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I am Saitama - Chapter 21: The Meteorite
🕑 Added 2025-07-25 04:48:15 +0000 UTCAfter rewatching the video again—yes, again—Saitama found himself sinking deeper into the rabbit hole of the comment section. What started as casual curiosity became a full hour of scrolling, clicking, reading, and occasionally laughing hard enough to snort. He slouched in his chair, eyes flicking over usernames and avatars as he read through the sea of reactions.
Sometimes he chuckled at absurd or sarcastic takes—people joking about his blank expression being part of some unbeatable technique.
Sometimes he tilted his head, puzzled by theories that claimed he was a government experiment or a psychic weapon gone rogue.
Other times, his face would flush faintly in embarrassment—like when someone edited slow-mo footage of him walking away from an explosion and set it to romantic saxophone music.
But more often than not, he felt something heavier—and warmer—in his chest.
Pride.
Not his own, exactly. But the pride that came from seeing how much the original Saitama had actually done… how much of a difference he’d made in people’s lives.
There were dozens of comments from people claiming he’d saved them.
A little girl who remembered a caped man saving her cat from a monster.
A guy who swore he was seconds from being crushed before Saitama appeared and vanished the threat without a word.
A shop owner from a small neighborhood that remembered seeing a bald man walk into battle without hesitation.
He never asked for payment. Never gave his name. But I always remembered him. I'm glad he's finally being recognized.
Saitama leaned back with a quiet breath, the glow of the screen reflecting in his eyes.
“Haha… this guy says he’s glad I joined because now bald people have better representation,” he muttered with a grin. “Can’t tell if he’s joking or being super serious, though…”
Before he could dive back in, both his and Genos’s phones buzzed simultaneously, the sharp chime of matching ringtones echoing through the room. The two looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
“…Weird timing,” Saitama said as he answered his.
“Hello? Yeah, that’s me… Uh-huh… Z-City Branch? Sure, I can go—wait, now? Alright. Yeah. No problem. Thanks. Bye.” He hung up and turned to Genos.
“You too?” he asked.
Genos nodded, having just ended his own call. “Hero Association?”
“Hero Association,” Saitama confirmed, stuffing his phone into his hoodie pocket.
“They want us at the Z-City Branch ASAP.”
Saitama stretched, letting out a casual yawn. “Did they tell you what it was? Let me guess… another monster alert?”
Genos shook his head. “They didn’t specify neither. Just said it was urgent and we needed to report to the Z-City Branch immediately.”
Saitama raised an eyebrow. “Also no details?”
“None. Just that it’s classified as top priority.”
Saitama blinked, then sighed. “Man… could be anything from a giant mosquito to world-ending doom.”
“Shall we go, Sensei?”
Saitama cracked his neck and grabbed his grocery bag, still halfway full from the trip he forgot to finish. “Yeah. Let’s deal with whatever it is before lunch messes up again.”
(3 minutes later…)
They arrived at the Z-City Branch of the Hero Association after a short sprint—nothing too flashy, just enough to shave off a few minutes. Being in the same city helped. The building itself mirrored the clean, angular design of the main HQ: sleek metal, reinforced glass, the typical high-tech aesthetic of the Association. However, it was still a branch, and the scale showed—smaller entry hall, fewer security drones, and far less bustle.
Saitama looked around as they entered, his eyes scanning the mostly empty lobby. “Hmph? Why is this place so empty?”
Genos glanced around as well, his sensors on alert. “I don’t know, but it’s strange. Even during low activity hours, this place should have more personnel.”
Before Saitama could comment further, a deep, weathered voice called out to them. “Hmm, are you the new guys?”
Saitama turned toward the voice instantly, already recognizing the tone, even before laying eyes on the speaker. And there he was—just like he remembered from the anime and manga.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Bang,” said the old man, stepping forward with calm dignity.
Saitama kept his expression neutral, but internally he was buzzing. Bang. Silver Fang. One of the last true martial artists in this world. Not just a powerhouse, but a man of principle. Like Roshi, if Roshi wasn’t a perv.
He studied the elder closely—light blue eyes, weathered tan skin, spiky white hair, thick eyebrows, and a full mustache. He wore a traditional black martial arts jumpsuit with a high collar, light pants, and those iconic Tai Chi slippers.
Exactly like the source material. Damn, this world really is a perfect replica.
“Yes, we are,” said Saitama, stepping forward. “I’m Saitama, S-Class Rank 10, and this is my disciple, Genos, S-Class Rank 18. It’s a pleasure to meet such a respected martial artist and hero, Mister Bang.”
He gave a courteous bow—surprising Genos, who had rarely seen his sensei bow to anyone.
If Sensei’s bowing… this man must truly be someone remarkable. Genos followed suit, bowing respectfully.
Bang blinked in mild surprise, then chuckled as he waved a hand. “No need for that. Here, we’re all heroes. Drop the ‘mister’ too—makes me feel older than I already am.”
Saitama straightened up, a brief chuckle escaping his lips as well. “Fair enough. But respect where it’s due. I admire your Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. It’s… impressive.”
