I don't own One-Punch Man
(All of this Belongs to the one and only: ONE)
Chapter 2: A Champion's Notice
A Champion's Challenge
Present Day Saitama...
Stamina
A word Saitama is the very definition of, no literally, if one were to look up an example of what stamina looks like, a picture of Saitama would appear. Hell, his name is literally a letter off from making the word stamina. Right now, Saitama is demonstrating that very word to his disciple, Genos, by running in place with him in his apartment… for 8 hours straight… At 40 mph. Saitama was dressed in a red shorts and a yellow T-shirt, it was a wonder how his clothes haven't caught fire from the friction. At this point, he wasn't even paying attention to Genos after the 2nd hour, realizing that this type of exercise wasn't so bad. Albeit, he wasn't feeling any fatigue at all, on the contrary, he felt very bored with the whole situation. For Genos though, he showed signs of extreme fatigue, strangely enough, considering he's a cyborg.
"Sensei…" Genos weakly called out to Saitama, hands on his knees, panting wildly, and teary eyed.
Saitama simply kept running in place, his head playing a variety of show tunes of his favorites shows from the last month. He even started humming the damn show tunes.
"Sensei…" Genos called out a bit louder, hoping his voice can pull his Sensei out of his mindless humming.
Saitama then hummed louder, humming "The Greatest American Hero", Feeling absolutely free.
"SENSEI!" Genos shouted at the top of his lungs.
Saitama just barely heard Genos's voice, since he was now humming loudly, "Full House's Opening Theme", Looking everywhere.
"Hmm? Oh Genos, you need something?" Saitama asked as he stopped running in place. He was kind of pissed of that he pulled him out of his humming, he was just getting to the good part.
"What are we even doing Sensei? I asked you a simple question on how to improve stamina. You then said that you would show me by jogging in place, and ask me to join you. You then stated around the 30min mark that you like to "speed" things up, so we went from jogging to running. After another hour and a half, you ran at 40 mph, and we kept running like this for hours!" Genos yelled at Saitama.
"Shit, he's right, I totally forgot what I was doing…" Saitama thought in his head, he needed to come up with something that'll stop Genos from getting mad at him.
"T-That was a simple exercise that helps with your stamina…" Saitama blurted out.
"Oh really? Then please, explain to me how it does? Isn't is that just running? You know I can only last for so long, Sensei." Genos eyed Saitama with piercing eyes
"O-Oh, was that too much for you Genos? M-My bad then, to me, this is just a simple exercise to build up stamina, and when the time comes, you'll be able to last longer for it… Yea, that's right, last longer!" Saitama lamely stated, hoping that bogus explanation was enough for Genos to get off his back.
Oh it worked alright, since Genos was now in [Dedicated Disciple Mode], as Saitama would like to call it. He pulled out his notepad and started jotting down note after note, even sketching out a rough outline of Saitama, and that also means another thing…
"Oh good lord, please…" Saitama prayed to anyone listening up there, in the clouds.
"I see it clearly Sensei, I understand perfectly…" Genos said with starry eyes, while furiously detailing the rough sketch of Saitama.
With a deep breath, and a hand ready to move, Saitama braced himself for what can only be described as Genos's, "Monologue Syndrome"...
"I must keep doing such rigorous exercises to amasses such stamina, one that can at least be a fraction of what your stamina truly is. With that, I can finally utilize the skills you've given me to progress in farther, and destroy that damned cyborg that has killed everyone that I've known and lo-"
Before Genos could go on, Saitama held his hand against his mouth, and proceeded to make sure that Genos would "stop" moving his mouth, which awkwardly took awhile, considering it took about another 5-10min for Genos to take the hint.
"I get it Genos, you really want to whoop that Cyborg's ass, but c'mon man, shut up and get to work if have all that energy to keep talking. That cyborg ain't gonna be defeated if you're just gonna talk it to death, jeez." Saitama vented out.
He understood Genos's reasons, he really did, since he himself had a similar startuppath like him, that eagerness to get stronger and stronger. But such strength gains leads to a path that he was currently walking, and he did not want Genos to follow this path, one filled with such disappointment, and hopeless waiting.
Saitama shook his head while sighing deeply, and released his hand away from Genos's mouth. Genos simply looked at Saitama with a face that said, "What next?"
