The Monster Association had finally gained the advantage, and the atmosphere became noticeably more lively.
Nyan Nyan licked her paws. "I told you. Black Sperm's ability is a natural counter to pure physical attackers like him."
Psykos pushed up her glasses and glanced toward Sol. Seeing that he showed no reaction, she continued the proceedings.
"Fifth round. Hero Association, please send out your next participant."
Child Emperor looked toward the remaining S-Class Heroes.
Flashy Flash stood with his arms crossed, his expression cold and unreadable. Genos looked toward Saitama, seemingly waiting for instructions. Zombieman, meanwhile, remained indifferent.
As for Saitama...
He was picking his nose, seemingly completely unfazed by the outcome of the previous battle.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Next, I'll go."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Gojo Satoru had appeared at the edge of the fighting stage at some point, a brilliant, eager smile spread across his face.
"Oh? The visitor from another world is finally making his move?" Psykos pushed up her glasses, light reflecting across the lenses. "Perfect. Let's see what makes the world Sol-sama brought him from so unique."
On the Monster Association's side, Nyan Nyan licked her paws.
"Meow~ This white-haired one looks delicate and tender. I wonder how many scratches he can withstand?"
Muzan's crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
He could sense a strange and powerful energy emanating from Gojo Satoru, one that was fundamentally different from the energy systems he was familiar with in this world.
From the Hero Association's side, Metal Bat shouted, "Hey, Gojo! Don't you dare embarrass us!"
Bang chuckled.
"Gojo-kun, just do your best."
Gojo Satoru lightly jumped onto the fighting stage, keeping his hands in his pockets as he casually looked toward the Monster Association.
"So, who's my opponent? How about someone strong?"
The moment he finished speaking, a deep, battle-hungry voice came from the entrance of the training ground.
"Hmph. How could I miss out on this kind of excitement?"
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A figure was leaning against the doorway.
He had grayish-blue skin, black and white hair resembling demonic horns, and a bare upper body covered in well-defined muscles. His eyes were wild and unruly.
It was Garou.
At this point, Garou's aura was far more refined and profound than it had been when he first transformed into a monster. Although he still possessed the oppressive presence of a monster, the extreme malice that had once surrounded him had receded.
What remained was a pure fighting spirit, focused entirely on clashing with the strong.
Through his own talent and relentless effort, he had reached an entirely different level of monsterization, yet he still considered himself to be on the side of monsters.
"Garou?!"
Many members of the Hero Association frowned.
Although Garou had been "recruited" by Sol, the conflicts they had experienced with him in the past were not so easily forgotten.
Garou ignored their complicated gazes and walked directly toward the Monster Association's group, naturally stopping beside Psykos.
He crossed his arms and looked at Gojo Satoru on the stage.
"This guy looks interesting. I'll be his opponent."
Psykos nodded.
"Alright, Garou. Be careful. He's from another world."
"Just what I wanted!"
Garou grinned, revealing his sharp teeth.
His figure flickered.
In the next instant, he was already standing on the fighting stage opposite Gojo Satoru.
On the observation deck, Tatsumaki raised an eyebrow.
"That troublesome guy is here too."
Sol remained composed, his dark red eyes showing no change, as though he had already anticipated Garou's arrival.
Saitama rubbed his bald head.
"Oh, Garou. He seems to have gotten a little stronger again."
On the stage, Gojo Satoru's Six Eyes observed Garou with interest.
"Whoa. Your form is really unique! The way your energy flows is something I've never seen before. Are you a monster from this world?"
Garou twisted his neck, the joints cracking loudly.
"Enough talking! Let me see how strong a powerhouse from another world really is!"
He assumed the opening stance of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, though his posture incorporated several of his own aggressive variations.
"Fifth round! Hero Association, Gojo Satoru, versus Monster Association, Garou!"
Child Emperor's voice rang throughout the training ground.
Garou attacked first.
His figure vanished instantly, reappearing in front of Gojo Satoru in the next moment.
Fists and palms rained down like a furious storm. His attacks were incredibly sharp, containing the essence of various martial arts. At times, his strikes were as fierce as a vajra; at others, they flowed like water, constantly changing and impossible to predict.
Yet every attack stopped several centimeters away from Gojo Satoru's body.
It was as though Garou's strikes had entered an endless quagmire. Their speed continued to decrease until they eventually came to a complete halt.
Garou's pupils contracted.
There was no fear in his eyes.
Only intense excitement.
His furious assault was like striking an invisible wall. All of his force disappeared into thin air before reaching Gojo Satoru.
"Oh? Absolute defense?"
Rather than retreating, a wild smile spread across Garou's face.
"Now this is interesting! Breaking through this turtle shell is exactly what gets me going!"
He stepped back half a pace and slightly hunched his body.
The aura surrounding him began to change dramatically.
Beneath his grayish-blue skin, it seemed as though magma were flowing through his body. His muscles tightened with a grating sound, while his bones creaked faintly.
His already powerful physique expanded further.
Vicious bone spikes began emerging from his joints as his entire body rapidly transformed into something increasingly inhuman.
Monsterization.
"Roar!"
A guttural roar unlike anything a human could produce escaped Garou's throat.
A terrifying shockwave erupted from his body, and the alloy floor beneath his feet cracked inch by inch.
At that moment, Garou's aura was several times stronger than before, saturated with primal destructive intent.
"Exploding Heart Release Fist!"
Garou's figure vanished once again.
His speed was now immeasurably faster.
This time, his fists no longer carried the more defensive characteristics of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. Instead, he unleashed the Exploding Heart Release Fist, a technique embodying extreme offensive power.
"Boom!"
Although Garou still had not touched Gojo Satoru, his battle against the otherworldly powerhouse had already begun driving his evolution further.