Many times in life we find ourselves in a very specific awkward situation, where we are simply going about our normal day and routine when suddenly someone recognizes us. It could be someone from our schooldays who we barely knew, someone we chatted with at a party once, or perhaps we just simply can't remember because they didn't make that significant of an impression on us, at some point EVERYONE has had to deal with being recognized by a person who they can barely if at all recall themselves. But then there were some people who unfortunately were just very forgettable, whether it be due to a bland personality or they simply left no lasting impact they were just easily forgotten after about a day of having met them. Such was the case for Saitama, King, and Kaemon all of whom were sitting around King's table looking at someone who sat across from them that they KNEW they were supposed to know, but for the life of them they just couldn't remember.
What made this whole situation worse was that after he had asked if he could come in they all had just been sitting there in stone cold silence, as all three of them desperately tried to figure out who he was.
"...Alright I'll say it." Saitama spoke as he pointed towards him "We have no idea who you are." He admitted.
"Wait...what?" The man said as he put a hand to his chest "Do...do you guys seriously NOT remember me?" He asked.
"You...look so familiar..." Kaemon muttered as they put a hand to their chin "But to be honest, you could be anyone." They admitted.
"Did we meet at like a convention or?..." King asked, as he scrunched up his face trying to remember.
"IT'S ME! CHARANKO!" The man shouted as he stood up "I'M MASTER BANG'S DISCIPLE!" He insisted.
"...No I don't think that's it..." Saitama murmured as he too put a hand to his chin "I'm pretty sure his disciple was a girl..." He added.
Feeling his jaw drop out of both shock and his now wounded pride, Charanko slumped back down into his chair trying to process how they could have forgotten about him so easily.
"Oooooooh wait yeah now I remember, you were the only one who stayed at bang's dojo after some guy beat everyone else up!" Kaemon recalled as they snapped their fingers.
"I'm pretty sure his name was Garou." King pointed out.
"YOU CAN REMEMBER HIS NAME BUT NOT MINE?!" Charanko questioned in both shock and anger.
"Oh I remember now!" Saitama exclaimed with a snap of his fingers "You're the bag boy from the local supermarket right?" He asked.
Slumping back into his seat as another blow was dealt to his self esteem, Charanko was beginning to wonder if he had perhaps made a huge mistake by coming here.
"By the way, what happened to your face?" Kaemon asked, which in turn reminded Charanko as to why he was here to begin with.
"Oh right!" He exclaimed as he snapped back to attention "I came here because I need your help." He told them.
"Our help? with what?" King asked.
"You know Master Bang right? I want you to check on him and see how he's doing." Charanko answered.
"Whoa wait, is the old man sick or something?" Saitama asked.
"No, but there's definitely something wrong with him." Charanko answered.
"Why don't you start from the beginning and tell us what happened?" King suggested.
Outskirts Of City Z. Silverfang's Dojo. Afternoon.
"What's the matter, can't you stand?" S class hero Silverfang asked as he looked down at his disciple.
Ever since Charanko first arrived at the Dojo to receive training and learn how to become a great martial artist from the renowned hero Silverfang he had become used to his master's strict and exhausting training methods. From running up and down the stairs each and every morning he came, to practicing the basics of martial arts until noon, then spending the rest of the afternoon sparring with his master, before wiping the floor clean all on his own before he went home, it was all by this point routine. But something had suddenly changed, the moment he arrived earlier today for his training his master had been relentless, though not cruel or savage by any means he still did not hold back in the slightest, for instead of the usual routine he told him that they were going to spend all day sparring with each other so that he could see how much he'd learned. Yet as he now laid on the floor exhausted and beaten, Charanko knew very well that he had failed to meet his master's expectations.
"What have you been doing these past six months Charanko?" He asked as he looked down at his disciple "Didn't I tell you that if you were going to become my student, you needed to train like your life depended on it?" He questioned as he placed his hands behind his back "You won't be able to learn any techniques, you are not fit to be a martial artist, so I am expelling you from this dojo as of today, don't ever come back." He told him, before turning his back to him and walking away.
Unable to move or say anything in response to this as he was far too tired and injured to do so, Charanko could only watch as his master disappeared into the dojo, leaving him to lie on the floor and come to terms with his expulsion.
"After that, I caught my breath and went home." Charanko said as he looked down at his lap sadly "I know I'm not the ideal student, I don't know any potential and I'm not that strong, but master Bang never before had any kind of issue with that, nor did he ever spar with such intensity before, so I KNOW that something is wrong." He insisted as he clenched his fists "But I'm too weak to help him, that's why he sent me away, he's just trying to protect me I know it!" He exclaimed as he looked back to them "That's why I need your help One Punch Man! if there's anyone he'll talk to or let help him with whatever is troubling him it's you!"
