"BLAST!?"
"Yo." Blast nods with a short two fingered salute towards the overwhelmingly shocked heroes and extras.
"B-Blast!? When did you get here?" Child Emperor stutters in utter amazement. He never thought the day where the number one hero would appear before him could ever come.
."The Screen wanted me to introduce myself to you all. I've been watching along with you guys since the moment Dr. Genus and Flashy's ninja buddy came along." Blast chuckles as everyone just gapes like a fish.
Tareo seemed like he could faint at any moment as Garou just glared harshly, which didn't go unnoticed by the space defying hero.
Bang, Bomb, and Atomic Samurai were just analyzing the entire situation silently.
Metal Bat was gawking along with Child Emperor while Zombie Man was composing himself pretty well.
Metal Knight and Drive Knight seemed to just stare at the hero. Pig god was still consuming.
WatchDog Man seemed uncaring of the situation, as usual, but his attention was very much on the rare sight of the number one hero.
The two ninja stared at the oddly clad hero. The back of his hands bearing odd circular symbols and his flashy cape and shades. Flashy Flash was currently thinking back to his discoveries at the ninja village.
The muscle group was in complete awe at the basically mythological hero before them. The stories didn't seem to do the man any justice.
The two of Dr. Genus' creations were just a tiny bit confused and surprised. They weren't really well informed on the details of the number one hero so they hadn't known what to expect. Meanwhile Dr. Genus was still just shocked that he had even appeared.
Saitama nudges his currently stun-locked disciple with his elbow. "Oi, Genos."
"Hai Sensei?" Genos turns to his teacher while shaking away his disbelief.
"Who is that guy?" Saitama questions while pointing a thumb at the eccentric hero.
As Genos was about to answer they suddenly get interrupted by a strange warping noise behind them.
Blast had suddenly warped over to the two, having overheard their mini conversation. "Well Saitama, my name's Blast, like everyone screamed only a few seconds ago." The warping hero glances over to the rest of the audience members briefly. "And I'm the number one hero."
Saitama's eyes widened slightly before a small smile appeared on the emotionally dull hero's face. "Cool you're a hero too? Nice to meetcha, put'er there." The bald hero offers a handshake to the warping hero who gladly accepts with a grin of his own. "The pleasures are all mine. You're not so bad yourself, you know?"
Meanwhile, the entire room was simply watching the exchange with differing levels of shock and surprise. Some even going as far as fainting in their seats.
"Blast… he's really here?" Tatsumaki questioned while staring at the hero that had saved her all those years ago and had given her his advice. The thoughts that constantly came back to haunt her every now and then.
Fubuki was currently just as shocked as everyone else, but was still keeping an eye on her sister. "So that's who saved her? He looks different from what I imagined."
"Blast, why are you really here in the theater? Was it truly the Screen that wanted you to come?" Stitch questioned, much to the surprise of the heroes.
"Wait Stitch. You already knew he was already here?" Zombie Man questioned with narrowed eyes.
Stitch lowers his gaze with a guilty expression as everyone looks over to him. "He showed up earlier, during one of our meetings, but we were told to be silent. That is why I am confused as to why he is now in the main theater."
"Yeah, the Screen wanted me to come to the main theater. For, in its own words, 'entertainment'. Whatever that means." Blast informs the group with a shrug.
"Does that mean you will be watching with us from now on?" Mumen Rider shyly asks the almost imposing hero.
Blast nods towards the biking hero. "No point in going back to the room. I was pretty cooped up in there so it's nice to be out and about." Blast answers while pounding at the back of his neck and stretching it. "By the way, pretty cool heroics, nice job standing up against the Deep Sea King." Blast grins at the now slightly bashful hero.
"T-thank you sir!" Mumen Rider stutters before bowing at the number one hero who just chuckles.
"Are you able to leave this space, Blast? Or are you being held here against your will?" Flashy Flash suddenly questions in curiosity with a hint of suspicion, bringing the warping hero's attention toward him.
Blast looks over to the ninja before smirking. "I am. I could probably just leave through a portal. Although, the Screen's not exactly keeping anyone here to be fair. You're all staying because you want to, right?" Blast responds with a finger gun toward the surprised ninja. A few nod in response. They hadn't realized it, but they really enjoyed watching the episodes so far. And now they were getting close to witnessing the future. What would it be like? How many monsters would they face? Would they win… Or would they lose?
"I came because it called me and I was curious about what it promised. I decided to stay because I wanted to find out more about our resident powerhouse." Blast explains while pointing a thumb at Saitama.
"Blast. Where have you been all these years?" Tornado all of a sudden speaks up, causing everyone to jump slightly at the sudden sound of her weirdly calm tone of voice.
Blast turns and looks up at the floating esper before chuckling. "Wow. You've changed a lot huh? Looks like you got over your boundary." Tatsumaki grimaces ever so slightly before returning to her neutral stare directed at the warp hero.
Blast takes on a more serious expression. "As for where I've been… I can't exactly tell you. Maybe one day." The warping hero then grins at the short esper. "But don't worry, not even the association knows about what I'm up to so don't feel so bothered, Tatsumaki."
The oddly expressionless esper just stares for a few moments before sighing. "Ok." Tatsumaki mumbles back while maintaining her neutral expression before returning to her seat. The heroes stare awkwardly for a few seconds before crowding around Blast and beginning to ask their questions, minus a few less interested members, or in King's case, the most worried member.
King was currently panicking internally. He didn't have much time left. Everyone was eventually going to find out that he was a fake. A nobody. Who stole the credit of a great hero. A true hero. "I can't believe Blast is here. Oh lord, how am I going to tell everyone I'm a fraud… I'm just gonna have to rip the bandaid off now aren't I? If it's going to show the future maybe I won't appear soon? M-maybe I can stall-"
"Alright."
The Screen gathers everyone's attention, ceasing the others' questioning of the number one hero.
"You can ask questions later, I have an announcement. Before we move on to viewing the future we will be watching a few past events to give a brief reprieve for what's to come. It will be fun so just sit down and don't argue. Blast, please go sit somewhere and make it quick."
Blast nods before warping to the back row behind Bang, Bomb, and Atomic Samurai and taking a seat, much to the minor surprise of the heroes.
