"So...why am I here again?" Saitama asked as he looked around at his surroundings.
Ever since the inciddent with the fish people, Saitama hoped to whatever higher power might be listening that he would be left alone, excluding visits from friends of course, to enjoy some well deserved peace. Sadly but only a few days after the event he woke up to the sound of someone knocking at his door, and to his unfortunate surprise it was not one of his friends nor a crazed fan, which in this instance he would have preferred, but instead an association employee. But not only was this employee here on official S class hero business, he also asked him if he could get dressed so that he would be able to take him to a massive cargo plane that was ready and waiting. Of course this raised several questions for Saitama such as why they needed such a big plane if it was just him that was needed, why did they need HIM specifically, why were there no other S class heroes present, and of course why did he need to be in costume instead of his cozy pajamas.
"We've recently discovered a massive slumbering creature deep within the mountains." Bespectacled Worker answered as he adjusted his glasses "And since your victory over the Deep Sea King, there's been some slight seismic activity in the area, possibly related to the creature." He explained.
"So...you want me to..." Saitama trailed off as he wasn't really sure what his purpose in all of this was.
"Should something happen with our latest survey of both the creature and the mountain, you are here to ensure that it will not be a threat to any of the populace." Bespectacled Worker clarified.
Taking but a moment from their conversation to look outside the window behind him Saitama, due to their height, was able to see for miles and miles with no issue and not anywhere did he see so much as an abandoned shack, let alone any towns or cities.
"At any rate, there shouldn't be any actual issue with the survey this is mainly a precautionary measure." Bespectacled Worker added as Saitama turned back around.
"But doesn't it kinda seem like overkill to bring me in for this?" He asked causing the other to raise a brow.
"How so?" Bespectacled Worker asked.
"Tatsumaki could handle this no problem for starters." Saitama began as he held up a finger "Then you have Bang who's pretty strong considering how old he is, there's also Metal Knight, Drive Knight, Atomic Samurai, Dog Man, Child Emperor, even Pig God could handle something like this." He listed nearly naming the rest of S class all the while holding up a finger for each one "So why call me in when this doesn't seem like that big of a deal anyway?" He asked.
Upon being asked that question Bespectacled Worker seemed to be at a loss of words, as he really hadn't planned on being asked a question like that. To his defense however, when they've called upon Saitama's aid in the past he's never really questioned it to any actual degree, he normally just shrugs it off, says "Okay I guess", then proceeds to either deal with the issue in his normal fashion or have them surrender immediately upon them seeing him. But this was the first time that he'd ever actually pointed out that almost, if not ALL of the other S class heroes could have probably handled this with little to no issue at all, so why DID they choose him and only him?
"Well...it's...because of your strength." He answered though a bit sheepishly as he felt that he was insulting him in some way by saying that.
"Oh...well yeah that does make sense." Saitama agreed with a shrug "I guess when you can kill anything with one punch you're gonna be everyone's go to choice for problem solving." He admitted as he laid back in his seat.
Strangely enough, even with the semi awkward exchange that just took place now over, Bespectacled Worker found himself staring at Saitama, but not out of some kind of bafflement or confusion but instead surprise. For while it was of course known by everyone that Saitama was by far the least reactionary person at times, he could still very easily be annoyed to the point of anger or be seen with a slight smile on his face when he was happy, so seeing him just shrug off being flat out told his reason for being sought out first was his strength was surprising. To be fair, nearly all of the heroes in S class as well as the association believed that strength was the most important thing, sure there were ones like Bang who also knew of discipline and skill, as well as ones like Metal Knight who used their intellect over sheer brawn, but nonetheless they all had some form of strength to offer and they believed that to be the most important thing. But everyone in the whole world knew this wasn't how you would go about describing Saitama of all people, for while he of course possessed without question the greatest sheer power in the world, he was also a very simple laid back person who doesn't go about flaunting his strength nor preaches about how it's the most important thing in the world.
So if anyone would be offended by the notion that their only true worth and contribution to anything was but one sole aspect of their person Saitama, while not the number one choice mind you, was still a fair choice. Though perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised after all, seeing as how Saitama's constantly being hounded by the populace for both his status as a hero as well as his power, it could very well be that it's become such a norm for him that he's not even bothered by it too much, he's just come to accept it.
"Three minutes till landing." One of the pilots said over the plane's intercom system, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Well guess we better get ready." Saitama spoke as he stood from his seat and walked over to the cargo door.
