Unattainable Swordsmanship, First Clash with Saitama!

The news that Chu Yang had set up an arena to accept challenges from the division members quickly spread throughout the entire Seireitei.

"The simplest, and most effective method."

Kyoraku Shunsui smiled as he commented while having tea with his friend Jushiro Ukitake.

"That is only possible when built upon overwhelming strength." Jushiro Ukitake nodded, his expression somewhat complicated. He had never held the slightest favorable impression of this new Soul Reaper.

From certain perspectives, Chu Yang was far too similar to Aizen…

"With his strength, earning the members’ respect is only a matter of time. But I think an unexpected troublemaker may show up today."

Kyoraku Shunsui suddenly rose to his feet, seemingly preparing to leave.

"Where are you going?"

Jushiro Ukitake asked in surprise.

"To watch the show!"

The corners of Kyoraku Shunsui’s lips curled upward as he hurried away beneath his straw hat.

"A troublemaker? Could it be…"

A figure suddenly flashed through Jushiro Ukitake’s mind. He immediately followed Kyoraku Shunsui out.

Among the other captains who learned of the news, nearly all those without pressing duties chose to watch Chu Yang’s arena matches.

Curiosity was at work.

Compared with the ordinary division members, they did not know much about Chu Yang either.

Some time later.

The arena matches gradually drew toward their end.

The gap in strength was simply too vast.

Most of them could not even break through Armament Haki.

Not every Soul Reaper was a reckless brute.

After seeing that Chu Yang could still easily defeat challengers without using his Zanpakuto, their enthusiasm was quickly extinguished.

By the end, only Soul Reapers ranked within the top five seats of their squads still dared to challenge Chu Yang.

The results were all much the same.

Before they even got a look at what Chu Yang’s Zanpakuto was like, they had already been knocked down by a few of his punches.

Only now did the Soul Reapers under Chu Yang truly submit to him.

Just as everything was coming to an end, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared at the arena.

He strode openly to stand directly before Chu Yang.

His meaning was obvious.

I challenge you.

Cries of surprise rose one after another.

The Soul Reapers of the Fifth Division widened their eyes.

Because the newcomer…

Was the captain of the Eleventh Division!

Zaraki Kenpachi!

"Why is the Eleventh Division’s captain here?"

"Looks like he wants to challenge our captain."

"Why would he do something like that?"

"Could there be some conflict between them?"

Everyone was shocked and confused. As a captain himself, Zaraki Kenpachi had no reason to challenge Chu Yang.

Zaraki Kenpachi looked indifferently at Chu Yang and said, "I heard you are skilled in swordsmanship? I did not get to see it last night, which was a bit of a shame. Can you let me see it today?"

The moment he said that, everyone immediately showed looks of understanding.

This guy had come looking for a fight!

Soul Society’s number one battle maniac truly lived up to his reputation!

"Among the captains, it seems only you and I cannot use Bankai. Looking at it this way, it is indeed quite fair."

Chu Yang had also intended to use Zaraki Kenpachi as a whetstone, so he accepted the challenge without hesitation.

"Good."

Zaraki Kenpachi set Yachiru Kusajishi down from his shoulder. Gripping his Zanpakuto, his aura abruptly changed.

Chu Yang did not underestimate him either, taking Fengdu in hand.

The two stared at each other.

The battle could erupt at any moment.

"Captains fighting each other without authorization violates the rules. Do you two want to be stripped of your positions together?"

A white-haired youth approached from the distance.

Toshiro Hitsugaya suddenly appeared and spoke up to stop Chu Yang and Zaraki Kenpachi from fighting.

As the patrol and security division, preventing Soul Reapers from fighting each other was also part of the Tenth Division’s daily work.

Chu Yang and Zaraki Kenpachi both turned to stare at Toshiro Hitsugaya, frowning.

This little brat had come at the worst possible time.

"Captain Hitsugaya, this is not a personal grudge. It is an arena challenge, so just turn a blind eye!"

Kyoraku Shunsui arrived late. Seeing the good show about to begin, he could not help but speak up.

Jushiro Ukitake followed close behind, remaining silent.

Before long, more and more captains and vice-captains arrived. Everyone waited with great interest to watch Chu Yang fight Zaraki Kenpachi.

Even the ever-cold Byakuya Kuchiki appeared here.

Rukia Kuchiki had received a mission and gone to the World of the Living, so she was not in Soul Society.

