City Q.
Since the sudden disappearance of Yami and Tatsumaki, the once noisy battle scene had fallen completely silent.
No one knew where they had gone, but it wasn't long before personnel from the Heroes Association arrived on the scene and took over.
However, they didn't clear out the civilians who had been watching the battle, much like what happened during Watchdog Man's earlier fight.
Even though Watchdog Man had been defeated, many onlookers recognized Tatsumaki.
This recognition reignited the confidence of the common people.
In short, they believed once again in the invincibility of heroes.
S-Class heroes were seen as humanity's ultimate protectors.
Sure, no one expected some unknown fighter to defeat Watchdog Man, but they still believed that was all he could do.
It was impossible—absolutely impossible—for anyone to defeat Tatsumaki!
Nearly all the citizens held this belief as they stood just outside the barricades, eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the battle.
After all, the Heroes Association couldn't forcibly remove them.
"Big Sis Fubuki, do you think Tatsumaki can beat that guy?"
A man resembling a gorilla asked this question, his tone filled with reverence as he gazed fanatically at the tall woman beside him.
This display of admiration was shared by the other men and women around them.
It was as if Fubuki possessed an irresistible power that captivated them.
"Ape, stop comparing just anyone to her!"
"Though I hate to admit it, my big sister is incredibly strong. Out of all the heroes I've met, she's the most powerful."
"I've never seen her lose, and this time won't be any different!"
"And even if she were to lose, she could only lose to someone from my Blizzard Group!"
As Fubuki spoke, her expression grew stubborn, and she bit her lip.
Her greatest ambition was to defeat her older sister with her own hands.
For that reason, Fubuki had remained in the B-class and gathered other B-class heroes, hoping to one day surpass Tatsumaki by sheer numbers.
Though it hadn't worked so far, she refused to give up!
Upon hearing Fubuki's declaration, Mountain Ape, Eyelashes, and Lily all exchanged uneasy smiles.
They had joined the Fubuki Group because they admired Fubuki's strength and charisma.
But challenging Tatsumaki, the second-ranked S-Class hero? That was another story.
It would be absurd!
Sure, people should have dreams and ambitions.
But there's a fine line between dreams and wishful thinking. Best not to entertain impossible ideas.
It was better for everyone that way, wasn't it?
Still, the three of them, always keen on reading the room, refrained from dampening Fubuki's spirit.
"We also believe Big Sis sis will come out victorious in the end. There's no way some random guy could be that strong!"
"Maybe he used some trick to defeat Watchdog Man."
"But against Big Sis sis, he's doomed!"
Mountain Ape's gruff voice echoed again, sharing his confident opinion.
Before anyone could respond, a slight fluctuation in the previously calm space of the square caught their attention.
For someone like Fubuki, with her psychic abilities, this was impossible to miss.
"Is it over?"
Without knowing the specifics, Fubuki instinctively looked toward the center of the square.
Where there had once been empty space, five figures now stood.
A man clad in silver armor carried a petite figure over his shoulder. His hands casually rested behind her back.
The other three figures standing beside him had an aura so intense it made it hard to look at them directly.
Yet the man holding Tatsumaki had a strangely down-to-earth manner—almost like someone lugging a grocery bag.
"Big Sis! That must be the man who defeated Watchdog Man!"
"And he's carrying Big Sis sis over his shoulder, taking advantage of her!"
Mountain Ape's voice boomed again.
His words pulled Fubuki out of her distracted thoughts, her gaze now locked onto Yami's shoulder.
The clothes, the build, the face—they were all too familiar.
As Tatsumaki's younger sister, and as someone who had made Tatsumaki her goal to surpass, Fubuki knew her sister better than anyone.
Even if she couldn't see Tatsumaki's face, she recognized her instantly.
"Wait, this doesn't make sense!"
"If that's really my sister, why didn't I sense her injuries before? With the bond we share, I should have felt something."
"Could it be some kind of imposter?"
Despite the situation, Fubuki managed to stay calm.
The connection between her and Tatsumaki allowed them to sense each other's injuries. That's how Tatsumaki always knew when Fubuki was hurt and could rush to her aid.
While Fubuki's perception wasn't as sharp as Tatsumaki's, she should have felt something if Tatsumaki were injured.
This lack of any sensation was unprecedented, and it made Fubuki suspicious. She kept her eyes fixed on Yami, not rushing forward.
"Hm? I thought I'd have to bring her to you."
"But it seems unnecessary now. I'll leave her with you."
The moment Yami had left the mirror space, he had sensed a presence similar to Tatsumaki's.
Following that sensation, his eyes landed on Fubuki—a taller, curvier version of her sister.
A faint smile crossed his face.
With a flash, Yami appeared directly in front of Fubuki.
Behind her, Mountain Ape, Eyelashes, and Lily quickly moved to block the path between Yami and Fubuki, sweating profusely as they faced this unexpected visitor.