The sun cast soft rays across Z-City, its light gently brushing over rooftops and cracked pavement. Despite the recent evacuation, the city stood intact. The massive meteor that had threatened to obliterate everything had been stopped mid-descent—halted and flung back into space by a mysterious new force.
That force now strolled casually through the quiet streets alongside two familiar heroes.
Damian walked beside Saitama and Genos, his crimson cape swaying behind him with each step. He glanced around in quiet awe, taking in the towering buildings, the long, winding roads, and the stillness that lingered like the aftertaste of a narrowly avoided disaster. The only damage was superficial—some cracked windows, scattered debris, and panicked headlines. But the city itself? Still standing.
The evacuation had left the streets mostly empty, but here and there, brave stragglers had begun to emerge. Shopkeepers peered through cracked doors. A few civilians stood at a distance, murmuring to each other and pointing in the trio's direction. Several waved, hesitantly at first—then with both hands.
"Thank you!" one older man called out from a rooftop. "You saved all of us!"
A small group of children watched from a balcony, wide-eyed. "Look, it's the heroes! He's the one who stopped the meteor!"
Damian felt a strange flutter in his chest. Admiration. From real people. Not a simulation, not a fanfic—this was real.
Saitama, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit affected. He was happily munching on a slice of steaming pepperoni-and-cheese pizza from the SCP-458 box he carried under one arm.
"This might be the best pizza I've ever had," Saitama said with a satisfied grunt. "Hey, Genos, you think after this incident we'll both go up in rank?"
Genos, walking beside him, replied in his usual analytic tone. "Given the scale of the threat and your decisive presence on the scene, it is likely. The Hero Association tends to reward visibility—especially in high-level emergencies."
Before Saitama could respond, Damian tensed. His enhanced senses twitched. "Guys… we're being followed."
Both heroes stopped in sync. Saitama sighed and casually looked up toward a nearby rooftop.
"Okay, you old geezer," he said flatly. "You can come out and stop following us."
There was a faint rustle, then a blur of motion as Silver Fang—Bang—descended gracefully from a three-story rooftop and landed before them with ease.
"You noticed me," Bang said with a light chuckle, brushing nonexistent dust from his sleeves. "Good. That means your instincts are sharp."
Saitama frowned. "You've been tailing us since the meteor. That's kind of creepy, you know."
"I wasn't spying," Bang replied calmly. "Only watching over. And now that the city's safe, I'd like to offer you all an invitation. My dojo's just on the edge of town. Come by for tea—we can discuss training and recent events in a more peaceful setting."
Saitama raised his slice of pizza, blocking Bang's face.
"Sounds like a hassle. Plus, can't you see I already have two students? Ugh." His eyes narrowed in annoyance.
Bang swiftly grabbed the pizza slice from his face and took a bite. "Hmph. At least you still have good taste."
Even after swallowing, the old master didn't let up. "The tea invitation still stands."
Saitama crossed his arms, turned away, and shut his eyes. "No."
Bang turned toward Genos and Damian. His gaze lingered, searching for a response. Neither said a word.
With a slow, accepting sigh, he nodded once.
"Perhaps another time, then." He turned specifically to Damian, giving a small bow of respect. "You're talented, young man. I hope we meet again."
Then, like a shadow dissolving into mist, Bang leapt back onto the rooftops and vanished from view.
Saitama watched him disappear, then muttered under his breath, "Geez… what's with that old guy? Might be a stalker, Genos."
"Master," Genos replied calmly, "that was Silver Fang—third-ranked S-Class hero and a legendary martial artist. His strength and technique are highly respected."
Damian smiled, eyes still on the rooftops. "Maybe we'll take him up on that tea another day. But for now…" He stretched his arms overhead with a groan. "I'd rather head back and relax. I mean, I did just save the city."
Z-City — Saitama's Apartment, Later That Night
Saitama lounged on the floor like a kid on summer vacation, repeatedly flipping open and closing SCP-458.
"How does this even work?" he said, wide-eyed. "Infinite pizza? And it gives me whatever kind I'm thinking of?! Genos—we may never need to grocery shop again!"
"Master, this is your eighth whole pizza," Genos said, now wearing a white apron while folding laundry and tidying Damian's new futon.
