*POOF—!! *
Amidst billowing smoke and dust, Vest Vegetarian Faction felt as if he'd been struck head-on by an out-of-control high-speed train. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
He flew backward like a broken rag doll. Crashed heavily into a pile of rubble more than ten meters away.
Smoke cleared. The A-Class hero's eyes rolled back. Limbs twisted at unnatural angles. Countless bones throughout his body—shattered. His already tattered vest hung in shreds—barely a few strips of cloth remaining.
(Yamcha lying down.JPG)
One punch. Vest Vegetarian Faction reduced to an unknown state of life or death.
Jack stood with one hand in his pocket. Scorching flames brushed past his body—didn't affect him in the slightest.
At the critical moment, Flame of Impure Ardor had barely managed to change his "Flame Blade Kick" trajectory. His powerful strike dented the rooftop. The entire unfinished building shook unsteadily.
The cautious ninja retreated two steps upon landing. Narrowed his eyes at Jack.
Intelligence said the contact person—codenamed Bug God—appeared human but was essentially a Demon-level Monster from the Association. Must have mastered some special ability allowing human transformation.
"Why interfere, Bug God?" Flame of Impure Ardor's voice was cold. "That guy was my prey."
Why?
Because I still have to be a colleague with the bald guy someday. And I don't want to get involved in any karma because of you.
Thousands of Monsters had died at Saitama's hands. But he wasn't mindlessly murderous. A considerable number had also survived.
(Pochi & Black Sperm & Eyeball & Infinite Seaweed and other Monsters: That's right! × N)
The bald guy had his own criteria. His own line between human and Monster.
Sweet Mask—complete Monsterification—was still a handsome human hero in his eyes. Garou—Monsterified, nearly wiped out the Hero Association—was just a naughty kid to be disciplined.
Why? Sweet Mask's allegiance remained with humanity despite mutation. Garou—despite claiming he'd kill heroes—ultimately killed none.
In Saitama's view, appearance didn't determine Monsterhood. The real criteria: Had they killed humans? Did they possess subjective evil intent?
Jack's Monster career so far? Remarkably clean. No stains.
He wasn't about to let a killer ninja—one who'd sided with Monsters—taint that record.
Facing Flame of Impure Ardor's question, Jack twisted his neck. Dismissive. Uninterested in explaining.
"Yare, yare." His voice was casual. Almost bored. "So many questions, rookie."
Flame of Impure Ardor's suspicious expression softened slightly. He opened his mouth to respond—
Then caught the smile spreading across the handsome young man's face. Wickeder now. Sharper eyes.
"And…"
Jack's voice dropped. Turned cold. Carried undeniable authority.
"Who gave you permission—you guy—to speak to your senior in such a questioning tone?"
A pause. The air itself seemed to freeze.
"Do you… want to die?"
The bright, fiery sunset sky seemed to darken several shades.
At the same time—as if some internal restraint had been unleashed—dust and debris at Jack's feet began trembling. Floating uncontrollably. Affected by an invisible, overflowing force field.
"Wh-what…?!"
Flame of Impure Ardor's eyes widened. A stinging pain lanced through his brow. He was suddenly back in the dark ninja village—facing a brutal instructor. Every hair on his body stood on end. Every muscle instantly tensed.
Opposite him—the shadow beneath Jack's feet began to surge. Viscous. Pitch-black. Shadowy substances erupted from it like venom. Rapidly spreading upward along his straight pant legs.
In a single breath—his tall, slender 1.95-meter frame was covered. Enveloped by black bio-armor shell. His physique expanded. Swelled accordingly.
Upon the carapace—dark red patterns ignited. One by one. Flowing like lava. Making him resemble an ancient demon god emerged from hell.
Human form transformation. RELEASE.
Not finished.
His blazing white eyes shifted. Took on a bloody tint. Power from the transformation brewed—briefly—then erupted.
Monsterification Second Stage…!!
*BOOM—!!! *
Like a volcanic eruption. Jack's Monster body exuded destructive, powerful aura. Climbing. Rising.
Tangible, terrifying pressure—like a dark cloud—enveloped the entire unfinished building complex.
Jack—second Monsterification.
Disaster Level—
DRAGON.
Powerful stats formed the foundation. BUG-level transformation ability served as the key.
At this moment—Jack had taken the crucial step.
Kicked open the door to becoming a top-tier Monster.
Dragon-level Monster. Full form.
Jack's burning crimson gaze fixed on Flame of Impure Ardor. The ninja's forehead stung—as if pricked by needles. Every muscle in his body tensed. The instinctive response of prey encountering a natural predator.
"W-Wait…!"
Survival instinct forced words out. A desperate attempt to stop whatever came next.
Jack didn't let him finish.
For an unruly newcomer like this? The best education is simple.
Beat him until he doubts life itself.
Pure burst. Power and speed beyond reason. Despair-inducing.
The demonic black figure left only an afterimage—too fast for the naked eye. The next instant, he appeared before Flame of Impure Ardor as if teleported.
Exactly as Flame of Impure Ardor had toyed with Vest Vegetarian Faction moments ago.
Now—the roles reversed.
Horror flooded the ninja's senses. The top human assassin erupted with speed equally imperceptible. His figure flew backward. Retreated.
In a few leaps, he reached the ground at the building's edge. Truly swift escape.
Behind him—Jack's punch met empty air. He smiled grimly. Scorching white steam escaped the corners of his grinning mouth.
Flame of Impure Ardor landed. His heart pounded wildly. But the death threat—the sensation of being locked onto by a top predator—had not vanished.
It had intensified.
Years of escape experience kicked in. He instantly calculated the best route. His hand shot out—yanked open the manhole cover at his feet.
"Damn it…! No chance of winning. I need to retreat first—"
His words died.
Reflected in his violently trembling pupils: a highly oppressive, pitch-black figure. Shrunk to human size. Grinning wickedly.
Jack tilted his head. Enjoying the moment.
"Sewer's full today, kid." His voice was light. Almost playful. "No way out."
*BOOM—! *
The sharp, air-rending sound roared. His iron fist—encased in black carapace—shattered the ground's obstruction like a cannonball leaving its barrel.
It struck Flame of Impure Ardor's unprepared abdomen.
*BANG—!!! *
Irresistible force surged through the ninja's body. He might as well have been hit by a battering ram.
His back arched sharply backward. From his mouth—in what felt like slow motion—a spray erupted.
Blood. Mixed with fragments of internal organs.