"Meh, I'm hungry, mind making dinner for the two of us? It's already 10 p.m. It's cool if you don't want tho-" It was Genos's turn to caught off Saitama.
"Yes, that is definitely fine for me to do. It's the least I can do for you, Sensei, for everything you've done for me." Genos simply said to Saitama.
"Thanks man, I owe you one." Saitama said ease.
"No need, Sensei. No need at all." Genos walked into the kitchen and began to make something.
Saitama was about to relax on his couch, when he heard soft knocking on his door. He lifted himself up and made way to the door. He was having idle thoughts about the shows he could be watching right now, only to be pulled away from his thoughts when he opened up his door.
It was King, standing there in a baseball cap, gray sweatshirt and black joggers. He had a pack that seemed a bit full on his back, and to top it off, it looked like he was sweating quite a bit.
"Sup King, nice to see you around, where've you been dude?" Saitama said nonchalantly, as he brought King inside his appartment.
"Not much bro, been trying to get some exercise in and getting some fresh air…" King said as he put his shoes up, and sat at Saitama's couch.
"At 10 p.m. at night? Pfft alright, sure you did. Nah, what's the real reason, man?" Saitama asked, as he himself took a sit on the couch and flipped on the T.V.
"To be honest with you, I was called in on one of those S-class missions, higher ups said it was an important one, one I can't miss, so I went out to the meeting place. But lucky me, they canceled at the last minute. Saying that it was taken care of already, so I decided to drop by and stay the night, cool with you?" King asked sitting down, putting his pack on the ground.
"You know I'm cool with it, Besides, it's a little fishy that You're choosing exercise over games? And fresh air no less, man, you put otakus to shame." Saitama joked at King.
"Pfft, I can still whoop your bald-looking ass in any game, and I can proudly say that I can give you my opinion on most mangas, animes, and videogames that you can ask me about." King simply said, while taking out a game system out of his pack.
"Wanna put your money where that mouth is then?" Saitama looked at King with serious eyes.
"You know it, bro, just don't cry when I kick your ass, I don't want you to feel bad about it. By the way, loser has to buy the winner lunch from anywhere they want." King said, in the most intimidating stance he can muster, while handing a controller to Saitama.
"Deal, prepare yourself King, I've been practicing, and I got this little combo going on." Saitama said to King as he was giving him a controller.
With all of the commotion going on, Genos stepped out of the kitchen to see what was happening. Sure enough, the moment he sees King, he instantly gains a smile, while King on the other hand, had to make certain he didn't eye Genos at all. Genos made his way to the back of King, and made sure that he got up in all of his space.
"Hey King, what have you been up to, it's been a few days since we seen you here." Genos said in a tone that shouted competition.
King now had to look in Genos's way, but he wasn't going to like the look on that overgrown spark plug's face. Yup, the moment he turned, he a saw a very smug look on Genos's face. Who knew a glorfield coffee maker can piss him off so much.
"Not much man, just needed to clear my head after the last time I came here…" King shuddered as he remembered what happened last time.
So many of his personal records, broken by a cyborg that never played a game in his life. To make matters worse, the cyborg looked like he had fun playing with the damn thing, not that King really minded, he always liked a challenge. Too many a time where he would come out on top in any game, and to finally have a guy who can compete, who wouldn't want to have a challenge? It was just that so many records were broken on that day, that it kind of scarred King, and that he would never let his guard down again against a new player ever again. Besides, he enjoyed Genos's company as much as Saitama's.
"Oh, hey Genos, wanna get in on this action when you're done?" Saitama said as he was helping King setup the system to the T.V.
"If it means I get to whoop King's ass again, sure. I can't wait to break another one of his records." Genos simply replied with a smile.
"Not this time, I ain't going to go easy on your machine ass. You might have gotten me last time, but now, I'm gonna crush you so hard, a smashed soda can is gonna be looking better than you." King said in way where Genos now has to whoop his ass for him to shut up.
"Fine, I'll finish up the food then, Genos, please whoop this otaku's ass for me, can't have him feeling too cocky in my own appartment, you know?" Saitama said as he handed Genos his controller.
"Now that you've said it, Sensei, I'll make it my mission to ground this otaku to the floor." Genos said as he eyed King with fire in his eyes.
