Nusjuro adjusted the position of his glasses, glanced at the sword at his waist, then looked up with a cynical smile: "Whether you're qualified or not, you'll have to ask Kotetsu in my hand first!"
The other four old men couldn't hold back strange smiles.
Nusjuro's sword was one of the Saijo O Wazamono (Supreme Grade Swords), a Yōdō (Cursed Sword), one of the strongest weapons in the pirate world. It could be said that enemies who had seen Shodai Kitetsu leave its sheath were all already in hell.
The Gorosei had controlled the World Government for years and dominated the entire pirate world. Besides Imu, they had never met a match. Now, after receiving rewards from the Gold List, their confidence had swelled extraordinarily.
Even though standing before them was the third-ranked on the Gold List, they showed no fear. On the contrary, they felt compelled to try challenging him!
So what if he's third-ranked? Within the Three Worlds, experts occupying the top rankings on the Gold List were extremely few; it wasn't easy to meet them. Today Saitama came to them on his own, so the five of them didn't mind working together to bring him down, seize the third-rank position, and enjoy his surely abundant rewards.
If they could defeat the third rank, then the first rank didn't seem too far away!
The five of them remained convinced that if not for the Gold List stripping Imu's ranking rights, first place would definitely be her.
"Kitetsu?" Saitama tilted his head looking at the sword at Nusjuro's waist curiously: "Is that sword very impressive?"
Nusjuro sneered: "Whether it's impressive or not depends on who's wielding it. You who occupy third rank must have something extraordinary. It just so happens I recently obtained a Gold List reward and my hands have been very itchy. Originally I wanted to find Roger, but since you came today, I don't mind making you my sword's sacrificial victim!"
He himself had forgotten how long his Shodai Kitetsu had never left its sheath. As his words ended, his figure vanished from where he stood.
The next second, he had already appeared behind Saitama in a crouching position. His right hand pressed the sword hilt, and suddenly...
*SHING!*
A dazzling sword flash appeared, bringing a sword aura capable of splitting the sky, slashing directly toward Saitama's head! Faintly, terrifying ghostly screams could be heard around it, as if capable of ripping away human souls.
Genos, Fubuki, and Buggy were instantly stunned, falling into a dazed condition. The air around them was sucked away instantly, as if the entire space would be split in two!
Saitama still had his back to Nusjuro, appearing as if caught in a dazed condition as well.
"Heh..." The corner of Nusjuro's mouth lifted: "Third rank is only this much..."
*TING!*
However, in the next second, his smile froze. The expressions of the other Gorosei members also stiffened.
The blade of Shodai Kitetsu could be seen slashing right above Saitama's bald head, but only producing a loud clanging sound. Saitama's bald head was completely uninjured; even his scalp wasn't scratched in the slightest.
"Th-this is impossible!" Nusjuro looked as if he'd seen a ghost. His eyes widened with a face full of disbelief.
Saitama turned around expressionlessly, glanced at Shodai Kitetsu above his head, then looked at Nusjuro and asked: "Is this all your sword has?"
Nusjuro was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His pupils shrank drastically, he immediately pulled back his sword and jumped backward to the middle of the other Gorosei members with cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
Saturn swallowed and asked softly: "Nusjuro, what happened? Did you hold back?"
Their hearts began to feel cold. Although reality was before their eyes, they still found it hard to believe.
Nusjuro nodded, then shook his head. That earlier attack, though there was intent to test, he had already used 80% of his strength. Combined with Shodai Kitetsu that could cut through anything, he couldn't even scratch his opponent's scalp.
"Is... is this person really human?"
"Attack together!" Warcury shouted with veins throbbing at his temples. "I don't believe if the five of us attack him together, he can still be this arrogant!"
The other four nodded and showed serious expressions, simultaneously taking attacking stances.
"Oh?" Saitama raised his eyebrows, slightly dissatisfied: "You're all too weak, not my match. Quickly call out that person from earlier, I don't have time to play around with you."
The Gorosei's faces twitched. They had often seen arrogant people, but had never seen anyone this arrogant! Facing five supreme leaders of the World Government attacking together, he still dared to insult them as weak.
This was truly an intolerable insult!
Saturn roared furiously: "Kill him!"
The five figures shot forward together charging at Saitama. Their bodies were instantly coated with Busoshoku Haki, unique Ryuo-colored energy swirling around their palms or sword blades.
"Die—!" Five furious shouts exploded simultaneously with tremendous power.
"Sword Domain: Space Massacre!"
Within a ten-meter radius around Saitama, thousands of transparent sword auras condensed, their tips pointing directly at Saitama in the center with unlimited bloodlust.
Mars's body transformed into a giant in the air, instantly destroying the conference room ceiling. With a loud roar, his fist slammed downward.
Saturn spun around to the back, his hands forming unique seals that locked Saitama in the middle, shouting: "Five Senses Reversal—Demon Parasite!"
Warcury and Peter also surrounded from both sides. One's eyes emitted strange light, the other's upper body exploded with bones cracking, transforming into a giant ape, then slamming a long staff at Saitama's head.
"Run!"
Genos's entire body sounded alarm warnings, sensing unprecedented danger. Fortunately their trio wasn't the enemy's target. He immediately grabbed the still-dazed Fubuki and Buggy, then shot flying out through the destroyed roof.
"Pretty interesting too..."
Saitama still showed no significant change in expression, but in his right hand appeared a golden gauntlet!
God-Slayer Gauntlet
"Since you're all so serious facing me, I'll give you a little respect!"
Saitama ignored the sword auras that were already very close around him, and threw one punch.
*BOOM!*
The space around seemed to stop at that very moment. The Gorosei's figures halted in place, then each of them was hit by the punch's pressure wave. Instantly they vomited blood and were sent flying far away, losing consciousness even before landing.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
All five of them were embedded into the rubble. The entire conference room shook violently, and the next second the entire building began to collapse.
With the power of one punch, the entire Gorosei was utterly defeated!
"Sensei!"
Genos reappeared above. Seeing his teacher completely uninjured, he breathed a sigh of relief. In his heart he admired—his teacher was indeed still invincible. As long as Saitama was there, it seemed there was no problem that couldn't be solved; no matter how strong the enemy, they wouldn't be able to withstand the power of his teacher's one punch.