Chapter 7: Farewells

A heavy thud echoed through the room as Blast slammed a dark cube onto the table. He gripped it tightly, preventing it from making further contact with the surface. The cube emanated an air of immense weight, threatening to demolish the entire apartment if he dared to loosen his hold.

"So," Blast began, his voice gruff, "do you recognize this?"

Leo, masking his surprise with practiced nonchalance, tilted his head and met Blast's gaze head-on. He was acutely aware of the Hero's attempt to glean something from his expression. Did Blast possess the ability to sniff out lies? Whatever the case, Leo couldn't deny the gravity of the situation radiating from Blast and the cube.

He feigned ignorance with a nonchalant smile. "What if I did? As far as I recall, I've never encountered this cube or anything similar."

Internally, however, a storm brewed. Leo recognized the cube – a Mysterious Cube, infamous in the One-Punch Man universe. These enigmatic objects, scattered across the world, held an air of intrigue. Initially, they seemed insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, the latest chapter from his past life revealed a startling truth – with the right method, one could communicate with the very God of this universe through these cubes.

This was the only relevant information Leo retained from the last chapter he'd read before his reincarnation. Ever since arriving in this new world, he'd meticulously avoided altering the established storyline. So, Blast's sudden confrontation with this cube left him utterly bewildered.

Sensing no reaction on Leo's part, Blast closed his eyes for a moment. "Interesting," he muttered upon reopening them. "The lack of surprise about my identity or purpose tells me you recognize me, doesn't it?" His voice held a hint of intrigue. "Are you by any chance from another dimension?"

Leo flinched internally at the blunt question. He knew evasion was futile at this point. While he possessed the strength of his One-Punch Man abilities to defend himself, a peaceful resolution remained his preferred course of action.

He allowed a measured silence to hang in the air before finally breaking it. "Mr. Blast," he began, his voice firm, "let's cut to the chase. If you possess such knowledge, I'd appreciate it if you skipped the formalities."

Blast's lips curled into a smirk. "Cheeky, aren't we?" he chuckled. "Alright then, let's get straight to the point. Are you a foe or a friend?"

Leo couldn't help but question Blast's sincerity. Was this a genuine attempt to understand, or simply the naivety of a powerful hero? I mean who asks such questions?

No, I came here to solve a problem… one that originated beyond the boundaries of this universe. I won't be here long, so you needn't worry about overstaying my welcome."

Blast's gaze remained fixed on Leo for several tense seconds before he vanished the ominous cube into a pocket dimension with a flick of his wrist. "That much is clear," he admitted, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You don't reek of malice, and that's a good thing."

"Actually," Blast continued, his tone turning serious, "a few weeks back, a tear in reality manifested near Earth. Whatever crawled through it reeked of the same ominous energy I currently sense from my adversaries. Thankfully, the creature vanished almost as soon as it appeared."

A spark of recognition flickered in Leo's eyes. So, the pixelated monstrosity truly was a pawn – a pawn of an Outer God. The unsettling energy Blast detected was undoubtedly the tendrils of a cosmic entity's power. The true might of these Outer Gods remained a terrifying mystery to Leo.

"However," Blast pressed on, "a subsequent rift opened, and that's when I first noticed you. Initially, you didn't register on my radar. Then, as you dispatched that… pixelated monstrosity, I felt that same ominous energy again. That's what led me to believe you were a visitor from another dimension, here to neutralize the intruder. By all accounts, that makes you an ally."

Leo arched an eyebrow, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "You're rather quick to accept things at face value, Blast. You seem far more… (personable than your anime counterpart ahem.)" He paused, then continued, "Now that you're in the loop, can I earn your full trust?"

Blast's expression hardened. "Not entirely, but for now, Mr. Leo, you have it. You've safeguarded this world from an unknown power, and for that, I'm indebted to you. Tell me, is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"Then consider this a debt I'll hold you to," Leo replied. "If you ever sense that energy again, keep a watchful eye. Don't confront it head-on, and certainly don't try to destroy it. Doing so will only prolong the inevitable. Any entity that breaches the boundaries of existence could very well tear this world apart, regardless of its inhabitants' strength."

According to Leo's system, even Zeno, the supreme being of DBZ world, could potentially be challenged by a mature Outer God. These entities were reality benders, capable of obliterating even the most formidable beings within a universe.

"Understood," Blast acknowledged, his voice heavy with newfound responsibility. A swirling vortex of inky blackness materialized behind him, a portal to his departure. "This favor won't be forgotten. Should you ever require my assistance, don't hesitate to call."

Leo offered a curt nod in response to Blast's offer. After a final exchange of silent understanding, Blast vanished through the portal, leaving Leo alone.

