A man leaned against a wall in a dark alleyway, puffing out second-hand smoke. Around him, his underlings noticed a woman approaching them. The man sighed, folding his tattoo-covered arms.

He glowered at the woman. "It's you."

She smiled, sweetly. "Ah, Yakuza-san. So nice to see you. It's been a long time."

"What do you want, Aishi?" the Yakuza asked, not eager to deal with the woman again.

"How is the Villain Association going?" Ryoba asked, almost too casually.

"The leader got kicked off after an incident with the Hero Association," the man huffed. "Rest of 'em got taken out by that Hero Hunter guy."

"I see," Ryoba said. "How unfortunate." She smiled again. "But there is a much bigger threat out there than that Hero Hunter."

The Yakuza stared at her. "Those Saikou Corp idiots?"

Ryoba shook her head. "No. Though I believe they have been keeping an eye on her too. After all, the CEO isn't allowing his Class S hero daughter to participate in hero activities or attend school. It must be because of me… and her."

"'Her'?" the Yakuza asked.

Ryoba smiled. "My daughter, Ayano Aishi. The Yandere that will destroy the world."

"The Blizzard Group has been obliterated," Fubuki told Kencho and Oka, as they walked up the apartment stairs. "Well, half of it was my sister's doing, but…"

"I get it, it's an emergency," Kencho waved his hands. "Don't worry, Fubuki. Saikou Corp has their own private army we can use anytime."

"Really…?" Oka asked, eyes wide.

"We need to meet up with the rest of the Blizzard Group first," Fubuki replied. She stopped in front of Saitama's apartment.

"These idiots?" Kencho asked, as Fubuki pressed the doorbell. "They're not part of our group."

"Yes, they are," Fubuki said. "Kencho, we've talked about this. I've never seen anyone as strong as Saitama before. We need him in our group."

Kencho tch-ed, while Oka was in awe.

The door opened, revealing Bomb, Bang's older brother.

"Saitam…" Fubuki trailed off. "Who the Hell are you?"

"Oh, are you some of Saitama's little friends?" Bomb asked.

"'Friends'?" Kencho demanded. "How dare you assume I would ever-"

"Kencho," Fubuki silenced him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on in, don't be shy," Bomb said. He led them down the hall. "Saitama, some of your friends came to visit!"

"I'm not his friend," Kencho spat, as if the word tasted like tar.

The leaders of the Blizzard Group and Oka were shown to Saitama, King, Bang, Ayano, Raibaru, and Genos sitting on the floor, seemingly lounging around. Saitama and King were playing video games, Bang was lying down and having acupuncture done, Raibaru was napping, Genos was fixing his arm, and Ayano was reading manga.

"Still hurts all over," Bomb grunted, sitting down.

"Oh, Fubuki, you came to hang out with us again?" King asked. "And you brought your subordinates?"

"'Subordinates'?" Kencho raged. "I'm her co-leader!"

"Hey, King, how come the monsters I raised for so long died with a single hit of yours?" Saitama asked, bags under his eyes.

"Well, for starters, you used an Earth monster against my Wind monster," King explained.

"Why are you here, 'Blizzard of Hell' Fubuki, 'Remarkable' Kencho Saikou, and Oka Ruto?" Genos asked. "Be forewarned that we're taking no disciples."

"Why the Hell is Earth weak to Wind?!" Saitama demanded.

"It's the type advantage," King replied.

"Um, h-hi, Yan-chan..." Oka greeted Ayano. "Long time no see…"

Ayano looked up from her manga, nodding at Oka.

"What happened to Raibaru-chan…?" Oka asked.

"She got tired after a long battle," Bang explained. "She deserves a nap."

"This is ridiculous," Kencho scoffed, turning to Fubuki. "See what I mean about these idiots? Forget them, I'll call Saikou Corp."

"Hm?" Saitama looked up, noticing the Blizzard Group members. "Why are you here?" He stared at Kencho and Oka. "And who are you two?"

"You know me, deadbeat!" Kencho snapped. "I'm Remarkable, Class B rank 2!"

"Yeah, I don't remember you at all," Saitama said.

