"Manhole" (マンホール, Manhōru, Tonari: 133) is the 94th chapter of the One-Punch Man manga series.
Short Summary[]
Saitama heads out. Gyoro Gyoro talks with Garou about monsterization. Garou eventually breaks free from Gyoro Gyoro's psychic power but Orochi intervenes, and a battle ensues, showcasing Garou's strength but ultimately leading to his defeat. Gyoro Gyoro plans to brainwash him into a key member of the Monster Association.
Long Summary[]
Saitama brushes his teeth, dons his hero costume, and heads out into the damaged streets. Meanwhile, Garou remains restrained by Gyoro Gyoro's psychic powers. Gyoro Gyoro comments on Garou's incomplete transformation into a monster, noting his significant potential but highlighting his shortcomings. Gyoro Gyoro aims to elevate Garou into an even greater monster, not through psychic powers, as Garou questions, but via a specialized monsterfication process. He explains that to speed up this transformation, the human must repeatedly encounter death, overwhelming both body and spirit.
This process is precarious; the human risks succumbing to death, and even those who succeed may stagnate due to low intelligence. The crucial requirement is for the human to experience their own personal hell. Garou suggests that Gyoro Gyoro must have conducted this process many times, to which Gyoro Gyoro confirms, having experimented on both humans and monsters. Although turning humans into monsters is straightforward, it merely enhances existing abilities with little potential for further growth.
Gyoro Gyoro describes some experiments he conducted to break this growth limit, including cannibalism, blood and cell transfusions, breeding, torture, and inciting anger and hatred. Garou watches grimly. Gyoro Gyoro explains that the repeated experiences of death enable explosive growth in strength and abilities. However, despite his knowledge, he has only successfully created one monster of disaster-level dragon strength.
The scene shifts to a woman in glasses approaching a silhouetted man, remarking that he has turned against humanity and is descending into madness. The scene changes again, and she looks up at the newly created Monster King Orochi. Gyoro Gyoro states that Garou possesses qualities greater than Orochi, noting that through his battle with Royal Ripper and Bug God, Garou has shattered another limit. Gyoro Gyoro invites Garou to join forces, promising that under his guidance, they will defeat the heroes, allowing Garou to become the strongest monster.
Garou declines, but Gyoro Gyoro insists he has no choice. He reinforces Garou's powerlessness by reminding him of his bindings and how his psychic abilities surpass even the witch sisters, Tatsumaki and Fubuki. Nevertheless, Garou begins to adjust, taking a step forward. Gyoro Gyoro retaliates with force, hurling rocks at Garou, which reveals a weakness: Gyoro Gyoro can only perform one action at a time, allowing Garou to free himself from his bindings.
Garou mocks Gyoro Gyoro, asserting that by killing the mastermind behind the Monster Association, it will collapse on its own. Orochi intervenes, grabbing Garou and pulling him down to eye level. The scene shifts with Gyoro Gyoro's prodding, and Garou prepares for battle. Orochi fires his horns at Garou, piercing him and leaving a round hole in his abdomen. Gyoro Gyoro comments on Orochi's horn manipulation as a remarkable discovery.
Garou defends himself with Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, moving swiftly and taking down several monsters. He leaps to confront Orochi head-on, but the mouths within Orochi's jaw nearly bite him. Orochi transforms into a serpent-like creature resembling a hybrid of a hydra and a Tyrannosaurus rex. The reptilian heads unleash a super-heated flame, incinerating the entire stage. A fist formed from snake appendages slams down on Garou, sending him crashing into a wall. Gyoro Gyoro calls for Garou to surrender, but he refuses, boasting about his genius as a combatant. While he acknowledges Orochi's strength, he claims Orochi lacks the primal terror that defines a true monster.
Garou utilizes Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist and assumes his fighting stance. To his surprise, Orochi mimics his stance, and Gyoro Gyoro reveals that Orochi is also a "genius," having adapted Garou's style during their fight. The battle resumes, with Orochi's dragon appendages employing Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist as well. Garou is ultimately defeated. Gyoro Gyoro notes Garou's absence of the bloodlust typical of monsters, despite his intense desire to become one. Consequently, Gyoro Gyoro plans to thoroughly brainwash him into another ace of the Monster Association.
Meanwhile, Saitama peers down a manhole, where he thinks he heard sounds that have now ceased.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Saitama
- Garou
- Gyoro Gyoro
- Psykos
- Orochi
- Royal Ripper (Mentioned)
- Overgrown Rover (Mentioned)
Chapter Notes[]
Online Cover