Mmm, a slow day. It's been a while since Saitama got to enjoy something like this. However, unlike in the past, the recent craziness was pleasant. The biggest reason as to why came in the form of a buff alien woman.
Even if we look beyond her extraterrestrial and power-related aspects, Boros is a delight to have around. Saitama was never "Mister Popular" before or after he obtained his immeasurable strength. During his INCREDIBLY brief time as a salaryman, there weren't any drinking sessions with coworkers that might've led to some bonds. In summary, Saitama's life was very lonely and isolated, but until now, he never thought he was missing out on anything.
Every moment with Boros is a treasure for Saitama. Whether it's fighting, exercising, going to the movies, or just talking over the phone, these moments are some of the best he's had in a VERY long time. The joy he experiences in these interactions is palpable, bringing warmth and happiness to his life that he never thought possible. Again, whether we look deep into the past or the last few years, Saitama's life wasn't exciting or particularly noteworthy in any measure. So, having someone like Boros show up out of the blue, who was also an awesome person to be around, was like winning the lottery!
Of course, Boros wasn't the only new face. While Saitama has only familiarized himself with Groribas so far, he views the plant creature as a friend, too. Their shared day of gaming was great. Maybe if Saitama got the funds for it, he could buy a game that he, Groribas, and Boros could play together. Admittedly, Saitama always wanted to give multiplayer games a shot, but, as explained, he never had any friends to play them with.
Up next were Geryuganshoop and Melzargard. The greatest Esper in the universe was impressively polite and well-spoken. Saitama didn't feel nervous at the idea of getting to know him better, but the right opportunity needed to present itself. Saitama would feel uncomfortable and pushy if he tried to make something like that happen.
As for Melzargard, Saitama was extremely curious as to how that guy worked. Was each head an individual? If so, was there ever any conflict between them? If all the heads are the same person, then what's the point in having multiple heads? Maybe it was one guy, multiple personalities, and they all worked together seamlessly. Ugh, thinking about it by himself made Saitama's brain hurt. He would surely talk to Boros about it. Oh! Wait! Perhaps Geryuganshoop could help! That'd be a perfect way to develop their relationship naturally!
After the assortment of aliens came the blonde-haired cyborg Genos. He still weirded out Saitama a little. Yet, by now, Genos' character was more or less understood. He was unabashedly honest and burned with a resolve that would only grow and never falter. However, the young cyborg did appear dim. Saitama didn't want to comment about that because he didn't know if that was how Genos had always been or maybe it was caused by his tragic past. Plus, it was just a rude thing to say in general.
Anyway, Saitama wasn't put off by the idea of hanging out with Genos more. Additionally, Kuseno, despite only having just met the man, came across as mature and kind. Maybe he could share some more details about Genos with Saitama. Inevitably, with Saitama being Genos' "master", they would come into contact frequently. So, it was best to establish and improve that relationship as well.
Yet, it likely wouldn't be for a while. The cause for Saitama receiving a slow day was that all of his associates were busy. For the sake of your convenience, the tasks shall be listed:
1. Boros and her elites needed to be introduced to the Hero Association's higher-ups. Furthermore, Boros' history, as well as that of the Black Matter Thieves, needed to be presented, which would take a WHILE.
2. With definitive proof obtained, Busho and Jinzuren needed to reveal Saitama's existence and handle the reactions that would follow.
3. Kuseno would also be present to offer his expertise and corroborating testimony. Additionally, he agreed to help Busho and Jinzuren deal with Doctor Genus and the House of Evolution on the condition that he remain independent. By now, Kuseno was able to trust these men specifically, but the rest of the organization they worked for still held his ire. No one questioned him since his reasons were personal and clearly significant.
With all that transcribed, it's no wonder Saitama is alone today and likely for a couple more. Genos wasn't a rogue factor since Kuseno requested his company. Thus, there was nothing to do other than lay back, breathe in deeply, and enjoy some peace and-
BOOM
...
...
...
That sounded like an eruption of some kind. Maybe...a fire hydrant nearby exploded. Yeah. That happens. Someone didn't do their job properly, so a flimsy fire hydrant broke and was now spraying water everywhere. Yup. That was the explanation. There was nothing for Saitama to-
"SURFACE DWELLERS! HEAR MY CALL! I AM THE SUBTERRANEAN QUEEN! I HAVE EMERGED TO CLAIM WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE! THE KINGDOM OF ABOVE SHALL BELONG TO THAT WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN BELOW! COME FORTH AND BOW TO YOUR NEW RULER! THOSE WHO ARE FIRST SHALL EARN MY FAVOR! I MIGHT EVEN SEE FIT TO MAKE YOU MEMBERS OF MY COURT!"
...
...
...
