"Buzz—!"
A surge of psychic power suddenly descended—more refined, sharper, and purer than Geryuganshoop's chaotic energy.
The alien psychic froze. The space around it had solidified in an instant, and the vast energy it had just gathered for its final self-destructive attack was completely locked down.
Then—
"Ughhh ahhhh—!!!"
Its massive octopus-like body was seized, pulled, and violently twisted by the overwhelming force. It was like watching a child wring out a wet rag for fun. Purple blood and shredded organs burst from its wounds as its body was crushed under the relentless grip.
Had Geryuganshoop been at its peak—when its mastery of psychic combat and cosmic-level energy manipulation was intact—it might have contended with Tatsumaki for a time. Perhaps even ignited a psychic battle that could shake the heavens.
But now?
It had already been crippled by Saitama's casual "pebble," its psychic core fractured and weakened. Wrapped in Tatsumaki's merciless psychic stranglehold, it couldn't even muster a proper struggle.
"Hmph. Trash."
Tatsumaki's cold snort cut through the chaos. She tightened her small fist, intending to twist the so-called "Universe's Greatest Psychic" into nothing more than a bloody pulp.
"Wait."
Kaito's calm voice broke the silence. "Keep it alive. It still has debts to pay. It doesn't get to die that easily."
Tatsumaki frowned, lips curling in displeasure, but she relented. Her grip loosened just enough.
With a dull thud, Geryuganshoop dropped to the floor like a discarded doll, barely clinging to life.
Kaito crouched down, his eyes level with its fading orange gaze. "Do you want to live?"
The alien's tentacles twitched weakly.
Its pride, once as vast as the cosmos, had been obliterated. Faced with extinction, it latched onto the faintest shred of hope. It nodded frantically, spurting more violet blood in its desperation.
"Good." Kaito rose smoothly to his feet. "From now on, your life and your power belong to me. The details… we'll discuss later."
Moments earlier, Kaito had decided against killing the creature outright. Why waste its potential for a meager bit of deterrence, when it could be put to better use?
First: as the commander of this spaceship, Geryuganshoop clearly possessed piloting authority. Once Saitama took down Boros, the ship would otherwise crash or be scrapped for parts. But if controlled? It could be repurposed—a vessel for future expeditions into the stars.
Kaito had no intention of staying Earthbound forever. The universe was vast, and it was waiting to be explored.
Second: Geryuganshoop's mastery of gravity manipulation. As Kaito's own abilities kept advancing, the gravity chamber that Child Emperor built would soon be obsolete. But here was a living, adaptable, cosmic-level gravity engine. A training partner with no fixed limits.
As for betrayal? Kaito wasn't worried. Before he was strong enough to crush it outright, he could simply bribe Saitama with food and let the creature stay at Saitama's home. Against Saitama's absolute strength—power capable of erasing gods with a single punch—no trick or scheme could ever succeed.
Kaito glanced at Tatsumaki. "Wrap it up. Don't let it die."
"I know, I know. So troublesome!" she complained. But her hand flicked anyway. Emerald psychic energy unraveled from her like unbreakable film, wrapping and binding the alien's mangled body layer by layer.
Soon, Geryuganshoop was compressed into a pulsating, sealed orb less than a meter wide. The barrier isolated it from the outside world, but carefully preserved its last flicker of life.
Kaito smiled faintly and reached out to ruffle Tatsumaki's hair. She wriggled in token resistance before letting him stroke her head.
Then Kaito turned to Pig God, who was happily chewing on a hamburger. "Could I trouble you to hold onto this for now?"
He remembered how, in the original timeline, Pig God had once swallowed heroes whole to keep them safe, spitting them out unharmed later.
"Mmm!" Pig God gave a cheerful OK gesture, opened his cavernous mouth, and gulped down the psychic orb in one go.
"Thanks." Kaito patted his massive belly. "When we get back, I'll treat you to a full Monster Feast. I heard Deep Sea King sashimi is top-tier."
At that, Pig God's eyes lit up like stars, drool soaking into his shirt. He had no vices—only a boundless love for food.
"Hey!" Tatsumaki tugged at Kaito's sleeve, puffing her cheeks. "Don't forget I helped too!"
"Of course not." Kaito smiled, pulling out a golden VIP card with a flourish. "This is a year-long 'Nutritional Custom Meal' pass at Cloudtop Restaurant. I booked it just for you."
Tatsumaki's emerald eyes lit up like stars. For a moment, she looked ready to cheer aloud—then quickly caught herself, coughed lightly, and crossed her arms with a haughty tilt of her chin.
"Hmph! Well… at least you have some conscience!"
The other S-Class Heroes were stunned.
That short-tempered loli, who usually blasted people into walls for the smallest annoyance, had just shown a… maidenly side?
Atomic Samurai stroked his chin thoughtfully. "King… this guy… he couldn't be some kind of tranquilizer specifically made to keep Tatsumaki in check, could he?"
"I'd say he's more like an animal trainer," Zombieman added with his usual flat tone.
"You know," Child Emperor suddenly piped up, his eyes glinting with mischief, "if Mr. King and Miss Tatsumaki's genes were combined… wouldn't the strongest esper in history be born?"
Kaito's gaze snapped toward the boy.
Good heavens, cheeky brat. You really dare to say that out loud?
Sure enough—
Bang!
A loose screw shot past Child Emperor's head, embedding itself deep into the alloy wall.
Tatsumaki's face was flushed crimson as she glared at everyone. "If anyone spouts nonsense like that again, this lady will personally launch you into the sun!"
Everyone instinctively took three steps back. Only Kaito reached forward, casually pinching her puffed cheeks as if testing her threat level.
"Alright. Time to focus on the real fight."
Kaito lifted his head, the steady rhythm of the Emperor Engine quickening in his chest.
Through his mech clone's vision, he saw it—Saitama had already confronted Boros. The caped hero's casual punch had shattered the armor restraining Boros's true power.
Now, the alien warlord was transforming, entering his second stage. The true earth-shaking battle was about to begin.
Around Kaito, crimson-gold aura blazed to life, wrapping him in a murderous flame. It cast his sharp, godlike features in shifting light and shadow.
His attributes had grown again and again—pushing his very essence toward perfection. Even his appearance had evolved, his presence resembling that of a being who had transcended the human realm.
Like cultivators in the old myths, he thought. True power never came with ugliness.
Kaito's voice rang out, calm yet burning with anticipation.
"Gentlemen—are you ready to witness the fall of a cosmic overlord?"
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