Superman soon landed a dozen or so meters in front of Thanos.
He looked at the Purple Big Guy, held back from attacking, and coolly surveyed his surroundings.
When he saw that many humans were still alive, he felt a little relieved.
Then he turned to Thanos and said calmly, "Leave my universe, and I won't give you any trouble."
Thanos's lips curled slightly at those words.
But before he could speak, the five people kneeling on the ground burst out excitedly.
"Superman! You're back to yourself?"
"Is it really you? Our Superman?"
"Our Superman has come back?"
"Really? I can hardly believe it. I'm so moved. Sob..."
Seeing how excited they were, Superman felt warmth spread through his chest.
He nodded. "I'm deeply sorry, everyone. While Darkseid controlled me, I committed terrible crimes. But now isn't the time to discuss that."
With that, he looked at Thanos.
He seemed to be waiting for an answer.
At Superman's words, the humans scrambled to their feet and ran toward him.
Thanos clearly looked down on them. Their old acquaintance Superman felt far more dependable.
Thanos ignored Superman and turned to survey the area.
He felt as though some being was watching him.
It was no illusion.
Superman hadn't awakened from the Anti-Life Equation because Darkseid had lost.
If something created by Ultimate Evil could be broken so easily, it wouldn't deserve the name.
And Superman had reached the peak of Skyfather-level power simply by absorbing sunlight. That...
Some being had to be pulling the strings behind it all.
Seeing Thanos pay no attention to his words, Superman flared with anger.
"You arrogant bastard!"
The next instant, he vanished.
Boom!
Before anyone knew it, Superman had flown right up to Thanos and thrown a punch.
Thanos merely extended a hand and caught