"You… you've been watching this whole time? Saitama?"
Strange's eyes bulged, his heart thudding in disbelief.
"I've been watching the whole time. What's the problem?" Saitama replied seriously.
Watching… the whole time?
Strange felt his scalp go numb. The Eye of Agamotto, one of the six Infinity Stones—the Time Stone—couldn't affect Saitama at all? Even the Ancient One and Dormammu were bound by it… but Saitama wasn't? Did that mean this bald man was even stronger than them?
"I checked it out. Looks like you can't save the Ancient One this way. Next time, rewind to the moment she comes out. I'll step in and help save her," Saitama said plainly.
Strange: "..."
Big brother! Why didn't you say so earlier?! If you're this strong, why let me suffer like this?!
But against Dormammu, Strange's nerves still screamed with tension.
"Fine! We'll do it your way!"
He activated the Eye again, the Time Stone's power rippling.
The world rewound.
"Dormammu, look here!"
The Ancient One burst forth from the darkness, blazing sun-wheels in her hands, ripping apart the void. Dormammu roared, his massive head locking onto her.
Darkness twisted, condensing into a black blade that thrust toward her chest—
Clang!
The blade froze. Inches from her heart.
The Ancient One gasped. Her corrupted magic had turned against her… but something—no, someone—stopped it.
A bald man stood silently in the void, hand gripping the black blade.
Power that could shatter her defenses with ease was immobilized, welded still in Saitama's palm.
"Saitama?!"
Her eyes widened, searching his gaze. She saw something profound within, beyond time, beyond fate.
"So… it was you who saved me."
The Ancient One exhaled, a faint smile of relief softening her features. She couldn't see her own future—only chaos, only endless darkness. Yet, somehow, she hadn't died. Because of him.
And she noticed Strange. The rivers of time clung to him, scars of the countless rewinds. She saw her deaths. She saw his desperate attempts.
"Strange… you've done well. Thank you."
Strange's chest tightened.
Saved. The Ancient One was saved!
Saitama studied the writhing darkness around him. Even the blade squirmed in his grasp, trying to invade his body. His grip tightened, and the dark energy shattered like glass.
"Ancient One, leave this monster to me. Hide for now," Saitama said flatly, turning to face Dormammu.
Hide?
The Ancient One froze. Strange and Mordo were dumbfounded.
"Does he… does he mean to fight Dormammu alone?! That's insane!"
"Quick, let's cover the Master! Mordo!" Strange shouted.
But the Ancient One only smiled gently. "Then I'll leave this to you, Saitama."
She withdrew her magic and descended beside her disciples.
"Master… you?!" Strange nearly choked. Dormammu could only be held back by her—and yet she entrusted everything to this stranger?
The Ancient One said nothing. She unfastened the Eye of Agamotto and placed it on Strange.
Her eyes had read his soul. He had tried again and again to save her, to preserve her life. He was a true Sorcerer Supreme.
"Strange, you are a true genius. I had planned to pass the mantle to you eventually. Now… take the Eye."
Strange trembled, overwhelmed. To receive the Eye directly—this was succession. The Ancient One had chosen him.
Her body glowed with holy light, the black mark on her brow fading. Without the darkness, her lifespan ebbed quickly. She flickered like a candle in the wind. Yet her smile was serene, divine.
"Don't grieve. Saitama will inherit my title. He will be the most invincible Sorcerer Supreme in history."
Her words dazzled them.
High above, Saitama crushed Dormammu's dark blade into dust. He stood like a stone in the tide, darkness rushing past him, unable to move him an inch.
"Your power… incredible. Even your true self is this strong? Submit to me, and I'll grant you eternal life. More power than you could ever imagine!" Dormammu's voice trembled.
It had devoured worlds, ruled dimensions—but never had it seen a being like this. Even its vast lifetimes had never encountered such a monster.
"The Ancient One has gambled everything on you… but she's a fool. Even if she could see past and future, this is her worst mistake!"
Dormammu's laughter thundered.
Saitama scratched his ear, glancing at his watch.
"…Are you done? I don't have time for this."
(End of Chapter)
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