"Sensei, thanks for agreeing to fulfill my petition," said Genos, his tone respectful but with a barely contained eagerness as Saitama walked ahead of him.
Saitama scratched the back of his head, not even looking back. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get too excited though. You might regret it."
Saitama wasn't all that excited for the fight. After all, after the outrage of Tatsumaki and not being able to spend a day only with his girlfriend, he just wasn't in his best mood. In short words, he was pretty pissed, however, he wasn't going to take it out on the poor Genos, he wasn't at fault for his bad days, after all.
Genos's cybernetic eyes glowed faintly in the dim streetlight as the two of them walked out into the open field in the Grand Canyon near Z-City. For days, the cyborg disciple had been analyzing every possible scenario of this sparring match in his processors. He knew the outcome—his defeat was inevitable—but still, the thought of experiencing his master's strength firsthand was something that made his chest hum with anticipation.
After Tatsumaki stormed out of his apartment in a fury, ripping apart the ceiling as if it were paper, Saitama didn't want to stay there anymore. It was drafty, and patching things up was annoying. Genos, however, saw this as the perfect chance. If his master wasn't going to lounge around at home, then maybe, just maybe, he could finally convince him to spar.
He still hadn't had one. Not a real one. All his simulations, all his training, all his battle footage analysis—none of it compared to the real deal. Today, that was going to change.
"Don't hold back, Sensei," Genos said as they reached the clearing. His arms shifted into combat mode, metallic plates sliding into place with mechanical precision. His voice carried both determination and reverence. "I need to understand the gap between us."
Saitama turned his head slightly, giving him a flat look. "The gap, huh? Trust me, Genos, you're better off not knowing."
But inside, Saitama was a little conflicted about the fight. He knew he wasn't just some random anymore—he was a person reincarnated into this world and one that knew this world very well, so, he knew how Genos thought, he knew the guy's obsession with vengeance and strength. And deep down, he also knew how important this moment was for his disciple. So he didn't want for him to be dissapointed, so he needed to be serious. But if he went with too much force...
Man, he thought, tugging lightly at his gloves, if I go serious, I'll wreck him instantly. If I go too easy, he'll think I'm not taking him seriously. Guess I'll have to balance it.
Genos planted his feet firmly into the dirt, his core humming louder as energy built up. "Please, Sensei. Even if it's only for a second, I want to witness your true power."
Saitama sighed, lifting his fist lazily. "Alright, but don't come crying when your arms pop off."
The air seemed to thicken as Genos activated his boosters, flames roaring behind him. He shot forward like a bullet, his first strike aimed straight at Saitama's chest. The force of the dash created a sonic boom, sending dust spiraling in every direction.
Saitama didn't move. He simply tilted his head slightly, letting the metallic fist whiz past his cheek.
Genos recalibrated mid-charge, twisting his body to unleash a rapid-fire barrage of punches. His movements blurred, each strike packed with enough force to shatter steel walls. Sparks erupted as his fists clashed against the afterimages of Saitama's body.
But to Saitama, it all felt like slow motion. Yup, just like I remember it in the anime and manga, he thought, watching Genos pour his soul into the attack. Geez, this really is surreal. I used to binge-read these panels, and now I'm here, living it. After all this time, I still think is surreal.
He lifted his hand and, with a casual flick of his wrist, tapped Genos's shoulder.
The cyborg was sent tumbling backward like a ragdoll, his systems screaming as he skidded across the dirt, carving a trench nearly twenty meters long before finally stopping. Smoke hissed from his joints, his internal damage reports flashing red.
Genos groaned, forcing himself up despite the sparks dancing from his damaged arms. And yet—his face lit up with something akin to awe.
"That—That was incredible…!"
Saitama raised an eyebrow. "Uh, I barely touched you, dude."
"But even so," Genos said, voice shaky but determined, "the gap is… astronomical. It's beyond comprehension." He clenched his fist, trembling—not in fear, but in exhilaration. "This is the power I must one day reach!"
Saitama scratched his cheek, half-amused, half-exasperated. "You're not supposed to be happy about getting swatted like a fly."
Yet, as he watched Genos's eyes burn with determination, he couldn't help but smile faintly.
Genos's boosters roared back to life, flames crackling as he steadied his footing. His body twitched from the previous impact, but his eyes—sharp and glowing with conviction—did not waver.
"Incredible…" he muttered, his mechanical voice filters barely concealing his excitement. "Again, Sensei! I am not done yet!"
Saitama sighed, hands slipping into his pockets as he watched the disciple prepare his next assault.
Shit, he's serious. I knew this was coming… Genos doesn't pull his punches. But if I flick him too hard, he'll be in pieces. I can't exactly tell him "hey, chill, I might delete you by accident." That'd break his spirit.
Genos spread his arms wide, plasma vents glowing with blinding intensity. "INCINERATE!"
A torrent of blue fire surged forward, the heat distorting the air like glass. The ground beneath them turned molten in streaks, dirt evaporating in waves of steam.
Saitama crouched lightly and jumped, his leap carrying him high above the inferno. From up there, he could see the destruction carving through the field.
Whoa… it's one thing seeing this in panels or anime, but in person? Genos's firepower is no joke. Guy could wipe out half a city block with a single misfire. The author really didn't exaggerate.
