The people around nodded in agreement. They also felt it was impossible. After all, he was the Gold List's First Place, a figure who built a mysterious place like the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower and had abilities equivalent to the Gold List itself. How could he be scared and run because of Third Place? That would be the world's biggest joke.
It must be as Tobirama said: he just didn't want to hurt Saitama for now and gave him space to grow.
Kizaru frowned looking toward where the black-robed figure disappeared in the sky, his eyes slightly narrowed. As someone who had met First Place directly before, he had the same feeling as Saitama. This First Place felt very strange.
Back then, the First Place they met didn't use a black robe to cover his face. Conversely, that person looked very ordinary; although eyes saw toward him, in an instant the memory of his physical features would disappear from the subconscious. As if all information about that person couldn't stay even for a moment in the mind. His concealment method was so high it was beyond reason, unlike today's figure who still had to rely on a black robe to hide.
Moreover, back then Kizaru lost one of his arms just for being slightly impolite. Added to that was the terrifying demon that appeared during the Mary Geoise war some time ago—suspected to be the work of the Second Place black cat—Kizaru had already felt firsthand how bad that cat's nature was.
"Is Saitama really that strong?" Tatsumaki gaped, her eyes staring blankly toward Saitama in the sky.
This was the first time she saw Saitama's true power, and it truly stunned her.
Bang, although very shaken in his heart, could more or less already guess Saitama's power, so his condition was slightly better than Tatsumaki's.
"Of course, Sensei's power is beyond your imagination!" Genos looked up proudly, as if his teacher was the best in the world. He had an almost blind admiration for Saitama.
"Saitama-kun..." King looked at Saitama's figure with a twitching expression.
Was this the same Saitama he had thoroughly beaten when playing games at his house? King began sweating coldly remembering how he bullied Saitama in games, laughing with hands on hips, while Saitama could only rage with veins protruding on his forehead because he was helpless.
'What have I done! What if this person someday can't hold back and gives him one punch? There might not even be ash remains of me!'
He felt very dreadful. He even remembered once telling Saitama to replace the broken game controller. It seemed he had truly been too bold; just a broken controller, broken is broken!
At the same time, King felt soaring. The unmatched Third Place figure of the Gold List, Saitama, was actually beaten like a loser by him in video games. Wasn't this also an extraordinary honor?
Saitama who was in the air clenched his fist. The black hole beside him had already closed and automatically recovered, the sky returned to calm.
"It turns out my power is still not enough... he wasn't even willing to attack me. Do I still not have that qualification..."
The people below fell silent without words. If power that terrifying was considered unqualified, then what are we?
Ants?
But to that mysterious First Place, perhaps they all indeed were no different from ants.
The wings on Saitama's back flapped slowly as he descended from the air. The armor on his body shrank back into his skin, and he returned to his original form: a man with a bald head wearing a red cloak. Saitama rubbed his bald head, then took out the Gold List reward wig and put it back on.
That wig immediately rooted and lengthened. Saitama looked satisfied.
There were three things he cared about most: first, because he was too strong he couldn't find opponents and wanted to find someone who could give him a great battle. Second, his bald head; he had an almost crazy obsession with hair. Third, big sales at supermarkets; monsters could be released, but sales couldn't be missed.
"Saitama, you truly deserve the title of the Gold List's third place fighter. We truly witnessed your power this time, truly soul-shaking!" Sengoku approached with a smile on his face.
"We can be considered old friends. You took Imu away for us, that's a great contribution. If you have time, stop by the World Council for tea, I'll host you myself!"
Saitama looked at him strangely and asked: "As I remember, that person named Imu was once your superior, right? I took him away, why are you thanking me instead?"
Sengoku coughed lightly: "Times have changed. The World Government in the past indeed had many shortcomings; the Tenryuubito acted arbitrarily until the people suffered. I was just a Fleet Admiral who could be said to be the World Government's puppet; there were things I was forced to do. Imu was too strong to oppose, and because you took him away, we just had the opportunity to rise. It could be said, you are a friend and savior to the World Council!"
Amazing, the others thought inwardly. Sengoku directly raised Saitama's status to "savior."
Genos and Fubuki exchanged glances in the distance. Other people also felt exasperated. This old man, to establish connections, truly had no more shame.
"We'll see later." Saitama waved his hand, not too interested in tea matters.
He knew the opposing party was just being polite. Although he sometimes appeared dazed, he absolutely wasn't stupid. Conversely, he was very smart. Smart until his head was bald and shiny.
Tobirama now also approached with Jiraiya and the others. He bowed respectfully to Saitama before saying: "Now that man named Gin has been taken away by First Place, other items he obtained we can't possess anymore. However, he managed to scatter all the Senzu Beans earlier. How many did you all get?"
Previously, to break up attention, Gin destroyed the bean jar. Those beans were thrown everywhere and their subordinates were busy collecting them.
Sengoku glanced at him and said with a fake smile: "Not many, not many. On the contrary, I see you all seem to have seized quite a lot!"
Tobirama answered flatly: "We also didn't get many, definitely not as much as you all."
Bang and the others felt helpless. They were the ones who obtained the fewest Senzu Beans, because the overall strength of the other two worlds was far stronger than the hero faction. In terms of collection techniques, the ninjas from the Naruto world had endless ways, so the hero faction couldn't compete.
Moreover, many beans were thrown to outer areas and fought over by spectators. When everyone was focused watching the earlier battle, many people had already run after gaining benefits. Now it was impossible to track them. They all felt regret. If they had known it would end like this, they wouldn't have pressured Gin excessively, which resulted in mass losses.
"Since this Sacred Ruins Tower trial has ended and its next appearance isn't yet known where, we'll take our leave first. Regarding what was discussed before, I hope you'll pay more attention to it. This is for all our good." Sengoku nodded slightly, giving signals to Tobirama and Saitama before departing.