Silence fell over them as all three thought on what they had just heard, and while Kaemon didn't really have much to think about as they barely knew Bang, King and Saitama however were very familiar with their fellow S class hero and were quite aware of how strange this was.
"You're right, Bang is not like that." King spoke as he crossed his arms "Ever since I joined S class he's been one of the nicest people I've ever met, doesn't go about flaunting his power or his ego to others, so something like this is completely out of character for him." He explained.
"Maybe it has something to do with his other disciple?" Kaemon suggested, not wanting to be left out "I mean, he did say that he had a lot of potential, but then he had to expel him like Charanko."
"Yeah, but that was because the other one beat up all of his students, how do we know that this guy didn't just piss him off?" Saitama questioned, again managing to successfully deal a blow to the other's self esteem.
"Nah, Bang's not the kind of person to get easily angered or annoyed, if something has upset him this much then it has to be something important." King argued as he looked back to Charanko "We'll look into for you, but make sure to stay away from the dojo for now." He told him earning a nod in reply.
"Right, thank you." Charanko said as he got up from his seat.
Waiting until he took his leave and left the apartment, Saitama then looked to King with a quizzical look on his face.
"Why'd you tell him to stay away from the dojo?" He asked.
"Because, if this really does have something to do with his other disciple, chances are that they might end up fighting at the dojo." King explained.
"Ah, so you don't want him to get caught up in it and get himself killed." Saitama said.
"Right, plus if this is the case then that's more than likely why Bang expelled him in the first place, to keep him as far from it as possible." King reasoned.
"So I guess we're going to Bang's place then huh?" Saitama asked.
"Better to do it sooner than later." King said as he got up from his seat "Wanna come with Kaemon?" He asked.
"Nah, you guys go ahead, if this guy really is as strong as Bang said he was, then I don't know if I would be able to do much..." They replied with an awkward smile.
"But you managed to kill that giant bird from before." Saitama said.
"Yeah, but that thing was just a really big bird, Bang managed to fight off an alien AND survived getting hit through multiple buildings all the while he kept his cool, so anyone who's tough enough to make him get mad like that is someone that even I'm a little nervous about." They admitted.
Taking a moment to consider that Kaemon did have a point, even during the whole invasion situation where all of City A got leveled Bang managed to remain calm, cool, and collected, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say that whoever this "Garou" guy is, he's someone not to be taken lightly.
"I know he's the world's strongest hero, but he sure is dense." Charanko said with a sigh as he walked home "I mean, how could he POSSIBLY think that I was a girl?" He asked as he put his hands behind his head.
Surprisingly enough Charanko due to current financial restrictions actually walked all the way from his home in City Z to King's apartment building in City M, as to how he was able to do such a thing without getting tired he had master Bang's running up and down the stairs training method to thank for that. Even so, despite being able to cover such a long distance rather quickly it still took him quite a while to get from point A, to point B, and the go back to point A, meaning that by the time he began to draw near City Z it was already nightfall.
"Still, I do hope that what they said isn't true." He thought aloud as he looked down at the ground "If this really is about Garou, then things are going to get really messy quick, all the while I can't do anything about it..."
Still feeling upset at himself that he couldn't actually help his master or even Saitama and the others for that matter, couldn't keep himself from balling his fists up in frustration.
"I can't be that weak..." He said to himself as he clenched them even tighter "I've been training so hard, there's got to be SOMETHING I can do." He went on, trying to think of some way he could help.
"Hey you." A voice suddenly spoke from his left, causing him to jump slightly.
Looking to his side to see who had spoken to him he found no one standing there, however as he looked through the trees that surrounded him he saw only but a few feet away to men confronting each other on the street nearby, one of whom he recognized.
"You're a hero aren't you?" Garou asked as he looked at the other man, who was dressed in some kind of padding and was riding a bicycle.
"Yes I am, my name is Mumen Rider." The other introduced himself.
"Heh, good." Garou said as he balled his right hand into a fist "I was beginning to think that there were no heroes around for me to hunt, what a shame that'd be."
"What do you mean by hunt?" Mumen Rider asked, already growing suspicious of this person.
"It's simple really, I aim to be the most powerful monster in the world, and in order to do that I have to beat the strongest heroes around." He answered as a twisted grin appeared on his face "But seeing as how there are none around, I guess I'll have to settle for you."
