"Absolute Evil" (絶対悪, Zettai Aku, Tonari: 210) is the one hundred seventieth chapter of the One-Punch Man manga series.
Short Summary
Garou, empowered by "God", battles Saitama once again. After Garou unleashes a powerful attack that sends Saitama flying, he turns his focus to the heroes present in Z-City. With Saitama's temporary absence, Garou declares that it is the time for him to conduct evil.
Long Summary
With Bang's Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, Garou has learned to replicate the flow of tidal currents and surges within his body. His ability to take and copy any technique is an extension of that flow. Now, empowered like never before, he has gained awareness of the flow of all energy and the behavior of all forces in the universe.
Using his new style, All Life Eradication Fist, Garou charges Saitama head-on with an attack called Nuclear Fission. The strike creates massive explosions, activating the decontamination system of the Gotz Okkie, whose personnel realize that the attack carries the destructive power of a nuclear weapon. From afar, Psykos watches several explosions generated by Garou in his fight with Saitama and compares them to Homeless Emperor's energy spheres, referring to them as "divine power". The heroes present watch the rising mushroom cloud. Genos wonders if Saitama is responsible.
Although Saitama remains unharmed, he becomes annoyed that his clothes are tattered. Garou laughs at his concern for clothing and boasts that he can now see through Saitama's movements. Irritated, Saitama warns that Garou will simply get pummeled again. Garou replies that martial arts allow one to use the power of nature by borrowing the movements of living beings, which he calls "Modes", and he quickly demonstrates.
Activating Mode: Saitama, Garou attacks with Consecutive Normal Punches, surprising Saitama. The hero retaliates with the same attack, and their punches collide, generating an immense shockwave. Both land a simultaneous punch to each other's face, sending them deep into the ocean before resurfacing to resume battle. Garou laughs at the moment, asking if this is Saitama's first time meeting someone who can match him blow for blow. He further declares that any technique he copies will be perfected almost instantly. Meanwhile, Saitama feels regret for telling Tareo he would not get a scratch, while Garou mocks him for still thinking of the boy during such a fight.
Remembering he wanted to show Tareo how powerless heroes are, Garou unleashes his Gamma Ray Burst, releasing two energy beams that light the sky and blast Saitama away. On the surface, the heroes struggle against the overwhelming shockwave. Bomb questions if it is a special move, while Metal Bat struggles under the intense light. Nearby, Sweet Mask confronts Flashy Flash, with Manako following behind. Fueled by his hatred of monsters, Sweet Mask demands to know why Flashy Flash is sheltering one. Flashy Flash dismisses it by calling Manako an "exotic animal" useful to him. With Saitama temporarily gone, Garou lands in front of the gathered heroes, who quickly realize he is the source of the explosions. Tanktop Master questions if he truly is the Hero Hunter he once fought, while Zombieman believes the situation will turn disastrous. Flashy Flash concludes that even fleeing would be useless. As everyone stares in fear, Garou embraces the moment, declaring himself the "Absolute Evil" he has long desired to be, looking up and saying "thank you". From the rubble, Bang crawls out and approaches his former student in shock. He asks Garou if he is still in his right mind, to which Garou replies he has always been alert.
At this point, Garou recalls how he gained his new abilities. During his encounter with "God", who impersonated Bang in order to manipulate him, the figure offered its hand. Although Garou slapped it away, the brief contact was enough for the entity to influence him. Wracked with pain, Garou demanded to know what had been done to him. The figure responded by saying it would make Garou its "avatar" before vanishing. Immediately, a surge of power coursed through his body, almost knocking him unconscious.
Back in the present, Garou tells Bang that he still remembers the lessons of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist and remains grateful. Despite his mutated form, he insists he has retained his own will. Mentally apologizing to Tareo, Garou declares it is time for him to conduct evil.
Characters in Order of Appearance
- Garou
- Watchdog Man (Flashback)
- Bang
- Bomb
- Saitama
- Tanktop Master
- Pig God
- Mumen Rider
- Zombieman
- Psykos
- Genos
- Eyelashes
- Mountain Ape
- Monster Roper Shell
- Tanktop Al Dente
- Tanktop Swimmer
- Metal Bat
- Flashy Flash
- Sweet Mask
- Manako
- Tatsumaki
- Atomic Samurai
- Child Emperor
- King
- Superalloy Darkshine
- Puri-Puri Prisoner
- Iaian
- Lightning Max
- Twin Tail
- One Shotter
- Crescent Eyebroll
- Narcissistoic
- Sneck
- Heavy Kong
- Fubuki
- Mizuki
- Lily
- Pineapple
- Mohican
- Food Battler Futoshi
- Gearsper
- Studless
- Poison
- Hyottoko
- Tanktop Girl
- Tanktop Hatter
- Tanktop Mask
- Tanktop Racer
- Tanktop Rockabilly
- Tanktop Jungle
- Sekingar
- Double Hole
- God
Gallery
References