The Art of Passing the Buck

The physical fitness test is followed by the written test.

The written test was quite easy for Long.

As for Saitama... let's not even think about it.

The written test content was nothing more than some professional knowledge about 'heroes', such as rescue and prevention, and the choices and methods in the face of various disaster problems.

Long finished easily and was the first to walk out of the examination room.

Saitama arrived late after sitting in the lounge for a short while.

"How about it?"

He asked with a long smile.

"No problem!"

Saitama gave a confident thumbs up.

Knowing the outcome, Oboro watched his expression with amusement.

"Oboro, you're really something..."

Oboro sat in a chair, while Saitama stood in front of him changing clothes, without turning his head.

"It's alright, but I can't compare to you."

Long was being very polite.

Clearly, they were discussing each other's performance during the physical fitness test.

Both Oboro and Saitama noticed each other.

"The 'enemy' thing... that's a lie, isn't it?"

Suddenly, Saitama spoke up.

"Not really..."

He gave a perfunctory answer.

This was Saitama's first direct encounter with Oboro's strength. Although he had always sensed that Oboro was no ordinary person, he hadn't fully assessed his abilities. Based on what he had just witnessed, Saitama believed that if Oboro truly had enemies, killing him wouldn't be so easy.

Moreover, if someone has this ability, there's no need to go to the uninhabited area of Z-City.

"We're probably not the only ones with perfect physical fitness... it's just that we're in a relatively small number of venues."

"Oboro said."

"I suddenly feel like I can't trust what you're saying."

After getting dressed, Saitama turned around and blinked his dead fish eyes.

"Okay, I admit it... I moved into the apartment in the first place for peace and quiet, not to escape a revenge killing."

Long shrugged.

"Who... who were those people who came looking for you?"

Saitama looked suspicious.

"It's the Hero Association... They want to invite me to join the Association."

"Hazy..."

"Um?"

"You probably didn't use any of your full strength in the physical fitness test just now, did you?"

"Why do you say that? I've already tried my best..."

"No, it's just a feeling."

"..."

Just as Oboro was thinking about how to answer, Genos appeared.

"Teacher."

"Genos, are you done too?"

The conversation was interrupted, Saitama's attention shifted.

"Um."

Afterwards, the teacher and student began an 'academic exchange' following the exam.

When Genos asked Saitama how he did on the exam, the bald man was equally confident, and Genos was also very confident about his own results.

However, the latter's confidence is a conclusion drawn calmly after analyzing brain data... rather than Saitama's blind confidence.

Next, Saitama described to his apprentice the scene of Oboro's exam and the strength he revealed.

It was clear that Genos was also quite surprised after hearing this.

"Actually, when I went back yesterday to upgrade and repair my mecha, I asked Dr. Kuseno to investigate Mr. Oboro for me." Genos said frankly when Saitama complained that Oboro was mysterious and unreliable.

Long's heart skipped a beat.

"I have some understanding of Mr. Long's abilities... I also understand why the Association's higher-ups approached him."

"Genos said."

"Hello."

A glint of something unusual flashed in her hazy eyes as she reminded him, "There are some things you should keep to yourself; don't go around telling everyone."

"Of course I understand."

Genos nodded.

Genos still respected Oboro as a friend of his teacher.

The world of One-Punch Man is a technologically advanced world. Many clues are not only something that forces like Neo and the Hero Association can gather; anyone with a bit of ability and skill can easily investigate them. Simply put, even a force like the Hero Association cannot monopolize intelligence... Moreover, since arriving in the world of One-Punch Man, Oboro has not been as meticulous in his actions as before, and he has no intention of erasing his 'traces'. Things like the videos he previously posted online, police surveillance footage, etc., all have traceable clues.

Even if Genos obtained some information, it would be similar to organizations like the Hero Association and Neo, and he wouldn't be associated with the 'voyeur'.

Currently, Oboro's only concern is that he was a little too relaxed when Saitama was dealing with the Vaccine Man... Through Tatsumaki's memories, he discovered that he had been spotted by a B-class hero from the Association, which is the only 'danger point'.

However, it doesn't matter if Genos and Saitama find out... He and the bald guy weren't enemies to begin with.

Judging from Genos's current reaction, the clues he has gathered... most of them do not involve the Vaccine Man.

Long guessed that perhaps Sekingar had intentionally blocked it.

It was like secretly 'helping' him.

"Pfft! Hahahaha!"

A moment later, someone burst into laughter in the room.

Oboro's warning to Genos had no effect.

He verbally agreed with Oboro, saying he understood, but then betrayed him.

Because whatever Saitama wants to know, Genos will tell him the truth.

In Genos's heart, his teacher is number one.

Saitama was grinning from ear to ear as he watched a video playing on Genos's phone.

It's a scene of Oboro falling naked from the sky.

Oboro sat in the chair, expressionless.

But Saitama's laughter was so grating that it made him look rather unpleasant.

After a while, Saitama stopped laughing, regained his composure, watched another video, stared at Oboro, and said calmly, "So that's how you get your money..."

"..."

Long's eye twitched slightly, but she didn't say anything.

"Hey, Genos, isn't this a crime?"

"That's right, teacher!"

"You went to live in an apartment to avoid being arrested, didn't you?"

"..."hazy.

"Mr. Long, I think it would be better for you to turn yourself in. Although your actions did not cause harm to others, they were extremely serious!"

"Long, you must have used this ability to take a lot of money from others, right?"

Saitama regained his composure and looked at Oboro.

"I did take a little."

Oboro coughed.

"I'm serious... Don't do this again."

Saitama's tone was somewhat serious.

Oboro put his hands in his pockets and stood up.

He walked step by step to Saitama, and their eyes met.

The atmosphere between the two suddenly became strange.

Even Genos, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Bald..."

Oboro uttered two words; this was the first time he had called Saitama" Baldy."

"Exorcisms, video games, high-end ingredients... you've forgotten all of that? You've been coming to my house for meals countless times, and you've drunk my juice non-stop..." Oboro's expression was cold. "Yes, I admit, my money came from illegitimate sources. But... you spent it, you used it! So, strictly speaking, you're an accomplice!"

After saying that, Oboro grabbed Saitama's wrist with a snap.

"How about this, hero of justice, let's go to the police station together and turn ourselves in, okay?"

Long smiled, a very sinister smile.

His tone was sinister.

"..."

Actually, Saitama's expression changed after he heard Oboro call him "bald" and say his second sentence.

Sweat even trickled down his forehead, making him look like he'd done something wrong.

"No, no, how would I know about this money... It was clearly yours..." Saitama tried to refute, shaking his head frantically.

"Don't explain. Can you honestly say that this has nothing to do with you?" Oboro pressed on, taking another step forward, forcing Saitama to take a step back. "Take that exorcism for example. If it weren't to help you, would I have spent so much money to hire that medium to go to such a dangerous place as the no-man's-land in Z-City?! I treated you as a friend, and now you're blaming me?"

"Indeed, if you, teacher, had also spent such ill-gotten gains, even if you explained, the police probably wouldn't believe you. Besides, what Mr. Oboro said is all true." Genos stroked his chin, thinking seriously.

"..." Saitama.

"Ahahaha..."

The bald man scratched his cheek with his finger and let out an awkward laugh. "What I mean is, we shouldn't do this kind of thing again. As for the past... what's past is past."

Upon hearing Saitama's words, Long's sinister smile suddenly brightened. "You really are a good neighbor. That's what I thought too."

"..."

Saitama felt an inexplicable awkwardness in his heart.

He felt as if he had been... forcibly kidnapped.