The 'Nanaya Assassination Arts' were no longer merely the secret techniques of the original Nanaya Clan. At least, the version that shone brilliantly in Fang Li's hands had undergone a complete transformation.
To push his innate talent for killing to its absolute limit, Fang Li had used the Nanaya Assassination Arts as a framework.
He incorporated the flesh of countless other assassination systems and fused together the essence and core principles of every assassination technique Fan Xinglou had ever taught him throughout history. In the end, he had created an entirely new style.
Compared to this new art, the Nanaya Clan's original assassination techniques had become second-rate. If Fang Li wanted to, he could rename the Nanaya Assassination Arts at any time. That would not be an exaggeration in the slightest.
The only reason he hadn't done so was because he found it troublesome and simply couldn't be bothered, so he continued using the old name.
However, compared to the Nanaya Clan's secret techniques, this martial art had advanced by far more than a hundredfold.
Take 'Extreme Death: Seven Nights', for example. The completed version that Fang Li had developed, a sure-kill strike capable of exceeding one hundred times the speed of sound, completely outclassed the original ultimate technique of the Nanaya Assassination Arts by an unimaginable margin.
Of course, this terrifying power was also thanks to Fang Li's exceptional physical abilities. Even so, the final version of 'Extreme Death: Seven Nights' was still vastly superior to the original, without any room for debate.
Therefore, the Nanaya Assassination Arts Fang Li practiced could no longer truly be called the Nanaya Clan's secret art.
It had become a complete combat style born from the fusion of countless assassination techniques with Fang Li's own understanding. And all of this had been painstakingly taught to him by Fan Xinglou, little by little, until it forged the skills he possessed today.
Perhaps Bang had caught a glimpse of a true martial arts grandmaster from the bits of skill Fang Li had casually revealed.
"To be able to teach such an outstanding disciple... if the opportunity ever arises, I'd really like to meet your master." Bang smiled as he said this. "So? How about dropping by my dojo and learning the 'Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist' while you're at it?"
It was obvious that Bang regarded Fang Li as an exceptionally rare martial arts prodigy. Unfortunately, Fang Li knew his own strengths better than anyone.
"I'll have to decline," he answered without the slightest hesitation. "I'm not some martial arts genius. Even my master said my talent for martial arts is practically mediocre. The only field I've ever truly specialized in is killing. So a defensive style like the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist... I doubt I'd be able to graduate even after studying it for a hundred years."
"That's truly a shame." Although Bang said it lightly, genuine regret appeared on his face. Looking directly at Fang Li, he continued, "No matter how sharp a blade is, it still needs a sheath. Young man, I hope the philosophy behind the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist could become your sheath... and keep you from staining yourself with so much blood."
Fang Li simply smiled in response. He said nothing more.
Bang also seemed to feel that saying anything further would merely make him sound like an old man preaching to the younger generation. He turned his gaze toward Genos instead.
"You must be Genos, the hero who joined the S-Class with a perfect evaluation after Miss Diva."
Bang's words caused Genos, who had been silently watching the conversation, to raise his head.
"Let's end the small talk here." Just as before, Genos showed neither courtesy nor restraint toward anyone besides Saitama. He asked directly, "Why exactly did the Association summon us? And what's going on with this branch office? Why isn't there a single person here?"
Even if the other S-Class heroes hadn't arrived yet, there was no way a Hero Association branch should be this deserted, not even a single staff member could be seen. Genos had already scanned the building before entering. Aside from Bang, he hadn't detected a single living presence. He had been holding that question in until now.
Hearing this, Bang slowly opened his eyes. The pair of eyes that should have belonged to a frail old man suddenly gleamed with astonishing sharpness.
Then Bang spoke. "Everyone in this branch has already evacuated."
Bang spoke as though he were merely stating an obvious fact.
"As for the S-Class heroes who answered the summons... I imagine it's only the three of us."
"...Evacuated..." Genos's eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced at Fang Li, who showed no sign of surprise, immediately realizing that Fang Li had known about this beforehand. He continued asking, "What's going on?"
The one who answered wasn't Bang. It was Fang Li.
"A Dragon-level disaster is approaching." Turning his gaze toward the stunned Genos, Fang Li explained in an unusually calm voice. "According to the Hero Association's report, in approximately thirty-five minutes, a meteorite from outer space will descend and crash into Z-City. When that happens, not only will Z-City be completely wiped out, but the surrounding cities will also suffer catastrophic damage."
Those words caused Genos's pupils to contract. "...A meteorite..."
And not just any meteorite. One powerful enough to completely annihilate Z-City along with every neighboring city. A catastrophe capable of affecting multiple cities, a Dragon-level disaster. That was what was about to descend.
This was precisely why the Hero Association staff, having learned of the situation in advance, had already evacuated. As for the summoned S-Class heroes who never arrived, they had most likely chosen not to involve themselves in such an overwhelming crisis.
This wasn't a battle against a Monster. Nor was it an ordinary disaster. It was a pure natural catastrophe, a disaster that would sweep across several cities. Even S-Class heroes capable of defeating Demon-level and Dragon-level monsters would find it difficult to do anything against a gigantic meteorite capable of destroying multiple cities with a single impact.
Bang was no exception.
"Why wasn't an emergency evacuation order issued?" Genos demanded. "With such a massive impact zone, thirty-five minutes isn't nearly enough time for everyone to escape."
Again, it wasn't Bang who answered. It was Fang Li.
"That's probably just the Hero Association's wishful thinking," he spoke indifferently. "If they can find a way to destroy the meteorite before everyone has to evacuate, the Association's reputation among the public will skyrocket. That's why they gathered the S-Class heroes here."
"Tch..." Genos couldn't help clicking his tongue.
"In short, that's the situation." Bang remained perfectly composed, as though none of this particularly concerned him. "Even the hero ranked above me might not be able to handle something like this. Unfortunately, he's currently in Antarctica. Since that's the case, there's nothing that can be done."
He looked at the two of them. "You youngsters should hurry and evacuate."
"What about you?" Genos immediately asked. "Aren't you leaving?"
"My dojo is here." Bang lightly pounded his shoulder and answered slowly, like any ordinary old man. "I can't just abandon it."
After a brief pause, he smiled faintly. "Besides, at my age, I don't have many years left anyway. But you youngsters are different."
Hearing those words, Genos fell silent. He slowly turned to look at Fang Li.
Sensing Genos's gaze, Fang Li smiled. He only said a single sentence.
"Let's go."
His words were concise and decisive.
"If there's something the old generation can't accomplish, then it's up to us youngsters to deal with it cleanly."
(End Of This Chapter)
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