In multiple arcs throughout the One-Punch Man manga, Saitama is conspicuously absent, often hampered by his lower Hero Association ranking from participating in the biggest crises. However, his abilities have become increasingly recognized in the series, with the top S-Class hero, Blast, noting his devastating potential despite his otherwise dull and docile persona. One key ability Saitama has is also shared by No. 1 hero Blast in One-Punch Man, referring to their mutual abilities to either travel through or manipulate portals between dimensions.

One-Punch Man likes to play up how overpowered Saitama is, while also showing his overwhelming ennui in the face of being so powerful that he can’t find a challenge to motivate him. In the case of the Ninjas Arc, Saitama is absent, knowing Blast is on the case, opting instead to go for udon noodles, confident that his Hero Association colleague can handle the latest God-level threat.

Still, it’s reassuring to know that, if the moment calls for Saitama to join the fight against Empty Void in One-Punch Man, previous chapters have hinted at how he can handle this dimension-hopping villain.

Saitama and Blast Can Both Interact With Portals in One-Punch Man

Both Heroes Are Natural Counters to Latest Villain

Empty Void is a terrifying foe for most heroes in One-Punch Man, able to travel between dimensions and, using God’s powers, attack them with the devastating Dimension Slash, but Blast can create these same portals, and Saitama can interact with them freely. While Blast has demonstrated this power recently, fans may recall previous instances in the Monster Association Arc, including Saitama’s fight with Garou, where he was able to punch through reality, follow Garou through portals, or outright grab portals and even kick them away like in One-Punch Man chapter #165.

What this means has yet to be determined, as Empty Void demonstrates a greater understanding of this portal power than Garou, especially with the Dimension Slash. Blast is able to mitigate this threat while keeping up with the elusive villain, landing heavy blows against him, but it’s unclear just how far God’s powers go in boosting Void as a monsterized individual, including the ability to disguise himself and using God’s cubes to entrance others.

Saitama’s Absence May Not Be as Felt in One-Punch Man

Blast and His Allies Currently Have a Handle on Empty Void

Another impressive feature of Yusuke Murata’s redrawn One-Punch Man chapters is that, despite Void’s portal-hopping power posing an ominous threat, Blast has now joined the fray in Saitama’s absence, adding his experience as as a former ally of Empty Void. With the additional help of S-Class hero Flash and Saitama’s self-proclaimed Sonic, they make a formidable fighting force whose clash with Void, even if not necessarily the definitive fight, is one the readers will enjoy.

However, if Saitama winds up being needed to fight Void, or the mysterious villain God, it’s good to know the series now has a precedent for how he can interact with their portal-based powers in One-Punch Man. Saitama is obviously criticized as overpowered in the series, which is partially the point of his character, but in this case, he’s clearly equipped for the fight in more ways than simply overwhelming strength and speed. Still, with news of One-Punch Man’s latest long hiatus, it’ll be fun to see what happens next in the Ninjas Arc now that Blast joins the fight against Void.