A-CITY HERO ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS
Then it's settled. Mumen Riders keeps his rank as top of C-Class.
Understood. We'll notify him.
Good grief.
He doesn't have any desire to move up to B-Class, does he?
This brings us to the next topic on our agenda.
The 55th Hero Qualification Test.
We have the total number of examinees. Please.
A total of 11,684 examinees, at six difference test venues.
Exceeding our previous exam by 22 percent.
This is no reason to be delighted.
If more applicants means a drop in the quality of our heroes...
...then it comes to nothing.
We have to more strict with our assessment.
Also, I have information that the person in question was an examinee.
True. Although we aren't certain yet...
...but there's a big chance it's him. Special skills: Incineration
Reason for applying: Apprenticeship
Hero Qualification Test The Sixth Venue
Attention. All examinees must line up in two rows for registration.
Next, jump from side to side for 30 seconds.
Ready...
Go!
Next, a 100 meter race!
Go!
Next, weightlifting!
Next, Shot put!
Vertical leap!
Whack-a-mole!
Punching machine!
Let's go home...
THE ULTIMATE MASTER
Ahh...
I've finally finished all the tests.
And now I wait for the results.
Hey!
-You done too? -Yes.
Is there a point in you taking a fitness test?
What?
I thought you could simply submit your own data.
Anyway...
So, how was it?
Both written and physical exams were absolutely worthless.
I know, right?
It was too easy, being a test for heroes.
The results are almost out.
The passing mark is 70 percent.
Given how easy the written exam was, we'll surely get perfect scores.
That leaves us with the fitness exam.
But I'm sure both of us passed it with marks to spare.
ONE HOUR LATER
I got a 100.
-Seriously? -Yes.
It says "You're qualified for an S-Class hero."
S-Class? What's that?
Class and rankings are meaningless.
How did you do, Master?
Oh!
This letter means I'm also...
S-Class.
-This is no surprise. -Huh?
And the font size on your certificate is even bigger than mine.
I expected nothing less, Master.
By the way, what did they ask you at the interview?
Interview?
Yes.
This will be your last question.
Genos, do you recognize this building?
We've been secretly investigating an organization called...
..."House of Evolution", as they were considered threatening.
But just as we finally located their whereabouts...
...it was completely destroyed, leaving no trace​.
With some overwhelming firepower.
Are you... the person responsible for this?
Yes, I am. What's your problem?
S-Class
I see.
Maybe they thought they didn't need to go through the trouble of interviewing you.
Master?
Uh-huh, because I'm merely a C-Class with a score of 71 points.
Oh, I see.
Which means I mistook the upper part of the letter C for the letter S.
Stop analyzing it!
This has to be a mistake.
I'll file a direct complaint to whoever is responsible.
No, don't! You'll embarrass me!
Mr Genos and Mr Saitama.
There will be a seminar for successful candidates at 4:00 pm.
Please proceed to hall number three.
For starters, let's go to that thing.
All that matters is we did pass.
Let's get this over with and go home.
We found the cyborg in question.
Uh-huh, I heard.
Considering his track record​...
...we've decided to qualify him for S-Class, as an exception.
I thought I should let you know, Mr Sweet Mask, just in case.
Yes, agreed.
Genos...
Hall Three
Congratulations on your success.
For one of you, this was a bit of a fluke.
So you have to work hard not to waste your luck.
But don't get excited just yet.
From now on, be well-aware of your status as heroes...
...and consider your every move.
Your photos will be out in the open on the association's website.
Tsk, are you even listening?
That stupid face of yours will be out to the whole world.
So if you didn't want to embarrass yourselves...
...aim at becoming a fine hero like myself.
Master!
Once you become an A-Class hero...
...you start to have a little influence over the association.
Act irresponsibly and...
...I'll make sure to bring down​ your rank myself.
Remember this!
What should I have for dinner...
It wasn't until three years ago that professional heroes started to rise.
Aha, only three years ago?
When the grandchild of the multi-millionaire...
...Agoni, was attacked by a monster...
...he was saved by a passer-by.
That was when Agoni came up with this idea...
...after hearing about what happened.
As it seems, he founded the association from his personal funds.
It was such a boring seminar.
Anyhow, we're now officially the newest heroes...
...to be introduced to the whole world.
We can now keep up the good work with our heads held high.
Master.
Uh?
I'm officially your disciple now, aren't I?
Oh...
I'm counting on your guidance, from now onwards.
Yeah.
Now, will you excuse me for today?
Yeah, see ya.
Crap...
I probably shouldn't have easily promised to take him in.
Especially that guy...
Main Office -Those two newcomers...
...did they really pass?
They had a terrible attitude.
I'm an A-Class hero ranked 38th...
...and they didn't seem to have any idea who I was.
Or any idea how strict our world is, for that matter.
Complete amateurs.
They'll get themselves killed in no time.
No.
Take Genos for instance.
He got perfect scores on both his written and physical exams...
...and was qualified for S-Class instantly. He's an exceptional newcomer.
And the other one, Saitama.
The scores of his essay and written exam were terrible...
...but he got a perfect score on his physical.
He barely got a passing grade...
...but on almost every activity of our physical exam...
...he significantly broke the records of the Hero Association Test.
His physical strength is divine.
Genos already outranked you, Sneck.
And Saitama will probably catch up in no time.