With an unhappy expression, Toshiro tossed out a "Do not go too far," then silently stood to one side. He had unexpectedly decided to watch as well.

The sudden appearance of so many captains made the atmosphere at the scene turn strange.

The several hundred Soul Reapers began speaking quietly among themselves below the arena.

Zaraki Kenpachi, who enjoyed the thrill of battle more than anyone, could no longer suppress the restlessness in his heart. He took the initiative and attacked Chu Yang first, slashing out a golden sword strike.

It was a slash formed from highly concentrated Reiatsu, blazing hot enough to even burn the spirit particles in the air.

Chu Yang swung out a slash as well. Unlike Zaraki Kenpachi’s, his was blue and carried not the slightest fluctuation of spirit particles.

Pure power and technique!

The blue slash directly crushed the golden one. The Reiatsu suddenly scattered, whipping up a violent gust that sent the nearest Soul Reapers flying.

The others hurriedly retreated in fright.

"Why are you not using the ability from last night?"

Zaraki Kenpachi seemed somewhat displeased, the Reiatsu around him growing increasingly terrifying.

"I am waiting for you to take off your eyepatch."

Chu Yang yawned.

Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, a fierce red gleam filling his eyes as the stone tiles beneath his feet gradually crumbled apart.

His eyepatch was a product of the Research and Development Department.

Its only purpose was to suppress his Reiatsu, allowing him to lower it to a level comparable to his opponent’s and enjoy the thrill of battle.

Otherwise, many interesting opponents would be unable to withstand even Zaraki Kenpachi’s Reiatsu and would lose immediately.

Chu Yang was clearly not that kind of opponent.

"Haha!"

Zaraki Kenpachi laughed as he removed his eyepatch.

A humming sound arose in the air.

It meant his Reiatsu had reached a certain level.

Toshiro’s face darkened as he shouted, "Everyone, retreat immediately!"

At those words, the observing Soul Reapers fled away at top speed.

But they were still a step too late.

The powerful Reiatsu stirred up a storm and swept the Soul Reapers in the front row into the air.

"Ahhh!!!"

The Soul Reapers cried out in panic.

Chu Yang silently recited an incantation and cast a levitation spell. He extended a hand, Magic Power pouring forth and causing those people to float in the air before slowly descending.

"Th-thank you, Captain!"

The shaken members left behind a few words of thanks, then turned and ran.

Chu Yang smiled without paying it much mind. When he turned back, Zaraki Kenpachi’s Reiatsu had already built up to an utterly terrifying level.

Golden Reiatsu covered his entire body.

"Just because you can restrain the old man’s Ryujin Jakka does not mean you can restrain me. If you get careless, you might die."

In his excited state, Zaraki Kenpachi’s voice was incredibly loud. Even the Soul Reapers who had already retreated from the battlefield could hear him clearly.

Everyone stared at Chu Yang in stunned disbelief.

"That reckless idiot!"

Kyoraku Shunsui covered his forehead and cursed helplessly.

Everyone had kept quiet about last night because they did not want the matter to spread. Yet Zaraki Kenpachi had exposed everything in the blink of an eye.

"Are we still here to watch the show? If the teacher finds out, none of us will get away with it." Jushiro Ukitake gave Kyoraku Shunsui a helpless look.

"The old man probably will not go that far."

Kyoraku Shunsui gave an awkward laugh.

"What rotten luck! I should have known that Zaraki Kenpachi has no brains!"

Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the last to arrive, happened upon the scene before him.

"Stay and watch obediently."

Byakuya Kuchiki spoke coldly.

The moment his words fell.

Zaraki Kenpachi gripped his sword with both hands and used Flash Step to rush before Chu Yang. A terrifying slash carrying Reiatsu came crashing toward him!

Swordsmanship: Two-Part Severance!

The powerful Reiatsu even caused the air to congeal.

Chu Yang also held swords in both hands, but one sword was in each hand—Fengdu and Tianque both drawn.

Source Breathing, First Form: Sun-Moon in Radiance

Moonlight seeped from Fengdu’s pitch-black blade, while sunlight bloomed from Tianque’s pure white blade.

Sunlight and moonlight alternated continuously. With every alternation, their power increased.

The golden slash and the torrent of Reiatsu crashed into the alternating radiance of sun and moon, only to be ground apart by the enormous millstone formed from the light.

