Chapter 315: Chapter 16 – It’s Raining
"We are the messengers of the deep sea! We represent the will of this planet! All who defy us... shall perish!"
"Do you see this? This is the power of the Deep Sea Clan! Not only the oceans, even the surface world should belong to us!"
A monstrous octopus with sharp fangs and writhing tentacles rampaged through the city, its grotesque limbs smashing buildings and overturning cars. People screamed in terror, scattering in every direction.
"You insignificant humans will now become my meal!"
Just as it raised a tentacle to strike down the fleeing crowd, a figure shot down from the sky like a comet.
"Lightning—Flying Kick!"
A flash of lightning pierced the air as the figure landed a devastating blow, instantly severing one of the monster’s massive limbs.
The people nearby gasped, then erupted in cheers.
"Ah! It’s Lightning Max!"
"An A-Class hero! We’re saved!"
"Go, Lightning Max! Take that thing down!"
Standing tall before the towering octopus creature, Lightning Max wiped his thumb across the tip of his nose, a confident smirk playing on his lips as he listened to the cheers.
"Leave it to me."
...
Elsewhere—
From a beach nearby, countless Deep Sea Clan soldiers stormed ashore, flooding into the city.
As panic surged among the people at the sight of the invasion—
A spear, long and sharp like a bamboo shoot, spun through the air before stabbing into the heart of the advancing horde.
"Gigantic Whirlwind Poison Stinger!"
Ranked 10th among A-Class heroes—Stinger—had arrived!
...
[A horde of monsters has appeared in J City, calling themselves the Deep Sea Clan. They’re attacking anyone they see. Several A-Class heroes are currently engaging them, but they’re struggling. Hero Association, we request immediate reinforcements.]
[The Hero Association has issued a notification. This threat has been classified as ’Tiger-level.’ Citizens are advised to stay clear of the area.]
...
Dark clouds gathered in the sky.
Saitama and Genos had already left their apartment the moment the alert was broadcast on TV. Now, they were racing down the expressway toward J City.
"How much farther to J City?"
"Not far now. But it’s still oddly quiet. Sensei, I’ll go on ahead. I’ll notify you once I arrive."
As Genos spoke, his speed suddenly surged, leaving behind only a sonic boom.
"Hey, wait up!" Saitama called after him, but Genos had already vanished far ahead.
Just then—
[Emergency announcement! Emergency announcement! The Hero Association has upgraded the threat level from ’Tiger’ to ’Demon’! Repeating—]
Sprinting at full speed, Saitama scratched his cheek lazily.
"Demon again, huh?"
...
On another side—
Some B-Class and C-Class heroes who had intended to offer support immediately backed down after hearing the update.
"Demon level...? Yeah, no way we’re going in there."
"Forget it."
"We’d only get in the A-Class heroes’ way anyway."
...
Hero Association HQ
A staff member blurted out in alarm, "The disaster level suddenly jumped to Demon? What happened?!"
"Stinger was taken down."
"What?! By who?!"
"A monster calling itself the Deep Sea King just appeared in J City. It’s powerful—Lightning Max is engaging it now."
The bespectacled staff member adjusted his glasses, voice grim.
"But can Lightning Max alone really handle something strong enough to defeat Stinger?"
"An S-Class hero, Puri-Puri Prisoner, has already broken out of jail and is en route. Also, the newly promoted S-Class hero, ’Cyborg Demon,’ is on his way."
"With two S-Class heroes involved, we should be okay..."
...
On the highway from Z City to J City—
A sleek black car raced along the wet road.
Behind the wheel, Fubuki glanced at her buzzing phone. Her eyes narrowed as she read the latest intel.
"Even Stinger got taken down? Demon-level threat... This monster must be seriously strong."
She looked over to the passenger seat where Ron sat, gazing quietly out the rain-speckled window.
His Observation Haki flared to life.
In an instant, a distant street scene bloomed in his mind’s eye—The Deep Sea King, after easily defeating Lightning Max, now facing off against S-Class hero Puri-Puri Prisoner and the escaped convict Sonic.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?" Fubuki asked, frowning.
Ron withdrew his gaze and looked up at the stormy sky.
"It’s going to rain."
"Huh?"
Fubuki frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing really. Just... this car’s too slow. By the time we arrive, the real fun will be over. I’m heading out first."
With a flash of light in his Reincarnation Eyes, Ron vanished from the passenger seat.
Fubuki sighed, having grown used to his bizarre methods.
...
"Listen carefully," the Deep Sea King said, towering over the fallen Puri-Puri Prisoner, "When you fight someone like me, you need to fight to kill. Every single blow must carry murderous intent. Like this..."
BAM BAM BAM!
He grinned with savage delight as he looked down at the broken hero.
"So much fun."
Then, he turned to another figure in a prison uniform—Sonic.
"Do you want to cross blades with me too?"
At that moment, the rain began to fall.
On the slick streets, Deep Sea King and Sonic clashed.
...
Meanwhile—
Genos continued dashing toward the scene, following the Hero Association’s instructions.
Saitama, unfortunately, had gotten lost on the way.
But by chance, he ran into a man pedaling hard on a bicycle—Mumen Rider.
Mumen Rider blinked in recognition.
"Wait... Aren’t you that C-Class guy...?"
...
Within a massive, dome-like disaster shelter, crowds of civilians had taken refuge, along with several heroes of varying ranks—B-Class, C-Class, and even some A-Class.