One Punch Man: "The hell!! Did I transmigrate as King?"

"Genos, the most important thing for hot pot is the freshness of the ingredients."

Saitama picked up a cabbage and shook it meaningfully."Look at how tender these leaves are. That's the essence... Of course, the most important thing is that it's on special today."

Genos nodded solemnly, his notebook already scribbling at high speed."Understood, Teacher. 'Special price is the soul of hot pot.' I will remember this."

Kaito's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Dong!

A low, rumbling heartbeat exploded in his chest. The surrounding air seemed to tremble.

The Emperor Engine—had activated uncontrollably!

Almost instantly, both Saitama and Genos snapped their heads in Kaito's direction, their gazes sharp as arrows.

"This heartbeat…" Genos's mechanical eyes flared red, quickly locking onto Kaito. "Teacher, detecting abnormal biological reaction!"

Saitama's expression was puzzled."Ah… I feel like I've heard that somewhere before..."

Cold sweat soaked Kaito's back. He forced his breathing to slow, struggling to suppress the involuntary engine.

The roar gradually faded—but it was too late.

Genos had already approached, eyes glowing with intense suspicion.

"Who are you? Why do you have such an abnormal physiological reaction?"

Kaito took a deep breath and slowly looked up, revealing the faint scar beneath the brim of his cap.

"King…?" Genos faltered, clearly stunned. "King, the S-Class Hero ranked 7th?"

Behind him, Saitama's eyes lit up."Oh! Sounds super impressive!"

Kaito: "..."

That reaction… should I say, classic Saitama?

Genos, however, remained wary."According to records, King's 'Emperor Engine' is a unique combat ability. But the heart rate just now doesn't match the database…"

"Genos." Saitama casually patted his disciple's shoulder. "Don't be so tense. Maybe he just… uh… has a loud heartbeat?"

Kaito almost laughed aloud.Is that seriously Saitama's logic?

"Saitama-kun, Genos-kun, meeting by chance is fate."

Kaito lifted the heavy plastic bag in his hand. Through the cling film, the vibrant red of premium wagyu beef shimmered under the lights.

"I just bought some good beef and was planning hot pot. If you're free, why not come over?"

He gave the bag a slight shake. The marbled meat practically sparkled.

Genos frowned slightly, already preparing to object."Teacher, we still have—"

He instinctively assumed such socializing would disturb Saitama's "training" (which typically involved games and TV).

—"Alright! It's decided!"

Saitama's voice shot up nearly an octave, his eyes locked on the wagyu. His Adam's apple bobbed visibly.

He held up the lone cabbage in his basket."I just bought side dishes!"

Kaito glanced down. The price tag on the cabbage read "39 yen limited-time offer." Its edges were already a little wilted.

Meanwhile, the wagyu in his bag was worth 28,000 yen per block.

To an unemployed bald hero who relied on supermarket discounts and convenience store bentos...

Premium Wagyu was basically a mythical treasure.

Usually, the centerpiece of Saitama's hot pot was discounted cabbage and the cheapest paper-thin pork slices.

Genos still wanted to protest, but Saitama had already gripped his shoulder."Genos, Mr. King is so enthusiastic—it'd be rude to say no!"

Genos bowed a perfect ninety degrees."Then we shall impose."

His movements were straight out of a courtesy textbook.

"No need to be so formal…" Kaito scratched his cheek awkwardly.

He knew full well that his current comfortable life—the spacious apartment, generous monthly stipend from the Hero Association, and even the luxury of casually buying wagyu—was thanks to the bald man in front of him with a soft spot for discounted cabbage.

After all, in the original timeline, after every major disaster, King always "happened" to show up at the scene—while Saitama, the real savior, quietly walked away.

Naturally, the Hero Association credited all achievements to the only person they found: King.

Thinking of this, Kaito made a silent vow:Once they were closer, he'd repay Saitama properly—on the battlefield he knew best.

The gaming console.

When playing fighting games, he'd limit himself to using just two fingers.

He had inherited King's legendary gaming talent—and in his previous life, he was a top-tier esports otaku. Combined, he was basically a walking cheat code.

Saitama turned to him with a rare, bright smile."Let's head to your place now! Genos, flying us is probably faster—it's not great to sprint full-speed through the city."