"Are these next viewings important at all?" Stitch questions out loud.
"Nah."
"Huh? Why are we watching them then?" Metal bat questions, slightly baffled at the reasoning for these episodes. Everyone else was also slightly confused as they waited for the Screen to answer.
"For entertainment."
Everyone looks over to Blast who just shrugs. So this is what the warping hero meant…
The screen awakens as the black bursts into color.
THE SHADOW THAT SNUCK UP TOO CLOSE
"That's an odd title." Zombie Man mutters while watching the screen.
"Did you encounter Saitama again?" Flashy Flash questions his ninja buddy with a blank look and a side-eye.
Sonic raises an eyebrow while scoffing before taking a moment to think. "No, I have not dealt with that menace in a while. Not after he bit my sword into pieces." Sonic glances toward the bald hero before grimacing. "I was training before I came here. Training to defeat him…" Sonic explains, much to Flashy Flash's minor surprise.
The sound of screams from a T.V late at night could be heard.
The camera pans to Saitama snacking away while watching a movie.
"Could she have checked my call history without asking?!"
"Dammit. We've lost the alien's location. There it is, standing in front of the spacecraft!"
Saitama walks over to his fridge to grab a drink before laying back down to watch the movie.
"Oh. I remember this. I had this really creepy stalker. They stole my damn french fry!" Saitama mutters out loud, much to the confusion of everyone around him minus Genos. The cyborg began to sweat silently. Was Sensei talking about him?
"Huh? What're you babbling about baldy?" Tatsumaki questions. Her previous mood now having disappeared, the esper returned to her normal self.
"Is he really talking about a french fry?" Fubuki questioned herself while wondering what could possibly make a french fry so important to the bald hero.
Saitama sighs while reminiscing dejectedly. "This creepy villain or whatever stole my french fry just watch. You'll see."
Mumen Rider sweat drops while patting the downcast hero on the back.
"Master thinks it was someone else? Perhaps I am safe then." Genos sighs in relief, though his inner doubt still persists.
"This is trouble! Your mom got a call from someone saying she was your fiancée!"
"No, it can't be! And the alien's been taken out."
"She contacted me too! 'Everyone in my way has been eliminated. I can't wait for our date tomorrow.'"
"I never agreed to any dates! The woman's more dangerous than the aliens!"
The screen zooms in on Saitama's blank eyes as he watches in an almost uninterested, intrigued way.
"Man… Stalkers really are scary." Saitama mutters while taking out the movie disk from the DVD player.
"You're scared of a stalker? You literally punch monsters to death for a living." Metal Bat questions in disbelief. The man had literally punched a laser that could destroy the planet into nothing. How was he scared of a normal stalker?
"Can you blame me?" The bald hero shrugs while muttering.
"Well to be fair. Stalkers are a different level of creepy." Zombie Man responds to which Child Emperor nods in agreement.
"You can't really just kill them you know." Child Emperor snickers while rolling his eyes.
Dr. Genus just looks to the side to avoid gaining attention.
The scene swaps to Saitama unhooking dried laundry from his balcony, deep in thought over the movie he had just watched. "Come to think of it, lately I've been feeling eyes on me, too. I've defeated a lot of bad guys in the past. Maybe someone's got a grudge against me. It's no big deal if it's just someone with a grudge. But if that grudge or anger turned into some kind of warped love, like that movie, how should I handle it?"
Tatsumaki rolls her eyes. "Oh for the love of. No one's gonna do that to you of all people, you egghead. I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself." The short esper grins mockingly, much to the chagrin of the bald hero.
"My Master is capable of courting any woman!" Genos proclaims with no shame, much to Saitama's embarrassment and Mumen Rider's laughter. "Genos please." Saitama muttered.
"Man it is so funny actually being here." Blast chuckles while wiping a tear from his eye.
A shadow crosses behind Saitama prompting him to instantly turn around with a serious face.
"Paranoid much?" Tatsumaki snickers while holding a hand over her mouth, a cheeky expression crossing her face.
"I was on edge, ok!? The movie was seriously creepy." Saitama responds while shivering slightly.
"It amazes me that you could even feel fear." Fubuki mutters out while watching the screen with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm still human, you know." Saitama retorts with a monotone.
"It's awfully surprising that you can even feel creeped out to be honest." Mumen Rider chuckles.
The anxious hero looks around for a few seconds before returning to his neutral expression. "This place is getting pretty messy."
A fair bit away from Saitama's apartment lay a suspicious tent with a camera poking out of it directed at the bald hero's residence. In the inside of the tent revealed to be Genos, studiously writing down notes on his observations.
Saitama's eyes widened at the screen in absolute disbelief. Bewildered. Astonished. Mind boggled.
Genos appears to be stone faced before getting up and bowing down on his knees. "MASTER FORGIVE ME! I SIMPLY WISHED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU BEFORE MEETING YOU ONCE MORE!"
Saitama just stares absentmindedly at the screen before looking at Genos with an indecipherable expression.
Tatsumaki was currently clutching her sides while laughing. The cyborg was frickin hilarious!
Fubuki meanwhile was cringing on the inside. The Demon Cyborg was quite the opposite of her expectations, but this was a bit much.
"He… he actually had a stalker. That's crazy." Metal Bat mutters in disbelief. This was another level of dedication.
"Yeah… you know what, I think I'm good with my disciples." Atomic Samurai sweat drops while secretly being grateful for his own students.
Bang deadpans while nodding in solemn agreement.
"It has been three days since I started investigating the secret of Master Saitama's power. I have yet to gain any information and time is ticking away… Is he purposely being cautious so no one can find out? I hope I come up with something soon." Genos' book is revealed to have writings on how Saitama does laundry.
"Oi… Genos…" Saitama mumbles as Genos sinks further into his chair. Was Master going to remove his position as his disciple?
"Genos, you really thought how he did his laundry was going to give you insight into how Saitama gained his strength?" Fubuki questioned with a raised eyebrow while interrupting Saitama, having not heard him.
Genos sits up slightly while turning to answer the Hellish Blizzard, silently thanking his postponed reprimand or punishment. "At the time, I had only seen Master do simple everyday tasks, so I had grown the theory that perhaps his normalcy had somehow led to his great strength. In hindsight… I cannot believe my own lunacy…"
Fubuki nods while listening. While Genos was a little creepy, his theory did make sense when factoring in the knowledge that little to nothing was actually known about Saitama before this viewing.