He landed behind his student with a soft thud, deliberately loud enough that Genos could sense it.
Genos spun instantly, jets flaring as he launched himself backward, fist cocked and glowing with compressed energy. "Core Overdrive: Maximum Release!"
His punch shot forward like a cannon blast, the impact detonating the air itself. The shockwave blew apart nearby trees, scattering debris like shrapnel.
Saitama leaned just enough to the side, the attack grazing his cape. Yeah, no way I'm blocking that head-on. Not because it'd hurt me, but because Genos's arm would snap clean off if my body didn't budge.
He extended his finger and poked Genos in the chest plate.
The cyborg spun violently midair, crashing into the ground with an explosion of dirt and sparks. One of his arms dislodged, hissing steam as wires sparked.
"Ghh—!" Genos hissed, trying to push himself up despite the malfunctions. His systems screamed warnings in his vision, but his smile was almost… grateful. "That… that wasn't even five percent of your strength, was it, Sensei?"
Saitama rubbed his neck. "I mean, I'm trying not to break you, so… yeah."
Genos stood again, wobbling slightly, then pushed his boosters to max output. Flames ignited like rockets, and he blurred forward faster than before. He unleashed a whirlwind of kicks, punches, and energy blasts, all in perfect synchronization.
To an outsider, it looked like chaos. To Saitama, it was a spectacle.
Man, watching him fight like this is crazy. It's like being front-row at one of the anime's episodes. And here I am, playing the part of the unbeatable wall. I have to admit, it feels… awesome. But still—gotta tone it down.
As Genos's foot swung toward his head, Saitama ducked, then gently tapped his shin. The shockwave of that casual touch sent the disciple spinning like a wheel, crashing into the dirt once more.
Saitama scratched his cheek. "Oops. A bit too much."
Genos groaned but still pushed himself up, smoke pouring from his vents. His body was battered, arms cracked, yet his eyes glowed with unwavering fire.
"Sensei… thank you. This is the fight I wanted. Even if I can't touch you, just experiencing this is proof… that the path forward is endless. I'll keep chasing."
Saitama's brows softened.
Chasing, huh? He really means it. Back in my old world, I used to scream at the screen, like "Genos, calm down, you're outclassed!" But… now I get it. For him, this isn't about winning. It's about having a goal to reach, even if it's impossible. That's what makes him who he is.
Genos raised his fists again, body trembling, sparks flying. "Once more, Sensei… please!"
Saitama gave him a small smile. "Alright, one last round. Then we head home before you blow a fuse."
The disciple roared, charging with everything he had. And Saitama only braced himself—not to fight seriously, but to protect the dream burning inside his student's chest.
Genos charged, his boosters shrieking as his body blurred like a missile. His entire frame was shaking from the strain—systems overheating, warning signals flashing red, sparks flying from every joint. But none of that mattered. His eyes were locked on his master.
"Sensei!!"
He thrust his fist forward, all his power condensed into this single strike. The ground beneath him cracked, shockwaves rippling outward as if the earth itself trembled at his intent.
For just a heartbeat, even Saitama felt the weight of that determination.
Man… he's really putting everything on this. If I let him connect, he'll probably break himself apart on impact. If I swat him too hard, I'll send him back to the scrap heap. Guess it's time to end this properly—clean, quick, and without wrecking his spirit.
Saitama exhaled softly and raised his hand.
As Genos's blazing punch closed in, Saitama extended a single finger and tapped his disciple right on the forehead.
TAP.
The result was immediate. The momentum of Genos's body stopped dead, his systems whirring in confusion. The force of his own charge redirected harmlessly outward, kicking up a shockwave that rattled the field—but his body didn't crumple, didn't explode, didn't break.
Instead, he staggered back two steps, his entire frame trembling before his power cores automatically shut down, leaving him steaming and frozen mid-motion.
Genos blinked, sensors flickering weakly. "…A single finger… stopped everything." His voice carried awe, not despair. His systems gave out, knees hitting the dirt as smoke curled around him. "So this… is the level I must reach…"
Saitama let his arm fall to his side, expression calm. "That's enough for today. Any more and you'll end up being repared by Kuseno for a month."
The bald hero walked up, crouched, and rested a hand lightly on Genos's shoulder. "You did good, though. Real good. Don't beat yourself up."
Genos tilted his head up, exhausted but smiling faintly. "…Thank you, Sensei."
Inside, Saitama felt something stir.
Man, if the old me could see this… he'd lose his mind. Watching Genos fight like a maniac, and me ending it with a forehead flick? Straight out of a fan's dream. But this isn't just some story anymore. These guy isn't just a character—he's real. And it's my job not to crush that fire he have got. After all, he has the potential to be the greatest hero in the future.
The afternoon was quiet again. The smoke cleared, leaving only the battered disciple kneeling before his master and the bald hero standing tall under the moonlight.
Saitama patted Genos once, then turned toward the city. "C'mon, let's go. I'm starving."
Genos forced his legs to move, systems rebooting with shaky sparks. He followed silently, his eyes burning with new determination. That one touch, that one decisive move—it was an instant defeat in the moment he used it.
Guess, I'm still not close to reaching the sensei's level, not by a long shot. Thought the cyborg as he followed his master.
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