"Damn it all!!"
The Subterranean King, mid-battle, froze in terror as he noticed the bald man. He threw himself in the way, tearing off his own flesh to protect Saitama. Despite the agony, his face showed only fear and unease.
"Oh? Monsters?"
Saitama paused, his dead-fish eyes glancing up at the Subterranean King and its foe.
Both god-level creatures halted their clash instantly.
Ultron pulled back from his mental control, his face pale.
They were too strong.
Even with the Mind Stone, forcing them to act had nearly burned through his willpower.
Still—it was enough.
They had noticed the bald man. If Saitama's spirit was killed here, his body would fall in reality. His will would be Ultron's.
But something was wrong.
The air went dead silent.
The towering monsters shook like children caught misbehaving. Their roars turned to pitiful whimpers.
"Oh? You say this supermarket was one you made them keep for Saturday discounts? No wonder the prices were cheap. Hm? And you haven't hurt good people? Then forget it… just fight somewhere else. Even monsters can change if they want to."
Saitama said it casually, grocery bags dangling from his hands.
Then he walked away, the evening sun glowing against his back like a retired old man heading home.
The two monsters collapsed to the ground in relief, gasping, exchanging looks of mutual respect.
Ultron stared in disbelief.
What?
Why did monsters who massacred thousands… respect him? Protect his supermarket?
But there was no time to think.
The Subterranean King and the other god-level monster turned on him.
"ROAR!!!"
Their wrath thundered down, shaking the ground as they charged.
Even with the Mind Stone, Ultron nearly shut down.
"W-Wait! Listen to me! Don't you monsters have any sense of honor?!"
His protests vanished beneath the sound of his own screams as they tore into him.
The mindscape collapsed into chaos.
In reality—
Only an instant had passed.
But Ultron staggered backward, clutching his head, his face twisted in pain.
His body had been annihilated in Saitama's mental world. If not for the Mind Stone keeping a fragment of his will alive, he would be a drooling husk.
Now he was barely more than that—his head splitting, his will shaking.
"You look like you're in pain. What happened?"
Saitama asked curiously.
Ultron nearly vomited blood.
Not long ago, as a mere machine, he knew he couldn't beat Saitama. Now, as Vision-Ultron—upgraded, enhanced—
He still couldn't win.
In 0.0000001 seconds, he calculated the best strategy.
Run.
But this time, after witnessing Saitama's speed, he knew better.
"Saitama… I admit it. You are the strongest being I've ever encountered. None compare. Even across the universe, you surpass all others."
His voice trembled. His circuits screamed under the pressure of standing before this man.
"Mm? So? You gonna beg?"
Saitama scratched his cheek.
"Uh…"
Ultron hesitated, then forced a smile.
"Cough… Well, in truth, we don't need to be enemies. I only wanted to protect Earth, to bring true peace. If you like, I'll let you lead humanity. You'll be the only, the greatest hero."
He tried to tempt him.
"Not interested. Are you done talking? If so, I'm gonna hit you now."
Saitama rolled up his sleeves.
Ultron's face darkened, rage flashing through him.
"Saitama! Look well! If you kill me, the Earth dies with me!!"
The ground shook violently.
A massive projection appeared—
Sokovia.
A thriving town, its homes and streets alive with people. Now, fire and ruin consumed it.
Robots massacred civilians. Heroes fought desperately.
But what made Saitama frown was the land itself—
It was splitting apart, glowing with engines beneath.
"Heheheh… See it? Sokovia! I've poured all my vibranium into it. Once it rises high enough and falls… the Earth will shatter! Then even in death, I win! Hahahahaha!"
Ultron's laughter rang manic and wild.
He had been forced this far, but he still believed he was cleverer. This bald fool was just a blockhead.
"Oh?"
Saitama looked up blankly at the rising landmass.
"Master, he isn't lying. Vibranium is a high-energy alloy. If it falls from such a height, the Earth will be destroyed."
Saturday Sale warned gravely.
"Then there's no time to waste."
Saitama muttered.
"Well? Have you thought it over? Saitama, if you just—"
"Normal Punch."
The flat murmur cut him off.
No warning.
The red glove filled Ultron's vision.
Too fast.
It slammed down.
Ultron's eyes widened, the snarl twisting into horror.
"I am not Vision! I cannot die—"
His words broke off into a scream, fear replacing madness.
(End of Chapter)
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