Genos glances over to his Master in shame, noticing his neutral expression, but knowing that he was in serious trouble.
Saitama sighs while rubbing his eyes, his expression returning to normal. "Genos, next time, just talk to me about it. I'm not hiding anything." After all, he was only a kid really. A kid who was robbed of his early years, he couldn't blame him for not acting normal.
Genos gives a surprise look before nodding and looking a little relieved. "Hai Sensei."
The Next Day
Saitama could be seen walking the streets as Genos follows closely behind.
Saitama becomes suspicious and quickly turns around, only for Genos to hide away.
"As I suspected, he is on guard. I must hurry."
"Man that's really creepy, I can't believe my hunch was right. You're really sneaky Genos." Saitama mutters while watching the screen in amazement.
Flashy Flash scoffs while Sonic just looks over to him with a weird expression. "Please, if you think this pitiful display of information gathering is good then you should see what I can accomplish."
"Patting yourself a little too hard on the back there ey?" Atomic Samurai chuckles as Flashy Flash just glares.
"The goldi-locks ninja has a point. Genos is doing some basic ass stalking right now." Zombie Man adds on while watching the screen in disinterest.
Metal Bat, Child Emperor, and the remaining two creations of Dr. Genus glance at the undead hero. What was that supposed to entail?
The bald hero enters what seems to be a restaurant as Genos scans the sign of the building, indicating that it in fact was a place of dining.
"Oh I've been there before…" Pig god mutters. The food there was pretty good, but he hadn't visited in a while.
"Investigation Day 4. He is eating out for the first time. I see. Perhaps the secret of his power lies in his food." Genos quickly hypothesizes before writing down his thoughts.
A bunch of people facepalm.
On the inside of the restaurant, Saitama could be seen looking at a menu as a waitress informs him of the day's specials. "Right now we have specials on steak. They're all very good!"
"Uh… I guess…" Saitama checks his little purse only to find a few 100 yen coins, before sweat dropping. "Just give me… Whatever's cheapest…"
"The 150 gram steak?" The waitress questions
"Uh, no… This." Saitama points at the small fries for 300 yen with no shame.
"One side order of french fries." The waitress notes before looking at the bald hero in wait.
Saitama looks up at the waitress. "Oh, that's all."
The waitress makes no face and simply walks away. Though anyone could tell she was hiding her immense displeasure.
"How can you do that without cringing at yourself?" Tatsumaki questions while dragging her hand down her face at the shamelessness of the bald hero.
"I can't afford stuff, ok? I was short on change." Saitama mutters back while appearing slightly miffed.
"I get you Saitama. It's hard on us." Mumen smiles at the bald hero.
Saitama sighs while putting away his coin purse. "Looks like it's time for a job again. Damn it."
The screen pans to Genos watching from a distant table.
"Enjoy." The plate of fries is laid out in front of Saitama who just looks at it disappointingly.
"Seriously? The portion's so small. This is 300¥? Plus there's only one long, soft one like I like. The rest are all short and crispy. It sure isn't my day today…"
"Wow, I knew Saitama was a cheapskate, but that's crazy…" Metal Bat mutters in awe at Saitama's inner monologue.
"He really needed that S Class paycheck huh?" Child Emperor chuckled to himself.
Genos' eyes widened, realizing something even worse was coming up. "I'm so sorry Master."
"Huh? What did you say, Genos?" Saitama looked over to the downtrodden cyborg in confusion.
The screen once again pans to Genos who was now scanning Saitama's plate of fries and focusing on the bald hero's preferred fry. "Is that it?"
Saitama leaves to go use the restroom as Genos watches closely.
The scene swaps to Saitama returning and looking at his plate.
"Huh? The nice long one is… gone!" Saitama mutters to himself in disbelief.
"Genos… how could you? You were the fry thief?" Saitama muttered dejectedly. So this is what betrayal felt like.
"I APOLOGIZE SINCERELY MASTER! I SHALL MAKE THE LONGEST AND SOFTEST FRIES WHEN WE RETURN!" Genos yells out apologetically while bowing on his knees.
Saitama smiles a bit before getting the cyborg to sit again. "It's fine, Genos. It's in the past anyways, I forgive your atrocious mistake." Somehow those words hurt the cyborg more than if his Master had just reprimanded him.
The waitress from before walks by as the bald hero looks up. "Excuse me. Yes? I'm missing… a fry." Saitama explains, much to the confusion of the waitress.
"Huh?" The waitress looks absolutely befuddled.
"Yeah, my fries. The long one… There was one that was on the longer side, and while I was in the bathroom… Uh… You didn't eat it, did you?
"Oh my lord baldy do you hear yourself? You sound insane!" Tatsumaki bickers at Saitama who just falls further into his seat.
"Saitama-kun, you poor thing." Bang shakes his head in a somber mood. Atomic Samurai just raises an eyebrow.
"What?" The waitress questions in pure confusion.
"I mean, did anyone eat it?"
The waitress pales while stepping back a bit. "Would you like me to call the manager?"
"Pfh. The baldy is a karen." Garou chuckles to himself while watching the screen and trying not to cringe.
"Mr. Saitama is so uncool." Tareo mumbles to himself, but oddly enough the bald hero had heard it.
"Oh, no… it's okay. Don't worry about it." Saitama sits back down while looking dejected at his plate of fried potatoes.
"He makes a special trip to a chain restaurant and orders only French fries. No normal person would dream of such behavior. And in that case… There is…" Genos is revealed to have stolen Saitama's favorite fry.
"-a strong possibility that this is a special foodstuff and that it holds the key to Master Saitama's power." Saitama finishes while looking satisfied with the conclusion he came to.
"Genos. How can you look so proud with such a stupid hypothesis?" Drive Knight questioned in a monotone.
"I… do not know." Genos answers back in shame, covering his eyes so that he did not have to witness his past self.
Genos puts on a sterile glove and takes out the fry to analyze it but becomes disappointed. "Its appearance seems normal. Could there be a secret ingredient? No… No matter how I look at it, all I see is a regular French fry. Perhaps there is no secret to his diet? I will send the data and have it analyzed."