Wow. Street performers were so cool. Saitama never thought a place as empty as his district would have such colorful characters. While unexpected, he didn't mind having an audible show nearby that he could listen to as he-
"SURFACE DWELLERS! YOU TEST THE PATIENCE OF YOUR QUEEN! IF YOU DO NOT HEED MY BECKON, I SHALL REMOVE WHAT HIDES YOU FROM MY GAZE! BE WARNED, MY WEAPONS FAR OUTCLASS THE DURABILITY OF YOUR STRUCTURES! IF YOU WISH TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL INJURY, THEN EXIT YOUR ABODES! THIS SHALL BE YOUR FINAL CHANCE!"
...
...
...
Whoever this was better not be looking in this-
FWOOSH
Suddenly, Saitama's apartment building was engulfed by fire. Extreme heat came into contact with the structure, igniting it instantaneously.
"MY STUFF!" Saitama screamed in a panic, immediately trying to save his belongings.
"AH-HA! I HEAR A VOICE UP THERE! I KNEW YOU WERE HIDING FROM ME!"
After that, another surge of flames traveled through the building. Everything in Saitama's apartment was gone, including the clothes on his body. Yet, he didn't register his nudity. Every bit of panic Saitama felt was replaced by anger so passionate that he was numb.
But before Saitama acted on his rage, he noticed something amidst the inferno. The concrete balcony outside his apartment was still untouched, meaning his cactus was okay! Swiftly, Saitama picked up his potted roommate and then leaped from the balcony. Turning around, he watched as his building transformed into a nearly neon orange light.
"TRYING TO ESCAPE ARE WE? STAY WHERE YOU ARE! I SHALL BE THERE IN A MOMENT!"
That voice came from the front of the building. Since Saitama's balcony was on the backside, that meant the ignited structure separated them. Whoever the voice belonged to managed to leap over the building in one bound. After flipping in the middle of their arch, which had been above the rooftop, the mysterious entity landed directly before Saitama.
The lifeform was thirteen feet tall. Their body glowed with neon blue light while the body itself was black like obsidian. The creature was also wearing very beautifully made ceremonial garb. We're talking high-priestess levels of authority, grace, power, and respect.
"Fear not, surface dweller!" The entity exclaimed at a much softer volume. There was no reason to shout now that they were in the presence of someone else. "I am the Subterranean Queen. As I mentioned moments ago, I am your new-"
The Subterranean Queen stopped speaking. When her eyes, of which there were three, looked at who she was speaking to, she was stricken with an intense shock.
"GOOD HEAVENS!" The Subterranean Queen cried out, nearly dropping her swords. In total, there were four blades made of what seemed to be magma. Each one was held by a hand, which revealed she had four arms. "S-SURFACE DWELLER! HOW D-DARE YOU PRESENT YOURSELF LIKE THIS! I AM ROYALTY! I AM A LADY! ARE YOU SOME KIND OF PERV-"
SMACK
THUD
Saitama slapped the Subterranean Queen with a backhand that would scare the Devil. The ruler of the underground was given an express trip to the street beneath her feet. Upon meeting the concrete, the Subterranean Queen was KNOCKED out. That left Saitama to stare silently at his apartment building as it began crumbling into ashes while he held onto his cactus. Hopefully, things were going MUCH better for Boros and the others.
Meanwhile, At Hero Association Headquarters...
Despite how others normally addressed her, Boros wasn't a lady. She could act "proper" when the circumstances called for it, but make no mistake, Boros embodied an energy we commonly refer to as: "Smug Ass Bitch". It'd been a LONG time since this part of her personality had been seen. Yet, it was no less potent than any previous appearance.
To ensure her comfort, Boros brought a seat from her ship that she knew she could fit in. Her elites offered to carry it for her, but she wanted to make a STATEMENT. Boros strutted into the room while casually carrying the chair over her shoulder. Then, as the Association's higher-ups watched in stunned silence, Boros effortlessly pushed two of them aside to create room at the table, put the chair down, and then sat in the chair by propping her feet on top of the table while also crossing her legs just above the ankle. As a finisher, Boros folded her arms across her chest and adorned a cocky smirk before speaking.
As Boros carried out her introduction and the recital of her history, Geryuganshoop, Groribas, and Melzargard took their spots around her. Busho, Jinzuren, Kuseno, and Genos also entered the room and stood nearby. None of the higher-ups interrupted Boros because they mentally couldn't. Until the very end, every man and woman present served their role in a perfect audience.
When she was done, Boros stretched her arms and sighed. For an occasion like this, she was wearing her gorgeous golden armor and long red cape. However, Boros did not care to go through the trouble of acting all hoity-toity for these people. If anything, she wanted this crap to wrap up ASAP so she could hang out with Saitama.
"That's all," Boros said, finished stretching. "Go on and express your surprise and stutter out your predictable questions. I know it must be SO hard for a species that believes itself to be the center of the universe to learn that they're not. Unfortunately, that's the cost of living in reality rather than a delusion. So, if you could expedite your recovery so we can move this along, I'd appreciate that." She told them.
