City A, Planet Terra, Hero Association Headquarters.
Watching the group live stream projected on the large screen.
His gaze sweeping over the S-Class Heroes lying on the ground like discarded rags.
Sitch, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hero Association, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his expensive suit and turned to the people seated at the round table behind him:
"G-Gentlemen, sh-should we call off this operation?"
Sitting here were the highest-ranking council members of the Hero Association.
Each one was a major figure in Planet Terra's business or political world.
For example... Kaguya's father, Shinomiya Gan'an, Chika's grandfather, the Prime Minister Fujiwara, Suzuki Group's Chairman, Suzuki Shiro, etc.
Their status was at least as high as, if not higher than, the Celestial Dragons of the Planet Pirate.
Although most of them weren't clean either, at least they weren't as despicable as the Celestial Dragons.
Among them, Chika's grandfather, the Prime Minister Fujiwara, was one of the founders of the Hero Association ten years ago.
However, even these giants of Planet Terra's political and business world, seeing their planet's protector S-Class Heroes being swatted down one after another by Lott like grasshoppers in a roadside bush, found it difficult to remain calm.
Among them, Suzuki Sonoko's father, the relatively soft-spoken Suzuki Shiro, was already figuring out how to flee.
After all, both Shuchi'in Academy and the Hero Association were in City A, and he felt it was unsafe to stay here any longer.
"Maybe... we should seek peace?"
The one who said this was the adoptive father of the Nakano Sisters, Nakano Maruo.
Visually estimated to be under forty, he was relatively young among the people present.
Compared to the immensely wealthy Shiro and Gan'an, he didn't really qualify to sit here.
But in this world overrun by monsters, the importance of 'doctors' was self-evident.
That's why Maruo was exceptionally made one of the Hero Association's highest council members.
"Impossible!"
The eldest son, Shinomiya Oko, standing behind Gan'an, said sternly:
"Since we've already taken action, we must see it through to the end in one go. Otherwise, where would the Hero Association's reputation be? Right now, the top three combatants of the Hero Association, Tatsumaki, Silver Fang, and Atomic Samurai, can still fight! Other S-Class Heroes are also on their way! We are fully capable of fighting!"
Maruo frowned deeply. He felt Oko's thinking was purely that of a gambler.
'They should cut their losses at this point.'
'And are you blind?'
'Didn't you see that Lott hadn't actually killed anyone until now?'
'If you push him too far...'
But in the end, Maruo didn't say anything. His status wasn't high enough, so anything he said would be useless.
"Chairman, what do you think we should do?"
Gan'an glanced sideways at the Prime Minister Fujiwara.
His youngest daughter was actually close friends with the other man's granddaughter, Chika.
But their own relationship was just average.
Prime Minister Fujiwara's white eyebrows were tightly furrowed. After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"Let's take a vote by show of hands."
As soon as he said this, the council members around the round table looked at each other.
In the end, except for a few like Maruo and Prime Minister Fujiwara who abstained, everyone else unanimously raised their hands.
Although according to the data, Lott hadn't caused any trouble so far.
The intimidation displayed by Vegeta's trio just now was too exaggerated.
The richer you are, the more you fear death.
Now, just seeing Lott's face in the live stream made them tremble.
If they could eliminate him, it was better to do it quickly.
…
Soon, Sitch relayed the Association's decision to continue the fight via radio to Child Emperor, who then informed the other heroes on the scene.
"Tch~ Those guys!"
Tatsumaki's beautiful eyebrows twitched fiercely upon hearing this.
She could easily guess what those guys at the Association were thinking.
"This is the right way."
Atomic Samurai said gravely, slowly drawing his sword again.
Although for different reasons, he also felt they should take this opportunity to eliminate Lott.
After all, the actions of Vegeta's trio were too cruel.
Even though the Hero Association had found no evidence of Lott doing similar things so far.
But, what if?
If he really decided to act, it would be too late!
In that case, wasn't it better to take this chance and resolve it in one go!
"Even after reaching this point, you still refuse to back down?"
Bang slapped his forehead, the wrinkles on his brow deep enough to trap mosquitoes.
He had thought that after things had escalated to this level, the Hero Association would voluntarily give up their hostility towards Lott.
He never expected those bureaucrats to be even more foolish than he imagined.
Lott's gaze swept over the S-Class Heroes, lingering on Bang, the only familiar face besides Genos, then grinned:
"Do they really think I don't dare to kill them?"
Bang opened his mouth several times, but recalling the first time he had met Lott, the words stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
"Iaian, Bushidrill, Okamaitachi, with me!"
Atomic Samurai, the S-Class Hero with the most resolute attitude towards eliminating Lott, barked an order. He and his three A-Class disciples drew their swords and charged at Lott together.
"Flying Void Slash!"
After just two steps, Atomic Samurai abruptly drew his blade.
Compressed sword energy in a cross shape tore across the ground, rapidly closing in on Lott.
When the cross-shaped sword energy was less than half a meter from the tip of his nose.
Lott finally raised his hand, slapping out with the back of his right hand.
He directly swatted the flying slash to the side.
Seeing the sword energy flying towards her, Tatsumaki quickly raised her hand, creating an invisible barrier, blocking the flying slash outside.
"Truly astonishing physical strength, but that move was just to distract you!"
Seizing this momentary opening, Atomic Samurai had already rushed in front of Lott.
His cold, gleaming sword pointed straight at Lott's throat.
Atomic Concentrated Slash!
His three disciples also simultaneously drew their blades, slashing at Lott's left shoulder, side, and lower leg.
Faced with attacks from four directions, Lott's pupils contracted slightly.
A burst of pure pressure erupted from within his body.
"Hah!"
Atomic Samurai and his three disciples were caught off guard and sent flying back by the rebound!
"What kind of move was that!?"
Metal Bat exclaimed involuntarily.
"Just simply using an air current to blow the targets away."
Bang whispered with a sigh.
His efforts as a peacemaker were useless.
'This wouldn't end without a few deaths.'
And reality immediately proved Bang's thoughts correct.
In the next instant, they saw Lott raise his right hand, palm facing up.
A disc-shaped golden energy slash followed the flick of Lott's right hand.
It traced an elegant arc through the air, attacking the four who hadn't yet stabilized themselves.
"You like cutting things, don't you?"
Lott grinned strangely.
The first target was the A-Class Hero ranked 4th, Bushidrill!