During this period, Shizuka couldn't help but click her tongue as she asked her colleagues in the information division to check Bang's records on her mobile device. She was doubtful about whether the little old man before her was truly a strong fighter. By the time Bang's test results came back, however, her impression had already shifted. She looked at him with admiration.
"That's amazing! Master Bang, what an incredible skill!"
Bang nodded with satisfaction, clearly pleased at the compliment from the young woman.
It seems my style is still as sharp as ever, he thought with pride. But when his gaze shifted toward Joshiro, his satisfaction faded. The old man's expression darkened.
What's this brat doing? I'm putting on a show and he doesn't even look at me.
Joshiro indeed was not paying any attention to Bang's reaction. His focus was on the purple card in his hand. He studied it closely:
[Fantasy Card: Water Breathing Technique]
[Card Type: Ability Card]
[Rarity: SR]
[Introduction: Basic breathing method of Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist]
[Effect 1: Water Breathing]
[By adjusting a special breathing method to increase physical strength and water-flow energy, the user's attack power and speed are greatly enhanced, while enemy attack power can be deflected and weakened.]
Joshiro frowned in surprise.
Another one? After Saitama-san, now this? Didn't the fantasy cards evolve and enter an upgrade stage? How do they still have the energy to interfere?
Summoning a stack of concrete cards in his hand, Joshiro immediately understood that his Stand had evolved, awakening new abilities. That realization brought him both relief and caution. He quickly reviewed the feedback being returned to him:
----------------
[Fantasy Cards (Fantasy.Cards)]
[Panel]
Destructive Power: D
Speed: D
Precision: C
Growth Potential: A
Sustainability: A
Range: B
[First Ability: Card Control]
Gives objects the concept of "cards," creating fantasy cards and controlling the power within them.
[Second Ability: Destiny Card Draw]
Allows one fantasy card to be randomly drawn each day, with the number of draws able to accumulate.
[Third Ability: Element Pickup]
Randomly collects extraordinary element fragments within ten meters to create fantasy cards.
(Level C: equivalent to ordinary humans)
----------------
The addition of the third ability was the most significant change. Unlike before, where he had to actively create cards, his Stand could now passively collect extraordinary elements if they appeared within range. The process was still random, like drawing cards linked to fate, but nonetheless an improvement. As he thought about it, images of powerful heroes and monsters flashed in his mind, only to shift into visions of resources waiting to be gathered for his use.
He exhaled quietly. The panel showed an improvement in speed and range as well, though the increase from E-rank to D-rank in strength and speed seemed minor compared to the ten-meter pickup ability granted by the new function. Still, he could not yet determine the real application of that boost. Shaking his head, he dismissed the Stand for now.
When he looked up, he was met by the stern gaze of Bang. The old master's expression was heavy.
"Hey, Joshiro-kun, are you dissatisfied with my performance?"
Seeing the sharp eyes on him, Joshiro quickly denied it. He raised both hands slightly and shook his head.
"No, I didn't mean that. You're mistaken, Master Bang."
Bang narrowed his eyes, about to continue pressing him, when his gaze froze. Joshiro had unconsciously placed a hand over his own chest. In only a few breaths, Bang felt something radiating from him-something unmistakably familiar. The aura of Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist seeped from the young man's presence. His pupils trembled in disbelief before shifting to burning focus.
That's not potential, he thought. That's refined ability. This is not jade to be polished-this is gold beyond price.
Joshiro noticed his look and spoke casually with a slight smile. "I tried to imitate the breathing method you used earlier, Master. Do you see any problems with it?"
Although Joshiro was fully aware that revealing this could draw unwanted attention, he also sensed that Bang was not someone with ill intentions. Sharing his attempt at the breathing method seemed safe enough. And besides, Flowing Water Rock Shattering Fist was worth learning where possible. Still, he had no intention of formally becoming a disciple-the implications of that within the Hero Association would complicate everything too much.
Bang steadied his breath quickly and covered the eagerness showing on his face. His long experience reminded him that rushing such matters could be a mistake. Regaining calm, he nodded and smiled faintly.
"You imitated it well. There are no issues with your breathing. When you have time, you must visit my dōjō and we will explore the details further."
Joshiro inclined his head politely. "Of course, that sounds good."
"Now it's your turn, Joshiro-kun," Bang said, gesturing toward the testing equipment.
Joshiro offered a calm nod. "Then I'll do my part." Turning to the blonde staff member next to Shizuka, he added carefully, "If something breaks during the test, I won't be held responsible, right?"
The staff member chuckled and shook his head. "No need to worry. We have enough testing machines prepared here. Even if one is destroyed, it doesn't matter."
Hearing this, Joshiro exhaled once, then focused. His eyes shifted to silver-white as an azure spiritual flame cloaked his body, thunder sparking within its layers. His voice was steady:
"Thunder Chakra Mode."
He took a backward step, braced his stance, and twisted his waist sharply. The energy channeled from his body into his right arm, and his thunder-wrapped fist tore into the target machine with explosive force. The impact sent a violent wave through the room, even pulling Shizuka's skirt and the staff member's coat backward. Bang's beard was lifted by the air pressure alone. All three stared silently, their shock evident as the electricity coursed through the air.
The machine, said to withstand direct hits from tiger-level monsters, was smashed into sparking debris lodged into the wall twenty meters away. The staff member's expression stiffened completely, his mouth twitching as though he could not decide whether to curse aloud. Just moments earlier he had dismissed Joshiro's warning as a joke, and now the wreckage was undeniable.
Shizuka regained her composure first, her eyes brightened with excitement at the demonstration of such power. Bang's thoughts were plain on his face-if Joshiro had already mastered a superhuman ability like this, convincing him to become a disciple would be far more difficult than he expected. The staff member responsible for scoring finally steadied himself enough to read the result aloud. "Full marks, Joshiro-san…"
Shizuka gave a quick nod and moved them along without delay. "Let's continue the tests."
Bang and Joshiro went through the remaining assessments one after another without pause. Strength, speed, stamina-their performances rivaled anything recorded to date. Rope skipping, sprinting, weightlifting, and long jump all produced results beyond the ordinary limits of the human body. Those observing could not contain their reactions as the data appeared on the records.
"An ace! A true ace is emerging for Z-City!"
"And not just one-we have two candidates in front of us!"
"We need to notify headquarters immediately!"
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
💕💕
READ 45+ ADVANCED CHAPTER AT MY P@TREON! FOR ONLY 10$
at [email protected] /Zaneninjacat
💕💕
💀💀 gimme powerstones!💀💀