Saitama just entered the kitchen when he heard the game start up in the living room, followed by a few taunts, and a heckle or two. Saitama simply shook his head, and went towards the stove. Weirdly enough, Genos was cooking up something other than noodles for dinner, which was weird, since all Saitama ever ate, at his place at least, were noodles. In the pot was a fresh stew cooking up, and it smelled heavenly. Saitama didn't want to ruin such a nice smelling stew, so he simply asked Genos what to do.
"Yo Genos, what do I do with the food you made?"
"It's already done, Sensei. Just turn off the burner and let it cool, we'll all eat once I'm done whooping King's ass!" Genos said as he dodged one of King's signature moves.
So Saitama did just that, turn off the burner, and let the stew cool off. As the stew was cooling off, Saitama's thoughts wondered for a bit, thinking of how he got to this moment in his life. It's been a few years now since a challenge has presented itself, but Saitama was oddly ok with that. Ever since the addition of Genos and a company of heroes, Saitama found himself to be amused, and content with his life. Every since joining the Heroes Organization officially, life has never been dull for the Saitama. What with Bang being a cheeky old guy, who's fun to hang around, to King, a man that never wanted to be hero, yet still respected as one of the best. But most notably, his roommate Genos, was one that always made him do the things he was supposed to do.
It's funny, with all of the commotion happening in his house, Saitama let out a content sigh, since never once did he think he would have friends over at his house. After all the things that they've been through, with Genos and the House of Evolution, Deep Sea King, Boros, and even a freaking Meteor that was said to destroy the world, Saitama never complained of the situation, and for these people, he was happy to meet them… Well, for the most part. Some heroes are a drag, like Fubuki.
"God, she could take it back a couple of notches back, and her sister, Tatsumaki, man she could be cute, but damn, is she a bitch. Then you have Amani Sweet Mask, a shitty hero that can't do much, and judges a hero by their power, and to top it off, I gotta deal with whole damn Hero Organization in general." Saitama thought to himself, while checking on the stew.
Saitama sighed again, only this time it was one of pure annoyance, considering he just reminded himself of a certain message from a certain organization not too long ago. To think that these people at the organization would bring him in at 4 in the morning, just to tell him to be on the lookout for a special message to be sent to him in the mail. You would think such a highly skilled, highly known organization would understand that he would get the message, regardless of them bringing him in at 4 in the morning.
"I swear, some of these people are freaking idiots, like c'mon man, I would've still gotten the message regardless of that damn heads up. Man, the nerve of some people. I hope I don't see one of their damn henchmen for awhi-" Saitama was about to say, when he heard knocking at the door again.
"Hey, um, Sensei, can you get that please." Genos said, as he was now feeling the heat, since King was now 3 lives ahead of him in the fighting game.
"Sure man, just don't lose, otherwise King will make you buy shit for him." Saitama warned as he walked past the two on the couch.
Just as Saitama opened the door, an old man greeted him with a bow. With silver hair, and dark, wrinkled skin, Bang was now standing in front of his apartment. He was wearing dark white pants, and wore a very dark red long-sleeve shirt.
"Hey Bang, nice seeing you here tonight, what are you doing here so late?" Saitama asked as he led Bang into his apartment.
"I have Charanko watching the dojo for the week, since I was called on for a mission. But my flight for said mission was cancelled, since the mission was supposedly taken care of, and now I have nowhere to be at. I was wondering if I may take residence for the night?" Bang asked as he softly laid his shoes nicely on the floor.
"Why not go back to the dojo? I think Charanko would be worried if he doesn't know where you are if not on the mission." Saitama mentioned as he went back to the kitchen. Bang followed suit, since the living room seem to be preoccupied at the moment.
"That's the problem, I did inform Charanko about the mission cancellation, and I was going to go back to the dojo. But unfortunately, Charanko said that he rented out the dojo to his parents for an event. Of course I was mad at him to do such a thing without my permission, but it has been already done, and that nothing I could do can cancel such an event." Bang simply said as he walked towards the stew.
"This smells beautiful, who made this?" Bang said as he tasted the stew with his pinky finger.
"Oh, Genos made that. A step up from noodles, if you ask me." Saitama said he also tasted the stew.
"Well good for him, I wish Charanko would be like this, able to cook for the group and be respectful at times. I tell you, that boy will be the reason I go to the grave early." Bang said as he added few things to the stew from spices he got from the cupboards.
