One-Punch Man: Boros, the Universe Overlord

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, something terrible has happened!"

Chalan Ke rushed to the door like a whirlwind, shouting breathlessly, his forehead covered in sweat, clearly having run himself ragged to get there.

"What happened? Has Master been captured by a monster?"

Boros was nestled in the most comfortable spot on the sofa, engrossed in a shonen comic book with a brightly colored cover. Without even looking up, he casually remarked...

Chalan Ke stood at the doorway, mouth agape, completely stunned, as if struck by lightning.

...A monster? What monster? I don't know why, but my senior brother seems strange. I came to him to discuss something, is this...? Is this really true?

He took a deep breath, stopped thinking, and forced himself to go inside, shouting as he went:

"Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, you're all here? Huh—? Why are there so many people?"

Chalan's voice stopped abruptly the moment she saw the living room. The once spacious living room was now packed with people, resembling a small party.

King was playing a game; Saitama was sprawled on the single sofa next to King, crunching on a bag of potato chips, his eyes glued to the TV program, occasionally letting out a silly laugh.

Fubuki sat opposite Saitama, elegantly holding a teacup, the tea table in front of her filled with exquisite pastries, which she was slowly savoring.

Genos, like a diligent housekeeper, was wiping the table in the corner with a rag, and even the placement of the vase was meticulous.

Boros paused slightly in his comic book when he saw Chalanco standing in the doorway, looking utterly shaken. He closed the book, stood up, pulled out a cushion beside him, and gestured for Chalanco to sit down. Then he turned and sat opposite him, saying:

"Alright, stop standing there like an idiot. What happened? Tell me slowly."

King, who was engrossed in the game, glanced over out of the corner of his eye. Fubuki put down her pastry fork, and Genos stopped wiping. The group sat down together, leaving the middle seat empty, and the atmosphere instantly became somewhat heavy.

Chalan took a deep breath, picked up the still steaming tea on the table, and gulped it down. He put down the teacup, his hands trembling slightly, his voice carrying a hint of grievance and confusion:

"Just yesterday afternoon, Master Bangu suddenly announced that he wanted to conduct sparring training. Without saying a word, he beat me up... He also said that I hadn't made any progress in the past six months, that he couldn't see any martial arts talent in me, and that he expelled me from the dojo, saying that he would never let me go there again..."

At this point, Chalan's eyes reddened, and she looked anxiously at the people sitting around her:

"As you all know, Professor Bang is always kind and approachable, and he's always been very patient and encouraging to us students. How could he do something like this for no reason? There was clearly worry in his eyes when he looked at me..."

"I feel there must be something going on! Something must have happened that we don't know about. So I came to find my senior brothers as soon as possible to ask if you know what happened to Master?"

"Is it possible that you genuinely lack talent in martial arts?"

Saitama, who had been happily munching on a bag of potato chips, suddenly interjected. With half a chip still in his mouth, he mumbled what he said, even nodding seriously.

Chalan was still immersed in the grief and anxiety of being expelled from her sect. Upon hearing this, the corner of her mouth twitched violently. She then turned her head and stared at Saitama with a resentful look, as if she were an abandoned puppy.

Saitama felt extremely uncomfortable under that gaze. He scratched his bald head, gave an awkward grin, and tried to ease the sudden embarrassment.

"Um... well, I was just asking casually, just asking casually. Don't take it to heart, just pretend I didn't say anything."

He then whispered to Genos beside him:

"Who is this person?"

"Master Saitama, he is Master Bang's disciple. He studies martial arts with us at the dojo. He has also eaten with you before," Genos replied softly.

"Oh, oh." Saitama nodded thoughtfully, still unable to recall...

"Bang-sensei didn't say anything to us either, but considering the recent emergency announcement from the Hero Association, I can roughly guess what's going on," Genos said, turning to Chalanco for analysis.

"This must all be related to that guy called 'Hungry Wolf'."

"A hungry wolf?"

Chalan Ke was startled by this and involuntarily leaned forward. "Isn't that the former disciple who was expelled from the dojo by Master? Second Senior Brother, what does this have to do with him?"

"It's not just a matter of him being 'expelled' anymore," Genos shook his head.

"He attacks heroes everywhere as a 'Hero Hunter,' and is even wanted by the Hero Association. Bang-sensei probably didn't want this feud between his sects to involve you, so he used this seemingly heartless method to drive you out. It's a form of protection."

