The call came the next morning.
Saitama was brushing his teeth, mouth full of foam, and listened indistinctly as Genos answered the phone in the living room.
"Hello... Yes, the teacher is here... Please wait a moment."
Genos came over and handed him the phone.
"Teacher, it's a call from Mr. Kurapika."
With the toothbrush still in his mouth, Saitama took the phone and pressed the speaker button.
"Hello?"
"Good morning, Mr. Saitama."
Kurapika's calm, steady voice came from the other end, exactly as Saitama remembered it.
"I've finished dealing with everything on my end. The Kurta Clan's education and protection systems have also been established, and dedicated personnel are handling things from here on out. I don't need to keep an eye on it anymore."
Saitama took the toothbrush out of his mouth and spat out a mouthful of foam.
"Oh, you got it all sorted out."
"Yes," Kurapika said. "I'm currently at the base on the border of the Dark Continent—the same outpost we left halfway through last time. Everything is normal here, and the supplies and intelligence are ready."
He paused.
"I heard about the Four Calamities. You... did very well."
Saitama scratched his head.
"It was nothing. I just threw a punch."
There was silence on the other end for two seconds, followed by a very soft laugh.
"For you, it probably really was just one punch."
Kurapika's tone became serious again.
"We recently detected some unusual spatial fluctuations at the base. Their source is unknown, but they aren't weak. I can't make a firm judgment alone, so I need you to come over and take a look with us."
"Also, I've reorganized the exploration route into the depths of the Dark Continent. It's somewhat safer than the previous one."
Saitama thought for a moment.
*The