"Grandpa Nichirin is more senior than Bang in the martial arts world, and his swordsmanship is no less than mine. He also has many masters from the Sword Saint Society. He will definitely be able to help you, Meikyō, gain something."
Atomic Samurai walked ahead and spoke to Meikyō.
"Oh, no, I'm old and my legs aren't very nimble. I'm no match for you young people."
The Nichirin, with its hands behind its back, smiled.
Besides him and Atomic Samurai, the official members of the Sword Saint Society include Tenki, Zanmei, and Fukugiri, each of whom has the strength to become S-Class Hero. Among them, he and Atomic Samurai are the strongest.
In terms of swordsmanship, Nichirin and Atomic Samurai are evenly matched.
However, Nichirin is quite old, while Atomic Samurai is only thirty-seven years old and in his prime. Nichirin's physical strength is definitely not as good as Atomic Samurai's.
"Alright, this is the place."
Atomic Samurai pushed open a door and entered a room with Meikyō and Nichirin.
Meikyō doesn't know why, but this kind of organization, in order to show off its high-class image, often deliberately chooses a very dimly lit room for meetings, and then lights a few candles in the middle to create a mysterious atmosphere.
Fukugiri is a long-haired old man with a master-like demeanor and fierce eyes. Zanmei is a monk who sits in his seat and silently recites scriptures. Tenki is a dark-skinned old man with dreadlocks and Glasses who looks somewhat scholarly.
"Gentlemen, this meeting was proposed by Atomic Samurai, and there are two main purposes."
After everyone was seated, Nichirin sat in the very center and slowly began to speak.
"The first thing is to invite the Scarlet Ninja, Uchiha Meikyō, to join the Sword Saint Society and become a formal member."
"As for the second one, it is at the invitation of Atomic Samurai that you all use your connections in the martial arts world to find the whereabouts of that Hero Hunter."
After speaking, Nichirin Lun picked up his water glass and observed the reactions of the other members of the Sword Saint Society.
Tenki and Zanmei looked at Meikyō with a hint of inquiry in their eyes, but they also knew that he was S-Class Hero with formidable strength. Since he had gained the approval of Atomic Samurai, his swordsmanship level was probably not bad.
As for Fukugiri, he stared at Atomic Samurai for a long time, then turned to look at Meikyō, before finally looking away and taking out a package from his pocket.
"Perfect timing, I also have something important to tell you all. Don't say I didn't give you any benefits; the first thing I thought of when I got this was you colleagues."
Fukugiri tossed the package onto the table and spread it out, revealing three wriggling lumps of flesh.
"You're probably like me, not feeling much progress in your lives for many years, right? You might even feel your strength declining due to aging and physical decline. But as long as you take these Monster Cells, you can gain even greater power than when you were young!"
Fukugiri stood up, his expression excited.
"Fukugiri, what did you do?"
The Nichirin sighed.
"It's very simple. A group of powerful monsters formed a Monster Association. They came after me, and I consumed Monster Cells, abandoned my human identity, and gained even greater power!"
"So, you are now..."
As Atomic Samurai spoke, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Of course, I'm a monster now! Divine Wind, you might not be my match now!"
As he spoke, Fukugiri's voice gradually became deep and muffled, and his face changed, transforming into the appearance of a tiger, his tone filled with confidence.
"You have fallen, Fukugiri."
Nichirin also placed her hand on the sword.
"I'll give you three seconds to consider consuming these Monster Cells! As for you, Divine Wind, the Hero Association has ordered that you cannot be allowed to live! Add another S-Class Hero to the mix, and that's enough for me to become a high-ranking executive in the Monster Association!"
"We're not as stupid as you."
Nichirin shook his head and said.
"Then don't blame me! Nichirin!"
A flash of cold light, and a sharp longsword was drawn from its sheath at the Fukugiri, its stance suggesting it was about to decapitate everyone present in an instant.
But the sword stopped Fukugiri as soon as it was swung out.
Two fingers wrapped in Armament Haki firmly clamped the blade of the Fukugiri sword, rendering it unable to move.
"Your tone is arrogant, but your strength is nothing special. Among Dragon-level monsters, you're only at the lower-middle level. Who gave you the confidence to act tough in front of me?"
Meikyō opened his powerful Rinnegan and stared at Fukugiri.
"You..."
