Overkill is a term used to describe the excessiveness of an action. It is usually used in relation to acts of violence that are far greater than what was needed. However, people also use the term in far more mundane contexts, such as cleaning a small stain on a shirt with an entire bottle of bleach. Overall, whenever someone says something is overkill, they mean to convey that perhaps the employed action is a BIT too much, at the very least.
Yet, at present, Busho and Jinzuren felt they needed to come up with something that surpassed overkill. They could use words like "nuclear" or "cataclysmic", but none of them sounded right. Why did these men seek to invent a new word to communicate unfathomable excess in one's actions? Well, it's because they were currently looking down at the House of Evolution from within the Dark Matter Thieves' ship.
Let's backstep a little. How did we get here? For starters, the three non-human entities that were made to bow before Boros spilled their guts like a fish with a slit belly. The trio shared EVERYTHING they knew, even if it had nothing to do with their creator or organization. By the end, these pathetic things were sobbing as they begged for their lives.
Boros, disappointed and bored by that point, looked at Saitama to see what he wanted to do. Even if that stupid lion hadn't realized who his actual target was before dying, it was clear to everyone that the House of Evolution was hunting Saitama. So, it only made sense that he be allowed to make the next decision. Firstly, Saitama spared the lives of the three crying non-humans, to which they were immensely grateful.
Secondly, as Saitama pondered what to do next, Busho and Jinzuren became involved. To avoid incurring Boros's ire, they promised they would only provide more information and context about this situation. The House of Evolution had been a target of surveillance for quite a while now. One of the S-Class heroes, Zombieman, had an unsavory history with the organization's founder, Doctor Genus.
Upon hearing that name, Kuseno became involved as well. As a scientist, he'd known about the man due to his unrivaled work in genetics. As far as Kuseno knew, Doctor Genus was a recluse and had to be near the end of his life by now. To Kuseno's shock, Busho and Jinzuren revealed the truth.
Doctor Genus reversed his age using his research. Essentially, so long as the man wasn't killed, he was immortal. However, as a logical precautionary measure, Doctor Genus produced multiple clones of himself. That piece of intel came directly from Zombieman, who had seen the clones during his time as an experiment.
After giving it some thought, Kuseno conveyed to everyone how dangerous this situation was. He knew Doctor Genus always had grand ambitions for "correcting" humanity's failings as a species, but he never expected him to turn to evil to achieve them. If left unchecked, there's no telling what Doctor Genus could produce. Before anyone commented on that, the non-humans spoke again.
All three creatures confirmed that Doctor Genus had already made a terrifying super weapon in the form of a living organism. The entity's name was "Carnage Kabuto", and he was believed to be an unstoppable force. Obviously, the trio now knew that wasn't the case. Any of Boros's elites could singlehandedly kill Carnage Kabuto, whereas Boros or Saitama would reduce him to mush.
Boros let out a yawn; she couldn't help it. This scenario was your run-of-the-mill egotist who overestimated their capabilities. Funnily enough, Saitama felt the same. He'd been around enough braggarts to smell'em from a mile away. The more that was learned about Doctor Genus and the House of Evolution, the more Boros and Saitama just wanted to go home and chill.
...Wait...home...for Saitama, that meant an apartment...but for Boros...
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Thus, we arrive at the present. Like a stroke of genius, Boros suggested that they could use her ship to force Doctor Genus into submission. Even someone as arrogant as him would realize the folly of his endeavors when he faced an orbital strike. Busho and Jinzuren agreed to the idea, but only to the extent of using Boros's vessel to provide them a negotiation advantage.
"Using one of our artillery guns would solve this much faster..." Boros commented as the group looked at a holographic projection of the area beneath them.
The group was standing in the control room of the ship, which is where Geryuganshoop would be stationed during travel and combat. Other aliens were serving their assigned tasks, but all of them had been ordered not to gawk if they wanted to keep their eyeballs.
"A quick solution may not always be the best, Boros," Kuseno replied.
"It depends on what you want the outcome to be," Boros argued, folding her arms. "I don't get why we're trying to negotiate with this guy. Ignoring that he sent someone to attack Saitama, if this man has already committed himself to becoming your new god, why don't we strike him down?" She asked.
