Silence.
A deathly silence.
If Mumen Rider's previous victory brought astonishment, then at this moment, Saitama's single blow left them utterly bewildered.
Tens of thousands of spectators in the arena moved their gaze back and forth between 'Charanko' and the human-shaped hole in the distant wall, some unable to believe it.
One punch.
Just one punch.
Bakuzan, the two-time champion, who had been full of oppressive power, was sent flying like an aluminum can.
"Th-this… this is…"
The referee's lips trembled. He was the closest and felt it most acutely.
Even though the punch wasn't aimed at him, at the moment of impact, he vaguely felt he saw his great-grandmother, and he was still covered in cold sweat.
He opened his mouth, wanting to announce the match results, but found that his throat could not make any sound.
Finally, Saitama himself broke the silence.
He walked up to the referee, picking at his ear: "Um… can I go now?"
"Ah… Ah! Yes!"
The referee jumped up abruptly, then remembered his duty. He used all his strength, shouting with a cracking voice:
"The winner… the winner is… Charanko!!!"
This announcement instantly ignited the entire venue.
But this time, there were no cheers, no applause, only a collective gasp and irrepressible murmuring.
"One punch… just one punch?"
"Where's Bakuzan? He's a two-time champion!"
"He flew out… he directly punched through the wall and flew out!"
"Who exactly is this guy? When did Bang's dojo produce such a monster!"
… "Interesting… too interesting!"
In the fighter's waiting area, Suiryu's body trembled slightly.
His cynical smile completely froze, and his eyes were locked onto the expressionless man on the ring.
"I thought only Ghost Dragon could interest me in this martial arts tournament, but I didn't expect… there's an opponent with such formidable strength!"
In the stands.
Lin Mo calmly took a sip of juice, not at all surprised by this outcome.
He even felt that Saitama-kun had been very restrained.
He guessed that if he wasn't worried about his wig being blown off, he might have even let Bakuzan hit him a few more times with interest, to experience the feeling of a "martial artist."
"Hmm?" Genos, next to him, stiffened, instantly entering combat mode.
"Mr. KING." He lowered his voice, speaking rapidly: "Received an alert from the Hero Association."
"Large-scale attacks have been launched simultaneously in multiple cities, including City A, City B, and City F! Multiple Demon-level Monsters have been confirmed to appear!"
— — — — — —
On the other side of the fighter's waiting area, Mumen Rider, who was wiping sweat with a towel and preparing for his next match, also heard a piercing alarm from his hero communicator at his waist.
He abruptly stopped, took out the communicator, and his face instantly became extremely solemn.
[Warning: Large numbers of Monsters are simultaneously attacking various cities, and casualties are increasing. All nearby heroes are requested to proceed immediately to provide support!!!]
He threw the towel to the ground without any hesitation, turned, and was about to rush out of the arena.
He was not the martial artist "Ghost Dragon."
He was a hero, he was "Mumen Rider"!
His battlefield was never just this square ring, but also the city streets that he needed to protect!
This was his "martial arts," and this was his "justice"!
— — — — — —
"Mr. KING, the situation is urgent, I must leave immediately to provide support!"
Genos suddenly stood up, ready to leave at any moment.
"Let's split up and resolve this as quickly as possible." Lin Mo's tone was unquestionable.
Quick resolution, that was Lin Mo's only thought at the moment.
The real big guy—Gouketsu—was about to appear, and these troubles had to be cleared before then.
He looked at Genos, his eyes deep, and added: "This is a large-scale probing attack by the Monster Association, Genos, do not take it lightly."
"Monster Association?"
It was the first time Genos had heard this unfamiliar organization name from Mr. KING's mouth.
But he knew that what Mr. KING said would inevitably be correct.
However, the situation was urgent, and he couldn't ask much, only nodding heavily in response:
"Yes, Mr. KING! I understand!"
Seeing Mr. KING's appearance, as if he had seen through everything and was strategizing, Genos's originally somewhat anxious heart involuntarily felt a sense of peace.
He knew that as long as this man, strongest man on earth, was in charge, everything would be fine.
He said no more, flashed, turning into a streak of light, and quickly left the scene.
Lin Mo likewise did not delay, his figure merely swayed slightly, and he disappeared from his spot, not attracting anyone's attention.
The departure of the three heroes did not attract too much attention.
After a brief shock, the audience continued to watch the upcoming matches.
"Next up is— "
"Ghost Dragon of Fierce Wind Hall versus Suiryu of Nether Body Fist!"
"On one side, a mysterious dark horse with unpredictable movements and exquisite, peerless techniques who has cleared all obstacles—Ghost Dragon from Fierce Wind Hall!!!"
"And on the other side, a genius successor of Nether Body Fist, who has easily crushed all opponents with his flamboyant and domineering boxing style—Suiryu!!!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh—!!!"
The audience's emotions were ignited once again!
"Ghost Dragon! That guy is amazing!"
"Suiryu is also very strong! I watched his matches; his opponents couldn't even touch him!"
"A pinnacle showdown of techniques! This is going to be a good show!"
Amidst the thunderous cheers, Suiryu walked onto the ring with an excited expression.
He flexed his wrists and neck, making "cracking" sounds, and fierce battle intent burned in his eyes.
He couldn't wait any longer.
Just how strong is my senior's disciple? Let me see!
However, the host passionately called out "Ghost Dragon's" name several times, but the fighter's entrance on the other side remained empty.
"Hmm? Ghost Dragon? Please enter the ring as soon as possible!"
"Ghost Dragon?"
The cheers in the arena gradually turned into puzzled whispers.
On the ring, Suiryu's smile slowly disappeared, his battle-burning eyes gradually cooled, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He stared at the empty entrance, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Just then, a staff member ran to the referee's ear with a panicked expression and whispered a few words.
After hearing it, the referee's face showed the same shocked expression he had when he saw Saitama blast Bakuzan away with one punch.
He looked at the staff member in disbelief, then at the empty entrance, and finally picked up the microphone to announce to the entire venue:
"Ladies and gentlemen… I apologize for the wait… We just received notice… Ghost Dragon… has forfeited this match due to personal reasons…"
"What—?!!!"
The entire venue was in an uproar!
"Forfeited? Are you kidding me?!"
"He made it to the semifinals, why would he forfeit? Is he afraid of Suiryu?"
"Coward! I thought he was so great!"
Mockery and curses erupted, and the reputation he had accumulated in the previous matches instantly collapsed.
Meanwhile, Suiryu on the ring was completely stunned.
The battle intent and excitement on his face were extinguished as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, replaced by extreme disappointment and anger.
"Forfeited?"
He murmured in disbelief, then clenched his fists, a surge of nameless anger rising in his heart.
"Are you kidding me… at a time like this…"
Ran away? Just like that?
He felt like he had been played.
Is this what it means to be a senior's disciple? To retreat without fighting, it's an insult to this martial art!
Suiryu snorted coldly, flipped off the ring, and walked straight towards the fighter's waiting area.