One Punch Man: Heroics Start with Dual Kamui

Chapter 138 138: Disciple Sonic

"Let me make this clear first. If your goal is to defeat Saitama... I advise you to give up." Shinji's voice was calm as he tried to dissuade him.

"Why?" Sonic immediately pressed him. "If I can master an ultimate secret technique like yours, defeating that Saitama would be no problem!"

Technically, Sonic had a logic. If he were to become Shinji's disciple, he could easily challenge some low-level S-Rank hero. For Sonic, Saitama was much like Genos or Tanktop Master. Just a little leveling up under Shinji and Sonic would be able to deal with that bald man.

"There's no why. Just give up. Saitama isn't someone you can challenge." Shinji spoke directly. "Besides, whether you can even learn my techniques is another matter entirely."

No matter how gifted Sonic was, there was no chance he could learn the End Truth-Seeking Orb. He couldn't even hope to use a regular Truth-Seeking Orb.

Hearing this, Sonic's face stiffened. "So... you're looking down on me?"

"I'm not looking down on you. I'm telling you the truth." Shinji tried again to discourage him. "First, you can't learn my ultimate secret technique. Second, you can't defeat Saitama. So..."

"That's just an excuse because you don't want to teach me, isn't it?!"

Sonic had never truly witnessed Saitama's strength, nor did he understand the principle of the End Truth-Seeking Orb. Naturally, he didn't believe Shinji's words.

"I never said I was unwilling…"

Shinji replied. Fuck, another Genos is here!

"...Huh?"

Sonic froze for a moment. "Then what exactly do you mean?"

"I mean, I just want to set expectations first, so you're prepared mentally." Shinji said lightly, "If you're serious about learning from me, I'll teach you what I can. But whether you master it depends entirely on your own fate."

There were some ninjutsu Sonic might genuinely be able to learn. But there were others he would never be able to grasp, things like Tailed Beast Bombs, Truth-Seeking Orbs, or eye techniques.

"In that case, I won't let you down… Master."

Sonic dropped to one knee, giving a rather formal bow as he acknowledged Shinji as his teacher.

"I also have one condition. You'll need to join the Hero Association with me." Shinji naturally set this requirement to gain the growth rewards that came from taking a disciple.

Sonic scratched his head reluctantly. "Becoming a professional hero sounds utterly boring... but if that's what it takes, then so be it."

"Good. Then this afternoon, or at this time tomorrow, come find me again. I'll see which ninjutsu are suitable to teach you." Shinji nodded.

At this point, he no longer resisted the idea of taking a disciple. After all, doing so came with benefits.

[Alert! The host has gained a disciple: 'Speed-o'-Sound Sonic.' Reward obtained: 50 points + Growth Bonus!]

[Growth Bonus: As Sonic's rank within the Hero Association rises, the host will also receive corresponding rewards!]

...

Neither Shinji nor Sonic realized that their actions today would go on to become a legend.

The reason was simple: the End Truth-Seeking Orb Shinji had created was so massive that people dozens of kilometers away saw the fleeting anomaly.

Later, rumors spread that the strongest man on the surface, [King], had been testing out a new technique there.

...

"How did it go, Master? That guy didn't do anything strange, did he?" Genos pushed open the door and asked Shinji, who was seated in the living room. He had seen Sonic, and honestly, he found his attire a little perverted. Heroes do wear tight outfits, but they don't show their bulges like some perverts.

"I just granted his wish to experience real ninjutsu. He didn't do anything strange." Shinji replied.

"...You didn't kill him, did you?" Genos asked cautiously.

"No. He's still alive and well." Shinji shook his head slightly, then pointed toward a certain direction. "He's already here..."

At that moment, Genos also sensed a life form quickly approaching, and his body tensed instinctively.

In the next instant, Sonic shot through the open window like a swift arrow.

"Master, I'm ready to begin learning ninjutsu."

He landed gracefully, keeping one knee to the ground in a formal bow.

"Master...?" Genos froze for a moment before realizing what was happening. "I see... so you've become a disciple as well."

"Oh? Shinji, you've taken in another student? And it just happens to be this guy, Joint Panic." Saitama, sitting nearby, spoke casually.

"Damn you, Saitama! I'm Speed-o'-Sound Sonic! How many times do I have to correct you?!" Sonic's expression darkened with irritation.

"What a weird name..." Saitama muttered. Then he added, "Well, since you've decided to train under Shinji, you'd better work hard as his disciple."

Sonic gave a cold snort. "You won't get to act smug for much longer. Once I master the ultimate secret technique, I'll defeat you."

"Is that so? Well, good luck. I'll be looking forward to it." Saitama's tone was absent-minded, almost perfunctory, his face blank as always.

"You...!"

Sonic felt that Saitama was mocking him with that half-hearted response, but he forced himself to swallow his anger.

"In that case, we're fellow disciples now. I'm Genos. It's a pleasure to meet you." Genos spoke politely.

Sonic's face, however, remained cold. "You're his disciple too? Well, don't expect me to go out of my way to get along with you."

"..."

Genos was speechless. His expression cooled as well. "Master, are you sure this guy isn't going to be a problem?"

Shinji chuckled, as though he had expected this outcome all along.

"Sonic, I don't usually lecture my disciples, but you and Genos are fellow students. You don't have to be close, but at the very least, you mustn't fight each other."

"I get it..." Sonic nodded before turning towards Genos, "I'm Sonic. I'll be in your care from now on."

Sonic's tone was perfunctory, but at least he made the effort to be polite. From here, the next step would be for Sonic to take the Hero Certification Exam.

"Oh, right. Saitama, Genos, have you seen your official hero names yet?" Shinji suddenly asked.

"I checked today. Mine is 'Demon Cyborg.' I think it's fine." Genos nodded.

"My hero name's been assigned already? Did you see what it is?" Saitama asked, turning to Genos.

He usually never bothered to check the Hero Association website.

"I did. It looks like they gave you the name... 'Caped Baldy.'"

Genos delivered the name with a blank face.

"B-bald... Caped Baldy...?" Saitama's composure cracked immediately.

(AN: I think the author just forgot that they had already been assigned a hero name.)