He didn't get a chance to say his Fukugiri words.
Because Atomic Samurai has also drawn his sword.
"Atomic Slash!"
Countless sword beams crisscrossed and slashed across the body of the Fukugiri.
Fukugiri slowly lowered his head and saw his body disintegrating bit by bit, turning into ashes.
"I'm so sorry, Scarlet Ninja, I've made you laugh at me on my very first day here."
Atomic Samurai said in a deep voice, a toothpick dangling from his mouth.
"It is not uncommon for people to lose their way in the pursuit of power."
Meikyō shook his head.
In the Ninja World, how many people have gone astray in their pursuit of power?
"But that Monster Association..."
"Ah, it sounds like a big fish."
Atomic Samurai turned his head and looked at the three Monster Cells on the table, then swung his sword again and shredded them all into ashes.
"Next, I plan to take my three apprentices to find that Monster Association and take them down. What about you, Scarlet Ninja?"
"Ninjas are professionals at intelligence gathering, but to be able to recruit a master like Fukugiri, this organization must be very strong. It's best to be cautious."
Meikyō reminded Atomic Samurai.
In the original timeline, the Monster Association gave all the S-Class Hero of the Hero Association a lot of trouble. If Atomic Samurai went alone, he would probably be easy prey.
Although this guy is strong, his attack power is more than enough to seriously injure a peak Dragon-level monster, but there are quite a few peak Dragon-level monsters in the Monster Association.
Moreover, there is also Black Sperm, which is specifically designed to counter Atomic Samurai.
"If we are needed to take action, the Sword Saint Society also be dispatched."
Nichirin, listening to their conversation, interjected.
"It is my duty!"
"I haven't stretched my muscles in a long time."
Tenki and Zanmei responded in kind.
Meikyō glanced at the two of them a few times but made no comment.
Within the Sword Saint Society, the strongest are Nichirin and Atomic Samurai, while Fukugiri is considered to be at the bottom level. Even after consuming Monster Cells, he only has the strength of a mid-to-lower Dragon-level.
Tenki and Zanmei are not necessarily much stronger than Fukugiri. They can definitely handle Demon-level monsters, but if it's Dragon-level, even a weaker Dragon-level, they'll probably have a hard time.
In Meikyō's opinion, these two are about the same strength as Tanktop Master and Sexy Futanari. They are neither the best nor the worst. They cannot compare with those powerful S-Class Hero who are capable of killing Dragon-level monsters, but they are much stronger than those A-rank heroes.
As the group was talking, there was another knock on the door.
Atomic Samurai Gate of Opening and saw Iaian standing outside.
"Teacher! The Hero Association sent a message that the Hero Hunter Garou appeared. The team of eight, consisting of four A-rank heroes— Death Gatling, Bull Armor, Smile Man, and Stinger— and eight B-rank heroes —Chain Toad, Glasses, Blue Archer, and Chain Toad— was wiped out. Afterwards, the S-rank Cybernetic Freaks and Mr. Bang, as well as martial arts master Bangp, arrived."
"Ah, Old Man Bang and Bangp Bomb, plus a Cybernetic Freaks, should be able to take care of that Hero Hunter, right? So, it's all over now?"
"No! A new monster has appeared and rescued the Garou. Now, the three S-Class Hero are fighting against the Dragon-level monster Centipede Elder!"
"Centipede Elder?!"
Atomic Samurai's face immediately darkened.
"Is it the Centipede Elder from two years ago, the one who was finally defeated by Blast, but who still managed to escape with his life?"
"I'm afraid... yes!"
Samurai Drill was pointed at the television in the living room downstairs.
On television, a deep purple centipede, thousands of meters long, was rampaging wildly on the outskirts of S City.
"Oh, the other S-Class Hero have already been deployed. Hmm, I'm in battle right now."
In a studio apartment, King is playing a game on the screen, holding a phone in one hand and a controller in the other.
"Although the enemy is troublesome, I should be able to handle them. However, what I need to do next is search their stronghold."
King glanced at the walkthrough and continued.
The call was disconnected. At the Hero Association headquarters, Hero Association Executive with stubble on his chin couldn't help but sigh.
"Even King is struggling... I wonder if any new powerful monsters will appear elsewhere."