"Yes we should." Bespectacled Worker agreed as he followed behind.
"Saitama?" Kaemon called from outside the other's door as they gave it a few knocks "You home?" They asked.
After staying up all night to watch a monster movie marathon, though the irony of that had not been realized by them, Kaemon seeing as how they didn't actually NEED to sleep they more so did it to pass time, decided to go hang out with Saitama. But as they stood there outside his door it seemed as though their shiny headed companion was in fact not at home, causing them let out a saddened sigh.
"Guess he's not home..." They said with a now slightly deflated tone "Maybe I will just sleep for a while." They suggested as they turned to go back to their apartment.
However, the moment they turned around to go back inside their own domicile they saw both Genos and King coming out of the stairwell, causing their previously defeated demeanor to change to that of excitement.
"Hey guys!" They greeted as they ran over "What's up?" They asked.
"Oh hey Kaemon." King greeted as they approached "Me and Genos ran into each other on the way here, turns out we both had the idea to see if Saitama wanted to train with us." He answered.
"Oh, well he's not home." They replied causing King to raise a brow.
"Really?" He asked.
"Yes really, why would I lie about that?" They asked seeming to be slightly offended by that question.
"He is indeed not home." Genos spoke as he scanned Saitama's apartment "Though his costume is also gone, perhaps he went on patrol?" He suggested.
"I TOLD YOU HE WASN'T HOME!" Kaemon repeated now very upset that Genos and King hadn't just taken their word.
"Nah, Saitama doesn't go on patrols, he just waits for something to happen on the news." King replied.
"Then why is his costume missing, there aren't any signs of a break in so theft isn't possible." Genos noted.
"Are you guys even listening to me?" Kaemon asked as neither of them had responded so far.
"He could've just been out of clean clothes and decided to go shopping, he sometimes forgets to do his laundry." King suggested.
"No all of his clothes seem to be clean." Genos noted.
By this point Kaemon, not wanting to be the nonexistent third wheel to this conversation anymore simply stomped back inside their apartment with a huff, slamming the door shut behind them as they did.
"Did I forget to do the laundry?..." Saitama wondered as he, Bespectacled Worker, and a few other association employees ventured through a cave.
After their plan had landed safely on the ground Saitama, Bespectacled worker, and many scientist looking people walked towards a decently large cave entrance that led into the mountain's interior. However while everyone even Bespectacled Worker seemed to have a slight bit of uneasiness plague them Saitama as he usually did walked among them with a blank expression. That is until a sudden light rumbling went through the entirety of the mountain causing them all to stop as to let it pass.
"Whoa." Saitama spoke as he looked around "Was that the creature?" He asked receiving a nod in response.
"Yes, as I said the creature has been slightly moving since your victory over the Deep Sea King, however it's only been slight movements and nothing too serious." Bespectacled Worker explained.
"Must be pretty big to shake a mountain." Saitama replied earning another nod.
"Indeed, we've measured the creature and it's overall size can be compared to that of one of our buildings." Bespectacled Worker noted.
"Wow, that is big." Saitama admitted as he recalled how nearly every association building seemed to just tower above everything else.
Once the shaking had come to an end they continued to move deeper into the mountain, until finally they reach a massive cavern who's sole inhabitant was frozen in a glacier sized slab of ice. Even though he had already been told about the creature's size Saitama still found it a bit surprising at how large it really was, given he of course had seen and dealt with monsters of that stature before, but usually their size was attributed to experimentation or genetic manipulation, very rarely ever natural.
"He kinda looks like Godzilla but brown." He admitted as they walked towards it.
"Unlike Godzilla however, this one doesn't breathe radiation." One of the employees pointed out.
"How can you be sure?" Saitama asked.
"Because that would be ludicrous!" The employee exclaimed.
"So you don't ACTUALLY know then?" Saitama asked.
Thankfully, before he could continue to push the employee's buttons even more the creature moved again causing the whole cavern the shake.
"Are you sure we should be in here?" He asked as he looked around "What if all the shaking caused the cavern to cave in?" He asked.
"We've ensured the structural integrity of the cavern, there's no way it could cave in." The same employee answered.
"Just like you made sure it can't breath radiation?" Saitama asked which seemed to set the other off.
"Ahem." Bespectacled Worker sounded as to gain his attention, all the while the other employees did their best to restrain their colleague "As I said earlier, there shouldn't be any need for you to get involved One Punch Man, but in the event something does happen it would be best if you were ready." He explained.