"You really sent in a regular fry… to analyze it?" Fubuki questioned in disbelief. The sheer absurdity of this entire episode felt like a fever dream. If you were to explain this plot to a normal person they'd think you're insane.
"I… my lunacy exceeds my expectations, Hellish Blizzard." Genos mutters dejectedly. He had a bad feeling that he would be the butt of everyone's jokes from now on.
"I mean… it's not the worst thing I've seen happen." Mumen Rider shrugs while informing the cyborg to alleviate his embarrassment a little.
Saitama could be seen walking the street in slight anger. "Who the hell ate my fry?! And did it have to be the only long one?! Wait… Don't tell me I really do have… a stalker?"
The scene switches to Saitama sitting outside of his apartment building, watching for the potential criminal. "Thieving bastard! I'm so gonna kick your ass! I'll hide right here until he comes past. The area around here is deserted, so I should be the only one around. In other words, if someone shows up at my house, that person has got to be my stalker- no, my French fry thief for sure!"
A few seconds pass.
"No one's coming." Saitama mumbles to himself.
Genos could be seen watching his future Master from afar in confusion.
"Master, what are you up to? The same position for two hours now. Is he engaging in some kind of visualization exercise?" Suddenly, Genos' phone rings, which causes him to fall back in order to pick up the call.
"You sat there for 2 hours? That must've been uncomfortable." Mumen Rider questioned. He couldn't imagine just sitting still in a squat for 2 hours.
Saitama shrugs. "I didn't notice the time pass to be honest. I was kinda pissed." Genos flinches.
"Wow if losing a french fry got you that pissed I'm surprised the world hasn't ended yet." Tatsumaki sarcastically mutters while chuckling.
"Hmm." Saitama just stares at the screen with a neutral expression much to Tornado's chagrin.
"Is the analysis complete? Thank you, Doctor. I'll head back now."
The camera pans to Saitama at a local mini-mart.
"Damn! No one came." Saitama grumbles.
Suddenly, screams from behind the bald hero erupt, as if someone was being tortured.
"What's going on?" Saitama questions in mild confusion.
As citizens run away, a lone man sits with his face covered in a strange substance as it slowly steams and dries his skin. "My face...!"
"Ew. That's a weird power." Child Emperor gags. The human skin shouldn't shrivel up like that, it was unnatural.
"Yeah kinda gross." Metal Bad nodded in agreement.
Mosquito Girl looks to the side while whistling. Maybe they'll forget what she did to that one guy.
"You guys are babies." Zombie Man muttered while chuckling.
A strange man could be seen standing over the victim, laughing mockingly. "I'll make you all dry as dead leaves!"
Saitama walks over in a serious manner. "Better be careful. It's been a bad day and I'm in a bad mood."
"Oh ho? The baldy's in a bad mood. So scary." Tatsumaki mocks while snickering.
Saitama rolls his eyes.
"That head… we finally meet it again!" The strange villain proclaims.
"Huh?"
"You don't remember me? Six months ago, you beat me with a single punch. I am Men's Esthetician Man, the wanted Class B criminal! The shock of being defeated by you made my luscious skin completely dry out! Ever since, I have kept to a strict training and moisturizing regimen, all the while searching for you!"
Saitama gains a look of recognition before frowning slightly. "So you're—"
"That's right, you remember now? As I wandered about looking for you, I turned into a much more powerful monster!"
"So that's what happened." Saitama questions.
"You absolutely did not understand correctly did you?" Tatsumaki mutters under her breath tiredly. The bald hero somehow always misconstrued everything on various occasions.
"Yup." Saitama answers back simply.
"I knew that if I kept causing random incidents you'd turn up again."
Saitama could be seen contemplating the villain's words. "Everything adds up now. It was you."
"I doubt you can keep up with this smoother, softer me!" The smooth criminal laughs.
"I don't remember you at all." Saitama declares.
"Heh?"
Saitama begins walking toward the villain. "But it was you, wasn't it? You're the one who stole my French fry." Saitama's face becomes serious as he proclaims with pent up frustration. "You're the stalker!"
Many people facepalm.
"How you come to your conclusions will never cease to amaze me, you egghead." Tatsumaki groans in annoyance at the bald hero's deduction.
"Well to be fair… it was a good guess?" Saitama shrugs with a neutral expression.
"Not at all!" Fubuki answers back in an almost frustrated tone.
"Master, I think it was a great guess!" Genos exclaims with great exaggeration.
"It was a nice try, Saitama." Mumen Rider sweat drops while giving a thumbs up to the bald hero.
The criminal's face mask falls off as his face pales greatly.
"Welp. He's toast." Metal Bat laughs at seeing the villain immediately cower after all that talk.
"He gets what he deserves I guess." Child Emperor shrugs, not really caring what would happen to the criminal.
"You think the guy lives?" Mosquito Girl questions her fellow creation with a raised eyebrow.
"I believe Saitama wouldn't kill the man. He seems to have a rule against killing humans." Armored Gorilla says while scratching the back of his head. So far, even to villains, Saitama had always chosen to knock them out while for monsters he almost always killed them.
At Kuseno's Laboratory
"Main ingredient: potato. 24 Calories. Sugar: 1.4 grams. Carbohydrates: 4.2 grams. Sodium: 0.035 grams. Protein: 0.32 grams."
Genos crouches down onto the floor with a dismayed look. "Damn! It is just a French fry! He has a normal diet. It is no different from an average person's. I have not discovered a single thing. Could Master be a cyborg like me?
Saitama side-eyes his student while exhaling in disappointment. Genos just stares down at the floor to avoid his Master's gaze.
"He is certainly eccentric." Bomb chuckles as Bang nods.
"Genos is young. I'm sure he is still learning. After all, we in our old age still learn time after time again." The old martial artist looks toward the young heroes before him. The future was still as bright as ever and hopefully Garou could stray from his current path. Back onto the one that he truly wanted.
"There is only one thing left I can do." Genos proclaims while staring into the camera with determined eyes.
Back at the mini-mart, a man-sized hole could be seen in the side of a nearby wall.