Bang’s eyebrows rose. “You know my style? Huh. Now that’s a surprise. When I heard the Association had promoted two new S-Class heroes, I didn’t expect either of them to be so familiar with traditional martial arts.”
“Well, to be honest,” said Saitama, keeping his tone casual, “I’m no expert on martial arts. Not by a long shot. But I do know a fair amount about heroes—especially the S-Class ones.”
“Ah, so you did your homework,” Bang said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That’s more than most do these days.”
“Something like that,” Saitama replied. “But putting that aside… do you know why we were called here? We weren’t told much, just that it was urgent.”
Bang sighed, the weight of the situation settling onto his face. “Unfortunately, yes. There’s a Dragon-level crisis approaching. The Association wants all S-Class heroes in the area to respond immediately. A massive meteor is on course to strike Z-City. Estimated impact in thirty-five minutes.”
He nodded slowly, letting that weight sink in. “Got it. That’s serious,” he muttered, scanning the deserted lobby with more understanding. “Now it makes sense why no one is here.”
Bang folded his arms and nodded solemnly. “Yes. The Hero Association has already ordered a full evacuation. Civilians and staff alike were told to get out of the area. The only ones they even tried to contact for intervention were the S-Class heroes in the region… but as you can see—” he gestured to the empty halls, “—we’re not exactly a full house.”
“We’re the only ones?” Genos asked, his tone sharp and confused. “Why didn’t the others show up?”
Bang exhaled slowly through his nose, visibly disappointed. “I can’t say for sure. Some might be too far out to respond in time. Others are probably busy with other threats… and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few simply didn’t bother.”
“That’s…” Genos clenched his fists slightly. “That’s disappointing. Even if they’re far, a hero should push themselves to help, especially in times like this. That’s what it means to be S-Class… isn’t it?”
Saitama and Bang glanced at each other before turning to the young cyborg. Genos stood tall, face resolute, voice full of quiet conviction.
Saitama watched him, feeling a flicker of pride stir in his chest.
Genos is still the same as I remembered him from the manga—brave, loyal, and determined to protect others even at his own expense. No wonder he rose so fast through the ranks in the original story. Every time the world was at risk, he showed up to fight and protect the innocent.
Without thinking, Saitama placed a hand on Genos’s shoulder. The cyborg turned his head, surprised.
“Don’t worry,” Saitama said, offering a faint but confident smile. “We’ll manage.”
“Actually… I don’t know if we will manage,” Bang muttered, surprising both of them.
Saitama’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Huh?”
Bang’s expression was grave. “You see, the meteor is estimated to be around 200 meters in diameter. Even combining our forces, I don't think we could destroy it completely. That rock’s just too damn big.” He looked at both of them with genuine concern. “You two should leave. Run with your loved ones, if you have them. This might be one of those times where even heroes need to retreat.”
Saitama’s tone dropped. “Bang, can I ask you something? Do the people in the city… know about this?”
Bang sighed heavily, the wrinkles on his face deepening. “Unfortunately… I don’t think they do. The Association was late identifying and predicting the meteor’s trajectory. From what I heard, they plan to release an emergency evacuation notice thirty minutes before the estimated impact.”
“…So the first alerts should be coming out now,” Genos realized grimly.
Saitama didn’t respond. His face had darkened, shadowed by something deeper than anger. He simply let out a low:
“Tch.”
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the building with deliberate steps.
Sensing his master’s mood, Genos remained silent and followed closely behind.
Meanwhile, Bang watched them go, rubbing the back of his neck as a frown tugged at his lips.
He’s planning to face the meteor… isn’t he? Sigh… These kids are going to be the death of me.
---
The streets were crowded with civilians staring up in confusion and awe, pointing at the burning speck in the sky that slowly grew larger. For the untrained eye, it was still too distant to judge, just a dazzling phenomenon—but not for Saitama. Not for the Hero Association’s tech, which had already locked onto it… far too late.
Saitama walked among the crowd in silence, his eyes cold, his mouth set in a tight line. Children clung to their parents, some laughing at the “cool fireball,” others sensing the unease in the air. He passed them all, each step heavier with the weight of responsibility.
I can’t believe it… he thought. I didn’t remember they pulled this crap in the manga. I read those first volumes ages ago but still… giving people just thirty minutes to escape a meteor the size of a building? What the hell are they thinking? That’s not a warning—that’s a death sentence.
He clenched his fist, veins rising in his arm.
“But there is something I can do,” he muttered.
In a fluid motion, Saitama bent his knees and launched himself skyward, soaring several stories until he landed atop a high-rise rooftop. Genos followed him instantly, landing a few feet behind. From up there, the meteor was now visible in haunting detail—a blazing mass tearing through the atmosphere with frightening speed.
A sharp, shrill alarm rang out across the city. Loudspeakers buzzed to life.
“Attention citizens. This is an official alert from the Hero Association. A large meteor has been detected and is projected to strike within thirty minutes in the metropolitan area. Please proceed to designated evacuation shelters immediately. Do not panic—”
“Thirty minutes,” Saitama growled through clenched teeth. “Fucking bastards.”