The people were still frozen, with some possibly being unconscious. Boro's unexpected arrival was already a blow to the mind, but then you had everything she shared on top of that. It was a lot to ask from mostly normal folks to bounce back quickly!
"Well?" Boros called. "Are you going to stare at me slackjawed all day?" She questioned.
...
...
...
"...Busho..." One of the executives spoke while turning their head to look at the scruffy man. "Is...this real?..." They asked.
"Yes, sir, it is," Busho answered. "If there are any of you who have their doubts and believe this to be a joke or a ruse, Lady Boros has positioned her vessel above HQ. Currently, it is incognito. But if you want to have even more evidence that she and her elites are extraterrestrials and that their extensive history in the cosmos is legitimate, they'll be more than happy to reveal their ship and take you aboard." He informed them.
"THAT'S ABSURD!" Another executive shouted, jolting from their seat. "IF THAT'S TRUE, THEN IT WOULD INCITE MASS PANIC!" They carried on.
"I say that's a failure to prepare your populace," Boros commented with an expression of absolute boredom. "If all it takes to make them scream and feel fear is a ship in the sky, then I'm amazed more of you aren't dropping from heart failure." She said.
"Is this an intimidation tactic?" A more composed executive inquired.
"..." Boros stared at that person. She was dumbfounded by what she had heard. "Have you not been listening? Why would I use my ship to scare you?" She asked.
"To assert your superiority over the human race," The same executive answered.
Again, Boros was made silent by that. Is this jackass serious? Boros spared no details about herself and what she had done. Did these idiots not believe it?
"...Ugh..." Boros sighed, hanging her head. "Geryuganshoop, give'em a highlight reel." She ordered.
"Yes, m'lady," Geryuganshoop replied.
Before any reactions could occur, all of the higher-ups' minds were connected to Geryuganshoop's. That would allow him to put them into the scenarios his mistress had described so they could experience them as though they had been there.
"Is that safe?" Jinzuren inquired, understandably worried.
"Anything Geryuganshoop could show them would be from his perspective. As such, there's no chance any of these morons will be subjected to the mental recreation of any physical stimuli. In other words, they won't get boo-boos from seeing his memories." Boros explained, unable to keep from mocking them by the end.
"M'lady," Groribas spoke, earning her attention. "What if Geryuganshoop showed them Saitama's display of power at the plains? He could also share your fight on the island." He suggested.
"If I may, I'd advise against that. Convincing them that Saitama's strength is real is going to be difficult no matter what. But if we do so with footage from Association-approved cameras and all of the verified data we collected from the exam, it'll nearly impossible for them to maintain any disbelief." Busho said.
"But if they do?" "What then?" Two of Melzargard's heads asked.
"Then...we may have to hold ANOTHER display of Saitama's capabilities..." Busho answered with a sigh.
"No, I refuse on his behalf," Boros asserted. "Saitama shouldn't need to put on a special show every time someone doubts him. If these fools do not acknowledge his power, then they can wait for when Saitama faces another foe. He's already done more than enough to satisfy the ignorant. It shouldn't be Saitama's continued problem that they don't accept the truth." She stated.
"I agree! Master has been denied the recognition he is owed for long enough!" Genos passionately exclaimed.
"Well said!" Boros praised him in support.
"Maybe Genus could be of assistance?" Kuseno proposed. "I'm not saying that we have him conduct any tests or something else of the like. Regardless of his evil actions, the man is still recognized by the greatest minds in this world as the foremost expert on genetic science. All he would need to do is provide testimony, much like myself." He said.
"We thought of that, but Genus hasn't spoken since we brought him in yesterday. He and his creations are sharing a cell for now." Jinzuren responded.
"Could I speak to him? I met Genus a few times before he became a recluse. Yet, if he doesn't remember me, I'm sure I can appeal to him as a fellow intellectual." Kuseno requested.
"I'm not sure I can approve that. Genus wouldn't be a threat, but you'd be vulnerable to his creations." Busho said.
"Groribas, Melzargard," Boros interjected, getting all eyes on her. "Would you be bothered with the task of acting as Kuseno and Genos' security detail?" She inquired.
"No, mam." Both men replied.
"Hmph, then that's settled," Boros decided, looking at Busho. "Escort them to the cell so they don't get stopped by your colleagues and subordinates. There shouldn't be any concerns about safety now since Groribas and Melzargard by themselves could slaughter every lifeform that was captured. But together, I don't think there's a force in this world apart from Saitama that would have a chance of survival." She told him.
Busho's immediate reaction was to argue, but really, there wasn't a reason to. If the main problem was guaranteeing Genos and Kuseno's safety, as Boros just said, her elites were the best guards you could ever hope for. So, with another sigh, he led the group out of the executive's meeting room, leaving Boros, Geryuganshoop, and Jinzuren behind.