"He blocked it!"

"Not only did he not use his Zanpakuto’s ability, we cannot even sense any Reiatsu!"

"This is pure swordsmanship!"

Zaraki Kenpachi suddenly understood!

The swordsmanship of the man before him was far beyond his own!

The captains, including Kyoraku Shunsui, realized it as well, their pupils suddenly shrinking.

"Why are you not using the ability from yesterday?"

"Do you think I am not worthy?"

The excitement on Zaraki Kenpachi’s face slowly turned into anger.

"I heard you picked up your Zanpakuto from a battlefield. Because your Reiatsu is too powerful, that sword has remained in a half-released state. You do not know its true name, nor can you use its ability."

Chu Yang gave him the answer.

"You seek a fair duel?"

"Too naïve!"

"On the battlefield, that kind of thinking will get you killed."

Zaraki Kenpachi scoffed at Chu Yang’s idea.

"Fine, then I will tell you the truth. You really are not worthy." Chu Yang smiled teasingly.

Zaraki Kenpachi froze for a moment. Rather than getting angry, he burst into laughter. The more he looked at Chu Yang, the more he felt they got along.

"Then I will not hold back anymore. If you embarrass yourself before your subordinates, do not blame me."

As he spoke, Zaraki Kenpachi’s Reiatsu swept through the surroundings like a tsunami, erupting without reservation.

The terrifying Reiatsu even gathered a mass of dark clouds above the Seireitei.

The clouds churned, blotting out the sky and sun in a deeply ominous sight.

Chu Yang knew this was not Zaraki Kenpachi’s limit, because his subconscious was still suppressing his own power. Taking off the eyepatch alone could not fully release it.

Even so, Zaraki Kenpachi’s Reiatsu was already among the strongest of all captains.

"At the very least, this is his strongest state for now."

Chu Yang drew a deep breath. Zaraki Kenpachi was strong, but he still did not meet Chu Yang’s requirements.

He hoped his opponent could become even stronger!

Strong like Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni!

After a brief silence.

Two powerful surges of Reiatsu split the ground in half.

The boundary between them was unmistakable.

There were no bizarre abilities competing, no one scheming against another.

Only Reiatsu and swordsmanship grinding against each other!

A clash of primal power!

Soul-stirring!

Blood-boiling!

The Soul Reapers watching the battle were dazzled and enthralled, yearning for the day they might become one of those standing in the arena.

However.

As the battle grew increasingly intense, the affected area was about to extend beyond the Fifth Division’s grounds.

The captains wore solemn expressions.

The sheer intensity of the two men’s unrestrained battle had exceeded their expectations.

Even Kyoraku Shunsui, who had come merely to watch the excitement, looked grave.

If this continued, one of them might really die.

"Get ready. Separate them."

"Flowers scattered by the wind, the Flower God’s lament; heaven’s wind in chaos, the heavenly demon’s mocking laughter, Katen Kyokotsu."

Kyoraku Shunsui softly chanted the release command, completing Katen Kyokotsu’s Shikai and preparing to disrupt their battle at any moment.

"You always find an excuse to interfere in other people’s fights!"

"Can’t you change that habit?"

Though Jushiro Ukitake complained, he was also ready to release his Sogyo no Kotowari Zanpakuto at any time.

Toshiro coldly stared at the two of them. If looks could kill, he would have torn them to pieces long ago.

From the very beginning, he had intended to stop the battle between Chu Yang and Zaraki Kenpachi.

They were the ones who treated this like a spectacle and feared nothing going wrong!

Just as the captains stood ready, the battle underwent another change.

Chu Yang changed his fighting style.

He was displaying a sword technique the Soul Society had never seen before.

A Taiji yin-yang diagram suddenly appeared beneath Chu Yang’s feet.

He and Zaraki Kenpachi each stood within one of the black-and-white Array Eyes.

Chu Yang’s sword moved extremely slowly, yet it carried a strange momentum, as though everything around them had fallen into a near-motionless state.

Tai Chi Sword!

Zhang Sanfeng’s supreme art from Mount Wudang had crossed countless worlds and now blossomed with dazzling brilliance in the Soul Society.

Zaraki Kenpachi felt utterly stifled, as though countless restraints had suddenly been placed upon his body.

He wanted to leap out of the strange diagram, but Chu Yang’s sword momentum drew him in, slowing his movements as well.

