The people of the One-Punch Man World were completely stunned by what they had witnessed. If that space-time pendulum had not intervened to save Tornado, they would have believed she would be crushed instantly.
"Other worlds... do people like that really exist?" Bang whispered, unable to believe what he had seen.
He had met countless powerful individuals in his long life, some even more terrifying than Tornado, yet this was the first time he had ever seen someone like Ashveil, someone capable of destroying an entire planet with a single strike.
"God-level monster..." Metal Bat muttered in shock.
A person who could destroy a world in one blow was unquestionably a God-level threat.
"With an opponent like that, even if our entire Hero Association faced him together, I doubt we could win..." Pig God said, dropping to the floor as fear crept into his eyes.
Genos's eyes trembled. Saitama-sensei had been right all along. This man truly possessed power equal to Saitama's. He had always believed no one could rival Saitama in combat strength, yet now he could feel that same suffocating presence radiating from Ashveil.
Meanwhile, high above the One-Punch Man World, a colossal spaceship descended from the distant stars. Inside it was the ruler of the universe within this world, Boros.
His single, massive eye stared down at Earth.
"According to the prophecy, I will meet a warrior on this planet who matches my strength. I hope this prophecy is not a disappointment," Boros said with eager anticipation.
Though excitement surged within him, he still doubted the prophecy. An equal? Impossible. He had searched the universe for centuries and never found anyone who could contend with him. Even while restricted by his armor, no opponent had ever survived more than a few exchanges.
This planet, Earth... could such a weak world truly hold someone that formidable?
But then, Boros and his crew saw footage of Ashveil obliterating an entire world. For a moment, they believed it to be fiction.
"That kid named Ashveil looks like some amateur. You're saying he destroyed a planet?"
"Is the prophecy real?"
"No way. A human with power comparable to Lord Boros?"
Boros's subordinates shouted in disbelief.
Just then, the voice of the [Space-Time Pendulum] echoed around their ship.
"The winner is Ashveil from the Pirate World. Tornado from the One-Punch Man World has been defeated."
Boros raised his head and saw a massive illusion of the space-time pendulum beside his ship.
"Hmph." Boros frowned.
"So you are from another world. It matters not. As long as they are strong, no matter which world they belong to, I will face them."
He shouted toward the pendulum, his overwhelming aura rippling through the ship.
"Hey, you, space-time pendulum! Tell me how I can fight this Ashveil! I want to fight him!"
The lesser soldiers beside him immediately fell to their knees. They understood better than anyone how terrifying Boros was. If he wished, a flick of his finger could end their lives.
Yet the space-time pendulum ignored him completely.
Octopus Man attempted to strike it with psychic power, but his attack didn't even scratch it.
Boros clenched his fists, frustration filling his heart.
"Did I come all this way for nothing? I came here to fight this Ashveil! Damn it!"
Back in the Hero Association, everyone had long noticed Boros's arrival, but their minds were focused entirely on Ashveil. Even Tornado, their strongest active hero, lay unconscious after her defeat. If she could not win, then who could?
Child Emperor immediately issued the highest possible alert.
"Activate God-level disaster alert worldwide!"
Panic swept across the world.
A God-level disaster meant humanity could be wiped out entirely.
"Is Ashveil really that terrifying?"
"We're doomed. Even Tornado lost!"
"What about Blast? Why hasn't he appeared yet?!"
Just then, the voice of the [Space-Time Pendulum] rang out again.
"Next, I will announce the candidates from the One-Punch Man World. The first candidate: Hero Association Hero Saitama."
Saitama leapt from his seat, excitement shining off his polished bald head.
"Genos, did you hear that? It's me!"
Genos smiled widely. It had been a long time since his teacher had shown such genuine joy.
But the surrounding heroes only watched with pity.
"Great, now Saitama has lost it," Metal Bat sighed.
"Even Genos is acting strange now," Watchdog Man added.
Before Genos could explain, the pendulum spoke again.
"The other candidate is Emperor Boros of the Universe."
Silence fell. Then confusion.
"Who?"
Child Emperor quickly analyzed the ship in the sky.
"That's alien technology. Boros must be aboard."
The attention of the world shifted to the massive starship overhead.
"Maybe he can fight Saitama."
"There is no other choice now."
Civilians began to chant Boros's name. Boros merely looked down in disdain.
"These people rely too much on heroes. A society like this can never produce true strength."
Saitama, on the other hand, felt completely betrayed.
He had looked forward to this fight, yet the new challenger had stolen his chance.
"I... I was ignored..." Saitama whispered.
"Saitama-sensei, you didn't declare your participation fast enough. He stole the spot," Genos said.
Saitama's expression collapsed.
"Genos, why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
Genos immediately fled.
"I'll bring you tea!"
At that moment, Boros launched himself from his ship, tearing a hole through it as he entered the arena.
The pendulum declared:
"The challenger from the One-Punch Man World is Emperor Boros of the Universe!"
The world erupted in cheers.
Saitama slumped into despair.
People of the Pirate World watched Boros's entrance with serious faces.
"Emperor Boros of the Universe," Whitebeard murmured. "Even the name carries arrogance."
Golden Lion Shiki nodded. "He was born strong, that much is clear."
Even Doflamingo recognized Boros's dominant aura.
If he lived in the Pirate World, he would undoubtedly be a Conqueror's Haki user.
Across the Shinobi World, even Madara Uchiha's expression shifted.
"This Boros is no ordinary being."
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