Chapter 309: Chapter 10: Bang’s Shock
Bang stared at Ron in disbelief.
His strike just now, though not aimed to kill, was still a full-force attack.
Even solid boulders would’ve been shattered under that kind of power—yet this young man didn’t even have a scratch on him?
What kind of sick joke was this?!
Could it be... like Superalloy Darkshine, he too had trained his muscles to a near-invincible level?
"H-How is this possible?!"
Charanko’s jaw dropped, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
Fubuki, too, stood frozen, staring blankly at Ron.
That was an attack from Silver Fang—the third-ranked S-Class hero!
And it did nothing to him?
"Redirecting force, neutralizing impact, then waiting for the perfect moment to strike back... your martial arts are slightly more interesting than I expected."
As Ron spoke, he casually walked past Bang.
"But in the end, it’s still a self-defense technique for the weak to fend off the strong. It doesn’t really do anything for me."
"Still, thanks for agreeing to ’play’ with me, old man..."
Whoosh!
A powerful kick suddenly flew at Ron’s side from behind.
Ron lifted his arm.
Boom!
A wave of intense wind exploded outwards from where the two collided.
"What?!"
Bang’s pupils contracted sharply.
Ron hadn’t moved an inch—he’d simply raised his arm and effortlessly blocked that side kick.
"This little spar is over, old man Bang."
Ron turned his icy blue gaze sideways and spoke calmly, "You’re no match for me."
A golden-red glint flickered in his eyes—his Conqueror’s Haki leaked out ever so slightly.
"!!"
In that instant, Bang’s always-composed expression twisted into utter shock.
From Fubuki and Charanko’s perspective, Bang suddenly leapt back over ten meters like he’d seen a terrifying monster, instinctively taking up his Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist stance, his expression filled with alarm. Cold sweat streamed down his wrinkled forehead.
"Master... what’s wrong?"
Charanko asked, completely confused. He had never seen Bang look so shaken.
Fubuki, too, was puzzled beyond words.
"Just who... are you?!"
Bang glared at the young man standing with his back to him.
"I’m just a humble traveler."
Ron answered without turning around, walking straight up to Fubuki.
She stood there in a daze, looking at him.
Ron extended his hand toward her.
Fubuki blinked in confusion. "What’s this...?"
"Lend me some money."
"...."
After borrowing some money from Fubuki to pay for the dojo’s gate repairs, Ron left with her.
Once the two were gone...
Charanko and Bang stood at the dojo gate, silently watching the two shrinking figures disappear down the hill.
"That guy came to visit you as a guest, Master, and still dared to act that rude. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s a guest, with your strength, you would’ve crushed him already."
Charanko couldn’t help but voice his frustration on Bang’s behalf.
"And to think he dared spout such arrogant nonsense—hmph, what a..."
"Charanko. Be silent."
"Master..."
Charanko turned to speak again, but then saw Bang standing with his hands behind his back, staring down the path with an extremely grave expression on his wrinkled face.
And just like that, he held his tongue.
"Master... was he really that strong?"
"...Very strong. At least one level above me... maybe even two."
Charanko’s eyes widened in shock.
"That moment just now... I felt something I’ve never felt before coming from him."
Bang looked down at his still-trembling palm.
"His eyes seemed to be saying... if I struck again—I’d die."
"I actually lost the will to fight as a martial artist in that instant... and chose to retreat. What a terrifying young man... Ron... just where did he come from..."
Charanko was completely stunned, like he’d turned to stone.
That guy... he’s not even a hero, yet he’s that strong?!
————
That same day—
While Ron and Fubuki were visiting Bang’s dojo...
Saitama took Genos to the Hero Association to participate in the hero registration exam.
By the end of it, Genos was officially ranked as an S-Class hero, while the baldy himself—Saitama—was placed among the bottom ranks of Class C.
————
By evening—
In a quiet little udon shop in Z-City...
"I’m starving."
Saitama spotted the restaurant as he passed by with Genos and pointed toward it. "Hey Genos, want to grab some udon?"
"I’m fine with anything, Sensei."
"Alright, let’s go in then."
And with that, the two walked into the udon shop.
Not long after—
Ron and Fubuki also made their way down the street from the dojo.
"What are you staring at?"
Ron glanced at Fubuki, who was absorbed in her phone.
She was reading something carefully on the Hero Association’s official website. "Today was the hero registration exam. I’m checking to see if there are any promising candidates worth recruiting for the Blizzard Group."
Hearing that, Ron’s eyes flickered.
The hero registration exam... that means the bald-headed demon king must’ve also...
"What? A brand-new recruit just passed the exam and was ranked directly as S-Class?!"
Fubuki’s eyes flew wide open.
"Who the heck is this cyborg demon?!"
Ron thought to himself—figures.
By now, the sky had completely darkened.
As they passed by the udon shop—
Ron caught sight of the shop’s glowing sign and turned to Fubuki. "Want to grab a bite?"
Fubuki, still focused on her phone, looked up briefly at the shop’s simple exterior and turned him down without hesitation.
"I’ll go, then."
Ron said, hands stuffed in his coat pockets, and walked toward the shop.
Fubuki froze for a moment, then crossed her arms and glared at Ron’s back with some annoyance.
"What’s so great about a place like that? I really don’t get it."
Just as she turned to leave, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse through the window—a shiny bald head... and a blonde cyborg.
"Wait, that’s..."
Fubuki’s eyes narrowed sharply. She immediately glanced at her phone and compared the image of the new S-Class hero, the "Cyborg Demon," to the man inside.
Perfect match!
"I can’t believe I ran into a brand-new S-Class hero right here... this is a great chance to make contact!"
Wearing her signature green dress and white-fur-lined coat, Fubuki’s eyes lit up with excitement. She tapped her high heels and quickly followed after Ron into the restaurant.
"Two guests? Welcome!"
The waiter greeted them with a smile as they entered. "This way, please."
Ron turned his head to look at her. "Weren’t you not coming?"
Fubuki’s cheeks flushed slightly.
"S-Shut up already."