Inside the shelter Thanks to the various armor and protective devices installed on the exterior, the deafening noise caused by the monster’s attacks was reduced to faint vibrations.
The people trapped in the shelter stared at the ceiling, which occasionally trembled, their moods fluctuating along with it.
An unknown amount of time passed, and the faint rumbling from outside gradually ceased.
A bored, black-haired youth sitting in a corner suddenly looked up.
“Huh?
Did the noise outside stop?” Hearing this, others quickly realized the same thing.
“It seems so!” “I haven’t felt any vibrations for a while now!” “Does that mean the monster has been eliminated?” “…” Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion, the overhead broadcast began to announce, as if responding to their questions.
“Latest news.
The suspected Demon-level disaster that appeared in Z-City has been neutralized by the Class A Rank 30 hero, Super Cop.
Z-City has now been restored to peace.
We thank the hero for his contribution!” “Latest news…” The Hero Association’s broadcast echoed throughout Z-City, and the large screens installed inside the various shelters also displayed promotional advertisements to match.
On the screen, Kenji wore a handsome, crisp police uniform with his shirt sleeves rolled up.
His fists burned with azure flames as they landed like phantoms on a hideous lizard monster.
Immediately after, the scene transitioned, showcasing the various monsters Kenji had defeated, including the crane monster in A-City that was actually finished off by Tatsumaki.
Although it was obvious that the promotional video mostly used ordinary footage captured by street surveillance cameras, post-production restoration techniques clearly recreated every detail of the battles.
Accompanied by top-tier music and editing, it gave off the vibe of an action-packed blockbuster.
“Whoa!
Is he a new hero?
He’s so handsome!” “He can control lightning!
Another psychic-type hero!” “So strong!
He actually defeated the monsters barehanded!” “Duh, he debuted straight as a Class A hero.
Of course he’s strong!” “Do you think he killed that giant insect outside the same way?” Hiss— With the sound of an airlock releasing, the main doors of the shelter swung wide open.
Seeing the light of day again, the people were plunged into immense joy.
Some ran toward the exit shouting in excitement, while others raised their phones to record Kenji’s heroic posture as he beat up the lizard monster on the screen.
In investor terms, Kenji’s traffic was rapidly monetized at this moment, with most of the rescued citizens spontaneously becoming his fans.
The people around him all ran off, leaving the black-haired youth, who originally wanted to leave the most, no longer in a hurry.
He looked at the hero information displaying Super Cop Kenji on the screen, slowly stood up, and stretched lazily.
“So it’s Kenji.
He did a pretty good job.” Suddenly, his expression changed, and he reached out to clutch his stomach.
“This isn’t right!
I can’t hold it in anymore.
I need to find a toilet right now.” Saying that, he bolted past the crowd and dashed out of the shelter exit ahead of everyone else.
“Ah!
What a strong gust of wind!” “Who just pushed me?!” A gap was forced open in the crowded mass of people, and the black-haired youth’s figure sped through it.
Up in the sky, Kenji also heard the Hero Association’s broadcast.
“So the official hero name they settled on is Super Cop?” Kenji pondered for a moment and then accepted it.
“Well, it’s better than that edgy Raging Thunder from before.
And at the very least, it sounds better than Caped Baldy.
Huh…” A sprinting figure below caught his attention: a familiar old tracksuit and superhuman speed.
“Isn’t that Saitama!” Just as he was about to go down and say hello, he saw the guy dive headfirst into a relatively intact public toilet among the ruins.
“Uh…” Kenji immediately retracted all his telekinesis scattered in the outside world, afraid of picking up some smelly sensory information.
He hadn’t seen the guy in a few days and originally wanted to grab a meal with him, but right now, Kenji had retracted that thought.
“Maybe next time.” Besides, to that guy, they had just eaten hotpot together yesterday.
But facts proved that some things just couldn’t be avoided.
“Ken—ji—I am—over—here~” Just as he turned around and was about to fly away, Kenji’s body stiffened.
“What a coincidence…” Kenji landed and observed Saitama’s hands from a distance.
Hmm, very clean.
Which means he didn’t wash his hands.
Kenji silently took two steps back.
