Kenpachi Zaraki stared at Chu Yang in utter disbelief. This swordsmanship was unlike anything he had ever seen or heard of.
"Does such a swordsmanship truly exist?"
"Can I reach this level?"
For the first time in his life, Kenpachi Zaraki doubted himself. His once blazing eyes dimmed.
He lowered his Zanpakutō, muttering incoherently, appearing almost deranged.
Chu Yang sheathed his sword, and the Taiji Yin-Yang diagram vanished. The captains watching from the sidelines finally exhaled in relief.
"I never thought he would win in this manner," Shunsui mused. "That was absolute dominance, completely crushing Kenpachi Zaraki's swordsmanship."
Jūshirō Ukitake frowned. "That swordsmanship just now... its style is entirely unlike the Soul Society's techniques."
Byakuya Kuchiki remarked coolly, "It's likely self-created. Not only the swordsmanship—his Zanpakutō also feels out of place in this world."
Unohana Retsu gazed at Chu Yang with a serene smile. "What an interesting newcomer. It seems the days ahead won't be dull."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō narrowed his eyes. "As long as he doesn't become another Aizen..."
...
One Punch Man Universe
D-City, luxury apartment complex.
"Sensei, the sea bream is especially fresh today. How about sashimi for lunch?"
After placing the groceries in the sink, Sonic put on an apron and began washing and preparing the ingredients.
He had grown accustomed to handling Chu Yang's household chores—cooking, cleaning, laundry—he excelled at them all, like a domestic master.
He did all this simply to become a true ninja.
In the living room, Chu Yang lay lazily on the sofa, though his mind was busy contemplating a crucial question.
How could he break the rules of this world and teach Sonic ninjutsu?
The principle of chakra formation wasn't complicated—it was simply the combination of physical and mental energy.
With Sonic's strength, he could achieve it with some effort.
But the problem was, it wasn't working.
Because this world had no concept of "chakra."
How could he bypass this limitation or create chakra from nothing? The mere thought was enough to make Chu Yang feel like his brain was overheating.
Just then, Sonic's casual remark gave Chu Yang an idea.
"I've heard before that ninjas are from noble and special bloodlines... Am I unable to learn ninjutsu because I don't have that kind of bloodline?"
As Sonic murmured while slicing the fish, his tone was tinged with disappointment.
Chu Yang couldn't tell him it was due to the world's rules, so Sonic formed his own strange assumptions.
But this reminded Chu Yang—he had the lineage factor technology.
In the world of One Punch Man, humans' unique abilities and the creation of monsters often stemmed from genetic factors.
Genetic mutations...
This was akin to the principles of the lineage factor technology.
Moreover, breaking the limiter seemed to align with this direction.
Chu Yang recalled the early story arc featuring the "House of Evolution," a group conducting similar research and creating powerful monsters.
Beings like Armored Gorilla and Carnage Kabuto weren't weak, but Saitama's overwhelming strength made them seem insignificant.
Dr. Genus, the founder of the House of Evolution, was a pioneer in biological modification, though his genetic research was far less refined than lineage factor technology.
"I could use the lineage factor technology to grant Sonic a Kekkei Genkai. My own Ōtsutsuki bloodline can be divided into several unique powers."
Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga, Uzumaki, Kaguya's clan, and even Kinkaku and Ginkaku...
All these Kekkei Genkai could be recreated by Chu Yang.
First, Sonic would acquire a Kekkei Genkai. Then he could attempt to form chakra. Would reversing the sequence still count as creating chakra "from nothing"?
"I'm not sure if Sonic can handle it. Even in the Naruto world, inheriting a Kekkei Genkai isn't easy and comes with significant risks."
"However, humans in this world have abnormal genes, which might actually be an advantage."
"Rushing into using lineage factor technology is risky. I should study this world's research first."
Chu Yang glanced at Sonic, busy in the kitchen, and thought, "This guy fears failing to become a true ninja more than death itself."
"Sonic, I have a way to teach you ninjutsu, but it might cost you your life. Do you want to try?"
Sonic instantly appeared before him, holding a kitchen knife, his hands trembling with excitement.
"Sensei, can I really become a true ninja?"
He looked at Chu Yang with disbelief, completely ignoring the mention of potential death.
"Most likely, you'll die," Chu Yang repeated, smacking his lips.
Sonic chuckled, showing no concern for death.
"I knew it..." Chu Yang smiled in satisfaction. "Pack your things. We're going somewhere."
Sonic dashed out the door in excitement, leaving the half-cut sea bream on the cutting board.
...
Two days later, Chu Yang used his connections with the Hero Association to locate the House of Evolution.
The organization was already on the Hero Association's radar, though they hadn't acted for some reason.
Chu Yang suspected someone coveted Dr. Genus's biological research. His techniques could restore youth—a temptation that could drive anyone mad.