Saitama was clearly already dreaming of wagyu melting in his mouth.

"Understood, Teacher." Genos looked toward Kaito. "Mr. King, to confirm—will the hot pot be… clear broth? Teacher cannot tolerate spicy food."

"Of course." Kaito nodded, a small laugh in his throat.

Who would've thought the strongest bald demon lord was afraid of spicy food?

That was never in the original records.

From a quiet corner of the shopping mall, the three of them took off.

Blue thrusters lit up as Genos ascended, one arm carrying Saitama, the other cradling the precious shopping bags.

Kaito, on the other hand, was dangling midair—gripped by the collar like a kitten in Saitama's hand.

The bald hero seemed completely indifferent to how terrifying the experience of "being carried while flying" was for a regular person.

Wind howled violently in Kaito's ears. He squeezed his eyes shut, praying he wouldn't throw up if he opened them.

His heart pounded uncontrollably again—this time, not because of the Emperor Engine.

This was pure, unfiltered terror.

"Huh?" Saitama's voice cut through the wind. "King, your heartbeat's really loud again."

"Emperor Engine!" Genos immediately shifted into combat mode. "Mr. King, have you detected any suspicious monsters?!"

"N-No…" Kaito stammered, forcing words past his clamped jaw. "I'm just… afraid of heights…"

Five minutes later, they landed on the balcony of Kaito's apartment.

Kaito staggered into the living room on jelly legs, while Saitama—already familiar with the layout—headed straight for the kitchen.

"Where's the pot? And the induction cooker? I'll handle the beef!"

Genos followed behind like an overanxious housewife."Teacher, please allow me—"

Kaito used the chance to slip into the guest room, carrying a metal box under one arm.

Inside, Mosquito Girl immediately tensed at the sound of the door. Her blood-red eyes gleamed warily in the dim light.

"Don't make a sound," Kaito whispered. "We've got guests outside."

He opened the metal box and took out the mechanical prosthetics.

Mosquito Girl's gaze sharpened, shifting from suspicion to barely concealed hope.

"…This is for me?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes." Kaito picked up one of the sleek cybernetic arms. "But remember—I have control."

He raised the black wristband on his wrist."Try anything funny, and I'll turn you right back into a torso."

Mosquito Girl nodded quickly, but as Kaito began the installation process, her guarded expression gradually shifted.

A slight sting came with the joint connections—but it was quickly replaced by something else.

A long-lost sensation. The feeling of having limbs again.

By the time Kaito secured the last mechanical foot, Mosquito Girl was trembling as she slowly flexed her fingers.

The silver-gray joints responded seamlessly to her neural signals—almost as if they were her real limbs.

"Try to stand," Kaito instructed.

Mosquito Girl hesitated, then propped herself up—wobbling, but upright.

"…Thank you," she blurted out instinctively, before immediately covering her mouth in panic.

Had that word angered him?

Kaito only sneered and pulled a dark red block of beef blood from the shopping bag. He tossed it to her casually.

"Eat sparingly. That one block should last you a week."

Mosquito Girl caught it like it was sacred treasure. Her sharp canines pierced the cling film instantly.

But the first bite of cold, coagulated blood made her flinch. It was bland—nothing like the fresh, warm blood she craved.

Still, when she looked up and met Kaito's cold gaze, she quickly lowered her head and quietly continued eating.

Ding!Mosquito Girl gained 50 Deterrence Points due to conflicting emotions of freedom and fear of punishment!

Kaito turned to leave, satisfied—then paused."Oh, right. That bald guy outside…"

Mosquito Girl's chewing slowed.

"…The one who crippled you."

PFFT—!

She spat out a mouthful of blood. Her mechanical limbs seized up instantly.

"He—He's outside?!"

"In the kitchen," Kaito said with a grin. "Cooking hot pot."

He gave her a cruel, knowing look."This meal? I had to beg him for mercy—because of all the crimes you committed. Got it?"

At her current stage, she was still too unstable to meet Saitama or Genos. That would be a disaster.

Mosquito Girl nodded frantically, her head bobbing like it might fly off.

Ding!Mosquito Girl gained 100 Deterrence Points due to conflicting emotions of gratitude and fear!

She clutched the blood block like a lifeline and curled into the farthest corner of the room.

Even her breathing grew lighter, barely audible in the silence.