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The force of the earlier blow releases a flood that sweeps Saitama and the young hero away. As Child Emperor tries to save him, Phoenix Man reappears in Phoenix Penguin Mode, gaining control over ice and using a Phoenix Antarctic Iceberg Attack to punch the boy through another floor into the burial ground of the Subterranean People. Child Emperor releases Waganma so the hostage can share his barrier with Saitama, whom he assumes is merely a bystander. Phoenix Man then hauls the boy back into the Phoenix Space, presenting the Subterranean corpses as proof that disunity brings ruin while costumed monsters share one spirit, and using their mental link to spill dark secrets about the Hero Association's leadership.

The monster recounts his own past as a mascot who was unfairly fired, kept wearing his costume until it could not come off, and became a monster. Nearly swayed, Child Emperor hesitates until Saitama appears and flatly states that turning into a monster brings no glory. A call from Zombieman then confirms the boy's predictions about the enemy robots were correct and thanks him for all the heroes, even offering milkshakes afterward, which brings Child Emperor to tears. Phoenix Man fires beams that reanimate the Subterranean dead along with Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame to swarm Brave Giant, and tries slipping a Monster Cell into the boy's suit. Child Emperor spits it out, declaring that being a hero comes from within rather than from a costume. He activates his Gigavolt Smash, jolting Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame back to their senses even as Brave Giant is destroyed and he is flung at Phoenix Man, who is stopped by Saitama. When the monster mocks him, Child Emperor reveals a Tickle-Tickle Bug planted between beak and face. Refusing to remove his suit, Phoenix Man convulses with laughter until his body glows and bursts, leaving only Monster Chick Man, a tiny helpless chick, and the boy stands victorious.

After the fight Saitama praises Child Emperor as a good hero, though the boy grows suspicious that Genos might be a traitor given where Saitama was found. When the restored Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame try to seize the boy to bait Flashy Flash, Saitama flattens them both, and Child Emperor is stunned to learn they are S-class criminals. The survivors climb aboard a recovered Underdog Man and leap toward the surface, with Saitama swatting away Orochi's pursuing dragons. Asked about other captives, Waganma lies that there are none, hiding that Tareo was also taken. Released June 8, 2020 in its final form, this chapter adapts into anime Episode 33.