"Then Director..."
Turning his head, Kaito Joestar looked expectantly at his immediate superior. Director Tanaka sighed slightly and waved his hand impatiently: "Go, go. I'm just an intermediary; you don't need to consider my opinion on this matter."
"Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!"
Finally, Kaito signed his name on the document Bucky brought. The Hero Association was in its nascent stage. Besides widespread hero recruitment, they would also proactively approach talented individuals, offering very generous benefits.
This was Director Tanaka's greatest frustration; before they arrived, the higher-ups had already issued an order for full cooperation. Since it concerned his subordinate officer's personal future, he was unwilling to be the bad guy.
"Mr. Kaito Joestar, my task is complete!" Bucky put away the document and handed it to his subordinate behind him. "However, according to the association's system, you still need to come to the Z City branch to complete some simple professional ability tests to determine your hero rank, initial ranking, and so on. I hope you can understand this!"
Hero test?
Kaito nodded: "No problem, it's expected."
"Thank you! I hope we have a pleasant cooperation!"
"Pleasant cooperation."
Hero?
Inheriting the Joestar's golden spirit, Kaito still yearned for this group. Regardless of future developments, the pure and noble Souls within it would not change.
Then join!
This was his mental journey after talking with the association executive, Bucky. In the end, he even specifically went to the Director's office. The somewhat weary Director Tanaka just patted him on the shoulder, instructed him to "do well," and then told him to scram.
Kaito naturally complied.
The first thing after work was to go to the convenience store. As his physique gradually became superhuman, Kaito's appetite also grew simultaneously. A large-displacement car definitely has higher fuel consumption, and his body was the same.
He replenished his household necessities and the stock in his refrigerator. When he came out, both hands were full of large and small bags, and he was almost buried in them. Finding a secluded corner, Kaito decisively activated his Stand ability, sealing all the items in his hands into Fantasy Cards.
Immediately, he felt the heavy pressure of life lighten considerably.
Turning around, a harmless face came into view.
"Good evening, Officer Sir."
Saitama, whose art style was becoming simpler, smiled and greeted him, while scratching his head, completely oblivious to two precious black hairs falling from between his fingers.
"That just now," he reached out, trying to gesture, "Is that the legendary Superpower? Are you the legendary Superpower User?"
Kaito: "..."
He's quite curious, isn't he? Looks like his training isn't complete yet.
[Fantasy Cards: Limiter Shard] + 1
"Hmm, another one?"
Kaito silently put away the N Card that had inexplicably appeared in his hand and immediately made a decision.
"Oh dear, was I discovered?"
Hearing Kaito's deliberately lowered voice, Saitama's expression became serious. He clenched his fists and even prepared for battle: "Ah, according to TV drama plots, is it time to kill to silence now?"
Kaito approached and patted him on the shoulder: "Of course not! Since you've seen it, then let's go together."
"Huh?"
Gurgle gurgle gurgle...
The fiery red chili oil boiled furiously, and thick slices of discounted beef were successively poured into it. In a few ups and downs, the fresh red raw meat was scalded cooked by the boiling broth, and an enticing aroma spread.
Two sweating men sat around the hotpot, their burning gazes fixed on the meat slices tumbling in the pot.
"Done!"
"I'm not holding back!"
At this moment, the two men holding wooden chopsticks were like two peerless swordsmen. The moment the meat slices were cooked through, sparks flew from their intertwined gazes in the air, and their sharp swords were unsheathed simultaneously.
Chua chua chua...
One sword's light chilled nineteen prefectures. Both parties in the exchange gained something. The scalding hot meat slices, dipped in specially prepared spicy sauce, were sent into their mouths one after another.
"Sigh, sigh... Wow! So hot... No, so spicy!"
Compared to Saitama, who was red from the spice, Kaito's movements were much more elegant. Supported by his powerful basic attributes, the scalding hot meat slices were instantly torn and ground by his iron teeth. While his opponent was still frantically fanning himself and looking for beer to relieve the spice, he had already reached in again and scooped up the remaining meat slices.
"Ah... Despicable!"
Saitama watched in despair as Kaito put the remaining beef into his mouth, tears of frustration streaming from the corners of his lips.
"Hmph, in the cultivation of hotpot, you're still far behind, Saitama-kun!" Kaito elegantly wiped his mouth, a mocking smirk on his face, "If you want to defeat me, next time!"
"Next time, huh? How can I impose so much?" Saitama scratched his head, oblivious to another five or six strands of hair falling out. "I was already surprised to be invited this time. Thank you very much for your hospitality, Kaito."
"It's nothing, just an extra pair of chopsticks." Kaito waved his hand, indicating not to worry, then subtly put away another Limiter Shard. "And you don't understand, actually, the true essence of hotpot..."
Saitama blinked, sitting up straight with a serious expression, though not quite understanding: "Eh, what is it?"
"It's about fighting to eat!" Kaito patted Saitama's shoulder, "A hotpot without someone to fight over it has no Soul!"
Saitama suddenly understood, nodding repeatedly with a serious face: "I see! This is the first time I've heard such a unique insight. I've learned a lot!"
"Then, as tuition, please wash the dishes and chopsticks today, thank you."
"...Ah, okay."
The hotpot meal lasted until late into the night, and it was almost midnight when Saitama was seen off.
Summoning his Stand, he put the newly purchased ingredients into the completely empty refrigerator. Kaito opened the balcony doors and windows for ventilation. The cool night breeze blew away the lingering stale air in the room, making him feel much more refreshed.
[Fantasy Cards: Limiter Shard] X10
[Can be fused!]
"Hmm?"
Looking at the special N Card that actively jumped out of the card library and floated in front of him, Kaito couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Although his Stand would intelligently provide various pieces of information, it had never shown too much emotional fluctuation. But at this moment, he actually received feedback from his Stand that carried strong emotions, and what it contained was actually full of... Hunger!
Then fuse.
As his will commanded, the ten Limiter Shards simultaneously glowed, overlapping and beginning to fuse. When the white light dissipated, a brand new Fantasy Card appeared before Kaito's eyes.
[Fantasy Cards: Limiter Breakthrough ACT1]
[Card Type: Special Card]
[Rarity: N]
[Description: Fused from unknown fragments, a conceptual power that was originally invisible.]
[Effect 1: Limiter Release]
[Designate any entity, break through a racial growth limit once.]
It was still a plain N Card, and even the grinning, dead-eyed bald man on the card face hadn't changed at all. But the card effect it displayed made Kaito's heart pound.