"Who are you?" Tatsumaki demanded, wary. "I've never heard of you among Earth's powerhouses."

The danger Kaiser exuded surpassed even Blast's. Unlike Blast, whose presence was intense, Kaiser's was eerily serene.

"There are many strong individuals you don't know." Kaiser replied, studying her. "I'm not the only one."

Unfortunately, Tatsumaki held no value for a luck trade. Her telekinetic power had reached the limit her body and soul could bear. Unleashing her full strength would strain her to the breaking point, leaving no room for growth. Her mind and body, though vastly disparate, were strangely balanced. Interfering with either could disrupt that equilibrium, doing more harm than good. Kaiser abandoned the idea of trading with her.

"I have great respect for the Hero Association's heroes." He said. "If you ever face something you can't handle, seek out Genos. Behind him stands a powerhouse beyond imagination."

"Beyond imagination?" Tatsumaki scoffed inwardly. If anyone else had said this, she'd have lashed out. Who could surpass Blast? Or her? But coming from Kaiser, she took it seriously.

"I'd love to see how strong you really are." She said, her eyes wary but eager.

"You're no match for me." Kaiser replied. "Don't waste your energy."

He paused, then added, "A word of warning: a powerhouse from the cosmos is heading to Earth. In about twenty days, if all goes as expected, they'll arrive. By the Hero Association's standards, without Blast or the one behind Genos, this being would be classified as God-level... a force capable of scouring the planet's surface. Among their subordinates is a telekinetic master, touted as the universe's greatest. Their power can even halt a black hole. If you're interested, you might test yourself against them."

Tatsumaki's pupils constricted. Her knowledge of gods was limited, gleaned from rumors tied to Blast's disappearance, possibly linked to divine beings.

"Is that true?" She blurted, her composure shaken.

"Of course." Kaiser said. "The great seer Shibabawa should soon prophesy this. This group is a good sparring opportunity. Earth's waters run deep."

A golden glint flashed in Kaiser's dark eyes, and an immense pressure descended. Tatsumaki found herself pinned to the ground.

"You!" She gasped, incredulous. She could accept Kaiser's strength, but not that her telekinesis... her pride... was so effortlessly suppressed. Under his restraint, she felt as powerless as a mortal, her abilities unresponsive no matter how she tried.

No response. The gap was simply too vast.

"Who's this?" Saitama asked, returning to the House of Evolution with a bag of discounted groceries.

Since the House of Evolution joined them, Saitama no longer worried about money or food. Its residents had impressive skills, and he was quite content.

"Just someone from the Hero Association paying a visit." Kaiser replied casually. "She's an S-Rank hero, like Genos and King... colleagues, I suppose."

"Oh, a colleague of Genos and King." Saitama said, lifting his bag. "Wanna join us for dinner?"

"No, thanks!" Tatsumaki snapped, teeth gritted.

Her curiosity about Saitama deepened. He clearly knew Genos and King. She was familiar with Genos, a recent S-Rank, but King was different... the so-called strongest man on the surface, and yet he was connected to them.

"Oh, by the way." Dr. Genus added, as if recalling something, "Zombieman, who came from the House of Evolution, is also an S-Rank hero. I believe he's ranked eighth."

"Zombieman?" Tatsumaki's eyes widened. "He came from here?"

A small research facility tied to three S-Rank heroes was astonishing.

"Teacher, we're back." Genos announced, entering with King. They'd been with Saitama earlier but had split off to handle a monster incident.

"Perfect timing! Dinner's ready." Saitama said, unbothered.

"What you just told me, I'll report to the Hero Association's higher-ups." Tatsumaki said. "So, can you let me go now?"

She had no interest in staying for a meal, though she glanced at Saitama. Genos's earlier "teacher" was clearly directed at him.

Kaiser withdrew his telekinesis, and Tatsumaki felt her power surge back.

"See ya!" She called, rocketing into the sky and vanishing.

"Hey, something big's coming!" Tatsumaki shouted, kicking open the Hero Association's doors.

Elsewhere, in the cosmos.

"Goryuganshup, how long until we reach Earth?" Boros asked from his throne at the center of the spaceship.

"Lord Boros, based on our course, no more than twenty Earth days." Goryuganshup replied respectfully.

"Twenty days, huh?" Boros's single eye gleamed with indifference. "No rush."

He was too strong, unmatched, with little attachment to the world. Upon learning of a worthy opponent on Earth, he'd set out immediately.

"I hope there's truly someone who can match me." Boros murmured, closing his eye. "I've been lonely for too long…"

His heart burned with anticipation for a thrilling battle.

***

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