Kencho wore a deep scowl. "You worthless little-"

"It's a state of emergency!" Fubuki shouted over him. "The entire Blizzard Group aside from us three is done for! The Monster Association is a grave threat right now! It's not the time to be playing games! Are you even aware of our state of affairs?!"

"You don't have to shout," Saitama said, lying on his side. "We just came back, what's wrong with resting a bit?"

"Don't lie down talking to me, deadbeat!" Fubuki snapped.

"Like Master Saitama said, we, too, have just faced a formidable foe," Genos argued. "Don't think you're the only one dealing with danger."

"Well, that's clear enough just by looking at you," Fubuki commented.

"This is embarrassing," Kencho folded his arms. "Look at you all. You're pathetic. Do you really think you S-Class heroes and spineless martial artists should be lying around when the world is in danger?"

"Watch your tongue, young man," Bang warned. "Neither my older brother Bomb or Raibaru are 'spineless'. You see, I was fighting too, and young Saitama was very kind to let me rest here. Raised a bit of a ruckus I did, and now my back is killing me."

Fubuki scowled. "So it was a hard-fought battle. That means those Monster Association creatures are not to be underestimated!"

"Exactly, you good-for-nothing commoners!" Kencho shouted. He stood on top of a table. "Now, get over here and let's talk about this like real heroes!"

"Dude, get off my table!" Saitama complained.

"I'm surprised all this shouting hasn't woken Raibaru up," King muttered.

"Good," Bang said. "Let her rest. She has been through a lot."

"No, we want her to wake up!" Fubuki exclaimed. "This is an urgent situation! We don't have time to nap! Oka, wake her up!"

"Um…" Oka timidly hobbled over to Raibaru, and gently nudged the girl's shoulder. "Please wake up, Senpai…"

Kencho rolled his eyes, pulling out his taser. He proceeded to shock Raibaru.

"HIYAHHHHHH!" Raibaru shouted, backflipping head-first into the wall. The impact knocked her out again.

"Forget it," Fubuki sighed. She raised her voice. "We are at war with the monsters! What are you planning to do?"

"I can't do anything until I finish my repairs," Genos replied.

"I suppose that's true..." Fubuki grumbled. "What about you two?"

"We also need to spend time recovering," Bang said, "or else we won't be able to do a thing."

"And you, King?" Fubuki asked.

"It appears that I will be required to handle a separate case," King said.

"So the only ones left are me, my group, Saitama, and… Yan-chan," Fubuki said, scowling at Ayano's name.

Kencho stared at Ayano. "You're a Class A hero, right? The Hero Association will probably want your help."

Ayano went quiet for a moment.

"Are you injured as well?" Fubuki asked.

"No," Ayano said.

"Then you can help," Fubuki continued. "The enemy this time is a large organisation somehow put together by monsters, who are inherently egotistical. Well, I suppose it's not so much put together by a group - it's likely that some powerful boss is coercing them."

"You're right…" Bang grunted. "A Monster Association, eh. If Garou is added to the ranks, things might get bad."

"Yes," Bomb agreed. "That was our last chance at fighting Garou alone. Assuming their fellows are as strong as that centipede, then… it's hopeless, Bang. Better give up on playing the hero."

"Didja hear it, Saitama?" King asked. "Sounds like the Hero Hunter you wanted to meet was at the scene. You've passed each other, though."

"Yeah, they told me on the way back," Saitama grumbled. "... apparently, he's hunted a whole bunch of heroes." He scowled. "The bastard. Is he not hunting me because I'm the Caped Baldy?"

He stood up, slipping on his hero costume.

"Master?" Genos asked.

"Saitama?" King asked.

"I'll be out for a while," Saitama told them.

"Have you found where Garou is, Master?" Genos asked.

"I'll look for him now, duh," Saitama said. "Once I find this Garou dude, I'll beat the frig out of him. Also, we need more cabbages, so I'll buy them on the way back."

Ayano didn't say anything as Saitama left. She felt a buzz in her pocket.

"Excuse me for a moment," she said, standing up. She went into the hallway to read the texts from Info-chan.

Info-chan:

So I bet you've been keeping up with all the news. The Monster Association situation isn't getting any better. People are beginning to lose faith in heroes.

Ayano:

I am aware.

Info-chan:

I've got infel from the Hero Association. They are planning to send a large group into the Monster Association base to wipe them all out. The question is, will they be able to? Those monsters are incredibly strong.

