Boom!
A red fist shadow expanded rapidly before Gouketsu. Instinctively, he raised his fist to block.
But the moment they touched—
His expression changed wildly.
The arrogance in his eyes turned instantly to terror and shock.
Too late.
The terrifying force crushed through him like a raging storm, spreading from his fist through his entire body in an instant.
Rumble!!
The unstoppable shockwave howled.
Gouketsu's upper body exploded into pieces.
Foul blood sprayed everywhere, chunks of flesh scattering like confetti. The destructive wave tore apart the ruins behind him, flattening everything in a massive fan-shaped radius.
The so-called Dragon-level monster, Gouketsu…
Fell!
All the monsters stared blankly at his corpse, their eyes wide, faces frozen in disbelief.
Suiryu was dumbstruck.
Having felt the power of Bakuzan and then the gap between Bakuzan and Gouketsu, he knew how terrifying Gouketsu's strength was.
He thought Saitama would face a bitter fight.
But…
This Dragon-level monster didn't even last a single exchange.
Too horrifying!
And to think—
He once wanted to challenge Saitama himself?
At that thought, Suiryu's face turned ashen, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh? Still plenty of monsters left?"
Saitama muttered, his dead-fish eyes sweeping over the martial artists who had eaten monster cells.
Under his gaze, the ones who had just been roaring proudly, declaring themselves rulers of the world, suddenly shriveled like withered eggplants.
Now they regretted eating those monster cells.
Because the real monster—
Was this bald guy.
Plop!
One of them couldn't hold it in—his knees gave way and he knelt down.
"I surrender! I surrender! Lock me up in prison, please!"
"Weren't we just saying we'd kill all the humans together? What happened?"
"Don't kill me, Boss Saitama! Please don't kill me!"
"Help! I was forced! I have family—I never really wanted to be a monster!"
One after another, those who had eaten monster cells collapsed to their knees, begging for their lives under the invisible pressure of Saitama's gaze.
"Uh?"
Saitama froze, stunned.
This was the first time he'd seen such a thing.
Normally, monsters were violent and crazed, never willing to listen to reason.
But these newly monsterized martial artists still seemed sane enough—terrified into submission, they prostrated themselves.
"Bang, I'm no good at handling this stuff. I'm heading home to cook. Tonight's udon—Fubuki even bought the sauce."
Saitama smacked his lips, suddenly eager.
Under everyone's dumbfounded stares, he walked away, doing his crab-like "no-one-can-stop-me" stride.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long.
That was our youth, slipping away like water.
Silver Fang Bang clasped his hands behind his back, watching Saitama's silhouette fade, murmuring to himself.
At the same time.
Hero Association Headquarters—Underground Prison.
This prison housed criminals from around the world, captured and locked here under S-Class hero watch to ensure absolute security.
But recently, with monsters everywhere and the shortage of heroes stretched thin, many areas were undermanned. For now, the prison was left under the care of some newer S-Class heroes.
"Has Master already gone to contact the other kendo grandmasters?"
Bushidrill, S-Class Rank 22, apprentice of Atomic Samurai, asked.
"I heard so. If all goes well, he'll form a grandmaster sword squad to deal specifically with Dragon-level threats. Monsters are too many now."
Iaian, cold-faced, S-Class Rank 21, replied.
"Arara, I don't care about the rest. As long as I'm with you guys."
Okamaitachi, S-Class Rank 23, said casually.
Together, the three apprentices of Atomic Samurai were guarding the prison, confident their swordsmanship could suppress any trouble.
Just earlier, Bomb and Bang had brought Garou here under restraint.
The three couldn't forget his eyes—
Though human, he glared at humanity with the hatred of a monster.
"No matter what, Garou cannot be spared!"
Iaian gritted his teeth. In recent days, Garou had defeated several S-Class heroes, his name spreading terror.
Bushidrill and Okamaitachi both nodded.
Just then—
A mocking laugh echoed from the prison gate.
A towering figure stepped in, exuding a powerful aura.
"Demon-level?!"
Iaian's eyes went sharp. The three drew their blades at once.
Phoenix Man.
The monster who had once appeared alongside Elder Centipede high in the skies—after Elder Centipede's "death," Phoenix Man had disappeared.
But now, he was here?!
"Tricky. But you think a mere Demon-level dares storm this prison?"
Bushidrill sneered coldly.
"Tsk, tsk, humans sure are confident. You remind me of my old self. But no—I'm not stupid enough to come alone."
Phoenix Man grinned.
"You…?"
Iaian frowned—then his face changed drastically. "Careful!"
A flash of white light burst from the shadows.
Before Bushidrill could react, his right arm was gone in a spray of blood, his body slammed into a far wall with a thunderous crash.
"An accomplice?!"
Okamaitachi stood ready, glaring into the darkness.
From it, a sleek, elegant black feline figure emerged—walking upright like a man.
What caught the eye most were its jewel-like scarlet eyes, dazzling and sinister.
A monster… a cat.
Monster Association Dragon-level — Meowth.
"You all, take these."
Meowth laughed, tossing out monster cells. Some fell right into the hands of the prisoners.
Everyone stared at the beating, heart-like lumps in their palms.
"Eat them, and you'll gain unrivaled strength. Shed your weak human shell, and become free monsters."
Meowth's cold gaze swept over Iaian and the others.
"You're strong. Dying here would be a waste. Eat, and join the Monster Association."
"Hah, dream on. We'd never touch filth like that."
Okamaitachi sneered, lunging forward in a blur with his blade.
Slash!
A heavy sound rang out.
Okamaitachi froze, staring in disbelief at the five deep claw marks carved into his chest.
"So… fast?"
That was his last thought.
(End of Chapter)
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