"I don't care how many times you come back to challenge me." Saitama could be seen with his fist raised and steaming. "But let me just say this… Don't you ever go around stealing people's french fries again! If you're gonna come at me, come at me straight." Saitama, with a wave of his hand, dramatically walks away.
"So the melting people faces off wasn't the important part huh baldy?" Tatsumaki questions with a deadpan.
"I… was mad about the french fry." Saitama muttered back, looking ever so slightly embarrassed.
"For how strong he is, he has really small wants. Why does a man of your caliber not just take what he wants when so many others would?" Blast wonders while watching the bald hero's interactions. He wasn't sure, but Tatsumaki seemed drastically different from when she was a child and he couldn't tell if it was because she grew or because of Saitama's influence.
Did the bald man just draw people to him? From what he could tell this Genos guy seemed pretty different as well. Just from his first impressions of the teen cyborg he thought he would be the angry all the time type. But he was pretty relaxed and did a lot of things that betrayed his image of the "Demon Cyborg".
Along with the others within the hero association… While he wasn't around all the time the other S Class heroes, minus a few, didn't seem like the casual conversation type yet they had formed their own groups within the theater. Hell, the trio on the right side of the theater were sitting with two monsters behind them. It was truly bewildering to say the least.
The bald hero, having defeated his presumed stalker, walks home.
"If I continue being a hero, this won't be the last time someone's out for revenge against me." Saitama tries to pet a cat, but it runs away. "That is my fate. It can't be helped." The scene changes to Saitama eating a bowl of noodles. "I just need to change how I think." The camera swaps to Saitama now walking home. "Right! I need to think positively. I just have to believe there will be people in this world who appreciate all the things that I do. I became a hero three years ago. I'm not saying I need fans, but it would be nice if someone noticed what I've been doing…"
"Well now you've got the entire S Class and association backing you!" Metal Bat exclaimed while standing up and putting his foot on his arm rest, trying to cheer up the dreary mood. Child Emperor smacks his foot off of the chair's armrest causing the teen to fall down and glare at the young genius who just snickers. Zombie Man eyerolls while the rest just chuckle at the funny sight.
Saitama smiles at that. Yeah… he had a lot of people now and he had friends. Things weren't so bad anymore.
Saitama pauses before looking up at the sunset and realizing something. "Oh yeah, there was that guy who wanted to be my disciple."
The Next Day
Genos could be seen standing outside the bald hero's residence in preparation to knock. "Investigation Day 5. I have prepared myself for the worst." With a small breath, Genos prepares. "Sensei!"
The camera pans outward, leaving the scene off to where episode 2 had ended.
"You really showed up." Saitama's voice could be heard, the start of a new friendship coming into view.
"Ah so that's what happened before the events of episode 3. Interesting." Dr. Genus muttered while holding a thinking pose.
"Before we almost died." Mosquito Girl sweat drops while looking down at her mechanical arms. She found herself surprised how content she was with living life as it was now. She was sure Armored Gorilla felt the same as well, especially since he seemed pretty happy with making takoyaki.
The screen cuts to black before turning on again to show a new title.
THE DISCIPLE WHO STINKS AT STORYTELLING
"Wait! That episode was shorter and we're immediately watching another?" Tareo questioned in confusion.
"These episodes are shorter, so we will watch 2 before taking breaks. There are 7 in total until the future episodes begin."
"Ah. Ok!" Tareo replies while nodding in understanding.
"So we have to deal with the baldy's and tin-can's shenanigans for 6 more episodes? Lovely." Tatsumaki sarcastically mutters. Though at least the duo were hilarious sometimes. Perhaps it wouldn't be too bad.
Fubuki sweat drops while glancing at her sister. "You were enjoying it the whole time?"
"Just how much trouble do you plan on getting into Saitama?" Mumen Rider chuckles as Saitama just looks away in a smidge of embarrassment.
"Ok… so 6 more episodes until I have to reveal everything… I DON'T THINK I CAN COLLECT MYSELF IN THAT TIME! I'M SO SCREWED!" King dejectedly looked down at his hands in despair.
The screen opens up in a warehouse of some sorts with Genos facing a group of thugs.
"Just out shopping for dinner, you say? And you expect me to believe that load of crap?!" The boss of the group angrily questions the cyborg.
"My apologies, but I am in a hurry." Genos explains.
"This... is Don Pacino." A thug holds up a pale looking man who looks like they're about to fall over.
"You're gonna tell me everything you know about this man. Until you do, I'll have to hang on to this." The mob boss jingles a key giraffe keychain.
"Ok what the hell is this? I feel like this is even weirder than the last episode!" Tatsumaki questions in disbelief. Was this some sort of child cartoon situation? Why the hell was the cyborg in this western standoff in the first place with a bunch of nobody C Class villains?
Saitama notices the espers confusion before shrugging. "Don't look at me. I don't remember this. But I'm pretty sure those are my keys."
"Genos, did this really occur?" Fubuki questioned the cyborg in curiosity. She was starting to think this was all a fabrication.
Genos turns and nods. "Yes, I believe the Screen would prefer I avoid spoilers, but I can confirm that this all did happen. I believe this was a few days into my training with Master." The cyborg explains to the still confused Hellish Blizzard.
Mumen Rider just sweat drops before sighing exasperatedly. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to this."
"You will return it if I talk?" Genos questions the mob boss.
"Of course. You have my word."
"Very well. I will talk." Genos nods.
"Suddenly you're very reasonable. This must mean a lot to you." The mob boss grins evilly.
Genos nods in affirmation. "Yes, it is very important."
The scene switches to Saitama and Genos at a local bath house.
"You know, when you're soaking in a hot bath everyone says, 'ahh'. I wonder why everyone says that."
"Because it's relaxing duh." Metal Bat responds as if it's the easiest answer in the world.
"I don't do it when I soak in the tub." Child Emperor answers back. "Not everyone's gotta say something to relax, you know." The young prodigy rolls his eyes at the childish implication.
"I just sigh. I didn't know people said words to be honest." Zombie Man mutters while shrugging.
"That is true."
"I mean, wouldn't 'eee' or 'uuu' or 'ohhh' work too?" Saitama questions Genos in a chill manner.
"Eee?" Genos questions in a robotic manner.
