Chapter 304: Chapter 5: The Bald Man’s Regret
"What a nice spot. With a bit of work, it could be a perfect place to live."
Ron looked around the strange subspace, nodding in satisfaction.
After leaving the Infinite Castle, he had returned to Z-City.
No sooner had he vacated the forested area where the House of Evolution had once stood than a squad of black-suited men from the Hero Association arrived at the scene.
They stood in shock at the sheer devastation before them.
"What terrifying destruction... What the hell happened here?!"
"Was it the work of a monster? Or a hero?"
"We need to report this immediately."
...
Z-City.
Due to the frequent appearance of monsters, a large portion of the population had moved to the central districts, leaving many towns nearly abandoned.
Among them was one such deserted zone, now eerily known as the Ghost Town.
Night fell.
Having stocked up on supplies at a bustling mall in the heart of Z-City, Ron found himself with time to kill and casually made his way to the desolate sector.
He strolled leisurely through the empty streets of the Ghost Town, hands tucked in his jacket, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. All around him were crumbling buildings and cracked roads, a haunting atmosphere hanging thick in the air.
Ron stopped at the base of a building and looked up at one of the apartment units—the only one with lights still on.
"So that’s the Bald Demon King’s residence, huh?"
He mused to himself. "Not sure how long I’ll be stuck in this world... Maybe I should find a place to stay as well."
...
Inside the apartment.
Saitama lay lazily on the floor, eyes glued to the TV.
"There’s someone nearby."
Genos, who had been cooking, suddenly tensed up the moment he sensed Ron’s presence.
He rushed to the window and peered down into the street.
But there was no one.
The presence... vanished?
Genos narrowed his eyes in surprise.
"What’s wrong, Genos?" Saitama asked, puzzled.
"...Nothing. Probably just my imagination," Genos replied, stepping away from the window.
"Is that so...? Hey, is dinner ready?"
"It’s ready."
"Great, let’s eat. I’m starving."
"Yes, Sensei."
...
That same night, Ron left the abandoned zone and spent a hefty sum to purchase a luxurious penthouse apartment in the most upscale part of Z-City’s central district. Fully furnished and equipped, he moved in immediately.
...
In the high-rise penthouse.
Ron lay submerged in a bathtub filled with steaming water, eyes closed, completely relaxed.
"My current powers... they’re far too messy and unrefined. This isn’t the kind of pure strength I’m after."
"This world might be the perfect place to sort through everything I’ve gained so far... to truly grasp the extent of my abilities."
...
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows.
Ron stood with arms crossed, gazing down at the busy streets filled with cars and pedestrians, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Even though disasters keep striking this world... and even though people could die at any moment, life just... goes on, doesn’t it?"
"No... maybe it’s because they believe the heroes will protect them."
He glanced at the laptop on the table. The screen displayed the Hero Association’s website—info about the organization, the hero registry, and the requirements to become an official hero.
"Hero exam, huh... How boring."
Ron had zero interest in becoming a hero.
"...And now a breaking report," the news anchor on the TV announced. "Just moments ago, the terrorist group known as the ’Paradise Group’ caused another riot in F-City. A high-rise building has been destroyed, and authorities are struggling to respond."
Ron’s eyes flicked toward the TV.
"According to sources, the leader of the Paradise Group has been identified as Hammerhead, a B-class wanted criminal involved in numerous violent incidents..."
Meanwhile, in Saitama’s apartment—
Saitama had just rolled out of bed and was brushing his teeth in his pajamas as he stared at the TV screen.
"The Paradise Group has sent a message to the media, declaring their goal is to create a world where people can receive food and shelter without ever needing to work."
"What a ridiculous cause... Not my kind of fight," Saitama muttered while rinsing his mouth.
"And it seems all members of the Paradise Group are young people... who refuse to work... and they’re all bald."
PFFFFFT!
A fountain of water erupted from Saitama’s mouth.
His face changed instantly.
"Huh?! Bald? No way... You’ve got to be kidding me..."
He turned toward the TV, staring at the sea of bald heads being broadcast, his forehead dripping sweat, his expression frozen in panic.
"Whaaaat?!"
...
Back in the penthouse—
"Heh... They’ve pissed off the Bald Demon King. These guys are done for."
Ron sat on the couch, smirking at the screen.
"Looks like things are about to get interesting... I might as well go watch."
He stood, a glimmer of blue lightning flashing across his eyes, and vanished without a trace.
...
At the same time—
The Bald Demon King—Saitama—was already suited up in his iconic yellow outfit and white cape, blasting off toward F-City at full speed, his face twisted in frustration.
"Thanks to those guys... I look like the villain now?! I’m not letting them get away with this!!"
People on the street caught a glimpse of him and gasped in terror.
"Ahhh! It’s one of the terrorists!!"
"I’M NOT!! DAMMIT!!"
Saitama screamed in rage as he rocketed through the sky.