"Looking past the reasons that have to do with our societal standards and procedure of justice, Doctor Genus would be an invaluable asset to the Association IF we can bring him to our side. Additionally, the technology and research he's already responsible for is a worthwhile enough incentive not to reduce him and everything else that's below us into powder." Busho answered.
"Hm, a tactical gain..." Boros muttered, considering his points. "I'm impressed. You're not against the idea solely because of something stupid like ethics or morality. You're being objective about the situation and are finding tangible value from allowing his continued existence. Well done." She praised him.
"Uh, thank you, Lady Boros," Busho responded. He was genuinely flattered, but he was also nervous that she believed morals and ethics weren't valid.
"Boros," Genos spoke, getting her attention. "Could you explain in detail how we're remaining undetected? All of your technology is so advanced, which makes it hard for me to understand." He requested.
"I'd like to know as well, if that's alright." Kuseno joined in.
"Of course," Boros warmly permitted with a smile. Busho couldn't help but feel hurt by how different she was when interacting with the others. "I'm afraid I can't get into all of the technical details since we'd be here for hours if I did. Geyruganshoop will provide that information later." She said.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't that be privileged access?" Kuseno questioned with widened eyes.
"Pfft, no. If we were relying only on the power of our ship, then yes. But even if this entire thing went down in a massive ball of fire, everyone on board would be protected through Geryuganshoop's Esp. Obviously, as the leader and captain, I wouldn't ever allow someone to do that much damage to my property and crew. But still, what I'm trying to say is that we have no issues sharing everything about our technology and resources. At the end of the day, if you took everything from us, me and my elites could get it all back in minutes." Boros told him with a proud expression.
"What if Master was your opponent?" Genos inquired, pointing at Saitama.
"..." Boros maintained a serious look as she contemplated that. When she was finished, she nervously turned toward the bald man. "You...wouldn't steal our stuff...right?..." She asked, knowing damn well that he was the ONLY entity in the universe who could trample them.
"Hmm..." Saitama put a hand on his chin. He wanted to mess with her a little. "All of this stuff IS pretty cool..." He muttered.
"Ahem," Kuseno cleared his throat, regaining the focus.
"Sorry," Boros apologized, not meaning to get distracted. "Basically, the simplest description of what our ship can do to conceal itself is that it alters space and time around itself. We are undeniably still physically present in the space we're inhabiting. However, much like how we cover massive distances instantaneously, the ship interacts with the natural forces of the universe to affect others' perceptions. No one can see, touch, hear, or smell us." She stated.
"What about taste?" Saitama challenged.
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"Saitama," Boros began, now looking at him quizzically. "How would anyone taste us if they can't touch us? Furthermore, WHY would ANYTHING try to taste nothing, which is how we'd be viewed from their perspective?" She inquired.
"Hey, you never know. What if a bird is flying through your ship with its mouth open?" Saitama proposed, worsening her befuddlement.
"Why would a bird randomly have its mouth open?!" Boros questioned.
"I don't know! It's random!" Saitama countered.
"Um...excuse us..."
Before this comedy skit could go any further, all eyes fell onto the non-humans that Geryuganshoop had captured. Those three had been suspended in the air this entire time. The trio had been brought along since, well, why not?
"What is it?" Boros asked, looking at the mole. "We are in the middle of something important," She added. Yeah, sure, Boros. There was a REALLY important conversation happening right now.
"We were just wondering when we would be put back on the ground..." The mole answered.
"After your creator sees my ship and surrenders," Boros replied.
"Is that the game plan? We're just going to reveal the ship?" Saitama questioned.
"Since a bombardment has been disallowed, our only choices are an intimidation display or sending you down there to kill everyone. The latter option would inevitably be rejected as well, so the ship is all we've got." Boros explained. "That's what you intended, right?" She inquired, speaking to Busho and Jinzuren.
"Yes. Regardless of how powerful Carnage Kabuto is, there's no way he could withstand the firepower within your ship. The size of the vessel is greater than any city on Earth. Only someone whose suicidal would attempt a fight." Jinzuren confirmed.