Upon hearing this Saitama instead of replying simply looked around them for a moment before walking over and sitting atop a small boulder.
"Alright, guess we wait then." He said as he leaned back slightly, putting his arms behind him as he did.
"Does he really just leave his apartment unlocked like this?" Genos asked, finding it hard to believe even Saitama could be so careless.
"Would you want to try and break into the apartment of the strongest person in the world?" King asked in return.
"Good point." Genos replied not even needing to think on that.
Even with their friend and somewhat mentor not at home, Genos and King decided that instead of coming back later they'd just wait for him.
"So...Genos..." King began as he thought of a way to pass the time "What kind of stuff can you do?" He asked.
"Do you mean what am I fully capable of?" Genos asked receiving a nod in response "Well, I am able to reach speeds rivaling that of a fighter jet, I can withstand far more pressure and damage than a normal human, I can send forth blasts of heat from most parts of my body which serve different functions, I am able to analyze data and my environment down to a microscopic level, and I am immune to many ailments and problems that most people feel." He listed.
"So you can't get sick then?" King asked.
"It would be very difficult, but if there was a disease that focused solely on one's brain, then perhaps I could get sick." Genos answered.
"So that's all that's left of you then?" King asked.
"I have some of my original muscle, I possess a spine and a few ribs, but yes it is my brain which is mostly intact." Genos answered.
"So can you...feel things still?" King asked.
"Do you mean emotions?" Genos asked in return.
"No I mean like, can you feel the textures of things, as well as heat." King clarified.
"Ah, well yes, but only to a certain degree." Genos answered as he looked at his right hand "I have sensors which allow me to gauge the heat of an object as well as feel it's texture, but in regards to feeling heat specifically, I can only describe it like phantom pain, where I'm not really feeling it but because I know what it would feel like I do." He explained.
"Wow." King simply replied as he laid back on his hands.
However before they could continue their conversation further a sudden knock on the door gained their attention.
"Saitama you home?" The voice of Tatsumaki asked followed by a few more knocks.
"No, but we're here." King replied causing her to open the door.
Upon hearing that response Tatsumaki simply opened the door and proceeded to step in side a confused expression currently on her face.
"Why are you guys here if Saitama isn't?" She asked as she shut the door behind her.
"We were going to train with him, but since he is not here we decided to wait for his return." Genos answered.
"...Eh, fair enough." She replied before walking over.
"So what brings you here?" King asked as she sat down.
"I was going to spend some time with Fubuki, but she's busy with her group today." She answered as she rested her head in her palm.
"And does that upset you?" Genos asked causing her to glare at him.
"No, why would it?" She asked.
"Because your blood pressure slightly rose at the mention of-" He began to say until she flung a pot from the kitchen at his head via her ESP.
"DON'T CHECK MY BLOOD PRESSURE!" She shouted as the pot landed on the floor.
"Wait, you can check people's blood pressure?" King asked finding that to be an odd feature to his design.
"Yes, I am capable of checking someone's vitals, in the event I am ever saving someone and they require immediate aid." Genos explained before looking back to Tatsumaki "So you're angry correct?" He asked.
"Don't make me get another pot!" She responded as she slammed down on the table.
"Seems like he's right though." King noted causing her to glare at him too.
"Look, it's nothing okay!?" She exclaimed before crossed her arms and turning her head to the side "I just don't understand why she's wasting her time with those losers instead of hanging out with me." She admitted with a huff.
"Why are they losers?" Genos asked.
"Because they're not S class." King answered.
"But neither am I, yet she hangs out with me." Genos pointed out causing her to glare at him once more.
"NO, I DO NOT!" She shouted before pointing to him "I hang out with Saitama, YOU are just something I have to put up with because he likes you." She replied.
"What about me?" King asked as he pointed to himself.
"You're S class you're different." She answered before crossing her arms again "I only care about people who are strong, NOT people who are weak." She stated.
"Then what about Kaemon? they're not-" Genos began to say until he was suddenly flung into the wall.
Feeling his eyes widen at what just happened, King slowly moved his gaze from the now embedded Genos to Tatsumaki, who surprisingly enough was looking at him.
"Not. A. Word." She warned just as Genos fell from the wall and onto the floor.
Almost thirty minutes had passed by since Saitama had been shown the creature, and while there had been a few more shakes since then, nothing worthwhile actually happened.
"Man this is boring." He thought to himself as he watched the employees work "I could be home right now, sleeping or reading manga, but instead I'm hear staring at a giant frozen lizard." He went on releasing a sigh as he did.