Damian chuckled as he helped Genos with the bedding. He tapped the old TV's power button, and a news broadcast flashed onto the screen.
[Breaking News: Dragon-Level Threat Neutralized in Z-City!]
Damian turned up the volume. All three focused on the screen.
Saitama frowned. "Wait—how do they even have footage? I didn't see any cameras."
"An unknown hero, whom the citizens of Z-City are calling Sky God, appeared during the crisis and used an unidentified force to halt and redirect the meteor. Eyewitnesses and surveillance footage confirm the event."
Shaky drone footage showed Damian midair, his cape flaring and hand outstretched as the meteor froze in place.
"Exclusive footage provided by S-Class Hero Metal Knight confirms the hero's presence. Alongside him were three other heroes: Genos, Silver Fang, and the C-Class hero Caped Baldy, also known as Saitama."
Saitama choked on a bite. "Sky God?! He's been here for less than a day and already gets a cool nickname?!"
Damian smirked. "Sky God… That's got a nice ring to it."
Genos nodded. "So Metal Knight didn't leave. He must have been recording the entire event."
The screen panned across the rooftop, showing all four of them. Saitama leaned in.
"Hey, they're actually showing me! Maybe I'll finally get a rank boost."
Genos said, "We all might. But Damian, you need to register first."
Damian blinked, slightly distracted by seeing himself on TV. "Oh yeah… there's a hero registry. Forgot about that."
He tilted his head. "Since I'm technically an alien, do I even qualify?"
Genos, tightening the blanket, replied, "It should be fine. We already have some... unique individuals in the registry. And now that you're on national television, the Hero Association will be looking for you."
Damian nodded. "Yeah… you're right."
He discreetly opened his system interface:
[Main Mission Quest: Become an S-Ranked Hero: Reward: World Traversal Ticket x1]
Then his eyes shifted to a bonus mission:
[Bonus Mission Quest: Survive a Sparring Match with Saitama, the One-Punch Man: Reward: World Traversal Ticket x1]
He smiled inwardly. I'll get there. No need to rush it.
Damian glanced out the window. "Man… this whole experience is surreal. I'm in a universe I actually like, and I'm gonna train with the main character."
Suddenly—
"NO WAY!" Saitama shouted. "A dessert pizza?! S'mores?! This thing is beyond amazing!"
Damian turned to see Saitama practically leaping up, holding a gooey slice of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker pizza.
Genos leaned in curiously.
Damian laughed. "Yeah… I think I'm gonna really like it here."
The Next Morning — En Route to Hero Association HQ
Under the bright morning sun, the trio walked through the streets of Z-City. This time, the city was alive. Civilians watched from balconies, pointed from sidewalks, and whispered excitedly.
"Is that him? The Sky God?"
"He's the one who saved Z-City!"
"Who are the other two with him?"
"I think that's Genos, an S-Ranked hero."
Damian walked confidently, his cape billowing behind him. Genos matched his calm stride. Saitama, however, scowled.
"Why is no one talking about me?" he grumbled.
"Don't worry, Master," Genos said. "The Association will acknowledge your efforts. You were one of the few who responded."
Damian smirked. "I don't mind the attention, but crowds? Not my thing. Should we just fly there?"
Saitama blinked. "I can run—I can't exactly fly."
Damian chuckled. "No problem. Genos can fly, and I'll carry you."
"Eh. Alright," Saitama shrugged. "But let me grab another pizza first."
He summoned SCP-458 again.
A voice from the crowd shouted, "He just pulled a pizza box from thin air?!"
Unbothered, Damian handed the box to Saitama. "Here—just hold onto this."
Genos sighed. "Master, that's your sixteenth pizza since last night…"
Saitama ignored him, contentedly munching.
Damian laughed. Man, these two are even better in real life.
With a subtle wave, he lifted Saitama into the air using Ruler's Authority. Genos activated his boosters.
The crowd below gasped. A news crew rushed to capture the shot.
"There! That's him! The Sky God! Quick—get the shot!"
Damian smiled, then launched skyward with a sonic boom, Saitama floating beside him in a cross-legged position, still eating margherita pizza like nothing had happened.