Jordan's muscular legs coiled, then released.
A sonic boom erupted.
Ultra-high frequency vibrations swept outward in all directions!
Jordan's enhanced senses caught the problem immediately.
Glass windows in surrounding buildings were about to shatter!
Spider-Time extended infinitely. Jordan activated his ability. Pent-up mental energy transformed into tons of soul matter. Countless AT Field barriers manifested in an instant, intercepting the sonic boom before it could spread!
In that same moment, Jordan defied gravity and accelerated. Breaking the sound barrier instantly, he shot straight into the sky like a rocket.
Only then did the sigh of relief slowly dissipate from where he'd stood.
Air resistance crumbled before his enormous kinetic energy. The force field surrounding his body continuously adjusted, evolving into the most aerodynamic shape for flight.
With each successive sonic boom, Jordan's altitude increased steadily.
The cool night breeze became bone-chilling cold. Oxygen content thinned. Temperature plummeted to levels that could freeze steel.
Jordan didn't stop. His body, having broken through its limits, adapted rapidly to the harsh environment and responded accordingly.
Muscle vibration generated high temperatures that counteracted the cold, physically dispelling its invasion!
He continued rising!
Surging psychic power blazed like a torch igniting the night sky. Bursting spiritual particles formed a deep blue tail flame, then scattered into brilliant colors under intensifying cosmic rays and radiation.
Saitama's New Apartment
Having settled into his new home, Saitama sat on a deck chair on the balcony drinking tea. He shaded his eyes and spotted a dazzling streak across the night sky.
"A shooting star!"
Teacup in hand, Saitama grinned. "Seeing a shooting star on moving day feels like a good omen... that's what people say, right?"
That night, not only in Z-City but across the region, countless people saw the shooting star streak across the heavens and made their wishes.
Z-City Police Station - Next Day
"Jordan, the chief wants to see you!"
Anzu, dressed in her uniform shirt and holding a folder against her chest, approached Jordan's desk. Her slender fingers tapped the surface gently.
"On my way." Jordan set down the case file he'd just finished organizing and stood. Noticing Anzu staring, he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Something else?"
"No, it's nothing..." Anzu startled like a rabbit, cheeks flushing as her gaze went distant. "Jordan, is it just my imagination? You seem... different somehow..."
Following the policewoman's gaze, Jordan glanced down. His pectoral muscles, several times larger than before, strained against his crisp uniform in a magnificent silhouette.
Ah. That's what she noticed.
Jordan pressed a finger against Anzu's forehead and pushed the flustered policewoman back. "Okay, you look nice too. Move aside. Didn't you say the chief wanted me?"
Anzu stumbled back from the single-finger push. After processing what happened, her eyebrows shot up. She made a face and stuck out her tongue at Jordan's retreating back. "Bastard! I was being so forward... no wonder you don't have a girlfriend!"
Director's Office
"Chief, you wanted to see me?"
"Sit down. Take a look at this."
Director Zee nodded as Jordan entered, pushing a document across the desk.
Following instructions, Jordan picked it up and scanned at superhuman speed, absorbing information rapidly.
"The Metropolitan Police Department is organizing special training for officers in A-City? You want me to attend?"
"Yes. As an instructor. I've recommended you for the position. Sound good?"
When Jordan emerged from the director's office, confusion still lingered.
Shouldn't the normal course be sending him to training camp to make a name for himself? Win the championship for Z-City Police Department?
How did it turn into him becoming the drill instructor?
Whatever. Instructor or trainee, neither posed any real difficulty.
Journey to A-City
Cities in this world connected via extensive railway networks. Jordan boarded a high-speed train from Z-City to A-City, arriving at A-City Police Headquarters around noon.
"Can I help you?"
Jordan snapped from his thoughts. A capable policewoman stood before him. High ponytail. White shirt and blue police trousers.
Almond-shaped eyes, oval face, shoulder-length hair. She projected a dashing image with excellent bearing, far surpassing certain petty, resentful policewomen back in Z-City.
As expected. Ordinary women in this world were all remarkable. Almost any one could be a protagonist in another story.
Their eyes met. Looking up at the tall young man, the A-City policewoman couldn't help puffing out her chest with pride.
Sensing growing attention around them, Jordan reached into his coat pocket and produced a letter of introduction personally written by Director Zee.
"Z-City Police Officer Jordan, reporting for duty as ordered."
"Ah, so you're a trainee from the special training group..."
"To be precise, I'm an instructor."
"Oh! You're the instructor? Then please, follow me!"
"Thanks."
Following the young policewoman through signature verification, fingerprinting, and registration, Jordan endured the bureaucratic process. Finally, he boarded a bus heading to A-City's outskirts. After an hour's drive, they arrived at a secret training base belonging to the Metropolitan Police Department.
The moment he set down his luggage, a piercing alarm shrieked. Officers rushed toward the training grounds, following directional signs.
What followed was brutal, large-scale training.
On the platform, the chief instructor roared at lung-burning volume.
"Run! All of you, run! You worthless trash!"
"As police officers, you must be prepared to sacrifice yourselves at any moment! If you can't stick to this level of training, how will you protect citizens?"
"Anyone falling behind is eliminated immediately! Useless cowards don't deserve this uniform! Just stay home and wait for some so-called 'hero' to protect you!"
Jordan, having just changed into his training uniform and donned his instructor's armband, stood speechless.
Pretty sure I'm one of those "heroes" now... right?
The conflict between police and heroes ran deep, apparently.
After the first day's grueling training, quite a few promising officers emerged from the specially selected group.
By Hero Association standards, Jordan assessed their strength as roughly C to B-Class level.
Even among ordinary people, they were already outstanding.
As one of several instructors, Jordan simply echoed the chief instructor's high-pitched commands while recording test scores for each subject. Easier than his usual patrol duties, honestly.
Half Month Later
Turned out people were often driven to their limits by pressure.
Even the worst-performing officers made tremendous progress after two weeks of intensive training.
Meanwhile, Jordan's daily life as an instructor remained simple and monotonous.
The class he led doubled its regular training volume. Three additional sessions each morning, afternoon, and evening.
Initially, students with strong individual abilities tried reasoning with their instructor. Under Jordan's smiling suppression, however, not only did they become completely obedient, but students from neighboring classes trembled when they saw Jordan approaching.
What kind of devil is he?!
Training until 4 AM, then immediately rolling into regular morning exercises. Even machines would break down under that regimen!