It can be said that King and Saitama are like two sides of the same coin. King plays the role of a shadow cast upon Saitama, a reflection of a reality that, while it may appear ordinary on the outside, is incredibly powerful and cannot be undervalued.
Saitama and King could play games together and have some casual conversations that have nothing to do with strength. Their relationship is the most realistic representation of friendship in the manga, devoid of any heroic connotations or exaggerated displays of emotions.
In contrast, Genos’s admiration for his master is quite sincere, but he does not understand the simplicity with which Saitama truly views things. Genos sees Saitama as a “god,” while King merely views him as a guy who enjoys playing video games.
While Genos is immersed in the world of heroes and the daunting pressures of being a hero himself, King and Saitama share moments of authentic existence beyond mere physical strength to reach emotions and mental states.
In their most recent interaction, when Genos and others mistakenly believe that Saitama’s refusal to return as their mentor or competitor stems from a lack of confidence, only King understands the ordinary demeanor of Saitama.
Saitama doesn’t seek someone to admire him due to his extraordinary strength; what he needs is someone who understands him and shares with him the most mundane moments of life. King may be the closest person in terms of physical presence, but when considering emotional understanding and spiritual support, he is undoubtedly the best friend for Saitama. At least in the current timeline, no one supports him better than King.
