[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse":3,"chapter-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-264":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Thunder Breathing to the Multiverse",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1676148,2141,"Chapter 264 264: The Lights of Z-City","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-264",264,"\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone booth monster turned its boxy head toward the stranger beside him, still gripping the receiver tightly in one hand. Its eyes narrowed as it pointed a long, wired finger at Zenin Kyūjō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to report this to the police... what phone are you gonna use?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō scratched the back of his head, looking vaguely annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have a cellphone. But that phone on your body still works, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it connects just fine, then I'll use yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell for two full seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the phone booth monster suddenly dropped the receiver, covered its face with both palms... and burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwaaaa...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So there really are still humans out there... who need phone booths like us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenin Kyūjō blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the creature continued sobbing dramatically, the blonde teenager—its previous opponent—quietly slipped away, clutching his smartphone and fleeing the scene without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the \"victim\" had bailed, Kyūjō simply shrugged. Not his problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he turned and casually continued his walk toward the city center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he arrived downtown, he used what little cash he had left to buy a new phone and a SIM card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, using his ninja-style illusion techniques, he headed straight to the local police station and... handled the necessary identification documents for legal residency in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Z-City...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the address printed on the newly issued ID card, looking puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of world... has a place called Z-City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō slowly shook his head. No use thinking too hard about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had more pressing matters to handle—like robbing a bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well... withdrawing a generous amount of cash, let's say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, he walked out carrying a large box filled with money, fully prepared to purchase a new house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old habits die hard, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter the world—real estate first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as he was browsing housing listings, his Infinity Perception System suddenly detected a nearby disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a narrow alley not far away, a humanoid crab monster stomped furiously down the street, its massive red pincers snapping open and shut with each step. Panic broke out instantly—people screamed and scattered in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is this world filled with so many bizarre creatures...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to leap in and destroy it—until something caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few hundred meters away, near a small park with a sandpit, a strange little boy was playing with a rubber ball all alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had... a butt growing out of his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child with a butt on his chin...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mistaking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's eyes lit up with sudden realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way... This world is—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Punch Man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bald monster of a man… Saitama-sensei…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to the figure standing near the kid—a young man with thick, unruly hair and a pretty decent-looking face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing about him stood out. His presence was so ordinary, it was almost invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That ridiculous anime protagonist... whose power breaks every rule of logic...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who can end anything with a single punch—One Punch Man himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how terrifying the enemy, no matter how monstrous or destructive… as long as Saitama gets serious and throws a punch, it's over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, no way I'm interfering with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, instead of jumping in, he calmly stood atop a tall building and watched from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle began—just like in the manga.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unemployed salaryman filled with resentment... versus a giant crab monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama yanked off his tie, used it as a whip, and tore through the monster's guts with one brutal motion—cracking it open like a crab feast gone wrong. A flood of crab eggs spilled onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before leaving, Saitama carefully scooped the crab eggs into a bag to take home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's expression stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man... really is dirt poor, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he watched Saitama's retreating back, Kyūjō couldn't help but smile faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then an idea popped into his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I follow Saitama-sensei's three-year routine... could I break my own limits too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so began Zenin Kyūjō's new life as the neighbor of the man who would shake the world to its core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Saitama learned a new neighbor had moved in, he showed up at the door with a giant bowl of—what else—boiled crab eggs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at Kyūjō's doorstep with a warm smile and steam rising from the bowl, he offered his welcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō stared at him for a moment, then said calmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, Saitama. But... I'm allergic to crab.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can have it all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a shred of hesitation, Zenin Kyūjō refused Saitama-sensei's offer of a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he'd turned down the crab egg offering on their very first encounter, luckily Saitama wasn't the type to hold a grudge. As time passed, their relationship grew surprisingly close and easygoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the next three years, Zenin Kyūjō lived the \"hard life\" right alongside Saitama. Whatever training Saitama did, he copied it exactly—down to the last rep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granted, for someone like him, it was as effortless as breathing and offered zero challenge. Still, Kyūjō never slacked off. He followed the routine to the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The famous training menu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>100 push-ups\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>100 sit-ups\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>100 squats\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>10 km run\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every. Single. Day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No breaks. No excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the most crucial rule—never use air conditioning, no matter how hot or cold the weather got.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Saitama, it trained mental fortitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mental fortitude, my ass...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō knew the truth—it was just because Saitama couldn't afford the electricity bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite how childish the whole regimen sounded, Saitama's power had grown at a terrifying rate. Or maybe… it had evolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-thick hair on Saitama's head had gradually thinned out—until one day, it was completely gone. Not a single strand remained. His head now gleamed under the sunlight like a freshly peeled hard-boiled egg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his physical strength… had reached absurd levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—three years later—after Kyūjō had merged all his powers into the celestial energy known as Star Force and attained Starburst-level combat potential, he still wasn't confident he could win in a real fight against the bald man across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over and over again, his Infinity Sight System confirmed it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama was an existence that defied all balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much power was released into the world... Saitama's strength would always increase exponentially. And permanently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Kyūjō ever fought him seriously—outside the safety of Infinity System simulations—there was a genuine risk Saitama's strength would skyrocket beyond calculation on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even an enemy as overwhelming as Boros, the Dominator of the Universe, probably couldn't survive a single Normal Punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Kyūjō himself… he hadn't yet sensed the presence of a Limiter inside his body. Maybe that meant he hadn't reached his true limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't touched the ceiling yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seriously... how the hell did Saitama reach such ridiculous heights... just from that training?