"Is...that's how it is?"

Upon hearing these words, Chalan Ke's previously tense shoulders instantly slumped. He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, and he murmured to himself in a trembling voice:

"Bang, so in your eyes, I'm just a burden who needs to be protected...?"

A moment of silence filled the living room. Genos seemed to remember something, turned to Boros, who was leaning back on the sofa, and asked respectfully:

"Professor Boros, what's your opinion on this matter?"

I sat and watched... Boros thought to himself, without saying it aloud.

He closed the comic book in his hand, casually tossed it onto the coffee table, and analyzed in a flat tone: "Old people, you know, usually have rather conservative and stubborn ideas."

"Master Bang probably thinks so too. In his view, since Garou is a disciple he personally trained, he, as the master, is also to blame for the various sins his disciple has committed and must bear the main responsibility."

"He probably felt that he should clean up this mess himself, which is why he didn't want anyone to get involved, including us."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chalan Ke's face, which was etched with worry, before continuing with a hint of certainty:

"Besides, the old man is probably struggling with this right now. After all, he raised this apprentice himself, and the bond between them is genuine."

"On one hand, there is the responsibility to uphold justice, and on the other hand, there is the emotion that is hard to sever. He must be hesitating... whether to kill him or bring his apprentice back. This conflicting feeling is probably causing him great suffering."

"Don't worry, Chalan Ke. Once this matter is resolved, you can go back to the dojo. It's not a big deal!" He patted Chalan Ke on the shoulder and said.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Bang's number:

"Hey? Teacher, it's me, Boros. I heard you're out hunting down hungry wolves these days?"

Bang's slightly tired but still steady voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with a hint of amusement:

"Heh, is that Boros? Even you know about this and called specifically to ask if you're worried this old man can't handle it?"

"What are you thinking?" Boros said calmly.

"Do you think I don't know your strength? Dealing with a hungry wolf would be a piece of cake. I'm calling to let you know that I'm also a member of the Flowing Rock Smashing Fist, and this matter is related to me as well."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if Bang's heavy breathing could be heard, before the old man's voice came through, tinged with weariness, yet revealing an undeniable stubbornness and a sense of vicissitude:

"Boros, don't worry about me. This is ultimately a matter between me and Garou. It's my fault for not teaching my disciple well, and it's a responsibility I must bear as his master. Consider this my last act of defiance. I want to handle this myself and put an end to it personally."

Boros nodded: "Okay, I understand, teacher. We'll keep in touch anytime. You can go ahead with your work."

"Senior Brother, what did Master say?" Chalan Ke asked impatiently.

Boros shook his head: "Master doesn't want us to get involved. He's probably worried I'll kill Hungry Wolf."

"I see. I understand, Senior Brother. I'll head back now," Chalan Ke said dejectedly.

"Chalan Ke, be careful on your way back. Never mind, I'll take you back and we can go see that kid while we're at it."

"Huh? No need, Senior Brother."

"Let's go, stop talking nonsense."

........................

As dusk settled, the dappled sunlight filtered through the trees onto the path. Boros was escorting Chalanco home. Suddenly, a fierce fight erupted from the deep woods ahead, followed by chilling screams and the cracking of bones, all of which pierced the stillness of the twilight.

"Senior Brother, something seems to have happened over there!"

Chalan stopped and looked nervously in the direction from which the sound came. He then turned to Boros beside him and said...

Boros remained calm, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly: "Hmm, let's go take a look."

The two followed the sound quickly, pushing aside the dense bushes, and the scene before them was horrifying. The once tranquil forest clearing was now a mess, with broken trees and cratered ground. The unlicensed rider lay sprawled on the ground, his helmet shattered, his blood staining the fallen leaves beneath him.

The members of the Tank Top Legion were staggering, all severely injured and unable to get up, groaning in pain. Even the powerful S-class hero, Tank Top Master, was kneeling on the ground, his vest torn, his breath weak, clearly powerless to fight back.

Amidst this deathly silence and carnage, a panting figure slowly straightened up. The man, covered in wounds yet exuding a ruthless aura, whirled around at the sound behind him, his eyes fixed on the suddenly appearing Boros and Chalanco.

—It is none other than the hero hunter "Garou".

………………