"..."
NASA was silent.
Everyone felt their worldview shatter completely.
Satellites and space telescopes could clearly observe scenes in space, but on Earth, with atmospheric interference, it was much more complicated.
—In a remote, uninhabited region—
As the two broke through the atmosphere and plummeted downward, the frost covering Hulk's body melted away from the friction, and his consciousness gradually returned.
"Where… am I? Just now… just now we fought? Saitama?"
Bruce Banner woke up, his head throbbing like it would split apart.
But he seemed to recall the events clearly—
The military had taken him into a base, he destroyed it, he was betrayed by his own father, chased by countless jets and tanks…
And then…
Somehow… he'd gone to the Moon with Saitama?!
"Yeah. So, what are you planning to do now, Bruce?"
Saitama nodded and asked.
Bruce was also a hero, and a righteous one at that. Although he had lost control a few times before, Saitama bore him no ill will.
Otherwise, Bruce might not even be standing here breathing right now.
"I… thank you. Thank you for saving me…"
Piecing the memories together, Bruce let out a bitter smile.
He had now become a monster everyone wanted to kill. Even if he returned, he couldn't escape the military's clutches—they'd lock him up and experiment on him like a lab rat.
As a top scientist, he knew all too well the temptation his mutation posed to the military.
Before, he had held some resentment toward Saitama.
Betty's unexpected fondness for the bald hero had left him feeling jealous or maybe angry—whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant.
But after Saitama saved his life, Bruce's hostility vanished completely.
"You're welcome," Saitama said casually.
"From here on… I'll just take it one step at a time. I can't go back, but I will find a way to control my anger and keep my mind."
Bruce's eyes were firm—there was no other path left for him.
But he knew he'd spend the rest of his life on the run.
Saitama could only offer sympathy.
"If you run into trouble, I can help you out. Of course… I might not always be around."
There was a trace of emotion in Saitama's voice.
It wasn't every day he met someone who could actually take one of his normal punches. Such opponents were rare—so he couldn't help but… value him… ahem, appreciate the challenge.
"Saitama… thank you!"
Bruce was deeply moved, suddenly realizing he'd been too petty before.
Saitama had never once held his recklessness against him, instead treating him as a friend. Truly, a gentleman is open and magnanimous, while a petty man frets over everything—and Bruce was the petty one here!
*Ding! Bruce Banner's friendship with you has reached 100. As this is your first friend in the Marvel world to reach maximum friendship, the system grants you a Marvel Friend Slot 1.
The system's prompt rang in Saitama's mind.
"Friend slot?"
Saitama blinked. This system really didn't play by normal rules.
But after reading the details of the item, even a salted-fish like Saitama couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.
Item: Marvel Friend Slot 1
Level: None, Special Item
Description: A proof of friendship.
Effect: Can bind one Marvel world target with 100 friendship to allow two-way travel to the One Punch World. Remaining travel uses: (0/100).
"Su-go-i! This thing's pretty awesome!"
He could actually bring a Marvel hero back to the One Punch World! Which meant…
This so-called Marvel "bug" of a man standing before him…
"Bruce, interested in coming to my world?"
"No, I'd probably drag you down. The military—wait, what did you just say?!"
Bruce's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Your… world?"
"You mean… Saitama! You're not from this world? There really are parallel universes? No… alternate dimensions?!"
Bruce was stunned. He'd always been suspicious of Saitama's absurd strength.
"Yeah. I'm from the One Punch World. It's similar to yours, but filled with endless monsters and villains—lots of guys who would make you look normal by comparison."
"I'm a professional hero, working for the Hero Association. They wouldn't care if you turned into the Hulk."
Saitama explained.
"One Punch World! No wonder… no wonder… the endless monsters and villains! So many professional heroes… my God!"
Bruce muttered.
Here on Earth, he was a monster to be dissected. But in Saitama's world, as described, he might be considered normal—and maybe even land a decent job.
More importantly, he could escape the military's endless pursuit.
And as a scientist eager to explore the unknown, Bruce's curiosity about the so-called One Punch World burned even stronger.
Still, he hesitated.
There were things on Earth he found hard to leave behind.
"I can always bring you back here. You can hide out at my place when things get rough," Saitama added.
"…Alright! I'll do it!"
Bruce didn't hesitate any further, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Ding! Congratulations, esteemed Saitama-sama, for binding Marvel friend [Hulk]. The target can travel with you both ways. Remaining travel uses: (0/100). Target is obligated to respond to your summons.
(End of Chapter)
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