Chapter 8: Is That It?
In the midst of the howling wind, Tatsumaki looked down, her eyes wide with undisguised shock. She stared at Kenji, who was also floating in mid-air using psychokinesis.
This guy can actually use psychokinesis... Is he an Esper too?
Being the straightforward type, Tatsumaki didn't bother beating around the bush. She asked directly:
"Hey! King! How can you use psychokinesis? Are you an Esper?"
Kenji glanced at her. His tone was flat, his deep voice betraying no emotion.
"My spiritual power is just a bit strong, that's all."
Tatsumaki paused, clearly not expecting that answer. She let out a cold snort.
"Hmph! Playing mysterious! It doesn't matter how many tricks you're hiding, I'm going to crush you today regardless!"
The two arrived in the desolate wilderness. After confirming that there wasn't a soul within a hundred kilometers, they finally landed.
It is worth noting that in the world of One Punch Man, all the continents have merged into one massive supercontinent.
Humanity has built 26 city-states, named A through Z, on this vast landmass.
Outside of these 26 cities lies endless wilderness and harsh environments.
No matter how destructive their battle got, it wouldn't affect human society. This provided the perfect arena for Kenji and Tatsumaki.
On the barren wasteland, the two stood facing each other.
Neither chose to strike first. Kenji maintained his "King Style" posturing—naturally waiting for the opponent to move so he could counter.
As for Tatsumaki, although her tone was full of disdain, internally she was still wary of the "Strongest Man on Earth" and his legendary battle record.
While they were in a standoff, the system notification chimed in Kenji's ear again.
[Ding! Rewards distributed in advance.]
[Congratulations! You have received: Random High-Level Ninjutsu x1, Taijutsu Auto-Training Card x2.]
[Congratulations! You have obtained: The Complete Eight Inner Gates Technique.]
In an instant, the secrets of the Eight Inner Gates flooded Kenji's mind. He mastered them instantly, as if they had become muscle memory he could unleash at will.
Oh? That's generous. Giving me the rewards beforehand.
However, drawing the Eight Inner Gates technique itself was a bit unexpected.
Does this mean... even though my base state is already the "Gate of Death" physique, I can open Gates 1 through 7 again? And maybe even stack another Gate of Death on top of it?
The Eight Inner Gates technique acts as a multiplier based on the user's physical constitution.
The stronger the user's base body, the greater the amplification.
For example, if opening the 7th Gate gives a 3x multiplier, and the user's base strength is 3, then 3 × 3 = 9.
But if the user's base strength is 100, then 100 × 3 = 300. The gap is enormous.
One person gains only 6 points of strength, while the other gains 200. It's not even in the same league.
Since I've gained such power, it's time to break this stalemate.
Kenji took a proactive step forward. Tatsumaki's gaze instantly sharpened, and a sneer curled her lips.
"So the Scarface is finally willing to move? Get up!"
Violent psychic energy erupted from her body, piercing through the air to surround Kenji, attempting to lift him off the ground.
With a thought, Kenji flooded his acupuncture points with surging Qi and blood. White steam erupted from his body, and his skin turned a faint shade of red.
Eight Inner Gates: Seventh Gate of Wonder (Kyomon) — OPEN!
His already terrifying physical strength skyrocketed instantly. Because his base constitution was so powerful, Kenji felt almost no burden even after opening the Seventh Gate.
Facing the encroaching psychic pressure, Kenji simply punched.
The terrifying force created a sonic boom that shattered the invisible psychic construct around him like glass.
The sensation was strange—like breaking a pane of glass as thin as a cicada's wing, yet seeing no shards.
Realizing her psychokinesis couldn't hold the man in front of her, Tatsumaki felt a jolt of surprise. This was the first time she had encountered an enemy she couldn't control.
Immediately after, the proud Esper Queen felt a rush of excitement. Her spiritual power, vast as an ocean, erupted fully.
"Not bad! Then try something bigger!"
Her psychic power transformed into an invisible tsunami, crashing toward Kenji.
The ground beneath their feet shattered instantly. The earth within a radius of several kilometers was ripped up, turning into a storm of debris that completely surrounded Kenji.
A sphere made of crushed rock encased him. Glowing with green psychic light, Tatsumaki manipulated the sphere and hurled it high into the sky.
Hundreds of meters in the air, veins bulged on her forehead as she continuously compressed the massive rock ball.
The sphere, originally kilometers wide and resembling a meteorite, was squeezed tighter and tighter, emitting loud cracking sounds. Kenji, trapped in the center, was subjected to gravitational pressure unimaginable to ordinary humans.
No resistance? Looks like those battle records were just hot air!
Tatsumaki poured in endless psychic power. The kilometer-wide sphere was compressed down to a few dozen meters, its density reaching a terrifying level.
But in the very next instant, a voice cut clearly through the chaos and into her ears:
"Nice psychokinesis. Too bad it's still a bit weak."
What?!
Tatsumaki's pupils shrank to pinpoints. Before she could increase her output, a thunderous explosion came from above.
The compressed sphere detonated into dust. Kenji, wreathed in white steam, appeared in front of her almost instantly, moving at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
There wasn't a scratch on him. Only a suffocating, terrifying aura radiated from his body, accompanied by a rhythmic, engine-like roaring sound.
DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! DOOM-DOOM-DOOM!!!
Tatsumaki's expression turned ugly as she listened to the engine roar that seemed to make the heavens and earth tremble in unison.
Is this the King Engine...?
She knew that not only had she gotten serious, but the King in front of her had also entered combat mode.
If external force can't crush you, then I won't use external force. I'll manipulate your body directly!
With that thought, Tatsumaki focused her mind. A torrent of psychic power locked onto Kenji, causing his body to glow with a faint green light.
"DIE!"
Tatsumaki twisted her wrist. Her face flushed red from the exertion, her green curly hair flying wildly in the psychic storm.
The force acting on Kenji intensified. At this level, even the hardest metal on Earth would be twisted into a pretzel the moment it touched her power.
Even a Dragon-level monster, unless it was a near-Peak Dragon, would be wrung into meat paste instantly.
However, facing this incredibly powerful psychic twist, Kenji's figure remained motionless. It was as if the force trying to wring him out didn't exist at all.
He tilted his head. A hint of genuine confusion finally appeared on his majestic, stoic face.
"Is that it?"