Chapter Text
The sun hung lazily over City Z, its golden light spilling across the cracked streets and uneven sidewalks that Saitama had long ago stopped noticing. The hum of the city—honking horns, distant sirens, the occasional dog barking—blended into the background of her daily life. She stood in the middle of a grocery aisle, holding a carton of milk as though it contained the secrets of the universe.
"Three bucks for milk... again," she muttered, shaking her head. Her long black hair swayed lightly against her shoulders, a subtle annoyance as she glanced at the price tag. The mundane struggles of human life had a way of irritating her almost as much as monsters did. Almost.
Sliding the carton back into the refrigerator, she wandered toward the checkout, her hands shoved into her pockets. Outside, the city carried on as usual—stray cats knocking over trash cans, children racing on squeaky bikes, and traffic clogged with drivers who seemed allergic to common courtesy. She sighed. Probably another so-called villain wasting my time, she thought.
Then, a faint ripple of wind brushed past her, brushing the tips of her hair like a ghostly caress. Saitama paused mid-step, frowning slightly. Nothing seemed out of place. No monsters, no alarms, no glowing portals in the sky—just the usual chaos of City Z. She shrugged and continued walking.
Far above, in a sky that shimmered with impossible colors she could never name, two figures floated silently. They observed her with an intensity that would have burned through most human souls.
Brunhilde, taller and sharper of the two, leaned slightly forward, her eyes glimmering with a focused green intensity. "That woman may look ordinary, but she's... incredible. I've never seen a human like her. Not even close."
Göll tilted her head, the faintest hint of curiosity in her expression. "Her strength surpasses anything recorded in the chronicles of any universe we've observed. Months of watching... and still, she has not faced a true challenge. She is unmatched."
Brunhilde crossed her arms, her voice dropping to a grave tone. "That's exactly why we must approach her. Humanity in our world is at stake, and the gods have begun their deliberations. If we fail..." Her words trailed, heavy with unspoken doom.
Göll's gaze softened briefly. "Let's not dwell on the what-ifs, sister. Focus on the present."
Meanwhile, on the streets below, Saitama was oblivious to the deliberations above. A man in a tattered suit screamed in terror as a large, pink creature—roughly the size of a Yeti, with grotesque claws and a wide, gaping mouth—charged at him down the sidewalk. Saitama, clad in her signature yellow one-piece jumpsuit, blinked lazily.
Another villain? she thought. Might as well.
With a single, casual step forward, she threw her standard punch. The creature exploded into a shower of pink and red gore, its limbs and organs scattering across the street and splattering nearby walls. The man, stunned, barely registered that his life had just been saved. He fled into the distance, screaming incoherently. Saitama yawned.
"Yeah... I guess. You're welcome," she muttered, turning back toward her apartment. The mundane world continued around her, indifferent to the spectacle she had just created.
High above, Brunhilde clasped her hands tightly. "That's it. We can no longer wait."
Göll nodded. With a graceful, fluid motion, the two Valkyries descended toward the city. As they did, the air seemed to warp around them, subtle distortions of space and light appearing in their wake. No mortal could detect it—unless they were... special.
Saitama paused mid-step, her eyes narrowing slightly at the faint shimmer of movement in the air. "You two are... kinda shiny," she said, tilting her head.
Brunhilde smiled faintly, the hint of amusement softening her otherwise serious features. "Hello, Saitama. I am Brunhilde, and this is my youngest sister, Göll. We are Valkyries. We have come to speak to you concerning a matter of utmost importance."
Saitama's brow furrowed slightly. "Uh... how do you even know me?" she asked. Her tone was casual, but her curiosity was genuine.
Brunhilde exchanged a glance with Göll before speaking. "We have been observing you for months. Your strength... your potential... it is unlike any other human we have ever recorded. We have traveled through multiple universes to find potential human fighters, and every path has led us here. To you."
Saitama blinked. "So... what do you want with me?" she asked.
Brunhilde's voice turned serious. "There is a danger unlike any your world has faced. Humanity in our world is threatened—powerful forces have begun to judge our people, deeming them unworthy of existence. We believe you have the power to stop them—to save humanity from annihilation. That is why we have come to you."
Saitama tilted her head. "Danger, huh? Like... monsters? Aliens? Rogue scientists?"
Göll spoke evenly, her voice calm but imbued with weight. "More... divine. The gods of various pantheons are planning to judge the world. They have deemed humanity unworthy of existence."
Saitama yawned again, her expression unfazed. "Sounds dramatic. So... why me?"
Brunhilde's green eyes held firm as she stated the truth plainly. "The humans we observed across universes are powerful, but you... you are the strongest human we have ever encountered. We believe you alone have the power to stand against the gods and protect humanity."
Saitama stared at her blankly for a moment before shrugging. "Well... that's convenient. But honestly, I was hoping for a little more of a challenge."
Brunhilde blinked, momentarily taken aback. That deadpan tone, that lack of awe, was unlike anything she had witnessed in a mortal. Yet, beneath her casual demeanor, the aura of unimaginable power radiating from Saitama was undeniable.
"We must recruit her," Göll said softly, almost to herself. "If she refuses..."
"Humanity is lost," Brunhilde finished grimly.
Saitama yawned for the third time that hour. "Recruit me? I don't do teams. Or fancy speeches. But I guess I can check this out. Might be fun."
The Valkyries exchanged a glance, relief barely hidden in their expressions. This human was surprisingly compliant, although willing to engage on her terms, not theirs.
Brunhilde allowed herself a small sigh of relief. "Then we shall begin. We will take you to our world."
But before a portal could shimmer into existence, Saitama's eyes widened as an afterthought struck her. "Wait! Genos and King should come with me! They might want to see this... divine judgment thingy."
Brunhilde tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "You wish to bring allies from your world?"
Saitama nodded casually, tying her long hair into a loose ponytail. "Yeah. Can't leave my friends out. It'd be rude."
Brunhilde nodded. "Very well. Then we will wait."
And so, the stage was set. Humanity's strongest—and most indifferent—hero, accompanied by the Valkyries, was about to step into a universe far beyond her understanding. A world of gods, judgment, and battles.
Yet, as she yawned and adjusted her ponytail, she thought casually to herself, Well, if I'm gonna fight gods, might as well make it quick.