“By the way, why were you in the shelter?” “Well, it’s a long story…” Saitama paused, looking a bit embarrassed.
Being pinned down by people in a shelter, unable to get away, and thus failing to fight the monster…
he would absolutely never say that out loud.
Especially to let Kenji, who knew he was working hard to become a hero, find out.
It was just too humiliating.
“Then let’s not talk about it,” Kenji said, changing the subject.
Thinking about the Limiter Fragments that had recently cleared his card inventory, he decided to invite him.
“I’m planning to have a barbecue on the balcony tonight.
Do you want to come?” “Eh, barbecue?” Saitama was tempted and scratched his head.
“Didn’t we just eat hotpot yesterday…” Kenji’s telekinesis precisely caught a Limiter Fragment that suddenly materialized.
He kept a straight face.
“It’s my treat today.
Just tell me if you’re coming or not.” “Sure, sure!” Kenji pointed in the direction of the toilet.
“Then go wash your hands.” “Ah, you noticed…
I was just in too much of a hurry earlier!
I’m usually very hygienic!” Saitama’s expression froze.
“But is washing hands really that important?” …
Sizzle, sizzle…
On the grill pan loaded with ingredients, the fresh pork belly sizzled and dripped oil as it roasted.
Whenever the dripping fat met the red-hot bamboo charcoal, bright flames would occasionally burst up with a poof.
Saitama squatted in front of the grill, fanning it vigorously.
The meat scorched by the flames quickly cooked through, and a tantalizing aroma instantly wafted out.
He couldn’t help but take a deep breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his appetite was greatly aroused.
“Kenji, the meat is almost done.
Have you mixed the sauce yet?” “Coming, coming.” Kenji walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of barbecue sauce, condiments, and dipping dishes.
He pulled over a folding chair with his telekinesis and sat down.
“Don’t be in such a rush.
When it comes to charcoal barbecue, the sauce is the key, understand?” Saitama busily flipped the meat and mushrooms on the grill.
“I don’t understand that.
I just know I’m starving to death.” “Alright, then let’s eat.” Kenji picked up a basting brush, slathered the prepared barbecue sauce over the crispy, golden-brown pork belly, and signaled for Saitama to dig in.
The two of them each opened a bottle of chilled beer and clinked glasses.
They wrapped the piping hot meat in fresh, crisp lettuce and took a bite.
The tender, springy meat and rich sauce exploded in their mouths, instantly giving meaning to all their earlier hard work.
“Hot, hot, hot…
But Kenji, your sauce is really delicious.” “Of course.
When it comes to eating, I am a professional.” The ingredients in the refrigerator dwindled at a visible rate, and even the grill pan was changed no less than ten times.
Because his body’s functions demanded energy intake far beyond that of a normal person, Kenji already had a massive appetite.
After meeting him, Saitama’s appetite had also been growing by the day.
Now, the two bottomless pits were hitting their stride, and the battle on the balcony grew increasingly fierce.
Thanks to the results of his training, Saitama had gone from being completely outclassed by Kenji at the start to now being able to snatch food right from the tiger’s mouth, barely maintaining a fifty-fifty tie.
The existence of plot armor was undeniably powerful.
Of course, Kenji wasn’t going all out.
Just the Limiter Fragments that dropped along with Saitama’s hair from time to time made it worth going easy on him.
A whole crate of beer later, Saitama rubbed his bulging stomach and let out a deeply satisfied burp.
“I can’t do it anymore.
I can’t eat another bite.
If I keep eating, I feel like I won’t even be able to fit into my suit tomorrow morning!” “How can a real man say he can’t?
We’re barely getting started…” Ring, ring, ring…
Kenji scraped the grilled pineapple and beef cubes onto Saitama’s plate when, suddenly, the phone on the coffee table rang.
Kenji stood up and handed the barbecue tongs to Saitama.
“Excuse me, I need to take this call.” Saitama took them and leaped up from the lounge chair.
His usually dead-eyes suddenly burned with passion.
“Go on, go on.
Leave this plate of barbecue to me!” “I really appreciate your hard work.” “Hello, this is Kenji.” Returning indoors, Kenji answered the call, and a familiar female voice came through the receiver.
