"Garou succeeded."
Bang knew immediately that Garou had awakened his own Fist Intent, and a look of deep satisfaction spread across his face. He then turned to Aomori, who was still struggling to resist, and his expression grew tense again: "Garou has always been singularly focused on martial arts, so I wasn't too worried about him. I am concerned about Aomori; his mind is typically scattered, and he studies too many different things. People like that are the hardest to awaken Fist Intent."
However, Aomori's unbelievable rate of progress had given Bang hope, which is why he wanted him to try.
"Aomori, don't disappoint me."
"No need to worry. Look at that child's demeanor, does he look nervous in the slightest?" Bomb, being an objective observer, had long noticed that Aomori was secure in his position. Whether he grasped Fist Intent or not, he seemed capable of retreating unscathed.
"Oh, you're right. That child might be hiding quite a few secrets," Bang's expression relaxed somewhat. He continued to watch the development in the arena while standing ready to intervene.
Aomori was unaware of the two elders' assessment of him. Facing the storm's onslaught, his body, now covered in a layer of Holy Light, was temporarily impervious to the wind blades' damage.
As soon as a wound appeared, it immediately healed, leaving not even a bloodstain.
He closed his eyes, analyzing the concept of Fist Intent in his mind.
Undoubtedly, Fist Intent originated from a person's martial spirit, and was essentially a form of mental power. Aomori had initially thought that Fist Intent would only affect the spiritual layer. However, the current situation proved that Fist Intent could also influence reality.
This reminded him of the origins of the Monsters.
Setting aside those created by bio-technology or alien species, the vast majority of Monsters transformed from humans due to their personal obsessions.
Some became Monster-Crab after eating too many crabs. Others became Handsome-Monster due to self-loathing over their appearance. Some became Monsters simply by wearing a mascot costume for too long.
Moreover, this change was often reversible (referencing Garou in the original work and the hostage in the reboot).
It wasn't just the Monsters. Among the heroes, Darkshine, who developed a steel body purely through normal training; Tanktop Master, with his Tanktop Power; Metal Bat, who grows stronger and more reckless with fighting spirit; and Puri-Puri Prisoner, who can continually evolve—the power of these individuals likely originates from their inner mind.
Therefore, Aomori had reason to suspect that the One-Punch Man world was idealistic (driven by the mind).
In this world, as long as one's mind is strong enough or one's obsession is deep enough, one can influence reality, thereby mastering tremendous power.
Those who lose control become Monsters and lose their sense of self. Those who maintain control become powerful heroes.
It's also possible that, due to some factor, everyone in the One-Punch Man world is slowly undergoing Monsterfication, only some people haven't shown obvious external changes.
Viewed this way, Saitama, who became invincible after two and a half years of training, might actually be the Bald Monster.
If so, why hadn't he been affected?
No, the influence might have been there from the very beginning...
"Hiss Hoo" Aomori took a deep breath, forcibly stopping his mind from wandering. He shifted his attention back to Fist Intent.
Fist Intent is simply the outward manifestation of specialized mental power. Aomori's mental power was already sufficient; now, he needed to integrate this mental power into his martial art.
Should he integrate it into the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist? He considered it, but ultimately chose the Exploding Heart Release Fist. In terms of compatibility, it was a better fit.
To forge his own path, he would incorporate both Lightning and Light-elemental energy.
Outside, the wind intensity was nearing its maximum limit. The dozens of small whirlwinds had combined into two massive hurricane-force tornadoes, which were now revolving around Garou and Aomori and slowly closing in.
Bomb frowned: "Bang, it would be best to stop now. It seems they are still lacking."
"Hmm..." Bang mused for a moment, then shook his head. "Wait one more minute."
"Fine, have it your way," Bomb stopped talking.
Inside the formation, Garou used the Fist Intent of his Monster Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist to fight against the hurricane-force tornadoes. He managed to defend himself but couldn't break them. He was greatly annoyed: "You idiot, Aomori! Can't you even figure out simple Fist Intent?!"
"Hey, hey, talking trash about people behind their back isn't nice." Aomori happened to have finished his contemplation just as he heard Garou's complaint.
At this point, his regeneration speed could no longer keep up with the cutting damage from the wind blades. His entire body was enduring sharp pain, and blood flowed continuously.
"That truly hurts." Aomori wiped the blood from his face and adopted the stance of the Exploding Heart Release Fist.
"Huh? You actually taught the Exploding Heart Release Fist to him as well?" Bomb looked surprised.
Bang was also a little bewildered. Although he had passed on the true meaning of the style to Aomori, he didn't recall teaching him the actual technique.
Could he have taught it and then forgotten? This made Bang doubt his own memory.
Inside the formation, Aomori was fully focused, mobilizing his mental power.
The killing intent of the Fist, the destructive force of Thunder, and the cleansing power of Light—he mixed these three intentions together, giving birth to his own specialized Fist Intent for the Exploding Heart Release Fist.
No, it should now be called the Thunder Light Exploding Heart Release Fist!
He unleashed a single punch. Holy Light radiated out, and thunder descended. The ferocious killing intent utterly destroyed the storm in front of him.
"Hmph!" Garou refused to be outdone. He unleashed his entire Monster Fist Intent, sweeping away the visibly weakened storm.
The 88 disciples collapsed from exhaustion, and the Whirlwind Iron Cutting Formation was broken.
Seeing this, Bang finally relaxed, displaying a wide, joyful smile.
Bomb, standing next to him, also showed admiration in his eyes: "Though that child's Fist Intent contains killing intent, it also holds the intent of purification. The killing is mostly aimed at evil; I can sense his upright heart. Killing itself is not terrifying; what is terrifying is purposeless, self-indulgent slaughter. Bang, you were right. He is stronger than you were in your youth."
"Yes. If you hadn't opened my eyes back then, I would have been irretrievably lost in the slaughter," Bang said with a nostalgic expression.
"Is that why you are so protective of that fellow named Garou? I believe you can also sense it: his Fist Intent is filled with bad omens. He is very much like you were when you were young," Bomb said worriedly.
"Mmm, don't worry, Onii-chan. I will do my best to guide him back to the righteous path," Bang said firmly.
"You really are a troublesome little brother."
"I apologize for being a bother, dear Onii-chan."
…
Subsequently, to celebrate Garou and Aomori successfully mastering Fist Intent, Bomb specially organized a massive BBQ party at the dojo, with all the disciples participating.
The two most attention-grabbing people at the party were, of course, Garou and Aomori.
Each of them ate hundreds of servings of barbecue. Had Bomb not been immensely wealthy, those two would have eaten him into poverty.
Late that night, the BBQ concluded, and the three—Bang, Garou, and Aomori—bade Bomb farewell.
"I think I'll drop by the Martial Arts Tournament as well. I'm very interested in watching both of your matches," Bomb said.
Back in Z-City, Aomori and Bang parted ways.
"Are you going to accompany us on the day of the tournament?" Bang asked.
"No, I think I'll go alone. Otherwise, I'm afraid a certain person won't be able to control himself," Aomori replied with a smile.
A certain person scoffed: "You're afraid of me, aren't you? Don't run away before the match even begins."
"That's impossible. I'm absolutely set on the championship!"
"Hmph!"
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr-eon if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]