"Oh, pardon me, sorry for using your ingredients without asking, this old man can't seem to remember such simple acts courtesy anymore." Bang said apologetically
"Oh please Bang, you're fine, I don't really care about such things when it comes to a close friend. Just don't be such freeloader like King over there." Saitama said loudly, and pointing at his direction.
"You wanna go, bro! I already took care of your two-legged roomba, too bad he can't clean up his game, he was so off today." King said, laughing it up at Genos, who lost 8 times already.
"Damn it, I want a rematch King, you cheated with the items on!" Genos complained.
King just snickered at him, and started another round, with a complaining Genos in the background. All of this and more brought a smile to Bang's face, as he could see the fun and life that was coming from this medium-sized apartment.
"Life is never boring with you, huh Saitama?" Bang said with a smile, as he kept adding little more spice to the stew.
"Just a bunch of friends hanging out, that's it." Saitama simply said with a deadpan expression.
Bang could only smile, Oh how he wished he could've gotten Saitama as a student, he would've brought so many people to his dojo. He had a heart of gold, Saitama had the aura about him that makes people feel comfortable about him, and for that, Bang could be drawn to the bald hero ever more so. Indeed, it was nice to know that his household was a welcome place to an old man like himself.
"Oh, by the way Bang, what was the event that's being held at your dojo?" Saitama asked, while dying from how good the stew tasted now with what Bang added to it.
"Oh, I didn't really care for the name of it, something along the lines of "Playboy Magazines" or something like that. Can you believe that, Charanko still plays with such childish things, and to think he is my best disciple." Bang said, while adding the finally spices to the stew.
Saitama could only hang his mouth open, to think something so adulterated was happening in a place where people go to learn ancients arts. He only hopes that Charanko is a master with a mop, considering all of the stains, and messes to clean up, not to mention the smells. Saitama shuddered, just imagining such a thing is already bad enough, to think it would happen at Bang's place is just too cruel for him, he's an old man for god's sake!
In act of sparing the old man from experiencing something that shouldn't be seen by people of his age, Saitama simply said what was on his mind.
"Bang, My place is yours as well, you can stay here as long as you want, whenever you want. I just hope my place can be up to your standards." Saitama said effortlessly.
Bang was speechless, this man literally made his house open to him, without asking him for anything in return. Sure, this was a simple apartment, and with Bang's money, he could buy most material objects, but it was the principle that moved him.
"Saitama really is a hero, well I'll be damned." Thought Bang, trying to say something in return to Saitama.
"The same goes for you, too, King, just don't such a freeloader." Saitama shouted.
"Thanks bro, I'll pay yea back for it." King said as he was now tied up with Genos 12 - 12.
"No need man, we're fine. You also don't have to give anything to me either Bang, consider it a friendly gesture." Saitama said as he held out a pat on Bang's shoulder.
Bang, again, was speechless, how he wish he could have this man as a student, to be able to move a hardern man like himself with just a few words. Bang will have to come up with something to repay him for such kindness.
"Anyways, Dinner time everyone!" Saitama shouted out to the people in the living room.
Two people sighing can be heard, along with a pause screen sound coming on. Genos set up the table, and King brought out the drinks. Bang prepared the glassware, and Saitama was preparing the food for serving. Like a family, Saitama's apartment was lively that night, as everyone was eating good food, and sharing stories of past times. It was great, and Saitama wouldn't lie that he enjoyed every minute of this. King and Genos were in a fierce debate if winning a match with items was counted as a win, Bang talked about embarrassing stories about Charanko, and Saitama told his old stories of him having hair, which everyone thought was a lie. They all took it back when they say an old photo with hair on him.
"Damn, you actually looked pretty good with hair, and to think you were pulling off the bald look." King said as he eyed the picture,
"I thought you, of all people, would remember me with hair, King." Saitama said as eyed him curiously.
"Yea, but I forgot a lot of my past, Saitama, your hair was supposed to be the thing that made me remember you, but surprise surprise, you don't have any, dumbass." King said, as he was still holding the picture.
"A shame too, you looked pretty handsome with hair, Saitama." Bang added, as he took the picture from King.
"Sensei is fine with or without hair, but I have to agree, you looked a lot happier with a head of hair, Sensei." Genos said as he copied the picture in his notepad
"It's fine if I don't have any hair anymore, since a hero doesn't really need looks to be a hero, at least that's how I look at it." Saitama said with no sort of annoyance.
