When the video ended, the world erupted in celebration.
Across every city, countless citizens poured into the streets, cheering and waving banners. Fenric's portrait — or rather, Mundo's — appeared everywhere: on buildings, on television screens, even on merchandise stalls hastily assembled by opportunistic vendors.
The name Mundo had become a household legend overnight.
Fenric was mildly surprised at first. Then, realizing who was behind it, he smiled faintly.
So this is Agoni's doing.
The Hero Association, newly founded and struggling for recognition, desperately needed public trust and influence. Using Fenric's feat to boost their image was a logical move.
And for Fenric? He didn't mind being used.
He uses my strength to gain fame. I use his platform to build influence.
A fair trade.
…
"Teacher, you're amazing!"
Saitama's eyes shone with pure admiration as he turned to Fenric after watching the broadcast.
Fenric smiled lightly and patted his student on the shoulder. "As long as you keep training according to my method, within three years, you'll become even stronger than me."
"Really!?" Saitama's excitement burst out immediately, his youthful energy uncontainable.
"Yes," Fenric said with calm assurance. "But only if you persevere."
"Hai! I'll definitely train hard, teacher!"
Fenric's smile lingered for a moment, then faded into something softer.
"Saitama," he said suddenly, "starting tomorrow… I'll be leaving for a while."
"Huh?"
Saitama froze, caught completely off guard. "T-Teacher, where are you going?"
"I need to go somewhere to train," Fenric replied casually, offering a faintly mysterious smile.
In truth, he was preparing to return — to the present timeline, three years later.
Coming to the past had two goals:
one, to become the number one S-Class hero;
and two, to see if the system would recognize a victory over a weaker version of Saitama as completing his third mission.
The first had been accomplished.
The second had proven impossible.
There was no point staying any longer.
…
"Training…"
Saitama's gaze wavered. His teacher was already the strongest man alive, and yet he was still going to train?
So that's what makes him so strong…
Determination filled Saitama's heart.
"I understand, teacher," he said earnestly.
"Good." Fenric nodded. "After I leave, this house will be yours. Keep it clean for me. Three years from now, I'll return."
"Yes, teacher!"
Fenric paused, then added with a serious tone, "And remember — for the next three years, you must not stop your training. Every single day, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run. Not one less. Do you understand?"
"Crystal clear!" Saitama replied, his voice filled with conviction.
…
The Next Day
Fenric met with Agoni to bid farewell, using the same excuse he had told Saitama — that he was leaving for personal training.
Agoni, of course, didn't question him. In fact, he eagerly offered, "Mr. Mundo, would you like me to assign two attendants to accompany you? They can help with meals, laundry, anything you need. I assure you, they'll be the finest girls I can find — untouched and devoted!"
Fenric's expression froze.
"…No need," he said flatly, resisting the urge to sigh.
He was traveling through time — taking companions was out of the question.
After politely rejecting Agoni's "generosity," Fenric departed for another city. There, at a power station, he began setting up his return to the present.
"Skynet, set the time coordinates to May 10th, three years later."
That was the exact date he had first entered the One Punch Man world.
He deliberately chose that day to avoid any paradoxes. If he returned too early, his younger self's existence might overlap with Saitama's memories, potentially creating a temporal anomaly.
Fenric preferred control — not chaos.
"Setting complete," Skynet confirmed.
Hours later, the power station flared with blinding light.
And then, Fenric vanished.
…
Three Years Later — May 10th
Early morning sunlight filtered through the windows of a familiar villa.
Then — CRASH!
A single punch shattered an alarm clock, leaving a small crater in the floor.
The man responsible lay on his futon, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He was completely bald.
It was Saitama.
Three years had passed since his teacher's departure.
He had trained relentlessly, following Fenric's routine every single day without fail.
And in doing so, he had become something beyond human — a being so overwhelmingly powerful that no monster, no matter how terrifying, could withstand even a single punch from him.
But with invincibility came loneliness.
Over time, Saitama's emotions dulled. He no longer felt fear, or thrill, or joy — only emptiness.
When you have no equal, the world becomes unbearably quiet.
That morning, he had dreamed of fighting again — a powerful army of creatures emerging from underground, finally offering him a real challenge. He could feel his blood boiling again, his heart racing with excitement—
And then, the alarm clock rang.
Like waking from a dream just as you're about to embrace your lover, Saitama woke to crushing disappointment.
Hence, the destroyed clock.
After lying dazed for a moment, he got up and began his daily routine.
He cleaned the villa carefully — it was the home his teacher had entrusted to him, and he treated it with near-sacred respect.
Then he began training again.
Even now, though his strength had already reached absurd levels, Saitama never stopped repeating the same routine:
100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run.
Every day. Without fail.
By the time he finished, it was already noon.
He made a simple lunch, ate quietly, and later walked to the nearby supermarket.
Not because he lacked money — his teacher had left him plenty — but because Saitama enjoyed the thrill of finding discounted goods.
It was, ironically, the only thing that made his days feel a little exciting.
…
That afternoon, as he returned from the market carrying two heavy bags, Saitama paused at the gate.
It was open.
"Huh? A thief?"
Setting the bags down, he rushed inside.
But the moment he entered the courtyard, he froze.
Standing in the garden was a tall, familiar figure — one he had dreamed of countless times.
His heart skipped.
"...T-Teacher?"
Saitama blinked rapidly, wondering if he was hallucinating from exhaustion.
Then the man turned, smiling faintly.
"It's been a while, Saitama," Fenric said warmly. "I'm back."
"Teacher!!"
In that instant, all the emotion Saitama had buried over the past three years came flooding back.
His voice broke. His eyes shimmered.