Ayano:

…

Info-chan:

I had a feeling that would catch your attention. Those monsters could pose a threat to you, maybe even more than the heroes. Or… you could work alongside them, and take out multiple heroes at once. Imagine that.

Ayano:

…

Info-chan:

You don't need to say anything. You're easy to get around to once I know what you're interested in.

Ayano:

Tell me… more about the Monster Association.

Garou scowled, leaving the Monster Association behind. He couldn't care less about the damn place: it was a stupid association full of idiots. He walked through the street, staring at all the protesting going on. There was a huge parade full of people carrying signs.

"Those who'd like to be on the side of the winners, join us and bow to the monsters!" they shouted. "The old side of ethics won't serve us anymore in this new world! We must adapt to survive!"

"Hey, fuck youuuuuu!" someone roared. "I'd rather die than bow down to that monster filth!"

"Very well!" the parade's leader replied. "Then you shall be the first sacrifice! GET HIM!"

A group of men chased after the man who protested. However, before they could make contact, Garou stood in front of him, and shoved the group away.

"Y'all really think you can save yer skins just by giving 'em someone else in your place?" Garou asked, glaring down at the men. "Ya should take the Monster Association more seriously."

All this just from the monsters' presence, he thought. To think human society could be shaken so easily… I feel ashamed of my species. If things are already in this state, I won't even make much of an impact when I reveal myself as the greatest monster… this sucks.

He listened to the news talk about the rise of crime. He sighed.

Thanks to the Monster Association's half-assed attacks, every shitty tough guy thinks he's the boss, he thought. Well, with all the heroes dying and whatever, suppose I can't blame them.

That is true, said a familiar voice.

Garou jumped at the voice. "Fuck's sake! Don't do that, you stupid bitch!"

Have you left the Monster Association? Ayano asked, ignoring his complaint.

"Obviously," Garou snapped. "Thanks to your help."

Of course. Where are you now?

"Up your ass," Garou replied.

Garou.

"City Z," he grunted.

Meet me in the ghost town of City Z. We have something I'd like to discuss.

Garou scowled. "Who said you could boss me around? Also, I'm hungry. I ain't doin' shit unless I get some food."

Once again, she stopped responding.

Stupid bitch, Garou thought. She's just as bad as those paraders.

His thoughts returned to the Monster Association. He had come face to face with Gyoro-Gyoro, one of the leaders of the said thing.

"You're friends with that Yan-chan hero, right?" he asked, staring down at the Hero Hunter.

"No way," Garou growled.

"We've been watching her for a while now," Gyoro-Gyoro said. "We would like to recruit her into Monster Association, alongside you. She has proven great potential to be a monster."

"Yeah, yeah," Garou waved his hand. "So what?"

"Yet, she still wears the identity of a hero," Gyoro-Gyoro replied. "There is a chance she will refuse our offer."

"Why are you tellin' me this?" Garou asked, raising a brow.

"We would like you to ask her for us," Gyoro-Gyoro said.

Garou scowled. "What? Go and ask her yourself, you lazy bastards."

"You are her accomplice, right?" Gyoro-Gyoro asked. "She will listen to you."

"No she won't," Garou scoffed. "She's crazy. She won't listen to me, or you bastards."

"It is worth asking her," Gyoro-Gyoro said, sounding oddly desperate. "Garou, the two of you can become some of the most powerful monsters alive. Together, you can topple the Hero Association. Do you understand the power you could wield?"

"I don't need her to help me with that crap," Garou growled. "I'm gonna become strong by myself!"

Garou decided to leave after that, not aware that he was being trailed by two monsters.

"I've heard that Yan-chan girl is working with someone else, too," one of them said.

"Yeah," the other replied. "What, I think it was… the girl who founded the Villains Association? What was her name again?"

"No one knows," the other said.

Garou scowled. Well, whatever. Once we've defeated Goddess, it's over.

I want you to meet me at a certain address, Ayano's voice suddenly returned.

Garou almost tripped over himself.

"I JUST SAID DON'T DO THAT!" he cursed. He ignored the looks people were giving him. God, that girl was so tiring.