Everyone just looked at him in awe, to think he could be so relaxed with him giving up his own hair for something he really isn't appreciated for. It would take a man of great humbleness to even be a quarter of what Saitama is, and everyone really felt for him, for he truly is an underappreciated hero. But such appreciation won't be given for the time being, because it was when everyone was getting ready for bed that another knock on the door was heard.
"My god, it's already 12 in the morning, what next? A guy dressed in a suit?" Saitama complained as he got up from the couch.
"I can get it for you, Sensei." Genos perked up from his seat.
"Nah, let me handle that." King said as he was also getting ready get up.
"I'll be the one do such menial tasks, sit down Saitama." Bang said, as he was now standing.
"Genos, I order you to sit, King, I'll tell everyone about your madoka magica if stand up, Bang, you're old, sit down, I got this." Saitama said, slightly annoyed that all of them wanted to answer a damn door.
All of the guys simply sat back down, kind of guilty for letting Saitama get the door, even though they said they were going to get it. The knocking got louder as Saitama moved closer to the door, however, and just when he's at the front of the door, the knocking turned into banging, and that really pissed him off. When Saitama opened the door, a man dressed in a suit came to him holding a piece of paper. Saitama looked at the man with most deadpan expression he had at the moment.
"Sorry for bothering you sir, But you should've answered your door a bit earlier." The man said as he presented the paper, as if he didn't just make the comment beforehand.
"I have a message for you, be grateful and happy Caped Baldy, since it came from the Hero Organiz-" before the man could finish, Saitama slammed the door at him as he was snatching the letter from the man, now fully pissed, considering he still got the damn message.
"This better be good, otherwise I'll throw a huge racket for this Hero Organization. Now let's read this letter." Saitama said out loud as he walked into the living room.
"Hmm? What letter, Sensei? Is it from the Organization?" Genos asked as Saitama came into the room.
"Yeah, this was the message that the Organization warned me about." Saitama grunted as he started reading it.
"Well, what's it say bro, it can't be that bad." King said as he was walking over towards Saitama.
King was about to touch Saitama's shoulder, when it was then at that moment everyone felt it, a pulse. Nothing destructive, nothing forceful, but something entirely "Human", and the only other word to describe it was pure "Power". The pulse happened again, but this time, it went away quicker, but another came to replace that one, and another, and another. The pulses were now visible and seemed to come from something in the room. Everyone's eyes widen as the pulse's origins came from Saitama, who was vibrating so rapidly, it looked like he was floating. Saitama's face soon developed into a smile, a genuine smile, not the ones where all them saw before, but a smile that told them at that this moment, Saitama was truly happy.
As Saitama came towards the end of the message, the pulses came in quicker succession, shaking the entire apartment complex as each one passed, and at the end of the message, a massive pulse echoed, making objects that weren't usually resonate, ring like a church bell. Like the base dropping in a song, like all of the air in the room replaced with water, that one massive pulse could've been felt by people on the opposite side of the earth. In fact, news stations from all over the world at the same time warned people of a strange tectonic shifts that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Fortunately, the pulses stopped, and no more weird shifts were felt. The vibrations ceased, and it finally safe to touch Saitama. As for Saitama however, he placed the letter on the kitchen counter, and said goodnight to everyone and walked towards his room.
Everyone was visibly shaking, seeing as how Saitama reacted to what the message said. To everyone in the room, they were actually scared to read the contents of the message. It was after 5 minutes of silence where Bang volunteered to read the letter. What Bang wasn't prepared for were the contents of the letter itself. He expected very good news, news that would make any man happy, or elated to an extent.
"Would it be money? No, Saitama is a man that wouldn't be so keen on having a lot of money, so that made no sense, Rank? Again, no, since he didn't really care about ranks at all, hence the reason why we're here. What would be the reason for such excitement?" Bang thought to himself.
