Even with monsterfication fueling him, Garou cannot dent Saitama. As his wild attacks keep rescuing bystanders by accident, Saitama observes that the Hero Hunter behaves a lot like King and carries real heroic instincts underneath.
Summary
Garou broods over how monsterfication has made him stronger yet still leaves him unable to reach Saitama. When Saitama presses him about his goals and points out that he once helped the heroes against Sage Centipede, Garou insists he was only using Metal Bat as a tool. Saitama reframes the idea of Absolute Evil as a wish for world peace, which only annoys him further.
The fight rolls on, and every time Garou tries to crush Saitama, he ends up saving someone instead. Watching the Hero Hunter's accidental good deeds pile up, Saitama remarks that Garou reminds him of King and recognizes the strong instincts driving him.
Key Events
Garou concedes that Saitama's speed and reflexes cover for a lack of technique, but he spots plenty of openings and boasts that the hero's amateur form will cost him. He launches a heavy combo that buries Saitama under collapsing buildings and assumes the internal organs must be wrecked, only for Saitama to walk out untouched. The rubble, it turns out, had shielded five Hero Association members trapped in an underground shelter, who thank Garou before leaving.
Saitama dryly notes how good Absolute Evil is at rescuing people, and the furious Garou evolves again into a winged, long-horned demonic shape. In his next attempt on Saitama, he slams the hero into a volcano poised to bury a nearby city. The impact splits the volcano, diverts the lava, and saves the town.
Saitama emerges from the shattered mountain without a scratch and counters. Impressed by the hero's durability and struck by Garou's unintended heroism, Saitama compares him to King and acknowledges his strong instincts.
Notes
The chapter released April 28, 2022, under the volume title Tougher Than a Mountain, printed by Viz Media as Stronger Than a Mountain. Part of the Monster Association Arc and filling Volume 33, it adapts portions of webcomic chapters 88 and 89. A bonus page shows King sweating as his King Engine pounds, terrified while thinking Saitama tends to overrate people. The cover is said to echo skull-in-portrait art in the vein of Salvador Dali and Sergej Bag's Depressing piece.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Chapter 168 of One-Punch Man?
In Chapter 168, "Tougher Than a Mountain," Garou's monsterfication makes him stronger but he still cannot land a real hit on Saitama, and his increasingly wild attacks keep accidentally rescuing bystanders, leading Saitama to compare him to the hero King.
Why does Saitama compare Garou to King in this chapter?
Every time Garou tries to crush Saitama, his attacks end up saving someone instead, from shielding trapped Hero Association members under rubble to diverting lava away from a city, and Saitama recognizes the same strong heroic instincts he sees in King.
How does Garou's attack accidentally save Hero Association members?
Garou buries Saitama under collapsing buildings, assuming it has wrecked his organs, but the rubble instead shields five Hero Association members trapped in an underground shelter, who thank Garou once they emerge.
What happens when Garou slams Saitama into a volcano?
Garou evolves into a winged, long-horned demonic form and slams Saitama into a volcano poised to bury a nearby city, but the impact splits the volcano and diverts the lava, saving the town instead.
What is the Viz Media title for Chapter 168?
Chapter 168 carries the volume title "Tougher Than a Mountain," printed by Viz Media as "Stronger Than a Mountain."
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Chapter 168: Tougher Than a Mountain? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.
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