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Somewhere Far

3rd POV

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In the mountain range, three people and a cat could be seen conversing. One of them floated while cradling the cat in her arms.

 

"Hero registry? Wasn't that what we discussed yesterday?" Saitama inquired, scanning the area.

 

"Yes. Rena-Sama and I are S-Class heroes, while Sensei is a C-Class hero. We rank last in our respective classes, with Rena-Sama just above me in the S-Class position," Genos explained, engrossed in his phone, reading the Hero registry information. "Currently, we are still listed under our real names, but as we perform more heroic acts, we will eventually earn Hero names."

 

"Hero names? What's that?" Saitama queried. Rena chimed in.

 

"Hero names are like nicknames, Saitama. But the difference is, they capture the hero's characteristic. For example," Rena gestured to Saitama's head, "Bald," then to his cloak, "Cape. So your Hero name could be something like 'Caped Baldy' or similar," Rena elaborated, causing a thick mark to appear on Saitama's head.

 

"Are you making fun of me?!" Saitama demanded, his tone sharp.

 

"It's just an example, Saitama," Rena clarified, shaking her head with a sigh. "I've grown tired of poking fun at your head anyway."

 

"Besides class rankings, popularity rankings exist too. Some heroes even have fan clubs," Genos added, catching Saitama's attention. "But that's not really important."

 

"Wai—" Saitama attempted to interject, only to be cut off by Genos.

 

"Anyway, thank you for agreeing to my selfish request today, Sensei," Genos expressed gratitude. Saitama sighed and started walking in the opposite direction to create some distance.

 

"Yeah, I did promise to take you on as my disciple after all..." After a brief walk, Saitama halted and turned back to Genos. "Is this spot good enough?"

 

"Yes," Genos confirmed.

 

"Will you just be watching our mock battle?" Saitama inquired of Rena.

 

"Yes, I'll observe your mock battle from up there. I'll head back home after a while, so just focus on your mock battle," Rena replied, floating away leisurely.

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Few Moments After

Rena POV

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Genos threw a kick, but Saitama dodged it with a swift jump. Genos pressed on, exchanging blows in mid-air. Saitama was thrown into the cliff's wall, and Genos wasted no time, delivering a flurry of rapid punches that kicked up clouds of dust, obscuring his vision. When the dust settled, Saitama had vanished. Genos scanned the area, only to find Saitama already on the ground. "INCINERATE!" Genos screamed, unleashing a massive fire laser towards Saitama.

 

It had been a few minutes since I began watching their mock battle, and I was starting to grow bored. It's not that I hate watching mock battles or anything. It's been a few years since that god granted my wish when I was still a chuuni, and I've been engaged in several battles since then, dulling my sensitivity to such spectacles. If it were my first time here, perhaps I could have watched a battle like this for hours without losing interest.

 

I then looked at Nyan who snuggled into my arms, looking for a more comfortable position. "Hey Nyan..." I suddenly spoke.

 

"Hey Nyan..." I suddenly spoke.

 

"Hmh?" Nyan replied, still in his cat form.

 

"Do you want to have a mock battle with me?" I asked, gently stroking Nyan's fur. Hearing this, Nyan flinched and immediately jumped away.

 

"You idiot?! Do you want me to die that badly?! *hiss*" Nyan spoke flustered, his cat fur standing on end. Seeing this, I couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

 

"I'll make sure to hold back," I reassured him.

 

"Hell no!" Nyan insisted.

 

"I'll give you more catnip~" I offered, smiling.

 

"Kugh..." Nyan stopped moving for a moment before returning to his humanoid form and quickly hiding inside a large rock which he entered through a small crack. He then poked his head out and continued in a low tone, "You really gonna hold back?"

 

"Yeah, I promise. There's no way I would harm my dearest friend, would I?" I spoke, still smiling gently.

 

"Hmm... One more thing, how do we conduct the mock battle? I can't even injure you," Nyan asked.

 

"You don't need to injure me or anything," I replied, raising my index finger. "A single touch—if you manage to touch me, it's your win."

 

"Hmm..." Nyan slowly emerged from his hiding place and spoke again with a serious expression, "Fine."

 

"Also, if you win, the catnip I give you will be doubled," I stated.

 

 

"Are you sure?" Nyan asked, unable to hide his wicked grin.

 

"So, do you accept this mock battle?" I asked, giving him a nod.

 

"What are you waiting for? Shall we do it here?" Nyan replied.

 

"Hmm, I'm thinking of conducting it in an area where you can unleash your power to its full potential. Do you have any place in mind?" I inquired. Nyan let out a small giggle and then said, "Open the portal to Z City. I'll lead you."

 

"Yes, let's go!" I exclaimed, opening the portal. After entering it, we were immediately transported to Z City. Nyan dashed off, and I followed closely behind without any trouble. Moments later, we arrived at a spot that appeared to be an abandoned area—ruined buildings, cracked roads, snapped light poles, and everything else that characterized a 'Ruined City.'

 

"This spot will do," Nyan suddenly said.

 

"Okay, are you ready?" I asked.

 

"Anytime," Nyan replied.

 

"Then, let's begin!"

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