"Found you!" A third voice exclaimed from behind him, causing him, Mumen Rider, and Charanko who still watched on from the side to look in it's direction.
Walking towards them slowly was a group of men all wearing tank tops and all fairly well built, and was thanks to these two details alone that even the most reclusive person in the world could figure out who they were.
"Are you sure that's him?" One of them asked as they stepped into the light of the street lamp.
"Yeah I'm certain that's him." Their leader said, revealing himself to be Tank top Vegetarian.
"Well look who it is." Garou said as he looked over his shoulder at them "Did you come after me to try and get revenge? seems kind of reckless, unless you WANT to throw away your life so casually~" He mused in delight, as this whole situation was becoming more enjoyable by the second.
"That's right, I've come to make you repay for what you-" Tank top Vegetarian was saying, until a swift punch to is face knocked him out cold.
Everyone including the other members of the Tank Top Army were stunned by how quickly he had gone down, it was so fast that many of them were wondering just how fast Garou actually was, as he managed to do it yet appeared to not have moved at all.
"Heh, just like before, a disappointment." Garou said as he turned his focus to the others "I'll be sure to kill you this time around, right after I get done with your musclehead friends!" He exclaimed as he lunged forward to begin the slaughter.
But just as quickly as he had dealt a blow to Tank top Vegetarian's face was another blow dealt to his own, but unlike his the power behind this one was so immense and overwhelming that it sent him flying a few feet back until he was able to regain his footing.
"What?!" Garou asked in surprise, as he didn't even see who had thrown the punch.
Before he could even get close to the group a fist had shot out from it's center and had punched him, and while that in of itself was impressive it was WHO the fist belonged to that really got his attention.
"So you're the one who gave my bro a hard time huh?" S class hero Tank Top Master asked as he moved to the front of the group.
"FINALLY!" Garou shouted in excitement as he got into a stance "I've been waiting for a REAL fight!" He exclaimed as a look of intense excitement became present on his face.
However, much like before Tank top Master was the first to act before he could, taking his fist he pulled it back and then sent it towards the ground, the sheer power of that single punch being far too great for the street they stood on to handle causing it to break apart into several large pieces. Losing his footing as a result Garou was unable to dodge or even block the S class hero's next move, which was him rushing forward at full speed and hitting him with his forearms, the impact of that alone feeling like a literal train.
"Tank Top Tackle!" He shouted as he made contact, everyone else watching in awe from both the sheer destruction he was capable of, as well as Garou who was sent flying into the air from the blow.
"Way to go master Tank Top! yeah show this guy who he's messing with! Nobody picks a fight with the Tank Top Army and get's away with it!" His followers all cheered in support as they watched their leader show the other who was boss.
Now if it had been any normal person several if not ALL of their bones would've been shattered from just the shock wave of the impact, while the impact itself would have ruptured several organs and potentially even exploding the recipient of his attack. Yet as they watched the assumed dead body of Garou fly through the air they all were shocked to see him not only land on his feet perfectly, but also seemed to be unaffected from the exchange.
"Whoa what? how is he even standing? master Tank Top did hit him right?" His followers all talked among themselves, as they had never seen anyone survive the Tank Top Tackle before.
"This man." Tank Top Master thought as he looked Garou over, noticing he once again possessed that grin from before "Is he even human?" He wondered.
Deciding it was best to not let him get even a second of reprieve from the first attack Tank Top Master once again rushed forward and began to assault him, delivering another powerful punch which, while Garou did manage to block, sent him skidding on his feet down the street.
"Hmph, I suppose he is human." He thought as he noticed the other was starting to bleed, as a few drops of his blood hit the pavement "And yet, as I look at him he shows no sign of pain, no semblance of concern, and he still has that grin on his face as though he's enjoying this." He noted as he prepared to attack him one more time "Whoever he is he is dangerous, I should finish this quickly." He decided.
Just like before even as Garou coughed up a decent amount of blood onto the ground Tank Top Master showed no mercy, for within an instant he was on top of him with his fist reared back ready to either knock him out or perhaps even kill him.
"STOP!" Mumen Rider shouted as he suddenly leapt in front of Garou, taking the punch instead.
Everyone even Garou felt their eyes widen in shock as the C class hero fell to the street, completely taken aback as to why he would do such a thing.
"Mumen Rider?" Tank Top Master asked, concerned with how the other had taken the blow.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Mumen Rider asked from the ground as he got into an upright position "Can't you see that he can't fight you? you're just beating him senseless!" He exclaimed.
