Flying Sword!
Swish!
Atomic Samurai unsheathed his sword, sending a slash toward King.
Ultimate Mimicry! Flying Sword!
King used his finger as a sword, and an identical slash burst forth.
"What?!"
Rumble!
An explosion sounded as the two slashes canceled each other out in mid-air.
"Using a finger as a sword..."
Cold sweat broke out on Atomic Samurai's forehead. He realized he had still far underestimated King's strength. Just that slash alone made him feel ashamed of his skills.
'No! Pull yourself together, this is only the beginning!'
Atomic Samurai found that his incredibly firm conviction was actually wavering, so he closed his eyes.
"What's wrong with sensei?" Okamaitachi asked in confusion.
"This is a special state. It allows one to concentrate their mind and discard all surrounding noise. It seems that last strike affected sensei's state of mind. He's completely serious now." A look of worry appeared in Iaian's eyes.
He had never seen Atomic Samurai enter this state during a battle. This showed how much pressure King was putting on him. In truth, that previous strike had already demonstrated the gap between them.
Atomic Beeline Slash!
Swish! Swish!
Dozens of slashes were unleashed side-by-side in a single line, slashing toward King's waist.
"The power has increased several times over. Getting serious?"
This time, King didn't copy Atomic Samurai's move, but instead threw out an ordinary-looking punch.
Boom!
The slashes were instantly shattered, but this time Atomic Samurai did not stop his attack.
Atomic Beeline Slash!
Ding ding ding!
Countless attacks were blocked by the blue shield on the surface of King's body, failing to even break his defense.
"As expected, it's a psychic barrier. This is bad."
"King's strength is too great. Sensei has used almost all his power, yet he hasn't even broken the defense."
"At least he lasted more than three seconds."
'Even after going this far, is this still the result?' Atomic Samurai remained silent.
He hadn't expected the difference in their strength to be this great. For a moment, his pursuit of the ultimate path of the sword wavered.
"Let's go."
King turned and walked toward Mumen Rider, but Atomic Samurai's voice rang out again.
"King! Although this is a bit much, could you demonstrate a sword technique for me?"
Atomic Samurai's words shocked his three disciples. They all doubted if they had heard correctly. Their master, a grandmaster of the sword, actually wanted someone else to demonstrate a sword technique.
"Of course, but I'm not very good with a sword." King readily agreed.
"Thank you."
A smile appeared at the corner of Atomic Samurai's lips.
He didn't know what had come over him, as if he were possessed to want someone else to demonstrate a sword technique for him. But since King had agreed, he naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. He took an apple from his robe and then instantly unsheathed the sword.
Swish!
The apple was instantly cut into countless small pieces, scattering across the ground.
Using countless slashes to cut the enemy into fragments.
King was no stranger to this move—it was Atomic Samurai's ultimate technique, Atomic Slash.
Actually, during the crusade against the Monster Association, Psykos had mainly arranged counters based on each S-Class Hero's weakness. Otherwise, with Atomic Samurai's strength, he wouldn't have suffered such a miserable defeat.
"Please."
Atomic Samurai took out a new apple and placed it before King along with the sword.
'Does he like carrying apples around to cut that much?'
King was a bit speechless, curious about just how many apples Atomic Samurai carried with him.
Ultimate Mimicry! Atomic Slash!
King concentrated, instantly gathering power in his palm as he tossed the apple into the air.
A second later, he gently set the Nichirin down and turned to leave with Mumen Rider.
"This... this is?"
Iaian and the other two looked at the apple frozen in the air, momentarily bewildered.
A moment later, the apple gradually dissipated in the air.
Atomic Samurai was already drenched in sweat. 'That strike just now reduced the apple to ash. Because the speed was too great, the unsheathing motion wasn't even visible. Even the apple didn't realize it had been cut? He says he's not good with a sword, but in reality...'
'What a terrifying man. It seems I was too shallow to rashly challenge him.'
Atomic Samurai silently picked up the blade and turned to look at his three disciples.
"From today on, I will start my training from zero. Are you still willing to follow me?"
"Of course! To the ends of the earth, we will always follow by your side!"
Iaian and the others said in unison.
A gratified smile appeared on Atomic Samurai's face. "King, perhaps the next time we meet, we can truly have a no-holds-barred battle."
—
Outside Z-City, Mumen Rider drove King to the foot of a mountain.
"King-san, it should be right here."
King looked up at the long, narrow stone steps and couldn't help but nod inwardly.
Bang's dojo had always been very close to Z-City, which was why he wanted to live or die with the dojo when the meteor struck back then.
After the battle with the Monster Association, Z-City was completely destroyed, but the dojo was spared because it was located on the outskirts.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Shouts came from inside the dojo.
Bang was currently teaching his students with great care.
Creak!
The dojo's gate was opened, Mumen Rider was the first to step inside.
"Hello, excuse me. I am the hero Mumen Rider. Is Bang-san here?"
"Oh! Mumen Rider, it's rare for you to find your way here."
Seeing that the visitor was a hero from the Hero Association, Bang immediately showed a joyful smile. He was quite willing to give some guidance to juniors like Mumen Rider who possessed a true hero's spirit.
"Bang, long time no see."
"Hmm? You are... King!"
Bang was stunned when he saw King, not understanding the purpose of his visit.
'As expected, he's here too.'
King's gaze swept across the dojo and he saw that familiar figure—Garou.
"King, I will explain the matter regarding Garou to you later." Bang spoke up.
He didn't want King to misunderstand, as most heroes in the Hero Association currently held hostility toward Garou.
"No need, we've come this time for another matter." King changed the subject, though Garou's presence did spark other ideas in his mind.
"Another matter?"
Bang's eyes showed some surprise, but he still led the two of them to a quiet resting room.
"I have already submitted my resignation to Sitch and am no longer a hero of the Hero Association. I wonder what business brings you here?" Bang asked while sipping his tea.
"The purpose of our trip is to apprentice and learn skills."