"…Impossible… after all that, even a planet would've shattered!"
The metallic face of Alloy Ego twisted in shock. For the first time, the giant Celestial actually stepped back.
"You're the strongest opponent I've ever faced in direct combat."
Saitama looked up at the hundred-meter titan with a rare serious expression. "So… I guess I should get a little serious too."
His red gloves clenched.
Vwooom—
The air trembled. A terrifying aura exploded outward from Saitama as he readied his fist.
Ego's eyes widened. For an instant, he felt it — an overwhelming dread, as if a monstrous beast from beyond the stars was roaring above him. Even as a Celestial, his body shuddered, hairs standing on end.
BOOM!
Saitama stomped once, launching like a cannonball, surpassing the sound barrier, then the speed of light, a streak of brilliance shooting upward. The ground beneath him collapsed again into another massive crater.
"So fast!"
Ego's pupils shrank. But as a being with speed ranked at 7, he wasn't slow. He raised his massive glowing fist to intercept.
"Normal Punch!"
In midair, Saitama twisted his waist, bent his elbow, and drove all his power into one clean strike.
"You want to trade fists with me?"
Ego's eyes glinted in disbelief and joy. This bald fool must be insane.
"Exploding Star Fist!"
Ego roared. His alloy fist blazed like a newborn sun. Around it formed a faint black halo — the telltale sign of a collapsing singularity.
Ten planets shattered within his domain, all their power compressed into this one punch. It was the full might of a Celestial, far beyond anything before.
BOOOOM!!
The two fists collided.
Light brighter than the sun engulfed the world. The entire planet lit up. Mountains leveled, oceans boiled away, space itself rippled.
Far below, Quill and the others felt the quake.
"What's happening?!" Quill gasped, thrown off his feet.
Gamora's face went pale. "It's Ego… he just destroyed a planet!"
Mantis trembled. "He's furious…! Hurry, we have to find his brain now!!"
The shockwave swept across the entire world, flattening forests, crushing peaks, obliterating everything in its path.
Ego panted heavily, his alloy arm shattered and useless. Even reforged from the hardest metal in his domain, it had been destroyed in the clash.
Through the smoke, a figure walked calmly forward.
Ego's pupils dilated.
Saitama.
His cape was torn, his yellow suit half destroyed, revealing a body of firm but lean muscle. His gloves were shredded, his skin marked with smoke and dust.
It was the most battered he had ever looked. Not even Boros or Dormammu had pushed him this far.
But Ego's horror wasn't because of Saitama's appearance.
It was because — despite the carnage, despite taking the full force of a planet-breaking attack — there wasn't a single wound on his body.
Not one.
Impossible! Even Celestials could not endure such devastation unscathed. Yet this man… this bald human… had done so casually.
For the first time, Ego felt true fear. In Saitama's form, he saw something that could erase the Celestials themselves.
He had to kill him. If this being lived, it would be the end of their race.
"You… you're strong, Celestial Ego. You're worth taking seriously."
Saitama floated upward, lightning and space energy flowing naturally around him. His blank eyes locked on Ego with rare focus.
"Serious?!" Ego's heart lurched.
What? If he wasn't serious before… then what was all of this?
"Saitama, you've surprised me. Join me. Together we'll rule the universe. We'll forge a higher civilization. You'll have eternal life, limitless power!"
Ego's massive eyes gleamed with temptation, his voice booming with fervor.
"Stronger… eternal life?"
Saitama's face darkened.
He had heard those words too many times. Too many beings had promised strength, eternity. But none understood the crushing loneliness of endless power.
"I don't want to get stronger."
His voice was flat. Heavy.
No one else could understand that emptiness. The eternal solitude of being invincible.
"Join me! Become a god! The entire universe will kneel at our feet!"
Ego's voice thundered with obsession.
"…I refuse."
Saitama's reply was like ice water dumped over him.
"I'm going to attack now. Be ready."
His fist clenched again.
A new aura surged — heavier, sharper, infinitely more dangerous than before. Saitama's eyes, usually dull and lifeless, now burned with deadly seriousness.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]