"I'm just an ordinary guy."
Saitama's calm reply made everyone listening want to drag down a thundercloud and zap him on the spot.
Team Arrow: "If someone like him only counts as 'ordinary,' then what are we supposed to be?"
Waverider crew: "So in this day and age, if you're not ridiculously strong, you don't even qualify as an ordinary person anymore?"
Team Flash: "Sounds like we've got a new goal. Let's start by becoming 'ordinary people.'"
Only the Waverider's captain, Rip Hunter, was silently dying inside.
He was really starting to doubt whether recruiting Saitama had been the right decision.
Sure, Saitama massively increased their chances of defeating Savage—but the guy was also stealing all the spotlight. With Saitama around, what was the point of having a captain?
At that moment, the ship's AI, Gideon, chimed in.
"It's all right, Captain Rip. Even in normal circumstances, aside from piloting the ship, you're already close to a decorative figurehead."
Rip Hunter: "…"
Inside the top floor of Damien's building—
Ray Palmer, the Atom, stared at Saitama with a mix of awe and nerves.
"Someone this strong… what do you want from me?"
Saitama thought for a moment, then repeated word for word what Rip had told them earlier.
He added,
"For the peace and justice of the future world… we need your help."
Poor Ray Palmer.
The moment he heard that he was so important, he nodded like a drumstick.
"Okay! Yes, I'll help!"
But Saitama's explanation had accidentally spilled way too much information.
In Star City, Team Arrow…
In Central City, Team Flash…
And on the Waverider, every member of the crew wore the same complicated expression.
Aside from that, everyone felt the same two emotions: shock and awe.
"Are people from the future really that powerful?"
Their gazes all converged on Saitama.
They had always imagined the future as super-advanced, and the power Saitama displayed matched exactly what they dreamed of.
"Maybe this is what legendary power looks like…"
If Saitama knew they were using "future power" as an excuse just to feel better about themselves, he'd definitely have some choice words in his heart that he wouldn't say out loud.
Still, when he remembered that he had a system inside him, he had to admit—explaining it away as "future power" wasn't completely wrong.
Seeing that the Waverider's recruitment drive was basically done, Saitama glanced at his system.
And that one glance nearly made his eyebrows jump.
All he saw was:
"Warning: Hero Saitama's recent conversation has revealed too much information about the future! The entire Legends of Tomorrow storyline will now accelerate!"
"Defeat the undying Vandal Savage to gain massive rewards!"
"Defeat the future Time Council to gain a huge attribute bonus!"
"Defeat Reverse-Flash, Eobard Thawne, to gain a huge attribute bonus!"
"Defeat the Invaders to obtain a massive attribute reward!"
"Discover the Multiverse to earn a massive attribute reward!"
The moment Saitama saw that string of missions, he knew—
He had officially stepped into the DC world.
Only the DC universe had a cosmology this huge.
"Maybe I already count as a DC hero now," Saitama murmured.
Ray blinked.
"Uh… hero? Why did you suddenly go quiet? Hey, can we take a photo together? Maybe a selfie?"
Saitama looked at the Atom's wide, excited eyes—the look of a fanboy seeing his idol up close—and forced himself to stay aloof.
"Do what you want. As long as you come back with me afterward."
"Heh heh… none of you are going anywhere."
A familiar voice came from the shattered high-rise window.
Damien Darhk, whom Saitama had just punched out of the building, floated back into the top floor.
He was carrying two men.
Saitama, Ray, and everyone watching couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
The two dangling in Damien's hands were none other than the recently departed Heat Wave, Mick, and Captain Cold, Snart.
On the Waverider—
Rip Hunter groaned,
"Oh no. How did those two idiots get caught by Damien again? Is he going to use them to threaten Saitama?"
Rip started to panic, already wondering if he should head over there to help.
Meanwhile, Sara had already suited up and was quietly slipping off the ship.
Sharp-eyed Jefferson nudged Professor Martin.
"Uh, hey, I'm gonna hit the restroom. Old man, you coming?"
Martin replied,
"Of course, of course. Let's go."
In the blink of an eye, half the Waverider's crew had left their posts.
Back at the top of Damien's building—
Damien floated in midair, one big hand gripping Mick, the other holding Captain Cold.
"Saitama, I really didn't expect you to be this strong," he said confidently.
"But now that I've seen your true power, there's no way you can keep opposing me."
Saitama didn't bother to answer.
He simply kicked off the floor again and shot toward Damien.
Beside him, Ray Palmer felt the ground shudder—
A small crater appeared where Saitama's foot had been, and then he was just gone.
"Oh my god," Ray breathed. "He's even faster than my high-tech armor."
Boom!
Saitama appeared in front of Damien again.
This time, Damien already had a sorcerer's barrier spread out in front of him, just in case Saitama's punch reached him and made him look ridiculous again.
"Well, Saitama, how about now? Your fists won't be so useful this time, will they?"
Damien smiled.
"You need to understand—someone like me, a sorcerer, wields infinite power. Your fists are nothing but the strength of your body.
You will never defeat me."
Whoosh.
Damien waved a hand and sent Saitama flying.
Saitama's body crashed through a floor-to-ceiling window on the opposite side, then hurtled toward the neighboring building.
But in the next instant, it was as if invisible threads had hooked onto him—
Saitama was yanked straight back.
In that moment—
Team Arrow, Team Flash, and the Waverider crew were all completely stunned by the battle between Saitama and Damien.
What kind of god-tier fight was this?!
From Saitama's overwhelming strength to Damien's indescribable sorcery—none of it felt like it belonged in the human world.
Right now, every one of these heroes was still in their growth phase.
They had no idea that their world was, in truth, a place filled with this kind of extraordinary power.
The reality of the world was far deeper—and scarier—than anything they'd imagined so far.
Damien dragged Saitama back in front of him again, his face wearing an amused look.
"Well, Saitama? Now you see how powerful I am, don't you?"
But Saitama's expression was still as flat and cold as ever.
"This is supposed to be impressive?"
What?!
Shock.
Everyone watching was stunned all over again.
With the battle already at this point…
Could Saitama still have some way to fight back?
(End of Chapter)
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