It was like falling into a swamp.

The muscles in Zaraki Kenpachi’s arms bulged as his Reiatsu erupted. He desperately swung his Zanpakuto, but his speed visibly slowed.

Bursting forth with all his strength, he did everything he could to unleash several slashes.

Chu Yang stood within the Taiji yin-yang diagram as Fengdu’s tip traced profound trajectories, carrying Zaraki Kenpachi’s slashes through several circles in the air.

Then… the slashes slowly vanished.

Zaraki Kenpachi stared at Chu Yang in utter horror. He had never seen or heard of such swordsmanship.

"Does this kind of swordsmanship really exist?"

"Can I reach such a level?"

For the first time!

For the first time in his life!

Zaraki Kenpachi doubted himself. His eyes no longer shone as brightly as before.

He lowered his Zanpakuto and muttered to himself without pause.

He looked somewhat unhinged.

Chu Yang sheathed his sword, and the Taiji yin-yang diagram disappeared. The captains watching from the side finally let out a breath of relief.

"I didn’t expect him to win this way."

Kyoraku Shunsui sighed. "This was an absolute crushing of Zaraki Kenpachi’s swordsmanship through sheer strength."

Jushiro Ukitake frowned. "That sword technique just now didn’t resemble the Soul Society’s sword arts at all…"

Byakuya Kuchiki said indifferently, "He likely created it himself. Not only his swordsmanship—even his Zanpakuto feels somewhat out of place in this world."

Unohana Retsu watched Chu Yang, smiling like a blooming flower. "What an interesting newcomer. The days ahead shouldn’t be boring."

Toshiro narrowed his eyes. "As long as he doesn’t become a second Aizen…"

One-Punch World.

City D, Central Street high-end apartment.

"Master, today’s sea bream is very fresh. How about sashimi for lunch?"

Having just placed the ingredients in the sink, Sonic tied on his apron and began preparing to wash and handle them.

He had become quite accustomed to taking care of Chu Yang’s household chores.

Laundry, cooking, cleaning—he was proficient at everything, practically a domestic expert.

Sonic did all of this for one reason only: to become a true ninja.

In the middle of the living room.

Chu Yang lay sprawled on the sofa. He appeared lazy, but he was also pondering the same issue.

How could he break the constraints of the rules and enable Sonic to learn Ninjutsu?

The principle behind condensing Chakra was not complicated.

It was simply the combination of physical energy and spiritual energy.

With Sonic’s strength, he could accomplish such a thing with only a little effort.

The problem was that he could not.

Because this world had no concept of "Chakra."

How could he bypass that restriction… or rather, create Chakra from nothing? Just thinking about it was nearly enough to burn out Chu Yang’s CPU.

At that moment, Sonic’s offhand remark enlightened Chu Yang.

"I heard that ninjas used to possess noble and special bloodlines…"

"Is the reason I can’t learn Ninjutsu because I don’t have that kind of bloodline?"

As Sonic sliced the sashimi, he muttered softly, looking somewhat dejected.

Chu Yang could not tell him it was the rules affecting him, so Sonic had come up with some strange assumptions of his own.

But it reminded Chu Yang of something.

He possessed Lineage Factor technology.

In the world of One-Punch Man, the causes behind humanity’s special abilities and the birth of monsters varied, but ultimately, they were related to genes.

Genetic mutation…

In essence, it shared the same underlying principle as Lineage Factor technology.

Moreover, breaking the limiter seemed to require approaching the problem from this direction as well.

Chu Yang remembered an organization from the early plot called the House of Evolution. It had conducted similar research and even created several powerful monsters.

Armored Gorilla and Carnage Kabuto were not actually weak. They only seemed pathetic because Saitama, the protagonist, was too strong.

From another perspective, Dr. Genus, the founder of the House of Evolution, stood at the pinnacle of biological modification technology. Yet his genetic research was still rather rudimentary, far less refined than Lineage Factor technology.

"I can use Lineage Factor technology to give Sonic Kekkei Genkai. My Otsutsuki Bloodline alone can be divided into several bloodline powers."

The Senju clan, Uchiha clan, Hyuga clan, Uzumaki clan, Taketori clan (Kaguya clan), Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and so on.

Chu Yang could recreate all of these Kekkei Genkai.

First obtain Kekkei Genkai, then try to condense Chakra. He just did not know whether reversing the order would count as completing the process of creating something from nothing.