That guy...
So I can get promoted to B-Class, when I'm the top of C-Class?
And then there's A-Class...
...and S-Class tops them all.
So I guess Genos's turned out to be really something.
Honestly...
...this doesn't feel like the kind of hero I wanted to become.
Let's pick up where we left off at the seminar.
In this world, we have a thing called "Newcomer Crushing".
Lots of us can't afford to be outranked.
That's why we...
...crush them before it's too late.
Hero Registry?
Yes, I'm ranked S-Class, and you, Master, are ranked C-Class.
And we're both at the bottom of our respective lists.
Our names are currently listed as they are. "Genos" and "Saitama".
But as we do more heroic acts, we will be given our "Hero Names".
"Hero Names"?
What are those?
They're most likely nicknames for each hero...
...based on their personal traits.
Like me getting the name "Blond Cyborg" for example.
Hey, if it goes like that...
...won't I be called something like "The Cloak Baldy"?
Apart from competency​ ranking...
...it seems popularity rankings are being registered as well.
Some heroes even have their own fan clubs.
Well, that doesn't matter anyway.
Eh?
Thank you for responding to my unreasonable request.
Well, I did promise to take you in.
-How about here? -Good.
This isn't a real spar though, is it?
I intend to make it so.
I want you to bring out all you got...
...so I too intend to fight with all I got.
Please.
That was close. My cloths were about to get burnt again.
Not enough. I need more speed!
He's gone?
Have I been chasing his afterimage that whole time?
There he is!
Incinerate!
I've got him.
This way Master will start taking me more seriously and...
Behind me...?
I win!
-Master... -Uh?
Have you forgotten the rules of this spar?
Avoidable attacks must be avoided.
To be serious, and not to mess around.
Not to hold back on my account.
And last but not least...
...to keep going, until I'm in no condition to fight.
This fight will probably be my chance...
...to find out the secret of that genuine strength he has.
That even he's unable to explain.
I don't need your sympathy.
That is all, Master.
What?
DIE
I'm hungry. Time to eat.
Let's get some udon noodles.
Let's go.
I'm ready to do whatever it takes...
...to become stronger.
However...
I cannot picture myself ever approaching Master's strength.
Ever.
We come from different worlds.
What's wrong? Don't you like udon noodles?
Yes. So you know where he is?
Thanks. I'll be there immediately.
Huh? No need to worry.
I'll only tell him what he needs to know to prepare himself for this business.
Udon
I'm glad you don't hate udon noodles.
Yes, I don't have any preferences.
Well, it also has to do with me being penniless right now.
Let's have another contest, Genos.
Super Spicy Huge Udon Bucket Challenge Prize 50,000 yen, penalty 10,000 yen
Can you believe him?
-Seriously? -What a fine boy...
No way...
Is that it?
You're amazing...
Welcome to our...
It's Genos, isn't it?
I'm Sweet Mask, the top of A-Class.
I need to talk to you.
Top of A-Class?
It's Sweet Mask.
How sweet...
Talk?
Could be that "Newcomer Crushing" thing...
Careful, Genos.
I see.
Please wait for me here, Master.
Very well. I was just thinking of a way to work off my meal.
I heard you were qualified for S-Class as an exception.
Even though, what's your problem?
I wonder if he's alright...
-Huh? Is it done already? -Yes.
You really are an S-Class.
You even have the top of A-Class stepping up to try and crush you.
No.
Huh? It wasn't Newcomer Crushing?
Then why was he here?
Long story short...
...he welcomed me in.
Huh? Oh, really?
E-Excuse me.
Are you friends with Mr Sweet Mask?
May I shake your hand?
-Thank you so much! -May I too, please?
Guess it's expected that S-Class and C-Class receive different treatments.
Come to think of it, isn't it fraud to accept that money?
Welcome Gift -You're a cyborg, right?
Doesn't matter anyway.
Well, we're even. One win for each.
So far as it goes​, we've become professional heroes, starting today.
-Let's keep up the good work. -Yes.
A professional hero ought to be a pure symbol of justice, at all times.
This is my own policy as well.
And it applies to you all the more, being an S-Class.
Come on, you don't have to look so serious, do you?
I did come all the way here just to meet with you.
How was your Hero Qualification Test?
All the tests were meaningless.
It was a waste of my time.
If you're here for Newcomer Crushing, just get it over with.
You're wasting my time again.
It's good that you're hot-blooded.
But if you overdo it...
...you get burnt.
I'll pretend I never heard your criticizing the association.
This is all I came here to say.
Welcome to the association.
I expect a lot from you... Genos.
Master.
Uh?
I'll come by later.
Oh, alright.
See ya.
Yes. Excuse me.
"It was a waste of my time" then?
Such an interesting guy.
Is that what you meant...
...when you said "I'll come by later"?
Yes. I went home to pack.
Can I live here?
Oh, no way.
I'll pay rent.
-Did you bring a toothbrush? -I did!
NEXT EPISODE: THE TERRIFYING CITY -This is Sneck, I'm ranked 38th of A-Class.
Some mistaken my name for "Snack", but it's "Sneck" so don't get mixed up.
On the next and sixth episode of One Punch Man, The Terrifying City...
Hah, we still have plenty of time?
I'm well-aware of that.
In this world, we have a thing called "Preview Crushing"!