He narrowed his gaze and analyzed the meteor for a few seconds. He’d done this before, and back then, it barely worked. If he messed it up, if too many fragments broke off… it could mean a second disaster.
“Hey, Genos,” he called.
“Yes, sensei?”
“Tell me… can you blow that meteor up?”
Genos hesitated. “I… I’m not sure. If I pushed my core output to its maximum, I might be able to do significant damage, but—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Saitama interrupted. “I know what I’m going to do. But I need your help, and I need you to follow my orders exactly. Understand?”
Genos straightened. “Yes, Sensei.”
“You can blast multiple targets at once, right?”
Genos nodded. “Yes, I have multi-target incineration protocols ready.”
“Good,” Saitama said, locking eyes with him. “Once I destroy the meteor, there are going to be fragments. Some might still be big enough to cause serious damage. You’ll have to shoot them down. All of them. Do not let a single chunk reach the city.”
Genos clenched a fist and nodded with conviction. “Understood. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” Saitama said with a grin.
Then, without hesitation, he crouched, flexed his legs—and launched himself into the sky like a missile, leaving a giant crater on the top of the building he took off.
The wind roared past him as he ascended, Mach 10 slicing through the air, straight toward the oncoming doom. He could see it now, up close—a monstrous burning juggernaut screaming through the sky. His eyes focused, narrowing to a single point.
Okay. Calm down. I’m not flying. Just jumping really damn high. I just need to hit it exactly in the right place to shatter it into dust…
Then came the impact.
CRASH!
Saitama’s fist collided with the meteor in a single, perfect blow. The sound was thunderous. The meteor cracked, splintered—and exploded in a burst of fiery fragments that rained in every direction.
The sky lit up like fireworks.
The explosion echoed like thunder across the skies, sending shockwaves rippling through the clouds. Flaming fragments—some the size of trucks, others like missiles—scattered in every direction, glowing trails streaking through the atmosphere like falling stars. The danger wasn’t over.
And from below, Genos prepared to do his part. He stood at the edge of the rooftop, eyes narrowing as his scanners rapidly calculated the trajectories.
“Trajectory analysis complete… Engaging.”
His arms hissed as they shifted, plating opening to reveal his high-output incinerators. The air around him shimmered from the heat buildup.
Just before he fired, a voice sounded behind him.
“Wait, Genos.”
He turned to see Bang landing on the rooftop beside him in a low crouch, eyes sharp and unwavering despite the chaos in the skies.
“Mister Bang?” Genos blinked, momentarily surprised. “Shouldn’t you evacuate?”
Bang straightened, folding his arms. “In this city, I built my dojo. My students trained here. My home is here. I will not let it be destroyed.”
With that, Bang dropped into a fighting stance, fists clenched and muscles taut.
“I may not have the firepower you do, boy, but I can still redirect or smash the smaller ones. Let’s do this together.”
Genos nodded firmly. “Understood.”
With no more words, Genos took aim, twin beams of plasma surging from his arms as he targeted the largest, deadliest shards. The sky lit up as they collided mid-air, disintegrating the debris in bursts of light and fire.
Bang dashed from rooftop to rooftop like a phantom, leaping high and delivering pinpoint strikes to redirect or shatter the incoming meteorites before they reached the streets below.
Genos hovered slightly above the rooftops using his propulsion systems, eyes glowing gold, arms aimed and locked onto incoming targets.
“Fragment cluster incoming, southeast quadrant… Engaging.”
BOOM—BOOM—FWOOSH!
Twin blasts of energy erupted from his arms, striking through three meteor fragments in rapid succession. They exploded in mid-air, showering harmless dust through the air.
Bang, meanwhile, was a blur of precision and power. He moved across the cityscape like a storm given form, launching himself from ledges, vaulting through alleyways, and intercepting smaller—but no less dangerous—pieces of the meteorite. One came hurling toward a nearby hospital. He leapt, spun mid-air, and slammed his palm into it with surgical precision. The rock cracked, then splintered into harmless gravel that rained over the rooftops.
“I’m not done yet,” Bang growled, launching himself again. “I’ve protected this place for decades—I’m not letting it burn today!”
A few blocks away, a soft thud echoed as Saitama touched down on the street. Not a single scratch marked his body, not a trace of soot on his clothes. Meanwhile, the majority of the people nearby stared the sky in stunned silence, unsure whether to cheer, cry, or simply fall to their knees.
He didn’t look back at them. His eyes were fixed on the sky, watching the remaining meteor fragments being handled with almost poetic coordination.
He saw from far away, although without much understanding of what was happening, but he understood once he saw the blasts and heard the explosions from afar. Genos incinerated three more shards in one go, while Bang landed a double-palm strike that shattered a Boulder completely.
“…I believe that Bang joined in. Knew he would,” Saitama thought, a small, almost imperceptible smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
Bang might be old, stubborn, and crusty with his words—but when it came to protecting lives, his heart was unmatched. One of the few who didn’t care about the ranks, the money, or the spotlight.
“He’s a real hero.”
Saitama folded his arms and watched in silence as the final fragments burned away in the sky. It was over and no one was hurt or worse.
Good job. He thought, patting himself on the back
