章節 292: Chapter 292

Twenty Minutes Ago

The entire battle from Boros' invasion of Earth with his space battleship to the end of his fight with Esdeath lasted less than twenty minutes.

Takumi appeared on the streets of City A, calmly observing the Teyvat army fighting. He also looked down at the ground beneath his feet, more precisely, at the planet.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Gaia has consciousness? I expected that one day I would encounter world consciousness, planetary consciousness, and the like, but I didn't expect it to be this weak, pitiful, and helpless."

The birth of planetary consciousness in the vast universe is often tragic.

The power of such a planet is too weak, and its influence is limited. More importantly, the planet lacks high-concept rules, aside from its own natural and physical rules. There is no way for it to withstand the destructive power from the universe. If a powerful being capable of destroying stars appears, the planet is simply doomed.

Not only that, but the planet also worries about whether any intelligent civilization it harbors will threaten its survival. Unfortunately, human civilization has already waged nuclear war on the planet, frightening the consciousness of Gaia.

Gaia wanted to wipe out humanity, hence the frantic hatching of "weirdos." But the human civilization persisted, with powerful individuals continually emerging. Even an unconscious "collective human consciousness" had formed, which spurred on human civilization according to instinctive logic. Various powerful humans arose, including the S-class heroes, and eventually, an individual emerged who could genuinely threaten the planet—Blast.

However, the collective human consciousness lacked true self-awareness, only basic instincts. Gaia, using the space cube that had been left by a "god" from the universe, tried to lure Blast there. But with Blast gone, Gaia continued creating weirdos, hoping to eradicate humanity.

The situation for Gaia became more dire when a fragment of Ouroboros fell to Earth from the cosmos. Before Gaia could rejoice, the fragment was taken by a human—a human unaware of the fragment's significance.

Gaia had hoped that, in the absence of Blast, she could push humanity back to the Stone Age. However, someone even more powerful than Blast appeared—someone who, if they wanted, could raise the entire planet.

The consciousness of Gaia was now akin to a frightened child. She wanted to eliminate Saitama but feared he would crush her with a single punch. She was like a person hiding at home, muttering about killing the dog that had bitten her, but every time she saw that dog, she'd flee.

Two beings capable of destroying stars were now battling upon her surface, and Gaia feared she might suddenly perish. Even with protection from a strange and powerful star-destroying entity, she wasn't sure if that protection would vanish.

Takumi's eyes turned golden, and a "divine ring" composed of two truths appeared behind him as he smiled.

He most enjoyed worlds or planets he could break apart with a punch and that also possessed consciousness. Consciousness meant he could communicate, and communication meant he could threaten. And if he could threaten it, he could do whatever he wanted with it.

He understood the underlying logic of planetary consciousness well. As long as the world could survive, the world consciousness would sign any unequal treaty.

Takumi stamped his foot and spoke in a commanding tone.

"Hey, little one, I know you're there. You don't want me to shatter you, do you?"

A weak, pitiful voice, like that of a frightened little girl, instantly echoed within Takumi's mind.

"Whatever you want, I'll agree to anything, as long as you don't destroy me."

A twisted smile crossed Takumi's face. "Good. I like obedient children."

A light appeared on his finger, and he quickly crafted a contract in the air.

"Come on, sign this contract for me. If you hesitate, I'll count to three and crush you."

This contract was written in the "two truths," a superior-subordinate agreement between a superior universe and an inferior world. Of course, Takumi added many "private clauses." For Gaia, it was almost akin to selling her very existence.

There was a pause in Gaia's response as she read the contract. As the consciousness of the planet, she instinctively understood what this meant. The moment the "door" opened, she realized beings from a different universe had arrived—creatures with cosmic willpower, some of whom could easily destroy her.

The humanoid will from the different universe terrified her, and she quickly played dead, hoping not to be erased.

Takumi saw Gaia hesitate for several seconds and clicked his tongue. "What? You don't want to sign? I'll count down from three, and if you don't, I'll crush you. Ready—three!"

He didn't even count the rest of the numbers before concentrating the power of Ouroboros in his feet and slowly raising his leg.

"No! Father! I'll sign, I'll sign!" Gaia's consciousness finally yielded.

The contract shone instantly, becoming a binding chain that merged into the consciousness of the planet. Although Gaia was reluctant, she knew survival was paramount. It didn't matter what else she had to do—even recognizing someone as "father" on the spot.

Takumi slowly lowered his foot, smiling playfully. "That's better. By the way, I like my daughters. Gaia's consciousness should always be female. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Father. Gaia's consciousness will always be female."

Takumi nodded with satisfaction. "And stop making those disgusting weirdos. You don't have to worry about the humans—they'll protect the planet from now on."

Gaia's fear stemmed primarily from humanity. Under normal circumstances, humans weren't so self-destructive as to destroy their own home, but now, with Takumi's influence, the situation was different.

Takumi looked at Esdeath, who had just finished her battle, and at Saitama, who was about to run out of City A. He then vanished into thin air.

Although the scope of the battle was large, affecting half of the city, there were no major issues apart from the shock and disorder caused. That is, except for the overenthusiastic journalists and media.

Because the battle between Esdeath and Boros couldn't be captured, the cameras focused instead on the "unknown S-class heroes" who stormed the spaceship to eliminate the aliens.

Meanwhile, Saitama reached the edge of the golden protective shield around City A. He reached out, poked the barrier, and passed through it as though it were a mirage.

"It passed through… Like a ghost. How did it block that big guy's attack earlier?"

Genos, his loyal disciple, responded, "Sensei, this is likely some form of superpower."

Saitama rubbed his smooth head. "A superpower, huh? Like that flying one called Tornado?"

"It should be similar," Genos replied.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.

"That's the barrier created by space authority. But, of course, you wouldn't understand that."

Genos instantly turned around, his sensors on alert. "Who's there?"

Saitama looked over with his signature blank stare, blinking in recognition. There was a young man with a halo behind him, and there was something about him that made Saitama feel… something familiar.

"Hey, have we met before?" Saitama asked, his face as blank as always. "You look familiar."

Takumi smiled and extended his hand. "Saitama, isn't it time you returned the power I lent you all those years ago?"

As Takumi spoke, the divine ring behind him began to glow brightly, and Saitama's body emitted a similar light. The "horn of Ouroboros" appeared, glowing as a pattern on Saitama's forehead.