"I mean, this guy assumed Saitama was a weakling..." Boros reminded him, thinking back to the lion's behavior.
"N-No! That was Beast King!" The frog exclaimed. "Doctor Genus told all of us how dangerous the target was! He insisted that we be cautious! Kamkyuri and Beast King, who were in charge, didn't think it was necessary!" He informed them.
"Kamakyuri? Who's that?" Busho asked.
"He's a half-human-half-mantis hybrid! He went to the roof of the building to scope out the scene, but he never came back!" The frog answered.
"Master!" Genos immediately interjected. "Do you think that your shotput could've killed him?" He suggested.
...Oh, right, yeah, the shotput. Man, the group REALLY needed to worry about that. Genos was probably right on the money. Damn, let's hope that wherever it landed, no one was harmed, and nothing was damaged.
"Anyway..." Busho quickly said, wanting to put that out of everyone's mind for now. "If what you're saying is true, then Doctor Genus is aware that someone, be it Saitama or otherwise, is far stronger than any of his creations. In all likelihood, he's not waiting for us with a trap, but to see if he'll be allowed to live or not," He reasoned.
"So, when we reveal the ship, we should go ahead an land it for a meeting, then?" Boros assumed.
"I think that'd be for the best. Doctor Genus will undoubtedly want to talk if he's anticipating the worst. It won't be for his life, but not just because he has clones. A man with an ego like his cares more about legacy. It's possible Doctor Genus will agree to anything so long as his life's work remains intact." Busho responded.
"Alright. You heard the man, everyone. Lower the ship after you reveal its existence!" Boros commanded her crew.
"Um, mam, we're directly above-"
"THEN MOVE IT." Boros cut them off with a widened eye of annoyance. "Do I need to do it for you, HM? Is something so obvious hard for you to figure out yourself?" She questioned.
"N-NO, MISS! I'M SORRY!" The subordinate shouted before ducking and getting to work like everyone else.
"Psst," Saitama whispered to Groribas. "Is she always like that with you guys?" He inquired.
"Us? No. The crew? Absolutely." Groribas replied, speaking at the same volume. "Our mistress cannot TOLERATE deliberate stupidity. Ignorance is a different story, as it is the absence of knowledge and awareness. But when people say or do things that they shouldn't, it strikes a nerve." He explained.
"Huh, good to know. I'll be sure to do my best to avoid that," Saitama said.
"Nah, you're in the clear. Our lady holds you in the highest regard, but it's not exclusively due to your strength," Groribas revealed.
"Oh? Could you tell me more?" Saitama requested with great intrigue.
"If I were the two of you, I'd seal your lips before the mistress hears your murmurs." Geryuganshoop advised both men via telepathy, making them jump slightly. Afterward, the remainder of the ship's descent was spent in silence.
A Short While Later...
Doctor Genus had no expectations. It shouldn't have been possible for Mosquito Girl to die so easily. Sending Beast King, Kamakyuri, Ground Dragon, Frog Man, and Slugerous was hopeful at best. Surely, with all of them working together, whatever caused this disruption to the schedule would be dealt with. After all, Beast King was the second most powerful member of the House of Evolution.
However, Beast King was also the third member to die in less than a second. One moment, he existed; the next, he didn't. When he and Kamakyuri were revived, they were dazed. How did either one get back to the House of Evolution? What had happened? Who had killed them?
As it turns out, the culprit was some random nobody. Seriously. It wasn't a registered hero. It wasn't the Amazonian Cyclops by herself or with her elites and the massive interstellar warship they commanded. The downfall of the House of Evolution and Doctor Genus's aspirations of becoming a new god for mankind was thwarted...by this guy.
"Hey, are you okay?" Saitama asked, noticing how spaced out the renowned geneticist seemed.
"..." Dr. Genus' eyes slowly moved from the man to the alien warlord to the other extraterrestrials to the warship. Then, they moved back to the man. "...Is this a joke to humiliate me further?" He questioned.
"Really? You're going to doubt us?" Boros challenged, amazed by his refusal to accept the truth.
"WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?!" Dr. Genus verbally exploded, catching everyone, even her, by surprise. "ONE MINUTE, THERE'S NOTHING OUT HERE! THE NEXT, FROM NOWHERE, THERE'S A GIANT SPACESHIP FLOATING IN THE SKY! THEN, THE ALIENS INSIDE THAT SHIP EMERGE, TELL ME THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEATH OF MY CREATIONS, AND THAT IT WAS THIS DOPE RIGHT HERE!" He yelled, pointing at Saitama with that last bit.
I mean, honestly, that reaction was fair. Mosquito Girl was too much of a PTSD-riddled mess to talk about what happened to her. Beast King and Kamakyuri had no idea what had even killed them. The only LOGICAL explanation was an unaccounted variable that was likely an unregistered hero OR one that had just joined. BUT THIS?! A SPACESHIP?! ALIENS?! AND THE CLAIM THAT A BALD MAN WAS SINGLEHANDEDLY RESPONSIBLE?! IT'S INSANE!
"Well, when you lay it all out like that..." Boros muttered while averting her gaze. Regardless of the difference in status and power, the Dominator of the Universe couldn't deny that Doctor Genus had every right to be beside himself. Heck, if Boros weren't the insanely overpowered lifeform that she was, she'd probably have a panic attack about Saitama, too!
"Hey, I've got an idea," Saitama spoke, regaining the focus. "What if I perform another demonstration? That worked well the last-"
"NO." Busho and Jinzuren rejected that idea the instant their brains processed the words.
"Guys, give me a LITTLE credit..." Saitama requested, feeling personally attacked. "I'm not oblivious to our surroundings. We're not in an empty plain. I wouldn't clap my hands and destroy an entire forest." He promised.
"..." Both men stared at Saitama with their arms folded. "Then, what would you do?" Busho inquired.
There was a moment of consideration. Afterward, Saitama walked ten feet away. Once he was at a safe distance, he bent his knees and-
BOOM
Everyone's heads jerked backward. Saitama was out of view before they even managed to look at the sky. He...was still here...right? Specifically, Saitama was within the boundaries of the Earth. He had to be. There's...just no way...that Saitama would...be...in space...
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"Boros, I think you need to do something," Busho said as his widened eyes remained on the sky.
"I'm...certain...that Saitama's alright..." Boros responded. The confidence in her voice was as plentiful as ice in a volcano.
"Boros, I'm serious. Saitama could be in legitimate trouble." Busho insisted, maintaining his focus on the sky.
"Saitama wouldn't be so reckless..." Boros argued. On the one hand, she did mean that. Boros knew that Saitama wasn't a moron. On the other hand, there was always the chance that something went amiss with his plan.
Everyone stayed still and silent. If Saitama didn't return in another thirty seconds, then Boros was rocketing after him. The man might be invincible, but that didn't affect his dependency on oxygen. The vacuum of space wouldn't destroy Saitama's body, but he would need to breathe eventually.
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BOOM
With astonishing accuracy, Saitama returned to Earth at the exact spot he departed from. Of course, the impact nearly knocked everyone off their feet. Geryuganshoop considerately erected a barrier to absorb the shockwave. Boros, Melzargard, and Groribas also positioned themselves in front of the group to add more protection.
When the dirt cloud that had formed from the explosion dissipated, everyone could make out the silhouette of Saitama. But...it wasn't just Saitama...there...was...
"Hey, guys!" Saitama exclaimed with an excited smile on his face. "You won't believe this! So, I ended up going to the moon, and I was planning to bring back a rock as proof for all of you that I was there, but then I ran into this guy, too!" He told them while pointing to his company.
In Saitama's left hand was a set of bunny ears. Beneath those ears was an incredibly roided-out anthropomorphic rabbit holding a mallet and a uniquely designed bowl in its hands. Furthermore, the creature's eyes were spinning in their sockets. Undoubtedly, the sudden trip from the moon to the Earth left it incapacitated.
"So?" Saitama spoke again when he was met with silence. "What do you think? Is this proof good enough?" He inquired, speaking directly to Doctor Genus.
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THUD