"Yeah. Try it. Say 'eee' for me." Saitama encourages.
"Eeee… How's that?" Genos questions in a serious manner. Like a child asking for tips on how to ride a bike.
"This is such an odd episode." Blast mumbles under his breath.
"Don't ask me. How was it for you?" Saitama chuckles while looking oddly at the cyborg.
Genos looks down dejectedly. "I am sorry… I feel no difference."
"Eee…" Saitama sighs out.
"How was it?"
Saitama goes into a thinking pose. "Hmm… I can't really get into it. It's gotta be that 'ah' sound.
"Then how about 'sahh'?" Genos offers.
"Sahh? Doesn't feel right either… Oh, I know! Fahhh. Not bad, huh?" Saitama grins.
"Fahhh. Yeah, not bad at all! Fahhh…" Saitama sighs while sinking into the water.
"Master. Technically speaking, that sound isn't 'fah'."
"Eh?"
"Truth be told, I am equipped with a perfect pitch function." Genos explains.
"Well that's not surprising in the slightest." Tatsumaki snickers while rolling her eyes and shaking her head.
"Perfect… pitch function? How many unnecessary abilities do you have, Genos?" Fubuki questions in disbelief and a hint of humor.
"None. I believe all my abilities have use, Hellish Blizzard." Genos responds curtly to which Fubuki just huffs in minor annoyance.
Saitama raises an eyebrow. "Really?"
Genos nods. "Yes. That 'fah' sounded a little off. If you want 'fah' then, I think 'fahhh' is better."
"Yeah? Fahhh… Like that?"
"That 'fah' was sharp, Master."
"Fahh?"
"That would be 'me'."
"Okay then, 'meeee'.
"That's 'me', Master. That's the note for "me"!
"Meeee..."
The scene swaps to Saitama in a massage chair as Genos stands by closely.
Saitama raises an eyebrow at the eager cyborg. "You know, you can take off without me." The bald hero then hands a familiar key chain to the young hero. "Wouldn't want you to get a chill after your bath. But hey, don't lose that. These are crazy times. Losing your keys will only lead to trouble." Genos' eyes widen before he nods and leaves as Saitama relaxes in his massage chair.
"Ah. So you left the bath house then found those villains?" Bang questioned the cyborg to which said cyborg shook his head.
"A bit more happened in between." Genos explains much to Bang's intrigue.
The scene returns to the mob boss and Genos' western standoff.
"That is how important the key is." Genos explains.
"Your stories are terrible. No one gives a crap about 'fah'!" The mob boss yells back.
"Your 'fah' is wrong. It should be 'fahhh'. In any case, the key is important and I'd like it back. I'm sure you must have one or two things important to you." Genos says while the mob boss glares at him in annoyance.
"Wow you really know how to push people's buttons huh tin-can?" Tatsumaki questioned sarcastically.
"I do not understand? People do not have buttons Ms. Tornado." Genos answered back in confusion.
Queue facepalming from the people around him.
"My family is important to me. I'd do anything for them." The mob boss mutters with cold words.
"As I would do anything for Master Saitama." Genos proclaims with conviction.
"Huh. Genos really does do a lot for me… Maybe I should get him a thank you gift or something?" Saitama wondered to himself while watching the screen in interest. "What the heck does he even need though?"
"That kind of loyalty is hard to come by nowadays." Bomb chuckles as the two beside him nod in agreement.
"My disciple is not nearly as dedicated as Genos-kun is to absorbing all of Saitama-kun's teachings." Bang dejectedly mutters as Atomic Samurai grins.
"Saitama? Never heard of him." The mob boss waves a hand in dismissal.
"Master Saitama has given me a job to do." Genos informs, causing the mob boss to grow interested again.
"Is that right? A job, huh? Let's hear more about this 'job'." The mob boss grins, feeling satisfied that he was getting somewhere.
The scene swaps once again, to Saitama and Genos walking home, unsurprisingly the cyborg decided to wait outside for his Master instead of returning.
"So you decided to wait, after all? It's so cold, too…" Saitama questions before suddenly sneezing, much to his disciples' worry.
"You've literally been to space!? How do you even feel cold? Agh!" Child Emperor ruffles his own hair in frustration. The man was defying all physics so casually it annoyed him greatly. What was he? A reality breaker? Zombie Man just chuckles while Metal Bat grins at the frustration of the genius.
"I dunno." Saitama shrugs with a neutral expression.
"Child Emperor does bring up a valid point. How does Master feel temperature? Is it just a preconceived notion of false feeling? Or does he genuinely feel it, but only occasionally?" Genos muses while watching the screen.
"Are you okay, Master?" Genos questions in slight concern.
"It's freezing. The chill's getting to me." Saitama quickly turns to look at Genos who was looking at his bald head. Genos promptly turns as well. "Did you just look at my head?"
"No, I never do that." Genos responds in a monotone.
A large portion of the theater members laugh at Genos' immediate denial.
Saitama just gives Genos a stare to which the disciple promptly looks away to avoid the gaze.
"Hey!" Saitama points at a paper flier on a store window next to Genos. "A hotpot? Sounds good! Really warms you up."
"It appears the ingredients are on sale." Genos surmises.
"Hoh. It seems Saitama has a weakness for hotpot? Perhaps I can take advantage of that." Bang almost evilly plans much to Atomic Samurai's sweat drop and his brother's head shake.
"Sly old geezer." Atomic Samurai mutters under his breath.
Queue serious face Saitama. "Dinner target acquired."
Saitama returns to his goofball demeanor. "What kind should we have? There's Yosenabe, Ishikarinabe, Tori no Mizutaki… Crap!" Saitama suddenly panics while taking out numerous coupon fliers.
Genos looks worriedly at this Master. "What's wrong?"
Saitama sifts through his folded coupons with increasing panic. "Not this one, not this… Here it is! Premium chicken sale… for a limited time?! I totally forgot!"
Queue a facepalm from more than half of the theater.
"Your tendency to value supermarket deals seems to bring out quite a bit of emotion from you, Saitama-kun." Bang says while sweat dropping at his great deal of worry over such a mundane thing.
"A good deal is a good deal, what can I say?" Saitama shrugs while responding.
