Rocket blinked in shock.
Beside him, without anyone noticing, stood a bald man in a yellow jumpsuit, red gloves, and a white cape — Saitama, the King of Slackers.
The scorching red-hot branding iron meant for Rocket's face was now firmly gripped in Saitama's hand, stopped cold an inch from the raccoon's forehead.
"You… who the hell are you?!"
Taserface froze, then snarled viciously.
"Me?"
Saitama pointed at himself, about to explain.
"He's my boss! The one those stupid Sovereigns put a bounty on! You're all dead now!"
Rocket's face lit up like he'd won the lottery. He would've jumped for joy if not tied down.
The moment those words fell, a chorus of guns cocked.
Dozens of Ravager rebels raised their weapons, all loyal to Taserface. Yondu's supporters had long since been exiled to space, frozen corpses drifting in the void.
"Did that golden-skinned woman say dead or alive?"
Taserface asked his sniveling advisor.
"Either. Doesn't affect the price."
The advisor answered.
"Kill him!"
Taserface roared.
Gunfire erupted.
Bang bang bang bang bang~~~
A storm of bullets shredded through the air toward Saitama and Rocket. At this range, even a novice couldn't miss.
Rocket shut his eyes tight. Groot did the same beside him. Yondu's face paled — from this angle, they were all going to be turned into swiss cheese.
But then… silence.
The gunfire stopped abruptly, leaving the ship eerily quiet.
Rocket dared to open his eyes.
And froze.
Saitama still stood there, calm as ever. In front of him, the entire squad of Ravagers — Taserface included — stood stiff, their eyes wide and jaws slack.
Every single bullet hung motionless in the air, frozen just inches from Saitama.
The power of space.
Just a fragment of the Space Stone's ability. Normally, Saitama didn't bother — bullets couldn't even scratch him. But with his pets and Groot at risk, he chose to intervene.
"Playing with guns is dangerous. Someone could've gotten hurt."
Saitama muttered.
The power faded, and the bullets clattered uselessly to the floor.
The Ravagers turned white as sheets.
"Don't panic! He's just one man! He can't be invincible!"
Taserface howled, hefting a massive energy cannon and firing point-blank at Saitama's head.
BOOOOM!
The blinding energy beam blasted forth, strong enough to pierce ten centimeters of steel. The recoil forced Taserface back two steps.
And then —
Everyone gawked, nearly dropping their eyes out of their sockets.
Saitama had opened his mouth.
Slurp—gulp.
Burp.
A puff of smoke escaped his lips. The entire energy blast had been swallowed like soda.
The ship went dead silent.
Even Yondu was dumbstruck. In all his life, he'd never seen anyone literally drink an energy cannon.
"Monster… boss…"
The Ravagers stammered.
"Oh my god… I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"Hmm. Tastes like pineapple. Got any more?"
Saitama patted his stomach.
Someone collapsed to their knees.
Then, like dominoes, the Ravagers dropped one by one, tossing their weapons away like poisonous snakes.
"I'm sorry, Boss Saitama!"
"We were forced! It was all Taserface's idea!"
"We'd never have shot at you otherwise! Please, forgive us!"
They wept and begged for mercy.
Too terrifying. Bullets didn't work. Energy blasts didn't work. Only a fool would still resist.
"You cowards! I haven't lost yet!"
Taserface shrieked in rage. He hurled aside the branding iron, pulled out a steel dagger, and plunged it down at Saitama's head.
CLANG!
Sparks erupted. The steel blade shattered into pieces against Saitama's scalp. Taserface stood frozen, dumbstruck.
"Achoo—!"
Saitama rubbed his itchy nose and sneezed casually.
The gust from that sneeze sent Taserface flying like a ragdoll, crashing through a bulkhead wall and embedding into the alloy plating with a sickening crunch.
The Ravagers: "..."
Yondu: "..."
Rocket: "I swear I'm not dreaming!"
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you guys. I need to head back."
Saitama yawned. A countdown flickered in his vision.
[Congratulations, Saitama-sama. Pet Rescue complete. Favorability of Rocket Raccoon and Groot has increased. You will return in ten seconds.]
"But Boss—"
Rocket wanted to protest, but Saitama's figure vanished in an instant.
"Sigh… that's just how Boss is. Always leaves too fast. Hey, Blue-skin, cleanup's on you."
Rocket muttered, opening the cell door.
Yondu slowly rose, his gaze dark and cold as he looked at his treacherous crew.
—
Ego's palace.
Saitama's figure reappeared.
Explosions shook the halls. Gamora and Drax shouted in alarm, Quill screamed in pain. Waves of energy rippled wildly, shaking the entire planet into dangerous instability.
(End of Chapter)
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