Saitama once again realized the world before him differed greatly from the one he thought he knew.
In the original Transformers 5, this zone was monitored by the Transformers Reaction Force (TRF).
Since Megatron now knew where he was, the next step was simple.
Saitama's creed was to go straight at the enemy—and punch them out.
As for the system's side quest to protect the girl, he would have Andrew and the others help with that.
With that in mind, Saitama raised his hand radio and told Andrew, who was waiting for news on the other end, "The danger here is cleared. You can come in."
The girl said, "Oh my god—who are you talking to? I already told you this place is dangerous. Why are you letting other people come in?"
"Because I'm protecting you," Saitama replied.
He didn't bother with gentle lies. With Decepticons ruling the field and humanity huddled in fear, this was a moment of crisis. No point in sugarcoating it for a kid.
"I've got a lot of friends. They can protect you too."
As he spoke, Andrew led his soldiers through the ruins to Saitama's position.
"You finally wrapped it up, Saitama!" Andrew greeted him with a relieved grin. In his eyes, Saitama was already a friend. Who wants a friend to risk his life out front while you just wait helplessly in the rear?
Clearly, neither Andrew nor the soldiers following him were that kind of people.
"Andrew, I need a favor." Saitama clapped him on the shoulder, speaking gravely. "We're on Megatron's blacklist now—and because of me, this girl's been marked too. So I want you to help keep her safe. Can you do it?"
"Of course, my friend," Andrew said at once.
But the girl bristled, and the blue ladybug-like bot at her feet chattered in protest.
Saitama crouched to meet her eyes. "I know you don't like it. I also know your boyfriend is in these ruins. But you don't realize how much danger you're in."
She blinked and feigned ignorance. "What boyfriend? I don't know what you're talking about."
Saitama didn't argue. He walked to a dome-like wreck, patted it lightly, and said, "Hey, pal, enough pretending to be asleep. I can feel you."
He didn't know the Autobot's name; when the figure rose, it looked very much like the yellow Autobot from the first film.
"Oh, powerful human—how did you detect me?" the yellow bot asked.
Saitama shrugged. "Who knows—just a feeling."
He didn't babble secrets like a dim-witted isekai protagonist. Ahead lay Quintessa, the sorceress of Cybertron who could bewitch even Optimus Prime—why risk a slip in front of a simple-minded bot?
"Oh, right—one more thing before we go."
He leapt onto another heap of debris—the one where the kids had found a dying robot earlier. With a single punch, he shattered the cracked glass and let the copper-green mech inside gasp the fresh air of Earth.
"Buddy, if you can still hear me, open your eyes. I can help you fulfill your wish."
Ding.
"Quest Unlocked: The Last Knight!
Assist the guardians of Merlin's line in locating the Last Knight!"
Then the surprising part happened.
The bit-part mech who'd had just enough life left to say two lines—died. For real.
His final motion was to place something into Saitama's hand.
As the steadfast Autobot's spark faded, the badge from Merlin's era in Saitama's palm dissolved into a sinuous dragon of light and coiled around his forearm.
"Whoa… what is that?" the girl gasped.
The blue ladybug-bot and her yellow "boyfriend" both felt an ancient, kindred aura roll off Saitama—one that told them this person was worthy of trust, and stirred a distant urge to bow.
In their optics, Saitama became at once stronger and more mysterious.
"Alright, let's move," Saitama said, seeing things here were wrapped up and preparing to lead everyone out.
He hadn't expected the Transformers Reaction Force to show up just then.
"Transformers—you're surrounded! Drop your weapons immediately!"
"What's this about?" Saitama frowned. "Isn't TRF supposed to be handling Transformers elsewhere? Why are they here?"
And then…
He clearly saw a launcher arm snap up and lock a missile.
Boom!
In the cramped space, the tearing shriek of the warhead made the girl, Andrew, and the soldiers think their eardrums had burst.
A figure flashed into the missile's path—Saitama.
He raised his fist and let fly a Serious Punch, blasting the incoming warhead to scrap. He kicked off a nearby wall and rocketed straight at the firing bot.
Bang.
One punch tore the robot apart. Saitama landed behind it as the chassis fell in two.
"Is he even human?" the girl breathed. She'd already seen how strong he was—but this was beyond.
Andrew and his soldiers only shrugged. "You get used to it. Nap time," one muttered.
Across the ruins, Starscream trembled where he hid. "Uru-ru—he's too strong! I think he's even stronger than Lord Megatron!"
Saitama had no idea the bot he'd just wrecked was one Starscream had hijacked with Cybertronian tech. He didn't realize until the girl's "boyfriend" pointed it out—that this was a Decepticon ploy.
So… the Decepticons had officially made their move on him.
(End of Chapter)
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