in Class A, and promoted Sexy Prisoner, who was then ranked second in Class A, to Class S, which greatly displeased Sweet Mask.

So that month, after Sweet Mask gave the association's higher-ups a severe dressing down, he turned down all commercial activities and endorsements in cooperation with the association. This caused many sponsors to terminate their sponsorships because of Sweet Mask, resulting in a significant drop in the Hero Association's revenue that month.

As a phenomenal, top-tier idol with a breakout popularity, Sweet Mask's earning power is terrifying.

With variety shows, movies, TV series, music albums, and concerts, Sweet Mask's popularity alone is equivalent to half of the entertainment industry.

The Hero Association absolutely cannot accept the loss of such a super cash cow.

Even if the Hero Association has a large number of wealthy and powerful people behind it who invest money in it for their own safety and interests, the Hero Association's normal operation would be disrupted for a long time without the income brought by Sweet Mask. Furthermore, Sweet Mask's huge influence would cause negative consequences.

This is something the Hero Association doesn't want to see.

For the Hero Association, Sweet Mask is the most indispensable of all the heroes.

Unless, of course, that S-class hero is someone like Tornado or King, an unparalleled powerhouse among S-class heroes whom no one dares to mess with.

With Sweet Mask around, the powerful and wealthy will recognize the commercial value of the Hero Association and be willing to invest money. The public will also be willing to continue supporting the Hero Association because of Sweet Mask.

Therefore, for Shimizu to be promoted to S-class, she must gain the approval of Sweet Mask.

Whether it's a battle record that earns Sweet Mask's approval, or a fight between the two that leads to Sweet Mask's consent, they still have to go through this hurdle.

Based on Makoi's understanding of Sweet Mask, the reason he disagreed with Sexy Prisoner's promotion to S-class was because Sexy Prisoner did not possess the ability to threaten Dragon-level monsters.

With no God-level monsters appearing, Dragon-level disasters pose the greatest threat to humanity. As the strongest fighting force on the human side, Sweet Mask believes that one must possess the strength to rival Dragon-level monsters, otherwise one is unqualified.

Beyond being qualified, if one possesses an extreme sense of justice and adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards evil forces such as freaks and criminals, and must completely eliminate them, then that is excellent.

But if someone could be like King, not only would none of the powerful monsters under his command survive, but he would also have an imposing presence that would intimidate monsters and reassure the public. Furthermore, he would possess noble character and make significant contributions beyond his heroic activities, becoming a role model for heroes. That would be a perfect, almost "perfect" hero.

As for Sexy Prisoner, he is strong enough to deal with Demon-level monsters, but he does not have the ability to threaten Dragon-level monsters. In Sweet Mask's eyes, he is an unqualified filler.

Genos was able to get Sweet Mask to agree because the credit for destroying the House of Evolution, which possessed Dragon-level combat power, was attributed to Genos, thus passing the test—as for the source of the information, it was Zombieman, who also came from the House of Evolution.

Furthermore, before meeting Saitama, Genos was investigating the whereabouts of a certain cyborg organization. Because of his hatred, he burned all the enemies he encountered to the ground. His actions earned Sweet Mask's approval, and his handsome appearance also helped Genos pass Sweet Mask's test when he was promoted to S-class.

This is why Sweet Mask expressed his disappointment in Genos when they met for the second time.

Because Genos never defeated Deep Sea King at the peak of Demon-level, Sweet Mask relegated him to the same level as Sexy Prisoner.

In reality, by the time Sexy Prisoner was promoted to S-class, he had already killed several Demon-level monsters, creating a significant gap between himself and other A-class heroes.

If they don't advance to S-rank, then the top two spots in A-rank will be completely occupied by these two, and the heroes below will also be negatively affected if they see no hope of advancement.

Makoi didn't know if Shimizu could successfully pass Sweet Mask's test and advance to S-class, but in his opinion, being able to capture a Demon-level monster alive and entangle in a battle with a Dragon-level monster for so long should be enough to advance to S-class.

Even if he can't, saying a few nice words now wouldn't hurt. After all, judging from the current record, the opponent's strength is no less than that of Sexy Prisoner, and given that he's suspected of being pursued by Hellish Blizzard, he's very likely to become a rising star in the association. There's nothing wrong with befriending him.

Most importantly, Macaui now needs Clearwater.

"By the way, Shimizu-kun, I wonder what the purpose of those strange symbols on this weirdo's body is..."

"seal."

"Does that mean once the mystery is solved, the monster will go on another rampage?"

"Correct."

"I don't know..."

"You can't learn it."

