I think it makes sense tho right?
This is why he can't insta one shot "certain" characters like Garou or Boros. Because he wasn't "infinitely powerful" right from the getgo.
To address:
Won't it defeat the purpose of this character? The character, is by design, meant to represent some form of infinity after all. He is representation of "limitless"
He indeed is limitless.
His growth rate is limitless. What is
infinite about him, is his potential, not his power level at any given moment.
BOS Saitama peaked at that level, merely because there was no challenge to him. So, he subconsciously stopped growing any stronger. Once Garou started approaching BOS Saitama levels, then his adrenaline kicked in, and he started growing at a rapid pace where it became impossible for Garou to even dream of matching him anymore.
Smart writing IMHO.
The manga showed Saitama to be the limitless character that he was established to be. While still limiting his power level (at a given time) to the point where he can still give us top quality fights against powerful characters, without it seeming like some BS regarding why he doesn't just insta one shots
[automerge]1675688326[/automerge]
@Bob74h
bought up great points tho.
You're right, the manga seems inconsistent there. But maybe it is because Saitma didn't know he can get stronger until he did?