Third-ranked S-class hero!
One of the Hero Association's top combat forces!!
In fact.
In the original storyline, because Blast was elusive and rarely obeyed orders, the formidable Tatsumaki had long been regarded as the Hero Association's "ultimate weapon"!
It was simply that Fenric's emergence had changed everything.
Regardless, Tatsumaki was unquestionably a powerful existence!!
Even within the mighty Monster Association, her strength would still rank among the very top.
Of course.
Fenric was not concerned about Tatsumaki's challenge.
Her psychic abilities were indeed formidable, but Fenric was no ordinary opponent either!
If a real battle were to break out, he was confident of victory.
Because his capabilities were far from limited.
Thus, when he heard that Tatsumaki was coming to challenge him, Fenric remained completely composed.
In stark contrast, the chairman was thrown into panic!
Within the association, Tatsumaki had always been a transcendent figure due to her overwhelming strength.
Even the chairman himself could not command her!
At times, Tatsumaki showed absolutely no respect toward him, the association's leader...
"This... this... how could this happen..."
Seeing the chairman terrified and at a loss, Fenric spoke calmly, "President, there's no need to worry. Since she's here for me, leave it to me."
The chairman froze for a moment. Looking at Fenric's calm demeanor, he finally exhaled in relief.
Yes!
Mr. Mundo was here!
Mr. Mundo was the Hero Association's ace—the strongest human!!
If he stepped in, even if Tatsumaki intended to cause trouble, she would surely be suppressed with ease, right?
With that thought, the chairman gradually relaxed.
"How dare she stir up trouble at the Hero Association headquarters? This Tatsumaki has gone too far!!"
His tone was full of indignation.
If Fenric had not been present, he would not have dared to say even a single word...
The secretary could not help asking, "President, Tatsumaki will arrive shortly. Should we...?"
The chairman waved his hand confidently. "There's no need to stop her. Let her in."
"Yes, Chairman."
After the secretary left the office.
The chairman suddenly turned to Fenric and pleaded, "Mr. Mundo, if an unpleasant conflict truly occurs, could you resolve it outside? The Hero Association headquarters building is my father's life's work..."
He was clearly worried about Fenric and Tatsumaki fighting and damaging the building.
Such concern was entirely understandable.
The chairman knew very well what kind of monster Tatsumaki was.
Add to that the strongest human—someone even more formidable—and if they clashed inside the building, the headquarters would undoubtedly be reduced to rubble!!
Just as Fenric nodded in agreement, a commotion erupted outside the door, accompanied by a faint, childish voice...
Soon.
The president's office door was forcefully pushed open.
A young girl strode inside.
She had curly green hair and appeared to be only in her teens. Petite and small, she looked like a child.
In reality, she was already twenty-eight years old!
This girl was none other than Tatsumaki.
As usual, Tatsumaki wore a dark blue-black long robe with a slit that reached nearly to her waist... Her fair skin was faintly visible, making one wonder whether she wore anything underneath.
Though Tatsumaki had her charms, Fenric immediately lost interest once he remembered her age.
In his view, her younger sister was far more appealing...
After entering, the green-haired girl swept her gaze around the room before locking onto Fenric.
"You're Mundo?"
Only Fenric and the chairman were present in the office.
Tatsumaki recognized the chairman, but Fenric was unfamiliar to her. There was no need for further guessing.
"I am."
Fenric remained seated, showing no intention of standing, and asked calmly, "May I ask what business Miss Tatsumaki has with me?"
"Since you're Mundo, that makes things simple!" Tatsumaki said bluntly. "I want you to voluntarily give up the number one S-class position. Mr. Blast is far more qualified than you!"
"When you say 'qualified,' are you referring to strength?"
"So what if I am?"
"In that case, go find Blast. I can give him a fair opportunity to challenge me," Fenric replied calmly.
Hearing this, Tatsumaki grew furious.
If she could find Blast, why would she have joined the Hero Association?
She had joined precisely to wait for his appearance so she could thank him in person.
Years ago, it had been that man—along with someone skilled in explosives—who saved her...
"I can defeat you even without Mr. Blast!!" Tatsumaki declared arrogantly.