"I wonder whether Sonic can withstand it. Even in the Naruto world, inheriting Kekkei Genkai isn’t simple. The risk is considerable."

"Still, the humans in this world have abnormal genes to begin with. That might actually be some kind of advantage."

"There are risks in rashly using Lineage Factor technology. I should first examine the research in this world."

Chu Yang tilted his head and watched Sonic bustling about in the kitchen. He felt that compared to death, this guy was more afraid of being unable to become a true ninja.

"Sonic, I have a way to let you learn Ninjutsu, but the price is that you might die. Are you willing to try?"

The moment Chu Yang finished speaking, Sonic flashed before him, still holding a kitchen knife, trembling with excitement.

"Master, can I really become a true ninja?"

Sonic stared at Chu Yang in disbelief, completely ignoring the price Chu Yang had mentioned.

"You’ll most likely die."

Chu Yang sat up and smacked his lips as he reminded him again.

Sonic chuckled, entirely unconcerned about death.

"I knew it…" Chu Yang smiled in satisfaction. "Pack your things. We’re going somewhere."

Sonic excitedly rushed out the door, leaving behind half-sliced sea bream on the cutting board.

Two days later.

Through his connections with the Hero Association, Chu Yang found the location of the House of Evolution.

The House of Evolution had always been one of the Hero Association’s targets, yet for some reason, the Hero Association had delayed taking action.

Chu Yang suspected that someone coveted Dr. Genus’s biotechnology.

His biotechnology could restore youth. That fact alone was enough to drive many people mad.

A black sedan took Chu Yang and Sonic into an unnamed primeval forest.

Deep within the mountains stood a building.

The sedan stopped in front of it.

Just as Chu Yang got out, he heard the driver in the front seat say quietly, "After you eliminate the House of Evolution, please bring out the research materials inside. Those materials are very valuable to the Hero Association, and we will offer appropriate compensation."

Just as expected.

Chu Yang nodded, then led Sonic into the building.

Incidentally, Sonic was now a hero as well. Since he rarely took missions, he remained at C-Class.

The entire building was merely a front for the House of Evolution. Its true facilities were hidden in the vast underground base beneath Chu Yang’s feet.

Just as Chu Yang was about to force open a passage, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly.

Something was coming from below.

"Sonic, watch your footing."

The instant he spoke, the floor beneath them exploded with a deafening boom, and a massive brown figure charged out.

Having received Chu Yang’s warning, Sonic was prepared. Not only did he evade the attack a step ahead of time, but he launched a counterattack in the next instant.

His katana turned into a silver flash in the air, striking precisely at the brown figure’s vital point.

Clang!

The katana snapped on impact. Sonic’s arm went numb, as though he had struck an incomparably hard object.

At that moment.

Sonic finally saw what had burst out from underground.

A humanoid rhinoceros beetle standing a full seven or eight meters tall.

A monster!

And an extremely high-level one at that!

The rhinoceros beetle monster held a human covered in wounds in one hand.

Sonic glanced at him, then turned to ask Chu Yang, "Master, is he the Dr. Genus you were looking for?"

Chu Yang nodded, somewhat puzzled. Why had they happened to encounter Carnage Kabuto going berserk?

Forget it…

It made no difference.

"Dr. Genus, you released me only because you were afraid of them?"

Carnage Kabuto held Genus in one hand and stared directly at him.

Genus turned his head with difficulty. When he saw Chu Yang and Sonic, surprise suddenly appeared on his face. "It’s not them…"

Not them?

Did that mean there were others?

Carnage Kabuto paused, then frowned and tossed Genus into a corner. He waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn’t matter whether it’s them or not. They’re all going to die anyway."

At that moment.

A silver flash slashed toward Carnage Kabuto at tremendous speed.

It instinctively raised an arm to block, only for the sword light to sever its arm outright.

The armored arm slowly spun through the air.

In a daze, Carnage Kabuto saw a young man in casual clothes holding an ancient yet exquisitely crafted longsword.

Terror filled its eyes.

The scent of death was closing in.

It was merely a Dragon-level Threat, far weaker than Chu Yang.

Carnage Kabuto stared incredulously at the severed arm on the ground. The instant its enemy attacked, it had not even been able to react.

Dr. Genus, lying in a pool of blood, seemed to have been struck by some stimulus as his pupils abruptly widened.

