Meeting the Old Master

Bang walked through the bustling streets of City Z, his mind replaying recent events with growing curiosity about the mysterious figure he'd seen during the recent crises. It was rare for someone so distinctly powerful to emerge from nowhere, especially someone who seemed to disregard the typical hero mold entirely.

First, there was the meteor incident. Bang had been among the crowd of citizens and heroes watching in awe as Saitama shattered the massive meteor. Debris had rained down in the aftermath, causing widespread destruction despite the city's miraculous survival. Amidst the chaos, Bang had noticed a figure standing calmly, watching the wreckage fall without so much as a flinch. This man—a rugged, middle-aged stranger with an intense aura—stood out among the panicked crowd.

It was odd. There was no urgency in him, no concern for the destruction happening around him. He'd simply observed the devastation as though it were nothing more than a passing storm. Even as heroes scrambled to assist and civilians fled for cover, the man had slipped away into the shadows.

Then, just days later, there had been the confrontation between Saitama and the Tank-Top Brothers. Bang had observed from a distance as the brothers had harassed Saitama, blaming him for the collateral damage from the meteor's destruction. He'd noted Saitama's frustration, his calm resolve, and the resulting shift in the crowd's perception of the hero. But it wasn't only Saitama's composure that had caught Bang's eye that day. That same rugged figure had been there, watching with an amused smirk as the drama unfolded.

This stranger's indifference struck Bang as something peculiar. He hadn't cheered or jeered; he'd merely observed with a look that spoke of quiet confidence. As Bang watched him, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was far more to this man than met the eye.

Reflecting on these encounters, Bang felt the tug of curiosity and decided it was time to meet this stranger face-to-face. His instincts told him that the man was powerful—perhaps enough to shake up even the seasoned heroes. There was no telling where that kind of power, left unchecked, might lead.

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Azar walked casually through a quieter part of City Z, hands in his pockets, his mind drifting to recent battles and victories. He could feel his strength steadily rising, each monster he absorbed fueling his progress. Though people noticed him more since the meteor incident, he found little interest in their opinions. He was here to reach new heights of power, not for fame.

Turning down a narrow alley, Azar paused. There, standing at the other end of the street, was the same silver-haired old man he'd seen twice before. Bang, the S-Class Rank 3 hero, regarded him with calm eyes and a friendly expression, though there was a subtle intensity in his gaze.

"Ah, so you're the one I've been hearing about," Bang greeted, his voice warm yet curious. "The man with a talent for handling monsters as easily as others handle their morning tea."

Azar nodded, unfazed. "If you're talking about the monsters around here, yeah. It's not exactly a challenge," he replied, his tone casual.

Bang chuckled, the lines on his face softening as he assessed Azar. "That confidence of yours… reminds me of some young upstarts I've met in the past," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "But there's a difference between confidence and control. Power, without direction, can turn against the one who wields it."

Azar shrugged, meeting Bang's gaze without flinching. "Wisdom's fine for those who have time for it. I'm only here to get stronger." His voice held an edge of impatience, as though he was already weighing Bang's value as a potential stepping stone.

Bang's smile remained, though his expression grew contemplative. "You're certainly direct," he mused. "But if strength is what you seek, how will you truly know it without testing it against someone who's been down this path?"

A smirk crossed Azar's face, and his posture shifted slightly. "You offering to show me?"

Bang nodded, his stance becoming subtly firm, his aura focused but still controlled. Despite his relaxed posture, the hint of power radiating from him was unmistakable. "If you're so determined to measure strength," he replied, "I wouldn't mind seeing it for myself."

Azar's eyes glinted with the thrill of a challenge as he sized up Bang. The old man was a warrior, and Azar could sense the deep, honed power behind his calm exterior. For the first time, he felt a pulse of genuine excitement—an opponent worthy of his attention.

"Alright, old man," Azar said, settling into his stance with a gleam in his eye. "Let's see if you've still got it."

Bang's stance didn't shift, though his presence did. His calm energy turned focused, his expression one of intense concentration.

"Very well," Bang replied, his voice calm yet firm, "show me what you're made of."