"You?"
Fenric smiled and slowly shook his head.
Tatsumaki's anger flared. "You bastard! How dare you look down on me?"
Seeing her fury, the chairman trembled in fear.
Fenric remained calm. "No. What I mean is, you're not qualified to challenge me. If you want to challenge me, defeat my disciple first."
That was right.
Fenric had no interest in fighting Tatsumaki. To him, it would be a complete waste of time.
Naturally, such trouble should be passed on to the Bald Demon King!
After all, who was that bald demon king now?
His disciple.
When the master faced trouble, it was only natural for the disciple to step forward and handle it.
"You have an apprentice?" Tatsumaki was taken aback.
The president was equally surprised.
Mr. Mundo has an apprentice? I've never heard of this!
"That's right!" Fenric nodded. "As long as you can defeat my disciple, I'll give you a fair chance to challenge me."
Tatsumaki was furious.
She had come intending to challenge Fenric directly and force him to relinquish the number one position to Blast. Unexpectedly, Fenric was asking her to fight his disciple instead.
However, she also understood that she was technically in the wrong for forcing a challenge upon Mundo. He had every right to refuse.
Now that he had set his conditions, she could not simply act unreasonable.
Because Tatsumaki intended to defeat Mundo in a way that would leave him utterly convinced.
"Fine! Where is your disciple?"
Fenric checked the time. It was only a little before ten in the morning, so Saitama's test was likely still ongoing.
"My disciple is currently participating in this year's Hero Association test," Fenric said. "Let him come after it's finished."
"But I don't want to wait that long!" Tatsumaki replied irritably.
The president, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Mr. Mundo, if you don't mind, we can adjust your disciple's testing process."
Fenric was slightly surprised. "What does the president mean?"
"We'll have him come here immediately to spar with Miss Tatsumaki, and afterward, we'll evaluate his performance accordingly. What do you think, Mr. Mundo?"
The president's tone was entirely consultative.
In truth.
The president had already decided that no matter how well or poorly Fenric's disciple performed, he would give him a favorable evaluation.
After all, who could blame him when the young man had such a formidable teacher?
Fenric considered it briefly, then nodded. "Very well."
"My disciple's name is Saitama. He lives in Z A Citynd is bald. He should be easy to identify."
Fenric understood that doing this would almost certainly earn Saitama an S-rank evaluation.
It would also make it harder for Saitama to continue playing the fool to outwit others in the future.
However, after some thought, Fenric accepted the chairman's proposal.
In the original storyline, many of Saitama's achievements had been claimed by others...
For example, King, known for the so-called "Emperor Engine."
Much of that reputation had, in truth, come from Saitama's actions.
From an audience's perspective, such developments might seem humorous.
But now, Saitama was Fenric's disciple.
Fenric had no intention of letting his disciple's accomplishments be stolen.
Naturally, he would allow Saitama to receive the glory that rightfully belonged to him.
Of course, Fenric would not go too far.
An S-rank evaluation would suffice.
If Saitama's true strength were fully exposed, other samsaras might discover the existence of the bald demon king.
Fenric had no desire for that outcome...
...
Seeing that Fenric had agreed, the chairman immediately summoned his secretary.
"Contact the person in charge of the hero examination in Z City. Transfer a Mr. Saitama directly to headquarters. As quickly as possible!"
"Yes, Chairman."
The secretary promptly carried out the order.
…
Z City.
Upon receiving the chairman's directive, the officials at the testing site reacted swiftly and located Saitama, who was in the middle of the physical fitness exam.
"Are you Mr. Saitama?"
"Huh?" Saitama blinked in confusion. "Yes. What's going on?"
"Your testing location has been changed to the Hero Association headquarters in A City. Please come with us. We'll personally escort you there."
Why was this happening?
"This is your teacher's request..."
"Ah? It's teacher!" Saitama suddenly understood.
The middle-aged man who had delivered the message spoke obsequiously. "Mr. Saitama, I had no idea your teacher was such an important figure... Please come with me. We'll take a private jet. It should take about two hours."
...
Around noon.