So strong!

But…

Who was this young man?

Where were that bald man and the cyborg?

Dr. Genus struggled to his feet and happened to see Chu Yang unleash his second slash.

The pitch-black floor suddenly lit up.

"Is that… the sun?"

Dr. Genus instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding light.

Sonic immediately retreated into a corner as well, a thrilled smile appearing on his face. "Just as expected of Teacher…"

After their brief exchange, Sonic was almost certain that the monster before them was a Dragon-level Threat.

"Such a powerful Dragon-level Threat had its arm severed by Teacher in one strike."

"It would have been even more perfect if he’d defeated it with Ninjutsu!"

Sonic felt somewhat regretful.

Once the incomparably dazzling light faded, Carnage Kabuto was nowhere to be seen.

Genus stared at the empty floor, the light seeming to vanish from his eyes. "Carnage Kabuto was destroyed that easily?"

"The monster you created was strong and had great potential. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very smart."

"It should have gone all out from the very beginning."

Chu Yang walked over to Genus, bent down, grabbed him, and casually tossed him toward Sonic.

Sonic instinctively wanted to kick him away, but upon seeing the murderous look in Chu Yang’s eyes, he immediately caught him with his hands.

Chu Yang stretched lazily. To avoid trouble, he had not given Carnage Kabuto the chance to enter Asura Mode.

Without stacking a large number of buffs, that previous slash had been Chu Yang’s full-force attack.

"Dr. Genus, I need some of your research materials. Can you tell me where they are?"

Genus, his gaze vacant, pointed at the large hole smashed into the floor.

"Bring him. We’re going down."

Chu Yang entered the long, dark passage through the hole, while Sonic followed behind, carrying Genus.

The underground base hidden beneath the building was the true House of Evolution.

The long passage was built of steel, and its walls were covered in dents and craters, clearly left behind by Carnage Kabuto ramming them with brute force.

The underground structure was not complicated. Coupled with the recovered Genus answering every question without holding anything back, they quickly found the archive where the research materials were stored.

Beside the archive was a laboratory for researching bioengineering technology.

Containers and tubes of all sizes filled the room.

Machines analyzing blood and cellular tissue continued to run without pause, and a sense of familiarity rose in Chu Yang’s heart.

This place was practically identical to the laboratory where he had researched Lineage Factor technology.

"Dr. Genus, you really are talented. If you kept going, you might truly have touched upon the realm of limiters."

Chu Yang could not help feeling a little expectant.

Unfortunately, Genus had no mind to listen to Chu Yang’s praise. His head was filled with the image of Carnage Kabuto being instantly killed by Chu Yang’s single slash.

His years of effort seemed like nothing more than a joke.

Chu Yang reached out and patted the vacant-eyed Genus, smiling. "From today onward, I’m requisitioning this place. You may continue your research, on the condition that you become my assistant."

Genus still had that same empty expression.

Sonic could not stand it any longer. He fiercely slapped Genus on the back and shouted, "My teacher is talking to you!"

Genus jolted awake and stared at Chu Yang in alarm. "I’m sorry, what did you just say?"

Sonic looked at him unhappily. "This place will be our base from now on."

Genus hurriedly nodded. "Of course, no problem, as long as you don’t kill me."

"I wasn’t finished talking. What are you rushing for?" Sonic said coldly. "You need to stay and assist my teacher with his research."

Genus’s face darkened. "The House of Evolution’s strongest modified human was already defeated. My research is garbage. It has no value at all."

Sonic grabbed Genus by the collar and warned him impatiently, "Whether it has value is for Teacher to decide. You only need to do as you’re told. Don’t you understand?"

Genus nodded frantically in fear.

"Could you be a little more polite? You’re a formally registered hero, after all. Stop acting like a villain all the time. If you don’t change, sooner or later you’ll become a one-balled ninja."

Chu Yang clicked his tongue and kindly reminded him.

"Haha, Teacher, ninjas are supposed to be solitary and proud!"

Thinking Chu Yang was praising him, Sonic immediately put on a smug expression, and the force in his hands eased considerably.

Genus immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as you’re happy. Then I wish your dream comes true!"

Thinking of Sonic’s future fate, Chu Yang suddenly shuddered, feeling a chill between his legs.

"Take something at random and give it to the driver outside to send him away," Chu Yang instructed before lowering his head to examine Genus’s experimental logs.