Qingshui said directly and simply.

"That's a real pity. If the association could master this technology, it might be able to better control the monsters and conduct research."

"Makau said regretfully."

Shimizu raised an eyebrow with considerable curiosity:
"Oh? Researching strange people? I'm quite interested in that. Could Mr. McCoy elaborate?"

He had previously collected materials from the corpses of some strange people, such as the rampaging deliverymen, and brought them back for research.

Perhaps due to insufficient skill or a lack of equipment and instruments, he did not produce any research results that were of practical significance or use.

"It's nothing. Some of the top heroes in the association are aware of this. Those monsters have been imprisoned in a laboratory to study the origins of their existence and how to turn them back into humans."

Makoi remained calm and replied with a smile.

In fact, it involves more than just these. It also involves many shocking gray industry chains, which are related to a large number of powerful and wealthy people. Even key members of the association, such as Sitch, were kept in the dark. Only association cadres like him, who have connections with those powerful people and are even deeply involved in them, have some understanding of this.

These things, of course, cannot be told to Shimizu, because he shouldn't know them.

In theory, these things also "do not exist".

"Oh, I see. I'm quite interested in that too. I guess I can apply to join in? Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble. If I'm not good enough, just ignore me and treat me as a visitor."

"I will submit a notification to the association's senior management."

Makoi didn't think much of it.

Many of the Hero Association's top heroes are leaders in their respective fields. For example, Child Emperor and Metal Knight have helped oversee the development of many technological devices and the construction of defensive fortifications for the association.

Since the person in front of me has the strength of an S-class hero, and judging from the advanced technology of the armor he uses in battle, he may also have considerable research capabilities.

Anyway, he just went up with the notification.

Anyway, he won't notify them. Once the other party is promoted to S-rank, they will also have the authority to speak directly with the association's higher-ups.

Watching Macoi and the transport vehicle carrying the selfie queen leave, Shimizu also turned and left.

Until night falls.

Inside a private room in a restaurant.

Shimizu looked at the leftover food on the table, let out a burp, chewed on a toothpick, and patted his belly contentedly.

Given his physical strength, the energy he needs for daily life is several times that of an ordinary person, and during this period of rapid increase in strength, he needs even more energy and nutrition.

Although the secret manuals given by Abdominal Cutter and the inheritance given by Bang contain some recipes and prescriptions that can meet the energy and nutrition needs, and the Hero Association also has high-energy and high-nutrition energy bars synthesized by technological means, the taste is only so-so.

When he has time, Shimizu is still willing to go out for a nice meal.

After all, he spends his days either fighting monsters, cultivating, and climbing the technology tree, learning some special sciences of this world. There are no entertainment activities, and no kind and beautiful younger sister to accompany him.

The only thing that can soothe the soul is satisfying one's appetite.

Only slightly larger restaurants and hotels can satisfy his appetite, because even if the chefs at those street stalls with limited staff worked themselves to death, they still couldn't satisfy him.

Maybe once this phase of focusing on rapid development is over, I can find more ways to have fun?
Different worlds, different cultures, but the same human nature give rise to entertainment methods that are always similar yet full of unique fun.

"Waiter! The bill!"

Shimizu took out her phone and wallet, pushed open the door to the private room, and greeted the waiter.

The waiter bowed slightly and answered the question while looking at the water:

"I'm sorry, sir, someone has already paid for you."

"Huh? Are you a fan who saw me eating here?"

"I ask you curiously," Shimizu said.

He didn't deliberately hide his whereabouts or identity, so it's understandable that some fans might see it and pay in advance.

His popularity is currently among the highest of the A-rank heroes, second only to Sweet Mask. Especially in D City recently, he has surpassed Rai Genji to become the most popular hero in the region.

Not only because he has a better image than Rai Genji and knows how to create hype, but also because he is stronger. After the Giant Brother incident, many residents of D City placed high hopes on him, hoping that a local S-class hero would emerge from D City.

The One-Punch Man universe has twenty-six cities on the continent, named with English letters. There are currently only sixteen S-class heroes. Among them are cities like Y City, where Child Emperor and Pig God are usually the only two S-class heroes. In reality, about half of the cities do not have any S-class heroes.

There aren't even enough A-rank heroes; there are only thirty-seven in total. Some cities, like Y City, have more than one A-rank hero.

Because of relationships, or the belief that sticking together can help deal with stronger monsters and improve their chances of ranking as heroes, some of the disciples of Atomic Samurai, such as the Three Musketeers, Golden Slingshot, and Spring Mustache, act as a group.

(End of this chapter)