Saitama finally arrived at the Hero Association headquarters in A City and met Fenric.
"Teacher!"
He looked genuinely delighted to see him.
Fenric merely nodded.
Tatsumaki, meanwhile, looked Saitama up and down without the slightest courtesy.
"Mundo, is this your disciple?"
"Yes." Fenric smiled and patted Saitama's shoulder.
Seeing Saitama's utterly ordinary appearance, Tatsumaki scoffed. "He looks like a plain, unremarkable man... Mundo, are you certain you want him to die? I won't hold back."
"My disciple does not require your mercy."
Fenric's tone was full of confidence.
Saitama listened, still somewhat confused.
Wasn't he supposed to take a test at headquarters?
Why did it seem like a fight was about to start?
And besides...
"Teacher, who is this child?" Saitama asked.
That single word nearly caused Tatsumaki to explode on the spot.
"You bastard!! Who are you calling a child?"
Tatsumaki absolutely hated being mistaken for someone young.
Fenric chuckled. "Don't speak nonsense. This is the third-ranked S-class hero, Tatsumaki—"
"It's the Tornado of Terror!" Tatsumaki snapped, clearly displeased.
This Mundo was just as irritating.
He had mentioned her name, but not her title!
"Very well. The Tornado of Terror Tatsumaki."
Fenric had no interest in arguing with a woman—especially one with such a volatile temperament.
Then he turned to Saitama. "I had you brought here because you're strong enough that those dull physical tests are unnecessary."
Saitama immediately agreed.
The tests in Z City had not allowed him to display his true abilities at all.
"So your teacher has found you an opponent. Consider this a battle to test your recent progress."
"I see!" Saitama bowed deeply. "Teacher, you've put so much thought into this for me. You've worked hard."
Fenric smiled and patted his shoulder. "Remember to give it your all."
"Yes! I definitely won't disappoint you, teacher!" Saitama replied earnestly.
Seeing how serious he looked, Fenric grew slightly concerned.
Would this foolish boy accidentally destroy Tatsumaki with a single punch?
After a brief hesitation, Fenric added, "Also, be careful not to kill anyone."
"Oh? Understood, teacher."
Saitama readily agreed and felt even greater admiration for Fenric, thinking his teacher truly possessed the compassion of a bodhisattva.
The more Tatsumaki listened, the angrier she became!
That despicable Mundo actually thought his disciple might kill her?
Was he underestimating her—Tornado of Terror?
"Hmph! Who do you think he'll kill? I'll be the one who crushes him!"
Tatsumaki declared angrily, "Mundo, I won't show your disciple any mercy. You can still regret this!"
Fenric ignored her and simply reminded Saitama, "Remember what I said."
"Yes, teacher!"
Master and disciple acted in perfect coordination, completely disregarding Tatsumaki, which only infuriated her further...
Seeing that she was on the verge of erupting, the chairman hurriedly intervened. "Perhaps you two should have a meal first, then proceed with the match?"
"No need!" Tatsumaki sneered arrogantly. "I can deal with this bald man and Mundo in an instant! We'll eat afterward!"
Hearing this, the president immediately fell silent.
...
Twenty minutes later.
The group arrived at an open area outside the outskirts of A City.
"Let's do it here," the president said with a smile. "There's no one nearby."
Fenric did not mind, and Saitama cared even less. Only Tatsumaki seemed irritated by the remote location, though she said nothing.
At this point, all she wanted was to teach that master and disciple a severe lesson.
Before the fight began, Fenric suddenly addressed the chairman. "President, I hope this match remains known to as few people as possible."
His true intention was to guard against the samsaras.
However, the president misunderstood, assuming Mr. Mundo lacked confidence in his disciple and wished to avoid embarrassment.
After all, their opponent was the terrifying Tatsumaki.
There were probably very few people in the world capable of matching her in battle.
With that thought, the chairman smiled reassuringly. "Please rest assured, Mr. Mundo. Although this battle will be recorded, the footage will be classified at the highest level. Even many senior officials will not have access to it."
"How irritating!"
"Hey! Are you finished with your nonsense!?"
Tatsumaki, on the other hand, had long since run out of patience...