With Genus’s help, Sonic took some unimportant experimental data and returned to the surface.

The moment he walked out of the building, Sonic saw a bald man in a strange cape and a cyborg standing beside the car, arguing endlessly with the driver.

"The monsters inside are already being handled by heroes. Please wait outside for a little while."

"Huh? What are you talking about? The people in there sent someone to attack us!"

"Please control your emotions. If you cause trouble, I’ll report this to Hero Association headquarters."

"Damn it."

Were they the people who had originally come to the House of Evolution?

Had Carnage Kabuto been released because of them?

Seeing the two who had suddenly appeared, Sonic’s thoughts stirred. He walked over and handed the materials to the driver.

The driver looked immensely relieved.

"Who are you two?"

Sonic turned around and asked them.

"My name is Saitama, and he’s Genos… By the way, who are you?" Saitama asked, scratching his head after instinctively introducing himself.

"My name is Sonic. I’m a ninja… or rather, I’m still training, so I’m not a true ninja yet."

Sonic paused before saying, "If you came for the monsters from the House of Evolution, you can leave. My teacher has already taken care of the monsters here."

"What? They’ve already been dealt with?" Saitama complained. "And I came all the way out here for nothing…"

Genos hesitated upon hearing that the House of Evolution had been destroyed.

He had only recently fought several modified monsters, and none of them had been weak.

Especially that ape, which had said there were modified lifeforms in the House of Evolution stronger than itself.

An ordinary hero should not have been able to deal with the monsters here. Thinking of that, Genos asked, "May I ask what rank of hero you are?"

Sonic proudly raised his head. "I am the renowned C-Class Hero, Speed-o’-Sound Sonic!"

Genos and Saitama looked at each other. After a long silence, they spoke in unison.

"You should let us go in and take a look."

"This kid doesn’t seem very bright. What if the monsters tricked him?"

"Teacher, that is possible. We need to go in and confirm whether the monsters have truly been eliminated."

"He seems to have a teacher too?"

"If he’s C-Class, then his teacher is probably around B-Class."

"The more we talk about it, the less reassured I feel. Genos, we should go in and take a look."

As they spoke, the two of them tried to force their way inside.

Sonic blocked their path, his expression displeased. "Take another step forward, and I’ll make a move."

After spending so much time with Chu Yang, Sonic’s personality had changed somewhat.

In the past, he would not have wasted words. He would have already gone for the kill.

"Then make your move, Genos."

"Yes, Teacher."

The temperature of Genos’s metal body began rising rapidly. As he slightly raised his arms, flames gathered in his palms.

Only upon closer inspection could one see the glowing red cannon barrels in Genos’s palms.

Sensing danger, Sonic flashed and vanished from where he stood in an instant.

The next second, a scorching beam shot through the place where he had just been standing, warping the air with its intense heat.

"Hm?"

"He actually dodged it…"

Genos realized that the C-Class Hero calling himself a ninja actually seemed capable.

Although he had lowered the output considerably, the laser’s firing speed was still not something an ordinary person could evade.

"He must be stronger than a C-Class Hero."

In a blur, blade light flashed before Genos’s eyes. He activated his thrusters and rapidly retreated under their powerful propulsion, avoiding the strike.

The tip of the sword scraped across Genos’s steel-forged chest, sending dazzling sparks flying.

After narrowly avoiding the attack, all the cannons on Genos’s arms opened, unleashing their firepower without restraint!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang out one after another, making the ground tremble. The terrified driver immediately got into his car and fled.

Genos’s offensive firepower was extremely powerful, but agile close-combat experts were precisely what he feared most.

No matter how powerful the firepower was, it meant nothing if it could not hit its target, and Sonic’s speed was top-tier.

In the world of One-Punch Man, there were people who could keep up with Sonic’s speed, but Genos was not among them.

Cannons and lasers lit up in succession, weaving together into a terrifying barrage that attempted to engulf Sonic.

Like a phantom, Sonic darted through the rain of fire. Again and again, scorching beams brushed past him, yet he remained completely unharmed.

Saitama watched from the side, tilting his head. "He’s really fast. If this keeps up, Genos might lose."

Under the bombardment of overwhelming firepower, the ground around the entire building had become a scorched wasteland, and the destruction gradually began spreading to the building itself.

