"Squared" (二乗, Jijō, Tonari: 211) is the 166th chapter of the One-Punch Man manga series.
Short Summary[]
With his newfound power, Garou wreaks havoc on the heroes. Blast shows up in an attempt to stop the Hero Hunter. However, when Saitama returns, Genos and many other heroes have been killed by Garou, with Blast being the only one still standing. Overwhelmed by the tragic scene and feeling responsible for his late arrival, Saitama unleashes a Serious Punch towards Garou, who tries to counter the attack. Blast realizes the immense energy in both their fists and becomes deeply concerned about the destruction of the Earth.
Long Summary[]
Child Emperor and Waganma start bleeding from their noses before losing consciousness. Zombieman and Sekingar rush to help, with Zombieman noticing clumps of hair falling from the young hero’s scalp. Bang confronts Garou, asserting that his former student harbors something evil and demanding his return. Garou insists he acts of his own free will, but their conversation is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Blast from a portal. Blast skips formalities, telling Garou he is being controlled by "God". He warns that any unleashed attack could threaten all life on Earth. When Garou remains silent, Blast demonstrates the consequences of Garou's actions.
Almost every hero present has collapsed from the cosmic radiation Garou emits. Blast deduces that Garou still retains some humanity and may be reasoned with to avoid conflict. However, Garou laughs, reveling in the chaos his "divine power" causes. He declares himself the Ominous Future of humanity, "Disaster Level: God." With no other option, Blast tells Bang to step back; Bang declares that Garou must kill him to achieve his evil goals. Manako sees an opportunity to escape with the heroes incapacitated but soon collapses from the radiation. With her last strength, she looks up to find Tareo, alone and unconscious.
Suddenly, a voice commands Bang and Blast to move. Genos appears, charging at Garou with his remaining energy. Garou grabs him, realizing how powerful Saitama must be to have an S-Class hero as an apprentice. In response, Blast uses Dimension Cannon, launching a miniature singularity at the two, though Garou dodges. Blast opens a portal above Garou, engulfing him and Genos; he then emerges from the other side and uses Gravity Knuckle to punch Garou into another portal, freeing Genos. Garou finds himself in a loop of portals, under heavy assault from Blast's punches. The hero connects the portals and seals Garou in a pocket dimension. However, shortly after, Garou emerges from his own portal, having incorporated Blast's abilities. He attacks with a new move, Nuclear Fission: Gravity Knuckle, forcing Blast to defend and create multiple portals to redirect the attack skyward, preventing collateral damage.
After the confrontation, Blast realizes that the energy released could destroy the planet and prioritizes evacuating everyone. Garou, though impressed by Blast's skills as the top S-Class hero, dismisses him, knowing that Saitama will return and that the Caped Baldy was not fighting at full strength earlier. Believing he can defeat Saitama by copying his full power, Garou picks up the helpless Genos and impales him through the chest.
As black rain falls, likely from the nuclear fallout of Garou's attacks, Saitama reappears, having returned from Garou's Gamma Ray Burst, with only Blast still standing. Saitama is visibly distraught, realizing he is too late to save his disciple and the other heroes. Garou throws Genos's depleted core at him, which Saitama catches, blankly recalling Genos's words about being punctual, which he denies. Now furious and serious, Saitama unleashes a mighty Serious Punch at the Hero Hunter. Garou responds with a Serious Punch of his own, having incorporated Saitama's striking power once again through his supernatural copying power, Mode: Saitama. Sensing the tremendous energy in both fists, Blast is startled, fearing that their collision will destroy the Earth.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Garou (cover)
- Child Emperor
- Waganma
- Zombieman
- Sekingar
- Bang
- Bomb
- Tanktop Master
- Blast
- Mizuki
- Gearsper
- Pineapple
- Mohican
- Food Battler Futoshi
- Heavy Kong
- One Shotter
- Crescent Eyebroll
- Sneck
- Tareo
- Manako
- Genos
- Saitama
- Pig God
- Mountain Ape
- King
- Fubuki
- Tatsumaki
- Mumen Rider
- Lightning Max
- Flashy Flash
- Sweet Mask
Trivia[]
- The cover of this chapter showcases the famous Horsehead Nebula on Garou's body, a small nebula from the constellation Orion bearing resemblance to an equine animal's head.