"Daybreak" (夜明け, Yoake, Tonari: 214) is the 169th chapter of the One-Punch Man manga series.
Short Summary[]
After losing his divine powers, Garou is cornered by heroes. Genos receives memories from the Ominous Future thanks to the core Saitama's holding. Tareo tries to defend Garou against execution before the Hero Hunter manages to escape himself.
Long Summary[]
Stripped of his divine powers, Garou finds himself weakened and surrounded by several heroes. Saitama and Genos discuss the core Saitama is holding. Genos connects the core to himself to verify its authenticity but is overwhelmed by the data. Having traveled through time with Saitama, the core reveals pivotal moments, including the deaths of heroes due to Garou's radiation, his own death at Garou's hands, and Saitama's battle on Io.
Regaining his composure, Genos confirms the core is his from another timeline. He asks Saitama if he remembers anything, theorizing that both he and the core originated from the future. Genos speculates about a parallel world or multiverse, suggesting the core may have come from an alternate timeline influenced by Saitama's actions. Although the specifics of this divergence remain unclear, he asserts that a new version of Saitama separated from the original, merging with the past Saitama in the current timeline. He believes the timing of this merging might reveal when the two timelines diverged. Genos reveals that in the future from which the core came, Garou killed him. Amazed by his findings, Genos concludes that regardless of possible parallel worlds or even the collective deaths of many heroes, Saitama’s ability to transcend and manipulate causality stands as irrefutable proof of his selfless heroism.
As Genos attempts to explain his theory on time travel, Saitama, overwhelmed by the lengthy explanation, struggles to comprehend. Ultimately, Genos is satisfied knowing that Saitama transcended even time and space to save everyone.
Meanwhile, Tareo awakens from a vision of Garou, only to see lower-ranking heroes assaulting the injured villain, who offers no resistance. Metal Bat intervenes, demanding they stop. Sweet Mask expresses fury, recalling Garou's earlier rampage and insisting he must be executed. Metal Bat and Saitama oppose this view.
When Saitama inquires about who defeated Garou, Flashy Flash mentions a naked man who struck Garou and then flew away, noting the attack resembled something Blast would do. Sweet Mask and Sekingar are surprised by Blast's involvement. Genos asserts that only Saitama has the right to decide Garou's fate, though Saitama prefers to let the others vent their frustrations on him. Zombieman questions Garou about his newfound strength, recalling a previous mention of "God" by a deceased cadre. Garou laughs, claiming sole responsibility for his power. As Zombieman wonders if Garou has lost the will to live, Sweet Mask prepares to kill him but is halted by Tareo, who defends Garou, explaining he was saved by him multiple times and urging him to flee. Sweet Mask accuses Garou of manipulating Tareo, but Tareo insists the heroes should treat Garou civilly. As the heroes bicker over Garou's fate, a powerful rumble shakes the air.
With his King Engine running, King silences the crowd. Bang asserts that Garou cannot escape his consequences and must redeem himself by saving others. While Garou remains silent, Saitama ironically comments that "Absolute Evil" excels at saving people, revealing how everyone has shown him his true self. Garou threatens to make Saitama regret letting him go, but Saitama remains unconcerned, even thanking him for saving Genos and King from Platinum Sperm and Evil Natural Water. King recalls how he and Saitama had previously discussed Garou's fate, with Saitama revealing that Garou had rescued them. Before vanishing, Garou tells Saitama he disgusts him, shocking everyone. Sweet Mask is furious about Garou's escape, while Saitama appears unconcerned, believing Garou will be fine.
Suddenly, Metal Knight arrives in a giant drill. Noting the threat has passed, he deploys thousands of drones to repair the damage. Addressing the heroes, Metal Knight states he was informed of nuclear fallout in the area and mandates testing and decontamination for all. As he departs with Genos’ damaged upper body, Saitama sighs, lamenting the search for their ruined apartment after Genos is repaired by Dr. Kuseno.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Garou
- Tanktop Rockabilly
- Tanktop Al Dente
- Tanktop Swimmer
- Tanktop Jungle
- Tanktop Racer
- Tanktop Hatter
- Tareo
- Tanktop Mask
- Tanktop Doctor
- Tanktop Girl
- Saitama
- Genos
- Hyottoko
- Metal Bat
- Red Nose
- Sweet Mask
- Flashy Flash
- Sekingar
- Bang
- Zombieman
- Child Emperor
- Waganma
- King
- Smile Man
- D-Pad
- All Back-Man
- Shoulderpads
- Poison
- Death Gatling
- Bunbun Man
- Battery Man
- Horse-Bone
- Ecolo G
- Shooter
- Mohican
- Mushroom
- Water Gun
- Studless
- Platinum Sperm (Flashback)
- Evil Natural Water (Flashback)
- Bomb
- Skunk Boy Gasmask
- Metal Knight
- Funeral Suspenders
- Heavy Kong
- Sneck
- Lightning Max
- Grave Eight
- Red Muffler
- Armored Chief Clerk