The long-awaited release of One Punch Man chapter 196 has ignited a flurry of discussions within the community due to the wealth of information it contains. Following the previous chapter's debut, fans began formulating theories that connect Blast, God, and the enigmatic antagonist of the present storyline. These theories propose that the secretive individual who leads the ninja village is, in fact, Blast's partner.
In chapter 173 of the manga, a fleeting glimpse of Blast's partner is provided, although the exact circumstances surrounding this encounter remain obscure. Fans have speculated that he may have crossed paths with God, who bestowed upon him extraordinary abilities and transformed him into a formidable monster.
The ninja village was then formed, giving rise to skilled assassins such as Speed-o’Sound Sonic, Flashy Flash, Hellfire Flame, Gale Wind, and many more. Now, let's delve into One Punch Man chapter 196 to examine the details shared by Blast, which solidify the aforementioned theory.
One Punch Man chapter 196: Blast was responsible for the destruction of the ninja village
Leader of the ninja village (Image via Shueisha/ONE and Yusuke Murata)
Flashy Flash, Manakao, the Caped Baldy, and Blast were gathered in One Punch Man chapter 196. Flashy Flash was aware that Blast had a connection to the incident that caused the destruction of his ninja village.
Without any attempt to conceal it, Blast admitted that he was the individual accountable for the village's devastation. The significant spherical imprints on the ruined structures confirmed Blast's involvement, confirming Flashy Flash's accurate presumption.
However, the most shocking revelation was yet to come. Chapter 196 of One Punch Man unveiled an unexpected connection between Blast, God, and the enigmatic leader of the ninja village.
To everyone's surprise, Blast disclosed that his ex-partner, Empty Void, serves as the leader of the ninja village. He went on to unravel the story of their hunt for God Cubes, recounting an incident where Empty Void encountered God and gained temporary access to his immense powers.
Blast's former partner, known as Empty Void, has now become the leader of the ninja village (Image via Shueisha/Yusuke Murata and ONE).
Empty Void's transformation into a monster, similar to Garou's metamorphosis during the Monsters Association arc, played a significant role. In One Punch Man chapter 196, an important revelation emerged, linking Blast's motivations for pursuing his ex-partner. The top-ranked hero revealed that Empty Void possessed a unique ability: he alone could unlock the Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave.
He then elaborated that the portal served as a gateway to God's secret sanctuary. Right as readers anticipated further details, a staff member from the Heroes Association interrupted and delivered a letter to Flashy Flash.
The letter originated from Speed-o'Sound Sonic, Flashy Flash's childhood companion, expressing his aspiration to seize control of the village and establish a society where people could live according to their desires.
Flashy Flash and Speed-o'-Sound Sonic are preparing for their anticipated battle (Image via Shueisha/ONE and Yusuke Murata).
However, he dismisses this desire as a mere childhood fantasy in his letter and proposes a secret meeting spot exclusively known to the two of them. With resolve in their hearts, Speed-o’-Sound Sonic and Flashy Flash have decided to settle all their conflicts once and for all. As the final pages of One Punch Man chapter 196 unfold, the two formidable warriors are seen brandishing their swords.
Final thoughts
Chapter 196 of One Punch Man presented a substantial amount of information, igniting anticipation for the manga's fascinating trajectory. With each installment, the series unveils new layers of knowledge, captivating its readers. The impending clash between Saitama and God is inevitable, and the concluding part of the manga holds a riveting battle that promises to captivate audiences.
Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the latest developments in the One Punch Man manga. Chapter 196 has taken the story to a whole new level by revealing the connection between God and Blast's enigmatic partner. The idea that the leader of the ninja village is actually Blast's former partner, Empty Void, who gained immense powers after encountering God, is mind-blowing.
This revelation adds depth to the overall narrative and opens up a plethora of possibilities for future plotlines. I am particularly intrigued by the concept of the Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave and its significance in accessing God's secret sanctuary. It hints at a larger cosmic conflict that lies ahead, expanding the scope of the story beyond the battles between heroes and monsters.