"Terms? What terms did this guy make?"
Saitama muttered.
Fubuki and Saturday looked on curiously.
It was obvious Banner had tricked Genus into a deal.
"Sigh… even with your support, I still failed."
Genus felt crushed.
He thought he could shock Saitama this time, maybe impress him.
But the House of Evolution's strongest fighters had been beaten into the ground by Saitama's friends.
Boom!
Banner smirked, glancing between Saitama and Genus.
Finally, Genus sighed and nodded.
"…I'll accept your deal, Banner."
"Hahaha! Excellent! Genus, this will be the smartest choice of your life!"
Banner slapped him so hard the frail man nearly coughed blood.
"What are you even talking about?"
Saitama scratched his bald head, confused.
"Me neither…"
Saturday chuckled.
"Hmph! Who cares. It's still better than being some weakling wandering outside."
Fubuki pouted, lips curling with irritation.
"Master, I, Christina, swear loyalty to you for life!"
"Master, I, Rhino Beetle Emperor, swear loyalty to you for life!"
Both Dragon-level monsters knelt before Saitama.
Saitama: "…"
MMP!
Did I walk onto the wrong set?
Director, where's the One Punch Man set?!
Fubuki and Saturday froze in shock.
Banner only grinned.
"My deal with Genus was simple. If I lost, I'd fund his research for fifty years. If he lost… then the House of Evolution, him included, would belong to you. Hahaha!"
Banner roared with laughter, a genius tactician and scientist.
Genus shrugged.
"Following you isn't so bad. At least I won't worry about research funding anymore."
Two Dragon-level monsters as subordinates…
Saitama's stomach twisted.
World first.
Monsters were villains, enemies. How could this be?
"You wonder why they joined you? They're not truly monsters anymore."
Banner explained.
Fubuki and Saturday widened their eyes in realization.
Yes—Christina especially.
In her holy knight form, ten civilians out of ten would think she was a hero.
"I studied monster genes. Their violence isn't natural—it's caused by hidden factors. I failed countless times, until I used my own serum. Then they evolved, but also gained emotional control."
Genus grew excited at the technical talk.
Saitama barely understood, but got the gist:
These monsters could actually be… good guys.
"Fine. But following you is expensive."
Saitama said flatly.
"Heh heh…"
Banner and Genus exchanged nervous looks.
"It's not much. Just fifty million White Yuan monthly research funds. In return, all research results belong to you. Absolute control. Contract ready."
"Pfft—"
Saitama almost spat blood.
Fifty million?!
Here, only a couple of S-class heroes had real money. He was nowhere near that rich.
Seeing Saitama about to leave, they panicked.
"Thirty million! Thirty million is enough! We're researching a genetic serum to unlock human gene locks! I'm close to a breakthrough!"
Banner shouted.
"If not, you can just use Asura, Christina, Beast King, and Gorilla as punching bags. They're strong!"
The monsters trembled, looking like whipped dogs.
"Twenty-five million. No more."
Saitama haggled like an online shopper.
"Deal!! Oh yeah! Genus, open the champagne!"
Banner slapped his hands together with joy.
Genus muttered, "We only planned twenty million anyway… the extra five million is just a bonus."
Saitama: "…"
Fubuki and Saturday covered their mouths, giggling.
"That salted fish just got fleeced. So satisfying~~~"
Cleanup fell to Banner.
At least Saitama wasn't totally broke—Fubuki made good money, Saturday's salary was basically his, and he earned side cash from Child Emperor.
Life was comfortable… until research bled him dry.
Science was a bottomless pit.
Banner swore the gene serum was close, but Saitama's wallet was already in ruins.
To support three women and a lab, Saitama felt the same pressure he had back when he worked overtime with a full head of black hair.
At Child Emperor's lab:
"You're early today, Child Emperor. I thought you'd sleep in. Hello, Dr. Banner."
Child Emperor greeted them politely.
After all, Saitama was now S2, higher ranked than him.
This time Saitama had dragged Banner along—extra labor for extra cash.
"Hmph! Lazy bum, tell me what's going on!"
Tatsumaki snapped, surprisingly dressed in a beige off-shoulder dress, her short hair giving her a unique charm.
"Eight hundred million White Yuan."
Saitama said casually, raising his hands to show the number.
Child Emperor nearly had a stroke.
Tatsumaki froze, then burst out laughing.
Saitama had learned nothing but price hikes.
"This world is more dangerous," Saitama said calmly.
"And I'm bringing Banner too, so double the cost."
Banner: "…"
Holy crap. Side jobs were this easy?!
"Fine… if you can do it. Eight hundred million. Tatsumaki, lend me a little, please…"
Child Emperor wept as he handed over the cash.
Satisfied, Saitama nodded.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
They dove into the black hole.
[Ding! Honored Saitama, the Dimensional Plane System welcomes you. Bring Banner as your partner? Remaining trips: 100]
"Select."
[Ding! One trip consumed. Banner will accompany you. Have a nice jump!]
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]