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō had only one conclusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every body… is built differently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, after three long years of imitating Saitama's ascetic lifestyle, Zenin Kyūjō finally decided to put an end to his self-imposed madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to live a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His house now overflowed with luxury—high-end appliances, sleek tech, a full home theater setup, and every modern comfort imaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, he installed two high-capacity diesel generators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice. This world was constantly under monster threat. Blackouts had become common, and the power grid often went down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, the neighborhood he and Saitama lived in was increasingly overrun by monster attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost all the residents had packed up and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it, the city's power company was considering halting maintenance and cutting electricity supply to the area altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two \"stubborn residents\" remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for them, the place would've been fully disconnected by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midday sunlight streamed through the kitchen window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing earphones, Zenin Kyūjō stood by the stove, preparing lunch for two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because like clockwork, whenever it was mealtime, Saitama would appear—always uninvited, always armed with some half-baked excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Kyūjō opened the front door, there he was again. Standing in the doorway with a plastic bag of half-priced vegetables from the discount aisle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō let out a small sigh, lips twitching in amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Saitama, didn't I tell you? If you're coming for food, just show up. No need to bring anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man scratched his shiny head with a sheepish grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't come empty-handed, man. It's basic adult manners... right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manners? You show up every day with discounted cabbage just to mooch food, and you call that manners?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he said nothing—just took the bag and waved him inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Food's not ready yet. Drinks are in the fridge, help yourself. If you're bored, go play something in the game room. That card game you mentioned—'Cockroach Warrior'? I bought it. It's on the top shelf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he said that, it was like someone had poked a wasp nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama lit up like a child on Christmas morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh!? You already got 'Cockroach Warrior'?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, wait—have you played it? Don't tell me you played it without me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is it? Fun? Don't tell me you already finished it?! That's so unfair!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō stood silently for a beat, as if mentally reliving a terrible memory. Then, in a deadpan tone, he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's garbage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Utter trash. Honestly, 'garbage' is too kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The person who made that game… should be shipped to Mars. Maybe the aliens there would enjoy it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're always like this, Kyūjō… But I don't believe you! I bet it's not that bad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determined to prove him wrong, Saitama stormed off toward the game room and grabbed the controller with a fierce look in his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few hours later…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were bloodshot, twitching. His hands trembled. His soul… was exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't felt this much pressure in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the strongest monsters rarely made him flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe… that was the price of becoming too strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And another price…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...was on top of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, the baldness. That was part of it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Kyūjō's voice came from the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Easy there, Saitama. That's your fifth broken controller this month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know how much those things cost?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama turned slowly, face blank with guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…How much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō rolled his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One controller… could pay a year's worth of electricity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For someone like you… maybe two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama: \"Soka…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then one second later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"NANI?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five controllers?! That's five years of electricity?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number hit him like a freight train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama slumped to the floor like a salted fish, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a defeated mumble, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kyūjō... A few years ago… you were like me, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We promised to suffer through poverty together… so how come you're living like a millionaire now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait... did you win the lottery?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō looked down at the bald man sprawled on his floor and let out an exasperated breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Saitama-kun. You disappoint me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think sane people rely on lottery tickets to get rich?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, if I did win the lottery, I'd have told you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This money… is the result of my part-time job!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the way he said it lacked conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama knew Kyūjō well enough to doubt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't always hang out, but he knew Kyūjō's routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Train. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lately?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't left the house in weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where would the job even come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama squinted, suspicious. But before he could press the issue, Kyūjō pulled something from his pocket—a small ID card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't believe me? Look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saitama took the card—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenin Kyūjō – Rank 6, B-Class Hero\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hero Name: Light of Z-City\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What's this?\" Saitama scratched his shiny head, clearly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Saitama, have you been living under a rock?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've been dreaming about being a hero, and yet you've never heard of the Hero Association?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have any idea how much you could've earned for all those monsters you defeated?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join my Patreon here:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🔗 patreon.com\u002FFaaanzKun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🌙 Note: Sunday is a rest day, so there will be no updates tomorrow. Regular uploads resume as usual on Monday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let's keep this adventure alive, together chapter by chapter! 💖\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>",2108,"2026-06-06T13:14:24.001Z",1,"novelbin.me","b2b70d54d180680aecf335912642a7ceffa20a51600421a2982c50de879a6152","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-265","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-263",389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-cover.jpg"]