### Chapter 17: Garou's Attack
"Cough cough! Grandpa, don't misunderstand!" Kouki hurriedly clarified with a straight face. "This is Miss 'Hellish Blizzard,' the B-Class Rank 1 hero of the Hero Association. When I first came down the mountain and was unfamiliar with the place, it was thanks to Miss Fubuki's full support. I specially invited her to visit the dojo this time."
"So that's how it is." Silver Fang Bang nodded slightly, looking at Fubuki with a gentle gaze. "This old man remembers... you are Tatsumaki's younger sister, right? Welcome to my humble abode."
"Senior Bang is too kind, it is this junior's honor to visit the dojo..."
Faced with such politeness from this legendary martial arts authority, Fubuki was a bit overwhelmed for a moment and hurriedly returned the greeting.
"Haha~~ Relax, no need to be so restrained!"
Seeing Fubuki's tense shoulders, Kouki couldn't help but chuckle.
"Eh? Ah... Yes!"
Fubuki's fair cheeks were instantly dyed with an imperceptible blush.
But soon she gradually relaxed.
Kouki was vividly describing his "Monster" encounter experiences while descending the mountain to Charanko and other junior brothers.
Those events sufficient to cause panic in the eyes of ordinary people became slightly interesting adventure stories in his mouth.
The junior brothers listened with shining eyes, exclaiming "Wow!" and "Really?!" from time to time.
Admiration was overflowing in their expressions.
However, just at this moment.
"Not good! Something terrible happened—!!"
Rapid and panicked shouts broke the peace of the dojo.
At the dojo gate, several disciples in ragged clothes, with bruised noses and swollen faces, supported each other, stumbling in.
They were covered in dust and blood stains.
Every step seemed abnormally heavy, obviously having just experienced a fierce battle.
Kouki and Fubuki reacted fastest, their figures flashing and appearing in the front yard.
"What happened?"
Kouki's gaze instantly became sharp, his brows furrowing tightly.
His gaze swept over everyone's wretched appearance, finally landing on one person—Sourface.
His eyes were swollen almost to slits, looking miserable.
"It's... it's Garou!" Sourface's voice trembled with pain and fear, barely squeezing out the name from his swollen lips. "We... we met him at the foot of the mountain... that guy... didn't give us a chance to speak at all, just... just attacked us!"
"Garou?!"
A low voice full of anger sounded from behind.
The two elders, Bang and Bomb, had appeared at some point.
Hearing the name "Garou," Bang's white beard trembled slightly with anger.
An invisible pressure spread out.
"Evil creature!"
A cold light flashed in Bang's eyes, and he made a move as if to go down the mountain personally to clean up the sect.
As a master, he had the responsibility and obligation to end this evil fate personally.
"Grandpa, wait!"
Kouki stood firmly in front of Bang.
Meeting his master's gaze with burning eyes, his tone decisive: "Leave this matter to me to handle!"
Bang's brows did not unfurl, his eyes revealing disapproval.
Obviously, he preferred to act personally to completely quell this turmoil.
"Grandpa, trust me!"
Kouki patted his chest vigorously.
Although in the original story Bang taught Garou a lesson several times, he showed mercy every time. It would be better for Kouki to do it himself.
Bang was silent for a moment, finally sighing helplessly.
"...Then... alright."
"Fubuki, let's go!"
Kouki, having received permission, was energized and immediately called out to Fubuki beside him.
The two figures did not hesitate at all, quickly leaving the dojo and speeding towards the foot of the mountain.
On the winding mountain road, Fubuki couldn't suppress her curiosity and turned her head to look at Kouki, who was walking steadily beside her.
"Kouki," she asked softly, "Can... you tell me about that 'Garou'? What kind of person is he exactly?"
"Of course."
Kouki nodded.
"That guy... is a typical 'problem child.' Probably suffered severe bullying when he was young, leading to a completely twisted personality. He has a near-pathological hatred for the identity of 'hero,' and even set a ridiculous goal for himself—to become the strongest 'Monster,' and then... trample all heroes under his feet."
After listening to Kouki's narrative, Fubuki had a vague and twisted impression of that "Garou."
"Then, how do we find him?"
Soon the two descended the mountain, and Fubuki was somewhat curious about what plan he had.
"Hmm..." Kouki rubbed his chin, then grinned. "Watch me."
Under Fubuki's confused gaze, Kouki strode to the bustling street with people coming and going.
Taking a deep breath, his loud and clear voice instantly drowned out the noise of the street:
"Citizens, please pay attention! I am Hero Association S-Class Rank 13, Super Saiyan—Kouki! I am currently hunting an extremely dangerous villain named 'Garou'!"
His voice was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Citizens, please help spread the word! Please tell everyone that I—Super Saiyan Kouki, am right here, waiting for him to come!"
"Wow—!! It's Lord Super Saiyan Kouki!"
"It's really an S-Class hero! So handsome!"
"Heard he just solved Dragon-level disasters in Z-City and B-City! Saved countless people!"
"Lord Kouki wants to catch a villain? Count me in! I'll help spread the word!"
Citizens were full of enthusiasm and adoration for the newly promoted S-Class hero Kouki.
His declaration was like a lit spark, spreading rapidly through the crowd.
People rushed to tell each other, excitedly passing on the information.
In less than a moment, the news of "Villain Garou" and "Super Saiyan Kouki's public challenge" spread through the streets and alleys of Z-City like wildfire.
***
Meanwhile—
Deep in a dark and narrow alley.
"Tsk..."
A figure with white spiky hair leaning against the corner listened to the constant discussions about himself coming from outside.
Especially since it was mixed with the name of his "Senior Brother" Kouki.
Garou's mouth cracked into a smile full of malice.
His eyes became like a fierce wolf spotting prey, flickering with dangerous and excited light.
"Senior Brother... is this an 'invitation' to me?" He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and twisted. "Heh... Just right, I was looking for you too! This 'joy of reunion,' let me convey it well with my fists!"
*Clang!*
The moment his voice fell, Garou's figure had already disappeared from the spot.
Leaving only a crushed soda can rolling on the ground, emitting a crisp and hollow echo.
As if announcing the arrival of the storm.
***
On the other side—
Edge of Z-City, a relatively open forest clearing.
Breeze brushed the leaves, making rustling sounds.
Kouki leaned leisurely against a thick tree.
"Kouki," the anxiety of waiting made Fubuki unable to help but speak again, her voice carrying a trace of doubt. "Will that Garou... really come?"
This method of waiting for a rabbit by a tree stump seemed a bit... too confident in her opinion.
...