"So this is what you humans call udon? It is quite delectable."

Tatsumaki had somehow gotten permission from the Hero Association for all of them, monsters included, to dine in the Z branch's cafeteria. Not only that, she managed to get someone to order udon from the specific store Saitama loved so much. Perhaps the association was just that afraid of the ESPer.

"I know right? And to think you guys never had any proper human food until now. Good thing Tatsumaki managed to get us into this place."

"And I didn't even get a single thanks from anyone here."

"Oh, right, I was so engrossed in the food, I forgot to thank you. Sorry about that."

"It's never too late to thank someone you know."

...

"Hey Baldy, you forgot to say it again."

"Perhaps Sensei is not good at giving thanks."

"As Saitama Sensei's pupil, I thank you on his behalf."

"Hmph, at least one of you has manners."

"Oh, thanks Genos. I forgot again."

"I see, Sensei not only looks old, he has the memory of one who is older too. I must remember to help Sensei in such things in the future."

Apparently the cyborg was a little bit too human sometimes, for the grin he had plastered on gave his thoughts away to Saitama and the others.

"I'm not old Genos. I mean it. It's just the food."

"Heh, you say that bald dude, but if someone can instantly forget something, there's no other way to describe it. You're just old."

"DAMN IT LION, I WILL PUNCH YOU!"

And with that, no one dared to say a word about Saitama's questionable memory, for the recent battle between Genos and the Baldy lingered in their mind. The group continued to dine on the udon, which they all agreed, even Tatsumaki and her ridiculous sweet tooth, was a fantastic choice on Saitama's part. Who knew someone with such horrendous taste in fashion could have standard in food.

As the group finished their meal, Tatsumaki decided she was bored, and struck up a conversation with the creatures.

"So, where did all of you come from anyway?"

The first to speak was Armoured Gorilla, with warning from Saitama of course. He did not want another 2000 word explanation.

"I was an ordinary Gorilla when the doctor found me. He granted me human intelligence, thus giving me the ability to speak. He then created this suit, which enhanced my already extraordinary strength and durability."

Next was the lion.

"Like Armoured Gorilla, I was a simple lion. I too was granted human intelligence, only instead of a suit, some kind of liquid was injected into me, mutating me into what I am now. That is to say, far stronger and faster than any normal human. And might I add, far more handsome."

Cue a truck ton of cringe from everyone. All the creatures essentially had the same story, which really started to bore our human heroes, with all of them being normal animals granted human intelligence, therefore the ability to speak. The only difference was that the lion and gorilla were mutated and given a suit respectively, while the others simply had their already natural abilities enhanced, with the mole's digging prowess and keen sense of smell upgraded, the frog's poisonous touch now controllable, and the slug's... actually he was just given a stronger form of telepathy. And yes, apparently all of the creatures had telepathy in the form of satellite dishes in their brain.

"So uh, are there any more of you or is this all there is?"

"Well... there is one that is more powerful than I. His name is Carnage Kabuto, he is currently imprisoned in our base."

"Why would you imprison one of your own?"

"Because... Kabuto is..."

The heroes noticed how all the creatures suddenly had fear in their eyes.

"You see," continued the lion.

"Kabuto was once a human, but his obsession with beetles turned him into one. Doctor Genus, seeing potential with Kabuto, experimented on him much more inhumanely. They figured since he already had the brain of a human, he would be able to withstand more than the rest of us. They were right of course. With these experiments, Kabuto gained unparalleled strength, speed and intelligence. He was the epitome of human evolution. And yet, Doctor Genus considers him his greatest failure.

"And why is that, kitty?"

"I'm getting there. With his strength came a price, Kabuto was now a shadow of his human self. He was insane, he was inhumane. He lacked everything that made a human, human. Doctor Genus considered him a failure because what good was unparalleled strength, if humans were no longer humans. Do you understand?"

The heroes nodded in understanding. Genos had one more question though.

"Did this Doctor Genus happen to create a mosquito, female human hybrid?"

"Ah, you mean Mosquito Girl. That is why we came to find this bald ma-"

"Can you just call me Saitama you stupid cat, or do I have to punch it into your memory?"

"Uh, of course. Anyway, that is precisely why the doctor is interested in your body."

...

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not into dudes. And Gorilla dude, if you recorded my fight just so your boss can ma-"

"Sensei, I think you are mistaken." + "THAT'S NOT WHAT HE MEANT YOU STUPID BALDY!"

"Huh?"

"Yea, what they said. I mean the doctor is interested in your strength and how you achieved it."

"Oh, that's all he wanted? You could've just asked."

"Is Sensei really going to reveal his secret to these creatures?" + "Baldy, if you're gonna do what I think you're gonna do, stop before I kill you." +"Wait, he's willing to just tell us? Wow we wasted our time trying to fight them."x6

"Genos, you should listen too."

