Z-City, Kuseno Research Institute.
Genos stood by the laboratory window, his red mechanical eyes gazing at the setting sun outside.
Her short, golden hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, and her mechanical arm gleamed with a cold luster under the sunlight.
His expression was calm, but something burned in his red eyes.
That was hatred for the weirdo.
Hatred for the strange man who destroyed his hometown and killed his family.
"Genos."
Dr. Kuseno's voice came from behind me, old yet gentle.
It's time for a regular check-up.
"Yes."
Genos turned around, walked to the examination table, and sat down.
Dr. Kuseno picked up his tools and began to examine his mechanical body.
Every part, every circuit, and every interface was carefully inspected, leaving no stone unturned.
"PhD."
Genos suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
Have you ever thought that one day someone will come to you wanting to learn your skills?
Dr. Kuseno paused for a moment.
Why do you ask that?
"Because someone has been asking about you lately."
Genos's voice was calm.
"A stranger. Silver-white hair, golden eyes. He called himself 'Gold,' saying he was interested in cyborg technology."
Dr. Kuseno was silent for a moment.
"You saw him?"
"No."
Genos shook his head.
But he wants to see me.
Dr. Kuseno put down his tools, walked to the window, and looked outside.
"Interesting. Actually, I've heard of this person before. Apparently, he's a cyborg, but I don't know who cyborged him."
"If he comes, let him come. I also want to see what kind of person is this cyborg who's interested in cyborg technology."
"Yes."
Genos nodded.
Outside the window, the setting sun sank below the horizon, turning the sky a golden-red hue.
In the distance, the city lights began to illuminate one by one.
Further away, in that abandoned factory, a bald man in a yellow bodysuit sat by the window, eating his dinner.
A bowl of instant noodles.
Add an egg.
He ate slowly and attentively, as if savoring some exquisite delicacy.
After finishing his meal, he put down his bowl and yawned.
Nothing much happened today...
He stood up, walked to the bedside, and lay down.
"Let's see tomorrow..."
He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Outside the window, moonlight shone on his bald head, reflecting a soft glow.
In his dreams, there are no monsters, no Hero, and no battles that require him to throw punches.
There was only one bowl of instant noodles.
Add an egg.
And a calm, expressionless face.
That's the most powerful person in the world.
He is also the most ordinary person in the world.
Novas Etier, Strategy Room.
Higashino Makoto stood before the portal of light, his golden eyes gazing at the flowing curtain of light.
Momo stood behind him, holding a notebook in her hands, ready to take notes.
Are you ready?
"Ready, Makoto-san."
Higashino Makoto reached out and placed his hand on the light screen.
The light curtain cracked, revealing the pitch-black passage.
He stepped into the passageway.
Momo followed behind him.
This time, the exit of the passage was not that small hill.
It was an office.
Adam, a blond, blue-eyed young man.
He stood in front of the desk, bowing slightly.
"My lord, welcome back."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Where's the intelligence?"
Adam took a stack of documents from the drawer and presented them with both hands.
"This is all the intelligence gathered over the past week: the Hero Association's structure, the list of Hero, the classification and levels of monsters, and Saitama's detailed observation records."
Higashino Makoto took the document and opened it.
His gaze swept over the densely packed handwriting, his brows furrowing slightly, then relaxing, then furrowing again.
"Hero Association... Monster Association... Monster Cells... Dr. Kuseno..."
He looked up at Adam.
"What about Genos?"
"The cyborg has contacted Genos, and he says Dr. Kuseno is willing to see him."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"How about the Monster Cells '?"
"Hanzo has obtained the sample, but he says the Monster Cells are dangerous and direct contact is not recommended."
"What about Hanzo himself? Has he tried it?"
"It didn't eat. It said it didn't need to."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Well done."
He put the documents into his backpack, turned around, and walked towards the portal.
"Continue gathering intelligence. This time, I'll return in a month."
"Yes, sir."
Adam bowed slightly.
Higashino Makoto walked through the portal and disappeared into the light curtain.
Momo followed behind him.
The portal slowly closed behind them, and the light curtain returned to its calm state.
Adam stood in the office, staring at the now-vanished door, and remained silent for a moment.
Then he turned around, walked back to his desk, sat down, and continued working.
Outside the window, sunlight streamed onto the streets of C-City, bathing everything in a golden glow.
That was the start of a new day.
It was just another ordinary day in this world.
Meanwhile, at Novas Etier, Higashino Makoto sat behind his desk, documents spread out in front of him, his golden eyes gleaming with a complex light.
One Punch Man- Punch Man...
He murmured the name.
"Hero Association... Monster Association... Saitama..."
He paused.
"Genos... Dr. Kuseno..."
He leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gazing at the ceiling.
"This world is more complex than I imagined."
He closed his eyes.
"But it also presents more... opportunities than I imagined."
Limiter.
Gods.
So, are danger and opportunity truly equal?
He opened his eyes, picked up a quill pen, and began to write.
"New World Exploration Log - First World - Supplement"
"Hero Association: Potential infiltration target. Doppelganger has been dispatched, and progress is currently going smoothly."
"Monster Association: Potential target. Hanzo has been dispatched, and Monster Cells samples have been obtained."
"Dr. Genos / Dr. Kuseno: Potential contact target. Modified human dispatched, initial contact established."
Saitama: Unable to handle this. Continue to observe. Avoid any hostile actions until a solution is found.
He put down his pen and leaned back in his chair.
See you in a month.
"Momo, remember to properly hand over the reins to your successors and arrange for someone to take charge of this world."
"Yes."
Higashino Makoto cracked his neck and let out a long breath.
For the time being, this world won't require too much of my effort.
After all, the things inside that can enhance oneself, whether it's "god" or "breaking the limiter," are very abstract concepts and not easily obtained.
"The efficiency is too low."
Therefore, Higashino Makoto doesn't actually have much interest in this world.
Contact each other once a month; it's best if there's something to gain, but it doesn't matter if there isn't.
He desires a world where there is a clear path to becoming stronger.
For example, something like <Godkiller>.
Momo was behind him, her tail wrapping around Higashino Makoto's hand, making him feel ticklish.
"Makoto-san, it's getting late..."