Garou rolls his eyes. "This guy is such a goofball, it's ridiculous."
Genos picks up a flier his dejected teacher dropped. "Master, this store's sale is still going." The cyborg points out to the somber Saitama.
Saitama sweat drops in relief. "What? Hmm… We can just make it." Before turning to the flier on the store window. "Oh! But at this store the cabbage is—"
"Jeez. How the hell do you worry about such boring stuff when your life is already 10x more boring!" Tatsumaki yells out in pure frustration. The guy could literally punch monsters away, but he was worried about making it to supermarket deals. Good lord.
"Eh, I don't think my life is that boring." Saitama shrugs and mumbles back.
"Saitama Sensei's life is exhilarating! You would feel honored if you could feel a fraction of what he experiences!" Genos proclaims much to the eyeroll of the short esper.
"Genos please. You're embarrassing me." Saitama mutters while dragging his hand down his face.
"Master, if we split up, we can do it." Genos firmly declares to a rambling Saitama.
The scene switches back to the mob boss looking befuddled at the very serious cyborg.
"So when you said 'a job', you actually meant 'running errands'?" The mob boss asks with growing confusion.
"It's kinda hilarious how long this went on just because of your explanations." Metal Bat chuckles. The Demon Cyborg's long ass run on sentences would normally have annoyed him, but this was pretty funny.
"Just be glad you're not on the receiving end this time." Child Emperor snickers as Genos just maintains his neutral expression.
"Like I said before, I am in the middle of shopping. Now I have told you about the errand I am on for my master."
"I've had enough of your—"
"And that is where I met this man. Master asked me to go to…"
"Two supermarkets." Genos now stands on top of a tower and scans the buildings below him.
"How you make a grocery shopping trip so dramatic eludes me Genos." Fubuki mutters while looking tired of this whole farce of a story.
"Thank you." Genos responds in a serious manner.
"Wha- That wasn't a compliment." Fubuki retorts, but promptly gets ignored as Tatsumaki snickers at her younger sister's plight.
"There it is." As Genos is about to leap away he suddenly halts and whips around in the opposite direction with a worried look.
"An alert from a shopping district five kilometers away. It is four kilometers to the store. The disturbance is in the wrong direction, but only six klicks separate them. If I end the trouble quickly, I will make it!" Genos quickly jumps off of the building in a cool manner and fires off his hand cannons.
The mob boss huffs. "I see. And that's when you bumped into us."
"Not quite." The cyborg shakes his head.
"What?
"I'm done for…" The villain Genos had just beat succumbs to his injuries and falls unconscious just as Genos glances at a clock and becomes mortified.
"Jeez, with that look you'd think Saitama was gonna kill the guy for missing out on a deal." Metal Bat mutters while scratching the back of his head. That was some expression of fear.
"Yeah, I don't understand why he's like that to be honest." Child Emperor adds on in slight confusion.
"Oi I wouldn't do that." Saitama answers back in a neutral tone.
"We know you egghead, Genos just looks like he's going to crap himself everytime he messes up heh." Tatsumaki explains while grinning at the dejected cyborg.
The scene quickly switches to a very upset Genos imposing on a poor retail worker. "I am only two seconds late. Please make an exception."
"I understand, but—" The female worker appears flustered at the close proximity of Genos.
"You still have the merchandise!"
"But a limited time sale is just that: limited…" The poor worker mumbles concerningly.
"Wow, talk about being oppressive." Fubuki mutters in faux disdain much to Genos' shock.
"T-that was not my intention I was simply… short sighted." Genos mumbles shamefully much to Saitama's hidden amusement. He had a pretty funny disciple.
Genos clenches his fist while looking forward to the mob boss. "The attitude of that clerk! Have you any idea how I felt at that moment?" Genos yells out in indignation.
A few eyebrows raise at the loud cyborg. He was really pressed about missing out on the deal huh?
"What the hell are you talking about? What I want to hear is how you and this idiot know each other! Cut to the chase and tell me what you have to do with him, the number two guy in the Typhoon Family!" The mob boss is clearly fed up with the cyborg yet still listens once Genos speaks again.
"Be is an order to things. I missed the limited time sale at the first market. So I went on to the second market. And that's where I ran into you guys."
Notice: Shop Closing Down! Thanks For Your Loyalty!
Genos clenches his fist while staring at the closed door of the second supermarket.
"Oi oi you're not gonna punch a hole into the store are yah?" Metal Bat laughs while questioning the cyborg sarcastically.
"Of course not. That is not befitting of a hero, much less as a disciple of Saitama Sensei." Genos responds curtly, much to Metal Bat's deadpan.
The man from before hobbles behind Genos. The cyborg takes notice of this and questions him. "Hey, why is this place closed? There is supposed to be a sale here today."
The very pale looking man grunts before turning to look at Genos' flier and chuckles. "They skipped out. I'm sure Don Pacino's behind it. He recently drifted into this area and has been poking his nose into our business. He must've demanded a huge sum of protection money and forced them to leave."
"Protection money? What is that?" Genos questions before the sick looking man doubles over while coughing.
Genos drops the keys he was holding in order to aid the man on the ground. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Oh. Good catch Genos." Saitama praises his disciple with a thumbs up.
"Of course Master." Genos nods, glad that his Sensei seemed to forget his previous transgressions already.
The mob boss appears with his group as the pale man looks up at them. "This here is… Don Pacino. That's a nasty look you got in your eyes."
As Genos tries to help the pale man, the mob boss picks up his keys, causing the cyborg to attempt to retrieve them only to be stopped by a raised hand. "Hey! Hold on! I can't just give this back to you. Are you with him? Come on, I wanna have a word with you.
"So… you're telling me that there's no connection between you and him?" The mob boss questions in disbelief.
Genos nods. "That is right. There is zero connection between us. In other words, we are strangers."
"You mean you've been running your mouth all this time just to tell me that?!" The mob boss screams angrily.
"Well, you asked. And now that I have told you everything, give me back the key as you promised." Genos responds, uncaringly.
A large amount of laughter arises from the theater. Genos' bluntness was sometimes the most entertaining thing about the cyborg.
"You wise-ass!" The mob boss along with his group raise their guns at Genos. "Don't you know who you're dealing with? We're the Pacino Family, with a Class C bounty on our heads!"