Ayano stared at her new accomplice as he stuffed as much food into his mouth as he physically could. It didn't seem like he was ever going to stop. Well, luckily for her, she had lots of food lying around, and she wasn't an avid eater. It was rather unusual to have another person in her house, especially one that was leaving a mess all over the dining room table.

"Ah, that hit the spot," Garou said, stretching his arms. He leaned back in his chair.

Ayano turned to him, her face blank. "Are you finished eating?"

"Yep," he said. He observed his surroundings. He hadn't even bothered to look at his accomplice's house before. The only thing he'd noticed was the food on her table.

It was a nice house. Neat furniture, nice kitchen, plenty of space. Too much space for one person.

"This your house?" Garou asked.

"Yes," Ayano replied.

"You live here alone?" Garou asked.

"My parents live here too," Ayano said, "but they are on a business trip right now."

"Parents, huh?" Garou asked. He leaned forward. "Wait, how old are you?"

"Seventeen," Ayano answered.

She's younger than me, Garou thought. What the Hell…

"Let's go upstairs," Ayano said. "I have something to show you."

Garou followed Ayano to her room, glancing at her house as they walked. Ayano gestured him into her bedroom. Surprisingly, it looked like the bedroom of an average schoolgirl, and not a serial killer. There was a nice bed, anime posters on the walls, a SaikouStation, and other such things. The only slightly odd thing was a large pin-board full of pictures of…

"Heroes," Garou said, staring at the pinboard. The heroes were connected by red string. Some images had crosses over them. Others had circles. When he looked harder, he realised there weren't just heroes, but pictures of Akademi students, martial artists, and more.

So she is behind all of those deaths at Akademi, Garou thought. What's she planning here?

"Yes," Ayano said. "I am keeping track of who I kill."

"I'm doin' the same thing," Garou replied. Guess we are kinda similar, he added mentally. Goddammit.

Ayano held up her phone. "I am in contact with a person by the name of 'Info-chan'. She is an information broker who scams people at my school. She has a grudge against the Hero Association, and has been helping me gather information about heroes and others."

"Info-chan…" Garou frowned. "I've heard that name before, somewhere…"

"Info-chan has been giving me some information on the Monster Association as well," Ayano replied. "Is it true that they want to recruit me?"

Garou nodded. "Yep. They wanted me to ask you 'bout it."

"I see," Ayano said, sitting on her bed. "I have also been gathering information about the Hero Association. There are some heroes that are suspicious about me. One of those heroes is Child Emperor."

"What, you mean that little kid?" Garou asked.

Ayano nodded. "Due to that, Info-chan thinks it's wise if I eliminate him soon. I have heard rumours that the Hero Association is planning to send a group of heroes into the Monster Association to fight them. Child Emperor's influence may mean I won't be invited to come along."

"Boo-hoo," Garou snorted.

"I could team up with the Monster Association," Ayano said, "but I do not want to. I am going to become the strongest being alive. So because of that, I will destroy the Monster Association instead. If I do so, the world will recognise me as extremely powerful, and they will move me up to Class S." She smirked. "With the deaths of all their heroes… the Hero Association will send all the S Class heroes they have to fight the Monster Association. And then… I can kill them all at once. Everyone will die there... together, hero or monster,"

"Ya really think you're strong enough to take on the entire thing by yourself?" Garou asked.

"That's why I have you," Ayano said, taking a step towards him. "With your help, I'll let you defeat Goddess and become the strongest monster alive."

"You're actin' like you're gonna be stronger than me," Garou said, scowl deepening.

"I will be," Ayano said, face darkening, "but as long as you help me, I will let you be the strongest monster. That is what you want, right?"

"Well, if I'm a monster, then what're you?" Garou asked.

Ayano smiled. "A god."

Unbeknown to her, another traitor from the Hero Association was lying in wait.

"Hmm..." he glanced over Ayano's picture. "A killer, huh... this could work well."

A/N: Season 3 has finally begun... we're gonna learn more about the Monster Association soon. And some lore. There's a lot of lore lol. This is the season where we really start introducing the big picture. There's a lot more here than what meets the eye. As well as that, I have now put up the season 3 cover! If you're on Ao3 you can view all the covers on my deviantART iHateFridays, and my Tumblr onepunchsimulatorcomic (whenever I post the posters lol). See you next time...