"It's his fault for picking a fight with a hero! yeah get out of the way! let master Tank Top finish him!" The Tank Top army all began to shout angry at this lowly C class hero getting in the way of their Master's punishment.
"All of you stop." Tank Top Master ordered as Mumen Rider got to his feet "He's right, I didn't start wearing a Tank Top just so I could fight people, even if this man attacked a hero he is still just a man, not a monster." He told them as then looked at Garou "You've learned your lesson right? if so swear that you'll never do something as foolish as picking a fight with heroes or anyone else ever again." He instructed.
For a moment there was silence as everyone waited to hear him recite the same words as Tank Top Master so this whole thing could end, yet instead of straightening himself up and doing just that the man began to chuckle, before bursting out into a fit of laughter.
"Wow heroes really are stupid! do you ACTUALLY think I'd do something as pointless as apologize to you! especially since I still plan on killing every. single. one of you?" He asked, as for the third time that sickening tooth filled grin appeared on his face "AS IF." He plainly said, a look of pure desire present in his eyes.
"I thought so." Tank Top Master replied, as like before he sent his fist forward to finally end this whole thing with a single powerful punch straight to Garou's face.
Yet as time seemed to slow down in that moment, as everyone Mumen Rider and Charanko included waited to see Garou go down, within an instant the entire situation changed unexpectedly. Instead of Garou being send straight to the street from the punch or perhaps even having his head shatter from it's force, Tank Top Master was suddenly sent stumbling back from a blow dealt to his chin, where as Garou had his arm held out and his hand in an unusual pose.
"Tsk, guess I used it." He said to himself as then took a fighting stance "I didn't want to have to use it since it reminds me of that old man, but oh well, old habits I guess." He reasoned just as he lunged forward.
Like machine gun fire his arms moved at blinding speeds, his hands perfectly straightened jabbing Tank Top Master all over, within but the span of a single second he managed to strike the S class hero over two dozen times before finishing it off with a powerful punch of his own which sent the hero straight into a nearby wall.
"I...see..." Tank Top Master thought as he fell to his knee "This whole time he was holding back, waiting for the perfect moment to fight back." He realized as he looked up at him.
Like a predator about to catch his prey Garou looked down at him, the grin never faltering for even a second as this was no doubt what he had been waiting to do. But before their fight could continue any further Mumen Rider who had gotten back to his bike during it all pedaled as fast as he could towards Garou, planning to aid his fellow hero.
"JUSTICE CRASH!" He shouted as he threw his bike at him, hoping at the very least to stun him long enough for Tank Top Master to get to his feet.
Sadly as anyone could have expected Garou simply dodged the bike and caught Mumen with hand, then without hesitation proceeded to bash his head into the street several times as to quickly deal with him.
"Well?" He asked as he raised the C class hero's head, showing the Tank Top Army what was to come "Do you STILL want to fight me?" He asked.
"YOU BASTARD!" Tank Top Master shouted as he quickly got back to his feet, enraged by seeing another hero be treated in such away.
Yet without even so much as looking back at him Garou dispelled him as well, by throwing his left fist backwards it connect with Tank Top Master's face, and sent him unconscious to the ground.
"I'm done with you Tank Top Master, you quickly got boring." Garou told him, as he kept his focus on the others "Now it's time I give your little group a chance to play" He said as he let go of Mumen Rider to let him fall as well.
"DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN BEAT ALL OF US?!" They shouted as they rushed him "WE'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" They threatened as they readied their fists to all hit him simultaneously.
In very few moments does the expression "Blink and you'll miss it" actually hold true, but as Garou with beyond human speed and power moved and attacked each member of the Tank Top Army, that's exactly what it was. All of the men reduced to bloody beaten heaps under the span of ten seconds without a single one of them having made any contact at all with their attacks, all that was left now was to wait for Garou to finish them off.
"GAROU!" Charanko shouted as he lunged from the bushes, refusing to standby and let him carry out his plan "YOU'VE BROUGHT SHAME UPON OUR DOJO AND OUR MASTER!" He told him as he readied to fight "FIST OF FLOWING-" He tried to say, only to be cut off by a swift kick to his head.
Not even having truly noticed him Garou merely attacked him out of pure instinct, but once his words did reach his ears, somehow some way his grin managed to get even bigger.
"Wait...are you?" He asked only to find himself laughing once more "Oh my god you are! you're the last student of that old man's!" He realized as he walked over to Charanko, who from the kick had been sent flying into the bushes "Well then, please send him a message for me!" He said as he began to punch him repeatedly.