Genos could feel Sonic’s strength. His earlier attitude of looking down on Sonic made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

However, Sonic had already become enraged. Even if Genos wanted to stop, Sonic would not cease his attacks.

Under the current circumstances, the best option was to grit his teeth and keep fighting, find a way to suppress Sonic, and end this meaningless battle.

The situation on the battlefield changed in an instant.

The moment Genos was distracted, a brilliant flash surged before him.

For the first time, panic appeared on the cyborg’s normally indifferent face.

The two were nearly face-to-face. Genos could even clearly sense Sonic’s breathing and heartbeat.

Sonic drove his coldly gleaming katana toward the energy reactor in Genos’s chest.

He intended to sever the conduits supplying his energy.

Realizing Sonic’s intent, Genos immediately overloaded the energy within his body, creating terrifying heat.

The katana that entered his body melted in an instant, failing to damage Genos’s energy conduits.

However.

The energy overload also temporarily robbed Genos of his ability to move.

"You can’t move now, can you?"

Sonic’s mocking laugh made Genos’s pupils contract. Only then did he realize that perhaps this had been Sonic’s plan from the beginning.

The next second, Sonic threw a shuriken at Genos’s vital point.

"Damn it!"

Genos instinctively closed his eyes and waited for death.

The bald hero in the yellow cape would not let Genos die so easily. In a flash, he appeared before Genos and blocked the strike.

Sonic’s smile froze as he stared gravely at Saitama.

As a hero known for his speed, Sonic possessed extremely powerful dynamic vision, yet he still had not been able to see Saitama’s movements clearly.

"Taking on two people at once is a little difficult. Should I retreat first?"

"But Teacher is still down there…"

After thinking it over, Sonic still stood firmly guard at the entrance. No matter what, he could not let these two go down and disturb his teacher.

Genos had already realized that Sonic was capable of dealing with the monsters here. He had not been lying.

But Saitama was comparatively simple-minded and had not thought of that.

He still wanted to move Sonic aside.

So after blocking the shuriken, Saitama suddenly vanished, then appeared in front of Sonic and threw a punch.

An utterly ordinary punch.

Yet it carried an indescribably terrifying aura.

Sonic was stunned by that aura, standing frozen in place.

"Teacher!"

Genos shouted from behind Saitama.

"I know."

Saitama replied dully. His thrown fist changed into an open palm as he tried to push Sonic aside.

Although he had already held back greatly, that slap would still have been enough to send Sonic flying hundreds of meters.

The wind from his palm alone made it impossible to keep one’s eyes open.

At the critical moment.

A figure appeared in front of Sonic as well.

Lightning coiled around the newcomer’s entire body.

Rumble!

Deafening thunder erupted.

He raised a hand and blocked Saitama’s palm.

The terrifying impact rippled outward from the two of them. The building behind Sonic shook violently, and all its windows exploded at once!

"Teacher…"

Sonic looked at the newcomer, touched yet somewhat ashamed.

Chu Yang frowned slightly. Saitama’s slap had nearly broken his arm just now, but the cracks in his bones were instantly healed by his immense life force.

"If it weren’t for Wood Release and Lightning Release Armor, that blow would’ve been really hard to withstand."

"As expected of a protagonist written to be invincible. In terms of pure physical attack power, he’s the strongest I’ve ever seen."

To be honest, Chu Yang did not want to face Saitama right now.

But life was always full of surprises.

Chu Yang was not afraid of Saitama, who was practically invincible by design, because he himself was an existence beyond this world’s settings and had certain methods that could restrain him.

For example…

Blood-red tomoe emerged once more, slowly rotating within Chu Yang’s pupils.

Saitama merely glanced at them by accident, and his gaze immediately became vacant as he stood rooted to the spot, looking utterly lost.

At the same time.

Within the Genjutsu space, Saitama had already been bound to a massive cross by chains.

The ground was like a mirror, reflecting his current self.

Saitama lowered his head, and what entered his sight was the familiar, nostalgic black hair.

It was himself from several years ago, when he had still looked like an ordinary person.

Saitama froze.

A black shadow appeared before him.

Saitama saw an unfamiliar young man approaching him with a weapon in hand.

His smile was exceptionally kind and amiable.

Like the young man next door.

"I’m starting to understand why Itachi Uchiha liked using this move."

"This is really too interesting…"

A moment later.

Screams echoed through the Genjutsu space.