Genos whipped out his notebook at his Sensei's instructions.

"First off, make su-"

Before Saitama could reveal his secrets, an old man with with spiky gray hair and a bushy moustache to match walked through the door.

"Ah, Tatsumaki. It's a good thing you're here. Oh, and it appears the new recruits are here as well."

"Eh, who's this old dude Genos?"

"That's S class Rank 3 Silver Fang, Sensei."

"What are you doing here, Bang? What is going on?"

"Surely you've heard of the meteor, Tatsumaki?"

"Yea, the one that will be passing earth, what of it B..."

"Ah, it seems you've figured it out on your own."

"Did the idiots seriously miscalculate, and now it's headed right for us?"

"Apparently it suddenly changed trajectory, though your statement is the one I myself chose to believe."

"How bad is it old dude?"

"HE IS SILVER FANG TO YOU, BALDY!"

"It seems even Tatsumaki respects this hero. He must be a true master of his art."

"Oh, sorry."

"No worries. You must be Saitama, call me Bang, I never preferred my hero name. As to your question,the threat level is Dragon, a worst-case scenario. 35 minutes from now, the meteor will strike City Z. All S class heroes have been called to see if they could do anything about it."

"Where are the others Bang?"

"Everyone else is at headquarters, Tatsumaki."

"What? Why?"

"Perhaps they are too far away. Perhaps they are too busy. Perhaps, the more cold blooded ones simply couldn't care."

"Hmph. Perhaps they are just scared they would be too weak to do anything."

"Whatever the case Tatsumaki, we should deal with the threat as soon as possible. The association has estimated that the impact area will destroy even neighbouring cities."

"Yo Tats, want me and Genos to come along? We might be able to help."

"Are you underestimating me, Baldy? And what did you just call me?"

"Uh, no. I just figured it'd be wrong for me and Genos, as heroes, to just sit here and do nothing. And uhm, I kinda got tired of saying your full name, sorry."

"... Fine. You can come watch, but your robot should stay here. We wouldn't want the experiments to run away, would we?"

"Interesting, Tatsumaki is fine with this man referring to her as Tats. It seems those rumours were wrong after all."

"It's fine Tatsumaki. I have ensured that our guests are taken to a shelter where they will be treated properly. They wouldn't have any reason to go elsewhere. You lot stay here, someone will come and escort you soon."

"Hey, listen to the old guy! Or else..."

With Saitama's words, the creatures nodded as fast as they could. There was no way in hell they were gonna try and mess with him.

"There might be something to him after all."

"Shall we go?"


Bang, Tatsumaki, Saitama and Genos were on the roof of a building, watching as the rock in the sky grew larger and larger.

"Hmph, is that what they're so worried about? Can that thing really annihilate City Z?"

"You forget, Tatsumaki, that unlike you, we are just ordinary humans. That meteor may be a pebble to you, but it spells disaster for the rest of us."

"Hmph. All of you, stay back."

Bang and Genos moved a few steps back, but Saitama remained where he stood.

"Didn't you hear me, I said stay back!"

"I'll be fine Tats, plus, this is a great view."

Contemplating whether he meant the meteor or her... never mind, definitely the meteor, Tatsumaki prepared to crush the space rock, when suddenly something flew past her. The UFO flew around a bit before it landed in front of Tatsumaki, revealing itself to be some big ass robot with 3 red eyes and a backpack of missiles.

"Metal Knight? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Tornado, have you come to stop the meteor too?"

"Yea, now get out of my way!"

"S class Rank 7, Metal Knight. A hero who uses overwhelming firepower to obliterate any foe along with everything in their vicinity. Is he here to risk his life too?"

"I refuse."

"Do you have a death wish, Bof-"

"Only refer to me by my hero name, Tornado. And no, I am simply here to test my weapons. The meteor is a perfect target."

"Hmph, fine. Just hurry it up."

As the meteor entered earth's atmosphere, the missiles on Metal Knight's back prepared to launch.

"Firing missiles!"

The missiles took off, leaving behind trails of smoke. The heroes watched as the missiles hit the meteor, causing a huge explosion, blinding the heroes who shielded their eyes. The giant mushroom cloud left behind informed them that the missiles were nuclear powered.

"Amazing. Such destructive power. He is truly deserving of-"

"Hey Bofoi, your missiles failed."

"What?"

As the smoke cleared, the meteor reappeared, relatively unscathed, and was headed straight towards the heroes at full speed.

"Not quite potent enough, eh?"

"Hmph. Step aside, Metal Knight."

Tatsumaki floated into the air, and prepared to smash the meteor into dust. A green glow outlined the meteor, and the heroes watched as S class Rank 2, Tornado of Terror... had no effect on the meteor?