"Wow they're about to make a huge mistake aren't they?" Child Emperor snickers at the puny guns being raised against an S-Class hero.
"Yup." Metal Bat responds while resounding the p. These guys were so screwed.
Genos' eyes widen in a small bit of shock. "Is that how it is? I thought something was off."
"Huh?" The mob boss growls.
"I assumed you were going to do the right thing and report the lost key to the police first, then return it to me, the rightful owner. But you are all wanted men. You would never do anything so honest. In other words, you had no intention of returning it in the first place." Genos rants as the boss continues to grow annoyed and irritated.
Almost everyone facepalms. Of course the cyborg was that oblivious.
"Genos… I think I need to teach you how to read the room…" Saitama mutters to his confused disciple.
"I will learn whatever it is you wish to teach me, Master." Genos answers with a voice full of determination.
"You fool, how stupid can someone be?" The mob boss growls in utter confusion.
"That's what we're all asking." Tatsumaki answers back while rolling her eyes. Well, the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree does it?
"For how smart you are Genos, you have quite a few foolish moments in your life." Fubuki mutters, causing the cyborg to raise an eyebrow. He didn't make that many foolish mistakes did he?
The past few episodes run through his head before he deadpans. "Ah… Hellish Blizzard may have a point…"
"I cannot go after law-abiding citizens, but with you. I do not have to hold anything back." Genos raises his hand cannon as it begins to charge.
"Take him down, boys!" The men all begin shooting their guns as the bullets bounce off harmlessly against Genos.
"Do not move." Genos mutters while the mob boss begins to realize that they may have bit off more than they could chew.
Genos finally fires off his attack, destroying the entirety of the building's front side.
"Genos you didn't kill them did you?" Mumen Rider questions while sweat dropping at the large explosion.
"Of course not. I went easy on them, do not worry yourself, Mumen Rider." Genos answers back in a neutral tone.
"Yeah, that doesn't look so good for them." Saitama mutters while reminding himself to teach Genos how to restrain himself against humans.
The goons all slump into a toasted pile as Genos retrieves the pale man and helps him out of the dangerous situation, retrieving his precious keys along the way.
"Oh ok so they only suffered 3rd degree burns, good job cyborg." Tatsumaki sarcastically laughs while reprimanding the oblivious cyborg.
"Thank you Ms. Tornado." Genos nods toward the now frustrated esper as Fubuki just grins at her sister.
Saitama just drags his hand down his face as Mumen Rider chuckles.
The scene now finally arrives to Genos and Saitama back in his apartment, preparing hotpot.
"And that is how I was able to get the key back. But I missed the sale." Genos explains while looking dejected.
"Well… I had a spare key so I was okay. It sure sounds like you had a lot to deal with." Saitama says while preparing the hotpot ingredients.
"Marvelous. Saitama-kun taught his student while still keeping a safety net. Brilliant." Bang commented, much to Atomic Samurai's disbelief and confusion. Bomb just nodded along in agreement funnily enough.
Genos clenches his fist in regret. "Master, I am still too incompetent to even run your errands!"
"No big deal. We'll just have a tofu hotpot tonight." Saitama responds while going back to chopping ingredients.
"This will not make up for it…"
"Huh?" Saitama turns to look over to Genos.
Genos lifts a small bag with patterns on it. "...but I went by another store on the way home."
"Huh?" Saitama takes the bag and looks into it before gaining a surprise look. "But this is the super-expensive meat!"
"At this point someone could buy you with groceries." Tatsumaki mutters while exhaling tiredly.
Saitama just stiffens as the short esper's eyebrow raises. "No way. Don't tell me someone did that already!?" Tornado shrills in absolute disbelief.
"Uhhh… I plead the 5th." Saitama mumbles silently much to the shock of the others. He wasn't denying it!?
The camera pans to a boiling pot of delicious ingredients. Along with the extremely expensive meat Genos had obtained to right his mistake.
Saitama smiles while looking at the hotpot. "Good thing we had eggs. Let's dig in. Sukiyaki."
"Okay!" Genos exclaims with determination.
The screen cuts to black and doesn't turn back on, indicating the end of this episode.
"That was quite the silly escapade." Bang chuckles while grinning at the screen.
"Indeed. Those two are bound to get into many more odd adventures." Bomb muses while stroking his beard.
"It was a little drawn out to be honest." Atomic Samurai grunts while fiddling with his wheat stalk.
"Mannn I kinda want hotpot now." Metal Bat groans while drooling.
"Get a hold of yourself, you literally can go to the table and make it dummy." Child Emperor scoffs while trying to not get drool on himself.
"Too much work." Metal Bat sighs in a child like manner.
"What are you? A kid?" Zombie Man rolls his eyes.
"Sensei. Perhaps we should enjoy a hotpot once more. I shall obtain the ingredients from the table and prepare it in the kitchen." Genos states while already getting up from his seat.
"Wait, there's a kitchen in here?" Saitama questions in confusion as Genos leaves.
"Oi tin-can! I'm joining so make sure to add some extra and don't skimp!" Tatsumaki informs the bald hero's disciple who in turn just nods.
"Anyone else?" Genos questions much to his own regret.
"Allow this old man the time to share a meal with you." Bang says while giving the two a smile.
"I as well." Bomb adds on as Atomic Samurai just sighs.
"I'll join too!" Mumen Rider raises his hand.
"I wouldn't mind joining myself either." Fubuki nods toward the cyborg.
"ME!" Metal Bat raises his bat in exclamation.
Saitama proceeds to get up from his seat and walks over to Genos before placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm helping. Can't have you do all the work all the time." The bald hero grins towards his student. Anything for a hotpot!
"Sensei!" Genos appears to want to refuse before he gives his Master a small smile. "Very well. Please aid me in making the best hotpot in this world!" Genos exclaims before continuing toward the table. Mumen Rider and Saitama follow as Tatsumaki watches before huffing and proceeding to follow as well. Fubuki just stares in shock before getting up herself and heading toward the crowded table. A few more heroes follow to the table to pick out ingredients as the Screen sighs.
"I guess we won't be starting in a while. Take your breaks."
"Hai." The theater responded in unison.