Chapter 186 (Online)

"Turning Point" (曲がり角, Magarikado, Tonari: 231) is the 186th chapter of the One-Punch Man manga series.

Short Summary
Saitama and Genos discuss living arrangements. Genos requests for the two to spar, which causes him to question his own strength. He then tells Saitama about a new association of heroes being formed; the Neo Heroes. He tells him he plans to join them and asks Saitama to join as well, but when Saitama declines, he changes his mind and decides to stay in the Hero Association.

Long Summary
Genos and Saitama discuss finding a new apartment after Saitama's old one was destroyed. Saitama reveals that he chose the smallest one possible, and informs Genos that he can no longer live there, due to lack of space. Genos insists, but Saitama protests, claiming that there isn't anything else he can learn by observing his day-to-day life.

Genos, equipped with new updates, asks Saitama to spar him, to which he agrees. They find an open space to spar and voice their concerns about the abundance of monsters in recent times; Genos thanks him in advance. Genos' core lights as he prepares for his new move, Lightning Core. Saitama is blinded by the light from his core and closes his eyes as Genos approaches him, ready with a punch.

Before making contact, Genos stops and Saitama asks if he's going to fight. He says he's not, and that the only thing he'd accomplish out of fighting him is getting his outfit dirty. He then asks Saitama if he thinks he's gotten stronger. Saitama replies, mentioning his upgrades, and Genos questions if changing his parts can even make him stronger.

Sensing Genos' dejection, Saitama tries to come up with something encouraging, stating that "that flashing move he did earlier" was super bright. He says "whether or not you've gotten stronger, you've gotten brighter." Genos pauses and comes to the conclusion that Saitama closed his eyes not only because of the brightness of the light, but because he doesn't view him as a legitimate threat.

Genos begins to think that in Saitama's eyes, his progress means nothing and that he never cared for him at all, but he ends up blaming himself, believing that he hasn't grown stronger and that any progress he made is insignificant.

Genos tells Saitama that he feels a sense of stagnation in his current position, so he's considering changing his environment. He tells Saitama about leaving the Hero Association to instead join the Neo Heroes. He explains that the organization was formed in response to bad management and excessive destruction caused by the Hero Association, and how many others were planning to join it. He talks about how he was scouted by the Neo Heroes to join before the Hero Association "goes under," and tells Saitama that he plans to join them, believing he'll learn how to grow stronger from heroes not yet brought to the public eye.

Saitama asks to confirm that Genos' reason for wanting to grow stronger is for revenge, to which he agrees. He then questions Genos on the hypothetical that the Rampaging Cyborg might not even be alive, to which Genos explains that though there is little information about the cyborg, there are remaining records from the same time period that document a monster with similar qualities. Saitama then raises the hypothetical that perhaps he killed it, rather than another pro hero.

Genos says that he doesn't doubt that Saitama would've won against the cyborg, but doubts that he would've forgotten such a difficult fight. Saitama thinks to himself how he remembers very few of his battles, since they pose no threat. He then asks Genos if he believes he could beat it in his current form, to which Genos responds that he's unsure. Genos says that when he does eventually fight him, he wants to ensure his victory, which is why he's considering transferring to the Neo Heroes.

Saitama wishes him luck, but Genos informs him that the scouts told him to recommend anyone he "thought particularly highly of," and suggests that Saitama joins him; he also mentions that the Hero Association doesn't think much of him and that his endorsement would mean a lot to the Neo Heroes. Saitama declines, saying it would be too much work. Genos decides to stay in the Hero Association with him.