Thankfully though, just as boredom seemed to be consuming him completely, Bespectacled Worker walked over to him bringing him out of his thoughts.
"It looks like nothing is going to happen today." He said, much to Saitama's relief "But due to this increase in activity it could awaken very soon." He added as Saitama got up from his seat.
"Well if it does you know where to find me." He replied as he stretched out his back "Don't worry about a ride home, I can just walk back." He assured as he began to take his leave.
Yet as if the universe had the most unfortunate of timing, Bespectacled Worker received a sudden called from association H.Q., and upon taking the call he felt his eyes widen in shock.
"One Punch Man!" He exclaimed regaining the other's attention "Something has happened, and I need you to come back with me to headquarters!" He revealed.
"Wow really?" Saitama asked, though with a tone that implied he was a bit disappointed more so than actually surprised.
"Yes, it's an emergency!" The other replied as he began to hurry out of the cavern "Please follow me!" He instructed.
Letting out a long and heavy sigh Saitama simply followed the other, knowing well if he was needed at H.Q. it had to be important, though given the reason they got him out of bed there was a bit of doubt.
Heroes Association Headquarters, while not one of the oldest structures in the world within but a few years it has not only achieved more fame than any other but is also one of the largest buildings in the world. And while most would give anything to see even but a single floor of this impressive looming tower that represented good and justice, for the heroes who often were frequently summoned it was more like an office than anything else. But then you had a hero like Saitama, who didn't consider any of this to be needed for him to be a hero, sure he was grateful to the association and of course Agoni more so for all he had done for him, at the same time if he had never been noticed or given such recognition by the public he'd still do hero work. That's not to say of course he didn't appreciate all the good the association and the other heroes did for people, it's just he finds it strange how before the association was founded no one ever seemed to care enough to even do something as simple as help someone across the street, let alone fight monsters and save lives.
Which is exactly why, as he rode the association's elevator up to the top floor, that he still had his expressionless non caring face even though Bespectacled Worker seemed to be uneasy.
"You okay?" He asked as he looked towards the other.
"Yes, I'm just a bit nervous is all." Bespectacled Worker admitted, which actually surprised Saitama.
"Is it really that serious?" He asked.
"It could be, depending on the details." The other replied as they finally reached their floor.
Stepping out as soon as the doors were open Saitama was surprised even further as the first thing he saw was King, Genos, Tatsumaki, and Kaemon who actually seemed to be waiting for him.
"There you are!" Tatsumaki exclaimed as she tapped her foot "What took you so long?!" She questioned.
"I was dealing with a giant lizard thing." He answered causing Kaemon's eyes to widen.
"THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!" They exclaimed as they ran over "What happened! did you punch it?" They asked.
"Nah, it's frozen in a giant block of ice, I was just there in case it woke up." He answered whilst shaking his head.
"Excuse me." Bespectacled Worker spoke gaining all of their attentions "Could we please get to the meeting?" He asked.
"We are talking!" Tatsumaki scolded as she looked towards him "Go and tell the others we'll be right there!" She ordered as she pointed down the corridor.
Knowing better than to tempt her wrath Bespectacled Worker simply did as he was told and headed for the meeting room.
"You'd think she'd be nicer to employees of the association." Genos pointed out causing her to glare at him.
"Don't make me put you into the wall again!" She warned.
"Wait again?" Saitama asked.
"Yeah, she kinda got upset at Genos back at your place so she flung him into the wall." King answered causing his eyes to widen.
"Wait what?!" He asked as he looked towards her "Why?!" He added.
"Because blondie here started mouthing off to me!" She replied.
"All I said was that Kaemon wasn't-" Genos began to say until she turned back to face him.
"If you say even ONE MORE THING I will send you to the ground floor!" She warned.
"Wait, what am I not?" Kaemon asked now curious as to what they were talking about.
Unfortunately, before this fiasco of a conversation could go on any further the sound of someone clearing their throat behind them caught their attention, and when they looked to see who it was they found Sitch standing there with his hands behind his back.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have to get the meeting started." He told them.
Thankfully, it seemed as though Tatsumaki had grown far too irritated at their conversation, and without so much as a sound she simply walked down the corridor heading towards the meeting room, bringing it to it's end.
"Guess that's that then." King said as he followed her with both Genos and Saitama also following.
"Hey, I still want to know what you were saying about me!" Kaemon told them as they ran to catch up.