“Ah, Miss Lani, good evening.” The phone floated by Kenji’s ear as he turned on the faucet in the kitchen to wash his hands.
“Your two subordinates?
Oh, I saw them, but the situation was a bit urgent at the time…
It’s fine, there’s no need to apologize.
Besides, I already found out my finalized official hero name through the news.” Washing off the grease, he dried his hands with a towel.
“…Let’s skip the press conference.
I’m not really interested in the so-called hero rankings, so you guys can just handle it…
Operational funds and hero stipends?
I remember putting down my bank card on the info sheet last time, right?
Alright, just transfer it to that account.
Thank you.” Telekinesis carried the phone back to the coffee table, while Saitama’s muffled voice came from the balcony.
“Kenji, are you done yet?
If you don’t come back soon, I really will eat all this barbecue!” “Coming!” Hearing this, the fires of war reignited in Kenji’s eyes.
He immediately rolled up his sleeves and rushed over.
“You sneaky bastard, you really aren’t planning to leave any for me, are you?!” “Too late.
You’ll just have to wait for the next batch.” The war erupted instantly.
On the coffee table, the phone Kenji had just put down beeped, and a text message popped up on the screen.
[ PayPay transfer received: 10,000,000 Yen.
] Neither of the two men, who were re-engaged in their food war, noticed this.
Receiving no attention, the phone screen flickered once and went black.
Ultimately, this spur-of-the-moment barbecue battle lasted late into the night, ending only when Kenji received another phone call.
“The special envoy from headquarters has already arrived at the station?
Alright, Kyoko, please receive her for me.
I will be right there.” Putting down the phone, Kenji took off his shirt, which reeked of barbecue, and walked bare-chested toward the bathroom.
“Saitama, something urgent came up and I have to head out for a bit.
I’ll leave the cleanup to you.” Slumped in the lounge chair on the balcony, Saitama didn’t even look up.
He just raised a hand and made an OK gesture, signaling for him to hurry up and leave.
“Alright, even if you weren’t going out, you’d still leave it to me anyway.” “Hey, what kind of attitude is that?
Do you have a problem with it?” “Nope.
Thanks for the meal~” “That’s more like it.” Kenji stripped off his remaining clothes and stepped into the shower.
Freezing cold water poured down from above, streaming along his lean, well-defined muscles.
“If it gets too late, just don’t go back.
The guest room you stayed in before is still empty.
Just tidy it up yourself.” Saitama’s weak, lethargic voice drifted in from the balcony.
“Yeah, I got it.” Ten minutes later.
“You must be Mr.
Kenji.
The Chief asked me to send his regards!” The person in charge of the reception team sent from the A-City headquarters was a capable-looking female officer with a high ponytail.
Her tall stature and perfect figure happened to completely overshadow Kyoko.
When Kenji arrived, the young female officer forced to work overtime rolled her eyes at him with a forced smile.
She looked exactly like a corporate drone exploited by a heartless boss, her eyes full of resentment.
Unfortunately, her acting failed to penetrate Kenji’s thick skin.
Completely ignoring her, he smiled and shook hands with the mature, sexy headquarters envoy.
“Miss Catherine, you are too polite.
We didn’t know you would arrive so quickly, so please forgive our poor hospitality.” Catherine calmly sized up the tall, handsome young police officer in front of her and gave a faint smile.
“The Chief is paying close attention to this matter, so he ordered us to rush over overnight.
We are the ones who disturbed everyone’s rest.” “Not at all.
It is all for work; it’s only right.” The two exchanged pleasantries, while Kyoko stood in the background, listening and curling her lips in disdain.
‘The only ones actually working are us’ “Without further ado, I will get straight to the point.” Moving on to business, Catherine brushed aside the bangs falling over her forehead, her expression turning serious.
“Mr.
Kenji, where is that batch of energy weapons you mentioned in your report to the Chief?
I hope we can complete the handover as soon as possible so I can return and report back.” “Energy weapons?!” A shocked Kyoko accidentally blurted out.
Under the gazes of the two big shots, she hurriedly covered her mouth, her face flushing bright red.
___ 🎉 Shoutout to Julian Johnson!
Welcome to the VIP club!