HP Mall — the commercial landmark of M City.
This colossal shopping center, covering over 100,000 square meters, resembled a miniature city.
Its seven-level ring-shaped structure rose high into the sky, and its glass curtain walls sparkled with a sharp brilliance beneath the sun.
As the largest multi-functional mall in the surrounding region, it sold everything from luxury goods to daily necessities. It even boasted a tech zone and a fresh food supermarket.
But what drew the biggest crowds were the Saturday flash sales.
"Today only! Fresh beef short ribs — half price! Eggs buy one, get one free!"
"Last day of points redemption! Spend 5,000 yen and get a raffle ticket!"
"Home appliances clearance blowout! Miss it today, wait another year!"
With the endless loop of sales announcements, crowds surged through the wide corridors like migrating fish.
Zeke moved skillfully among them, pulling the brim of his cap low over his face.
He'd dressed down deliberately for this outing—charcoal-gray hoodie, black utility pants, and a baseball cap that shadowed most of his face. It allowed him to blend right in with the weekend shopping crowd.
Only the three distinctive scars peeking out from under the cap betrayed the identity of this "strongest man on Earth."
"Move! Coming through!"
A housewife barreled past with a cart overflowing with discount toilet paper, nearly crashing into Zeke.
He slipped to the side with practiced ease, eyes scanning the crowd for a particular someone.
"Based on the original timeline, Saitama should have already met Genos and dealt with the House of Evolution," Zeke mused as he walked.
"If I can bump into them here at the supermarket, I'll know where the plot stands… maybe I could even—"
His thoughts were cut short by a sudden burst of noise.
Ahead, a crowd had gathered in the electronics department. In the center stood a salesman in a cheap suit, shouting into a mic.
"Latest model robotic vacuum cleaner! Regularly priced at 99,999 yen — today only, 19,999! Miss it today, wait another year!"
Zeke shook his head and quickened his pace.
He had more important things to do today—like buying cybernetic limbs.
After bringing Mosquito Girl back, Zeke's plan to farm Intimidation Points through her fear of Saitama was already in motion.
But problems quickly arose.
Keeping a limbless monster as a long-term "fear farm" came with logistics—and a lot of hassle.
Was he really going to nurse a helpless quadriplegic patient day and night?
No way.
Zeke was a homebody at heart, just like the original King. He barely managed his own life—babysitting a monster was not in the cards.
Hire a caretaker?
Sure, he had the money. As the seventh-ranked S-Class hero, his salary was generous.
But who in their right mind would be willing—or even able—to care for a monstrous, bloodsucking creature? At best, they'd faint at the door. At worst, they'd call the police.
"She has to move on her own," Zeke decided.
Thankfully, in the world of One Punch Man, even if civilian tech seemed stuck in the early 21st century, certain fields were absurdly advanced—especially cybernetics.
The fifth floor of the mall housed the "Future Tech" zone, the most cutting-edge hub of consumer technology in M City.
As the automatic doors slid open, a blast of cool air mixed with the scent of metal and plastic greeted him.
All around, futuristic gadgets were displayed under sharp lighting: household robots, holographic projectors, smart home systems…
But Zeke's eyes locked onto the far corner: the Medical Assistive Devices section.
"Hello, sir. May I help you?"
A young woman in a navy-blue uniform stepped up quickly.
She looked about twenty-five, her shoulder-length chestnut curls bouncing lightly with her stride. Her name tag read Misaki Sato.
"Are you shopping for a family member?" she asked with a professional smile. "We have a full range of models, from entry-level to—"
She paused mid-sentence.
When Zeke glanced up, her eyes landed on the scars on his face. Her pupils contracted sharply.
"You're… you're…"
Zeke tensed slightly, already thinking about how to deny it. He hated being recognized.
But to her credit, Misaki quickly composed herself. Professionalism won over surprise.
"This way, King-sama," she said respectfully. "We just received a shipment of our newest models. I believe they'll suit your needs."
She led him to a semi-private showroom and swiftly unlocked the display case.
"These are military-grade products developed by Dr. Bofoi."
Her voice returned to its calm, professional tone.
"They're waterproof, shock-resistant, with a load capacity of 200 kilograms and joint articulation nearly identical to natural limbs."
Zeke scanned the lineup of metallic and carbon-fiber limbs on display.
The gleaming artificial appendages reflected cold light—fingers to toes, every joint crafted with stunning precision.
"Do you have models that can be remotely controlled?"
Misaki's eyes lit up. "Ah! You mean the neural-link version? We do have a prototype…"
She guided him to a central platform with a sense of pride.
"This is our flagship model. It uses nanotech for biomimetic feedback. Neural connection rate is over 92%, functionally indistinguishable from real limbs."
On the platform, a full set of sleek, silver-gray cybernetic limbs shimmered under the spotlight.
The fingers could perform delicate tasks like picking up a coin, and the hydraulic joints promised strength and agility.
"But the best feature is…"
She pressed a button on the display's side. The limbs instantly went stiff.
"It comes with a cutting-edge remote-control system. A designated guardian can activate or disable the limbs at any time using this wristband."
Zeke's eyes narrowed.
Perfect. This way, Mosquito Girl could regain mobility—but not freedom.
"Show me the control functions," he said simply.
Misaki slipped on a sleek black wristband and demonstrated.
"Press the red button to lock the limbs," she said, and the robotic arms froze in place. "Green to unlock. The wristband also has biometric security—only registered users can operate it."
Zeke nodded. "Price?"
"Two million yen per limb. A four-limb package is discounted to seven million yen."
She looked at him hopefully. "And since it's Saturday, you'll also receive a 100,000 yen voucher and free lifetime maintenance."
To a normal person, this was outrageously expensive. But to an S-Class hero like King, it was nothing.
Zeke didn't hesitate. "I'll take the set. Right now."
When the POS machine spat out the receipt, Misaki's hand trembled slightly.
The commission from this sale alone would be six figures.
She carefully handed Zeke a special case containing the limbs, her eyes glowing with barely contained joy.
"King-sama, would you like me to show you around the rest of the store?" she asked with a blush. "Or perhaps… keep you company as you shop?"
Zeke shook his head. "No need. Thank you."
He turned and left, not seeing the disappointed look that crossed her face.
His next stop was the fresh food section on the first floor.
Rows of neatly arranged meats sat in chilled displays, their prices rising sharply with quality.
"Five A-grade wagyu… I'll take that."
He picked out several marble-textured steaks. Then, after a moment's hesitation, pointed to a tray in the corner filled with dark red jelly-like substance.
"That beef blood. Wrap it too."
The butcher raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. With practiced speed, he sealed the blood block into an airtight container.
"Shall I cut it into smaller portions?"
"No. Keep it whole."
With his arms full of shopping bags, Zeke headed toward the produce section.
It was packed. Housewives swarmed the discounted vegetables.
Suddenly, he froze.
There, in front of a bin of sale-priced cabbage, gleamed a perfectly bald head reflecting the overhead lights.
A slightly grimy yellow jumpsuit. A white cape. And that bored, apathetic expression…
Saitama.
Next to him stood a blond cyborg youth, notebook in hand, dutifully listening to his master's "wisdom."