"What do we do now? A monster attacked the high-level conference room just now, but fortunately Superalloy Darkshine dealt with it. However, according to the information the monster brought, they have formed a Monster Association composed of many powerful monsters to fight against our Hero Association. This is probably even more troublesome!"
The Glasses male cadre shook his head and said, then continued:
"It can now be determined that Hero Hunter and the Monster Association have at least a cooperative relationship. Previously, the Hero Association's shareholder, Bōhuāfù Metal Bat was protecting, and his son, Háo Rènxìng, were captured by them. The one who attacked Metal Bat at that time was Centipede Elder. Later, when Metal Knight arrived to provide support, Hero Hunter Garou attacked Metal Bat again. We only received a call from Metal Bat's Sister two hours ago, and she took him to the hospital while he was unconscious."
"Now, after defeating many heroes, we were finally about to take down Garou when Centipede Elder and the Monster Association appeared and rescued him. In the conference room that was just attacked, the Monster Association issued an ultimatum: if we haven't rescued Bōhuāfù and Reckless Gou in three days, they will kill them."
The bearded man said, "They're forcing our main force to engage in a decisive battle with them!"
"Everyone! Just now, when Centipede Elder appeared, monster riots and attacks broke out in various regions. Drive Knight, Zombie Man, Flashy Flash, Pig God, Child Emperor, and many other S-Class Hero have been mobilized!"
A young woman sat in front of the monitor, staring in horror at the screen that kept displaying red alerts.
"They are provoking us and showing us their strength. Their goal is to tell us that only by using all their strength can they be defeated. Their real aim is to wipe out all of our forces in one fell swoop!"
Sitch strode in from outside the door, his face grave.
"Right now, we still can't get in touch with Blast, so we can only pin our hopes on the three most unfathomable heroes: Tatsumaki, Scarlet Ninja, and King."
"Everyone!"
Suddenly, a Hero Association staff member barged in.
"Atomic Samurai and Scarlet Ninja have been dispatched to deal with Centipede Elder!"
S City, on the outskirts of the city.
"This guy's size is ridiculously large. He looks no smaller than your wooden figure and energy giant."
Atomic Samurai, with a toothpick in his mouth, looked at the Centipede Elder in front of him, whose body was writhing and slithering rapidly.
"Scarlet Ninja, you've finally arrived. My brother and I joined forces for a combined attack, but we could only break through his outer shell. This only made him stronger. I think perhaps your black flames or Atomic Samurai's Atomic Slash are the only ones that can break through his defenses."
Bare-chested and looking rather disheveled, Bang shouted into the distance the Ancient One he fought.
"Boom!"
The next second, Genos's upper body crashed down in front of Meikyō, and he broke one of his arms.
"Damn it, I was careless again! Teacher Meikyō, I'm sorry to have disappointed you!"
Genos's face showed an expression of pain and resentment.
"Uh... it's nothing, I'm used to it."
Meikyō twitched the corner of her mouth and said.
Although Genos was upgraded by Dr. Kusuno using alien technology and became much stronger, he is still far behind Centipede Elder, one of the top monsters among the Dragon-level monsters.
Among the S-Class Hero of the Hero Association right now, Meikyō believes that apart from Blast, who has been out of the public eye for a long time, only he and Tatsumaki can reliably defeat Centipede Elder.
This is practically a super-powerful Dragon-level monster; even the incredibly strong Bang and Bangp working together couldn't defeat him.
With Bang and Genos absent, Bangp knew he couldn't withstand Centipede Elder's attack alone, so he decisively jumped here with them, intending to gather the power of the other four S-Class Hero to defeat Centipede Elder.
"They're coming!"
Atomic Samurai gripped the hilt of his sword and gave a reminder.
The next second, Centipede Elder's head, like a giant Fire Wheel, hurtled towards them.
"Leave it to me!"
A streak of light flashed past, Meikyō also charged towards Centipede Elder, his right hand gathering Armament Haki as he unleashed a punch.
"Boom!"
The shockwave exploded, Meikyō retreated rapidly, his hands bracing against the Centipede Elder's head, carving two long tracks beneath his feet.
"That's interesting."
Meikyō twisted his neck, his eyes having already switched to the Rinnegan.
"Susanoo!"
The Susanoo, hundreds of meters tall, rose from the ground and withstood the Centipede Elder's impact. Then, it grabbed the front half of the Centipede Elder's body with both hands and slammed it violently to the ground with an Uchiha.