He began to read the message:
"To Saitama: a.k.a. Caped Baldy, A-Class Rank: 7
You have been recommended and selected by a select group of ?-Class heroes to participate in a tournament style event. The event is called: The Champion of Heroes, and it'll be held in the next 2 weeks. The Champion of Heroes is an event that takes place every year, to showcase the very best of what the Hero Organization has to offer, and to ensure the public that the heroes we house aren't fakes, nor charlatans. You will be provided with an area to train in, and an aid that will assist you during time of training and during the event. If at any point you wish to be no longer part of this event, contact the Hero Organization, and we will terminate your placement in the bracket. Heroes of specific ranks will have to act accordingly to the terms of this tournament;
S Rank: Mandatory Participation / Cannot refuse a Fight
A Rank: Must Participate in 3 matches / Cannot refuse a Fight
B Rank: Optional / Can refuse a Fight
C Rank: Not allowed to enter / Not allowed to enter
For the individuals that have requested to fight you: CAPED BALDY are the following:
B-Class Rank: 1 - Blizzard of Hell
A-Class Rank: 37 - Sneck
A-Class Rank: 1 - Sweet Mask
S-Class Rank: 17 - Puri-Puri-Prisoner
S-Class Rank: 16 - Metal Bat
S-Class Rank: 14 - Demon Cyborg
S-Class Rank: 11 - Superalloy Darkshine
S-Class Rank: 8 - Zombieman
S-Class Rank: 7 - King
S-Class Rank: 6 - Metal Knight
S-Class Rank: 5 - Child Emperor
S-Class Rank: 4 - Atomic Samurai
S-Class Rank: 3 - Silver Fang
S-Class Rank: 2 - Tornado of Terror
You: CAPED BALDY Must be in 3 fights with the aforementioned people that have requested you in battle. It is optional to fight any additional candidates that have requested to fight you, for you gain additional positions in your brackets for any and all requested candidates that you defeat in the tournament. The final prize bracket in the tournament is chance to fight the legendary S-Class Rank: 1 - Blast, and gain the chance to become S-Class Rank: 1, and also be gain a significant prize of monetary value.
We wish you: CAPED BALDY The best of luck in the tournament, and may you have the chance to be the one and only: "CHAMPION OF HEROES"
Assigned from,
The Hero Organization"
Bang was ghost white by the end of the letter, and for good reason, he was on the list of people that "requested" to fight Saitama. Surely it was a joke, a simple misunderstanding, but then it hit him. The canceled mission, that mission was suppose to cover this to a certain extent, and by all means he would've gladly protested, but here it is. Bang has to fight Saitama, and he would have to do so sooner or later, and by how it looks, it looks like it will be a whole lot sooner.
"You look like you're about to die Bang, that letter ain't that bad, is it?" King asked, quite certain that he was wrong on all levels.
"Read it yourself, but be warned, prepare yourself." Bang warned him as he handed him the cursed letter.
"It really can't be that ba-" Was all that King got out before he saw his name as a requested fighter against Saitama.
Foam was forming in his mouth, and he collapsed in a comedic fashion from the shock, he should've braced himself like Bang told him. No one told him about this at all, he also thought that this event was months into the future, where he could've made some sort of excuse to skip on, like he did every year. But then it hit him, that damn mission. It was suppose to cover this shit, and he is damn sure he wouldn't go against Saitama of all people. The letter then floated over to Genos's side of the room.
"Whatever it is, it shouldn't be so gri-" Genos stared at the letter with wide eyes.
"My second chance at a real fight with Sensei… Finally…" Genos internally screamed both happiness and utter fear into his heart, knowing full well that he will get more experience from this fight, but he also knows he will have the big chance of dying in the process.
Everyone in the room died that night, from both anxiety and the overall fact that they will be facing the man that can kill them with a single punch sooner or later. On the other hand, Saitama couldn't sleep, hell, he was so pumped that everything he touched either turned to dusted, or turned into a pile of splinters. Saitama felt something so old that he was afraid of letting go for even a little bit. That rush, the rush was coming back, and Saitama was now feeling it in every inch of his body.
"You better not disappoint, S-Class Heroes, I've been itching to fight a couple of you now. Oh man, please don't be a disappointment, please god almighty, please be a good fight!" Saitama wished 2 weeks would pass already, and for first time, in a very long time, Saitama was looking forward to the next day. So he prepares himself for tomorrow, like he did so long ago...
Hello people, Its me, ChickenMC, and I would like to say thanks to all who've read this little story. It's my first one, so don't be a dick about it, you weirdos... But really, thanks for giving up your time to read this. See yall's in the next one!