A black sedan brought Chu Yang and Sonic to an unnamed forest.
Deep in the mountains stood a solitary building.
The car stopped in front of the building.
As Chu Yang stepped out, the driver whispered, "After you eliminate the House of Evolution, please retrieve their research data. It's valuable to the Hero Association, and we'll compensate you accordingly."
Just as expected.
Chu Yang nodded and led Sonic into the building.
Incidentally, Sonic was now a hero, though his inactivity kept him in the C-Class.
The building aboveground was a facade, hiding the true facility deep underground.
Just as Chu Yang was about to break through the passage, the ground beneath him trembled.
Something was approaching from below.
"Sonic, watch your step."
Before Chu Yang finished, the floor beneath them exploded, and a massive brown figure shot out.
Sonic, forewarned, evaded the attack and countered in the next instant.
His katana gleamed, striking the figure's weak point with precision.
Clang!
The katana snapped on impact, Sonic's arm numbed as if hitting solid steel.
Finally, Sonic saw the creature—a humanoid rhinoceros beetle, standing over seven meters tall.
A monster!
And a high-level one at that!
The beetle monster held a battered human in its hand.
Sonic glanced at the person, then asked Chu Yang, "Sensei, is that Dr. Genus?"
Chu Yang nodded, puzzled by their encounter with a rampaging Carnage Kabuto.
Oh well...
It made no difference.
"Dr. Genus, you let me out because you're scared of them?"
Carnage Kabuto held Genus, staring into his eyes.
Genus weakly turned his head. Upon seeing Chu Yang and Sonic, his expression shifted to surprise.
"It's not them..."
Not them?
Then there were others?
Carnage Kabuto hesitated before tossing Genus aside. "It doesn't matter. You'll all die anyway."
At that moment, a silver flash struck Carnage Kabuto.
He instinctively blocked, only to have his arm severed.
The once-indestructible arm spun through the air, falling to the ground.
Carnage Kabuto looked up in shock, seeing a casually dressed young man holding a beautifully crafted sword.
His fear deepened as death loomed over him.
Though a dragon-level monster, Carnage Kabuto was far weaker than Chu Yang.
Dr. Genus, lying in a pool of blood, seemed to have been stimulated by something, his pupils dilating sharply.
So strong!
But…
Who is this young man?
Where are the bald guy and the cyborg?
Struggling to his feet, Dr. Genus managed to catch a glimpse of Chu Yang swinging his sword for a second strike.
The pitch-black floor suddenly lit up.
"Is that... the sun?" Dr. Genus instinctively raised his hand to block the dazzling light.
Sonic quickly darted to a corner, a delighted smile on his face. "As expected of my teacher…"
From their brief exchange, Sonic had almost confirmed that the monster in front of them was Dragon-level.
"For such a powerful Dragon-level monster to have its arm severed with a single sword stroke by Teacher…"
"If only I had defeated it using ninjutsu, it would have been even more perfect!"
Sonic sighed with a tinge of regret.
As the intensely bright light dimmed, the Carnage Kabuto vanished.
Dr. Genus stared at the now-empty floor, his eyes dull and lifeless. "The Carnage Kabuto was destroyed so easily?"
Chu Yang's voice broke the silence. "The monster you created is strong and has potential, but unfortunately, it's not very smart."
"It should have gone all out from the beginning."
Chu Yang walked over to Dr. Genus, bent down, and lifted him effortlessly, tossing him toward Sonic.
Sonic instinctively wanted to kick him away, but after seeing Chu Yang's murderous gaze, he caught him with his hands instead.
Stretching lazily, Chu Yang explained, "To avoid trouble, I didn't give the Carnage Kabuto the chance to enter its Asura mode."
Without stacking numerous buffs, that previous sword strike had been Chu Yang's full-power attack.
"Dr. Genus, I need some of your research data. Can you tell me where it is?"
Genus, his gaze vacant, pointed at a large hole in the ground.
"Take him with you. We're going down."
Chu Yang followed the hole into a long, dark passageway, with Sonic carrying Genus close behind.
The true "House of Evolution" was hidden beneath the building.
The lengthy corridor was constructed of steel, with dents and pits on the walls, evidently caused by the brute force of the Carnage Kabuto.
The underground facility wasn't overly complex, and with the now-recovered Dr. Genus providing full cooperation, they quickly located the research archive.
Adjacent to the archive was the lab where biotechnology was being studied.
All around were various containers and conduits.
The instruments analyzing blood and cell structures were still operating, giving Chu Yang a sense of déjà vu.
This place was nearly identical to his own lab for researching lineage factor technology.
"Dr. Genus, you're truly talented. If you persist, you might genuinely touch upon the field of limiters," Chu Yang remarked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Unfortunately, Genus wasn't listening to Chu Yang's praise; his mind was replaying the scene of the Carnage Kabuto being killed in one stroke.