Chapter 72: "You've Got a Lot of 'Eyes' on You."
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"Hakijuan! Come down here and spar with me!"
"Meow~"
Curled lazily atop the highest shelf, the calico cat didn't even bother moving. Her emerald eyes swept over Kihara once… then she sank into a deep, existential crisis.
There's no way…
This B-rank nobody… could possibly be that Black Rider who saved me… right?!
That had been Tatsumaki's first reaction when she heard it from Minami Yume.
Doubt, Suspicion.
She even considered the possibility that Kihara and Yume had set up some elaborate trap just to mess with her.
But then again—
If he could already strip her of her powers and turn her into a harmless cat… why bother with a trap at all?
If he wanted her dead, she'd already be gone.
…So there might be some truth to it.
What made her hesitate the most was one detail.
The bounty description of the "Black Rider" had intentionally blurred the description of the two horn-like protrusions on his helmet—precisely to prevent impostors.
Yet Kihara had casually corrected her:
"They're more like antennae."
That wasn't something a faker could guess.
Still… not enough to confirm it completely.
She narrowed her eyes.
Three days left until I turn back…
I'll observe him carefully.
And that girl… I can use her too.
Because of the newly added "Hakijuan" at home, Kihara and Yume postponed their visit to her sister's memorial site.
Besides, from the way Yume occasionally drifted into silence, it was clear.
She wasn't ready yet.
And to Kihara, there was only one rule:
No matter what—girlfriend comes first.
So instead of pushing her, he made a different decision.
Since "Hakijuan" had somehow started playing with Yume…
He'd let the troublesome cat cheer her up.
As for himself—
He headed straight for Z-City.
At this point, he had a very important relationship to maintain.
After all…
A certain bald hero had been passively farming EXP for him nonstop.
After registering with the Hero Association:
Saitama → C-Class Hero
Genos → Newly promoted S-Class Hero.
And now, the two of them were following behind Kihara, arms full of ingredients.
Saitama stared at the premium A5 wagyu in his hands with a goofy grin, while Genos spoke with admiration.
"I never expected you to be the renowned B-Class hero—'Crimson Rider,' Kihara-san."
Kihara waved it off casually.
"Don't get hung up on rankings. They distort effort and value."
He glanced back with a faint smile.
"If I wasn't B-Class, would that stop me from being friends with you and Saitama?"
"Exactly!" Saitama chimed in. "Ranks are just labels. Don't overthink it!"
Genos straightened instantly.
"I understand! Kihara-san, Saitama-sensei!"
…Then added seriously:
"However, I still believe Sensei should be ranked S-Class. His strength far surpasses mine."
Kihara nodded.
"Agreed. Let's talk about why he's so strong over hot pot later."
"WHAT?!" ×2
Both Saitama and Genos froze.
He knows…?!
Saitama lit up.
"As expected of my friend!"
Genos looked even more convinced.
"With such profound insight, Kihara-san, you too are worthy of S-Class!"
Kihara sighed.
"Enough flattery. Let's hurry back. Hot pot is always better with more people."
Genos' eyes gleamed.
"I've installed a food conversion module and taste sensor. I can now eat with you both!"
"Nice!" Saitama gave him a thumbs-up.
"Now you won't just stare at me while I eat anymore!"
Just as the trio quickened their pace.
A massive figure blocked their path.
A two-meter-tall, crimson-skinned demon with fangs and a savage aura.
Genos immediately dropped the groceries (to Saitama's horrified scream) and stepped forward, flames igniting from his mechanical arms.
"Sensei, Kihara-san—be careful. This one has immense energy. A formidable enemy."
The demon's beast-like eyes swept over them.
"Crimson Rider… Demon Cyborg… and some bald weakling I can crush with one hand."
A cruel grin spread across his face.
"I am Onihebi. A monster user… no—monster master.
Remember the name of the one who will wipe out humanity."
Saitama yawned.
"Genos, you handle this. I'm holding expensive ingredients."
"Understood, Sensei!!"
Genos launched forward, palms unleashing blazing blue flames hot enough to melt steel.
The temperature surged violently.
Saitama hurried back two steps, protecting the meat like his life depended on it.
But—
Onihebi stood in the flames… completely unfazed.
He even smiled.
"So this is S-Class power? It doesn't even tickle… Heh… Tenka's method really works."
So fire's ineffective…
Genos instantly switched tactics.
Thrusters roared.
He became a streak of lightning, delivering a supersonic punch straight to the heart.
BOOM!
Shockwaves exploded outward.
The ground cracked and sank.
But Onihebi didn't move an inch.
He cracked his neck lazily.
"…Is that it? Didn't eat breakfast?"
Genos retreated instantly, eyes sharp.
This defense… Demon-level?
The battle escalated—
From ground to sky.
Buildings collapsed.
Shockwaves tore through the empty district.
Yet Onihebi seemed like Genos' natural counter.
Fire ineffective.
Physical defense overwhelming.
After several exchanges.
Genos was caught mid-air and kicked straight into the ground.
"Pathetic. Not even worth using my full control."
Onihebi sneered, spitting blood.
He turned toward Kihara and Saitama.
Ready to crush their skulls.
Then—
He saw it.
Kihara… smiling.
His hand slowly raised.
Fingers… tightening.
SPLAT.
"GAAAAAAAHHH—!!!"
Onihebi's body twisted violently.
As if crushed by an invisible force.
Purple blood burst from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Bones shattered through flesh.
His entire form collapsed into a grotesque mass of mangled meat.
Kihara lowered his hand calmly.
His voice was soft… almost amused.
"…You've got quite a lot of 'eyes' on you."
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Thank you for reading.
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[T/N: Good night, everyone! My phone is absolutely cooked, it's been "pregnant" for months now, and if I don't fix it soon, it might just explode on me (༼;´༎ຶ _ ༎ຶ༽).
But hey, it still works somehow… so I guess we ball]