"Tatsumaki, what's wrong?"

"I-I can't control it. It's as if... there's a force around it."

Tatsumaki was really pissed now, somehow, the meteor was resisting her power. She could control other meteors far larger than it, so what was preventing her from doing the same now? Soon the strain she was putting on her body took over, she was about to collapse again. Before she could pass out though, she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder, bringing her down to ground level.

"Don't push yourself Tats. I got this."

Saitama walked forward and bent his knees. Bang watched in amazement as he jumped straight towards the meteor, leaving a crater where he stood.

"You're not. Gonna fall. ON MY TOWN!"

Saitama pulled back his fist, and launched a strike that pierced through the meteor. The rock exploded in a majestic blue light, shocking all who were watching.

"Incredible! He shattered it! But-"

Pieces of the meteor were raining down on City Z. Before any of them could hit however, they were stopped midair by Tatsumaki.

"That's... all I can... do." She said between breaths.

"Do not worry, I will destroy them."

"Count me in too, Genos."

Bang and Genos launched themselves towards the meteor pieces, smashing and incinerating them respectively. Tatsumaki watched as Saitama landed in the street below, this time, not even scratching the floor he landed on.

Saitama looked up to Bang and Genos destroying pieces of the meteor that were floating mid air. For some reason though, some of the pieces were slowly falling to the ground. Turning around to see a tired Tatsumaki, Saitama put two and two together. He jumped into the air and assisted the two heroes in smashing the debris. In less than 30 seconds, all the pieces were destroyed, and the three heroes jumped back to the roof Tatsumaki was sitting, yes, sitting on.

"Yo Tats, thanks for keeping the rocks from hitting the city for so long. Who knows how much damage they could've done."

"It was the least I could do."

"No it wasn't. Even I could see how tired you were. You must've used all your strength on trying to break that meteor."

...

"I don't get it.

"Huh?"

"How is it I couldn't destroy it, when I handled far larger threats, and yet you smashed it with ease? You didn't just smash it either, you went straight through!"

Even more silence.

"Well... you said it yourself Tats. There was some kind of force preventing you from destroying it."

"Perhaps the "sudden change in trajectory" had something to do with it Tatsumaki."

"Are you suggesting something out there not only moved a meteor, they were strong enough to resist my influence?"

"The universe is huge Tatsumaki, you never know."

Tatsumaki's ego was starting to hurt. First vaccine man, now a piece of rock that wasn't even a fraction of the size of her record. And that time, she moved it while it was in space! FOR FUN.

"Eh, don't worry too much about it Tatsumaki. You gave it your all, and that's what matters."

The ESPer turned her head to insult the baldy, something about how she was stronger than this, but something about his words just... stopped her from saying a thing. They seemed comforting, rather than insulting. Or perhaps it's the hilarious sight of the cyborg scribbling down Saitama's words like they were gold advice.

"...Thanks Baldy."

"Okay, can you stop that?"

"Stop what?

"Stop calling me Baldy."

"But you are one."

"Well you're a midget, do you hear me calling you that?"

"You just did!"

"That's not my point Tats."

...

"Fine, Baldy."

"Hey!"

"That was the last one until you do something stupid, Saitama."

"Oh, okay."

"Hmm, maybe someone has finally gotten to Tatsumaki."

"Sensei!"

"Yea Genos?"

"I have just been informed that Doctor Genus in at the Hero Association. They are requesting our presence."

"Oh, okay. Hey Tats, you coming or do you wanna rest for today?"

"Hmph. I've rested enough."

"Alright, let's go. See you Bang!"

"Goodbye you three. And Tatsumaki?"

"What is it Bang?"

"Stay safe."

Goddamnit, his grandpa-iness is revealing itself.

"You don't have to worry about me, Bang."

"Oh, I'm afraid I do."


And that's a new chapter! First off, I wanna apologise for my poor writing in chapter 4. I just skimmed through it and realised that is was so damn shit. In fact, I was wondering if I should have some kind of remaster once I get this story past the... you know what arc.

Anyway, I'm gonna address something here, those of you wondering why the all powerful Tornado of Terror couldn't smash this stupid meteor, it's my belief due to the "it suddenly changed trajectory" line that something, perhaps a powerful pschic(?), moved the meteor straight to earth. Perhaps as a warning? Eh? Eh?

One more thing, I deleted that introduction thing and realised I completely forgot to post the stories that inspired me somewhere else so I'll just have a category here to be updated form this chapter onwards. I thank you all once again for your time.


The Bald and The Esper: s/11725053/1/The-Bald-and-The-Esper

The Strongest Hero: s/12494528/1/The-Strongest-Hero