"So that's why Blast didn't appear to save Tatsumaki…" Leo muttered, realizing the reason for Blast's absence. He was probably searching for the Parasite, the isekai individual, which led him to overlook the incident involving Tatsumaki. This deviation from the original plot was significant.

[Exactly. The Parasite likely disrupted Hero Blast's objective of collecting the cubes, resulting in his absence from the Tatsumaki incident. This information is crucial as it could be used to study how singularities can penetrate reality.]

"Well, do your thing," Leo smirked before leaving the room, "Let's meet the green head for the final time."

Leo had many ambitions in this world, like learning martial arts from Bang or asking Dr. Kuseno to create a cyborg arm for him. However, he would rather not stay and risk becoming completely bald in this world.

After hopping from building to building and running at lightning speed, Leo arrived outside a house. There, he saw young Tatsumaki along with another toddler standing behind her sister.

"She is Fubuki, my younger sister," Tatsumaki introduced the shy girl hiding behind her. Leo was quite shocked to meet the ultimate waifu of One Punch Man. Every panel featuring Fubuki had skyrocketed sales; Murata was just that good at drawing her.

However, for now, she was just a five-year-old shy girl. Leo would feel criminal harboring those, ahem, thoughts.

"Fubuki, say hi to Leo. He is stronger than me," Tatsumaki said, glaring at young Fubuki. Intimidated by Tatsumaki's gaze, Fubuki flinched before slowly coming forward with a pouting face.

Seeing such a cutie pie, Leo laughed before ruffling Fubuki's hair, "Hehe, don't be bitter, little girl. You will become strong like your sister there."

Hearing those words, Fubuki beamed, "Wahh~! Really?!"

"Um~!" Leo nodded before turning to Tatsumaki, "Well, little champ, it is time for my departure."

"What?!" Tatsumaki was shocked, "B-but why?! I thought you would stay?!"

"Nope, I have things I need to do," Leo smiled before ruffling Fubuki's hair again, "Besides, like your sister, I have my loved ones waiting for me too."

Tears welled up in Tatsumaki's eyes. She clamped her lips shut, determined not to cry or whine like a child. Leo chuckled again and approached her, pulling her into a hug. Having cared for children in his previous life, he instinctively knew what she needed most at that moment.

Tatsumaki finally let out the tears she'd been holding back, finding solace in Leo's embrace.

Tatsumaki sniffled, her face streaked with tears. A gentle hand brushed against her cheek, wiping away a stray droplet. Leo's voice, soft and sincere, filled the air.

"Tatsumaki," he murmured, "become strong. Not just for yourself, but for your sister too. Don't hold her back. And if something troubles you, try to see things from her perspective. Remember, she's your family."

Tatsumaki lifted her head, her eyes red and puffy. "Don't expect others to save you all the time," Leo continued, his voice firm yet comforting. "But when you can, accept help. It won't make you weak. In fact, it will keep you from feeling so alone."

He finished his message with another gentle touch, wiping away the last of her tears. In the original story, it was Blast's words that fueled Tatsumaki's arrogance and superiority complex. While Leo didn't want to drastically alter the plot, he also couldn't bear the thought of Tatsumaki becoming the same isolated, prideful hero.

Tatsumaki snorted, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. "W-will we ever see each other again?"

Leo shrugged. "Maybe," he replied. "Unless another Parasite decides to visit your world, there's no reason for me to return."

He leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to her forehead. "Take care, little one," he whispered. "I look forward to seeing the strong, kind person you'll become."

Tatsumaki's eyes widened for a moment before a genuine smile bloomed on her face. "Um!" she chirped, a single sound filled with unexpected warmth.

Leo smiled back, then with a final nod, vanished into thin air. He reappeared a safe distance away, the system interface materializing before him.

"Host," the system chimed, a hint of warning in its digital voice, "your words could alter the storyline."

Leo chuckled. "Relax," he said dismissively. "It's not like I told her to become a murderer. Besides, a little change is inevitable after my interference."

[It's not like this. Without changing anything major, nothing will change much unless someone makes a strong bond for you.]

A bead of sweat trickled down Leo's forehead. "I didn't fuck up, did I?"

[Not for now. Just be ready to bear the consequences, especially when it comes to women.]

Leo rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he muttered, then glanced back toward the world he'd left behind. A small smile played on his lips. "Goodbye, other world," he murmured.

A soft light engulfed him, and with a final flicker, he disappeared completely.

===

So, I kept this pretty short since there was not much I could think for MC. Later, I would explain his system mechanics. Also, since I am writing a multi fiction fanfic, I am open to hear any suggestion like what kind of power I should grant to MC, what world you would like to see and what he should do there? Please comment.

Also, your Power Stones would get me into ranking and so encourage me to make bonus chapters. Consider throwing those stones at me.