Summary: What if there's a small change in the beginning? Where Saitama found out about the Hero Assosiation just lightly earlier. How will things change? AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Punch Man, One does.

A/N: It is taking place after the House Of Evolution. WARNING! It will be OOC (though I will try with all of my ability to get the characters down) and the grammar will definitely not be worthy of any awards. So just bear with me here. There are original characters in this chapter, to get things in motion.

I only watched the anime, so anything in here will be mostly from what I collect myself from what I've seen. I did grab some parts here and there from the manga and will add some of my own ideas to the story. The story line will mostly be based on the show, and Saitama is gonna meet a lot of people sooner rather than later. Still in progress!

Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1

"Genos, we have to hurry." Saitama frantically runs, cloak snapping behind him as he swerves in and out of the trees. As a blur he shoots through the dense forest. "Or else there's no way we can make it in time."

Genos head started to turn in thought. "Sensei, according to my calculations we shall arrive there in 5 minutes."

"Tch, it's 5 minutes too far. By the time we get there we will probably be too late!" Saitama picks up the pace then, pumping his arms, leaving dust and leaves flying in the air in his wake. Why didn't he noticed it sooner? How could he not noticed today was the day?!

Running after Saitama, Genos picked up the speed cyborg's eyes narrowed in focus. It has been a while since he has been pushed this much and if he was human then he would have a thin layer of sweat gathering on his forehead.

'This is why I will get to agree to train me under your presence sensei. So I can avenge my family and village. So I can make Dr. Kuseno proud. I can prove to you that I am a worthy disciple.'

Saitama looks back at him. "Oy, Genos. How much time do we have when we get there?"

"A total of two hours sensei, since we haven't paused running since we took off."

"Oh?" Saitama slowed down to a light jog. "Ok then, we have enough time. We are almost there anyway."

Genos fell into pace with him by his side.

Saitama sighed, this is one of the days where he felt like things aren't going to go his way. He's beginning to dread the moment as he gets closer to the building, afraid of what awaits there.

They both gradually came to a stop at the edge of the forest and the concrete road. Their heads moved to the building's entrance where lines and lines of people are going out, carry all of their stuff. Some could be seen yelling at each other, getting into heated arguments while trying to get out through the exit.

Genos eyes widen. "Sensei, maybe you were right. Maybe we might be too late after all."

'No...' Saitama desperately thought, as he starts to move forward slowly. His eyes flickering side by side, hands fiddling, his face showing apprehension. "Well Genos, let's see if we can find anything salvageable."

With Genos in the lead, they head towards the door. Where the people were pushing to get out the massive building to the parking lot.

When going through the entrance door, Saitama took a look around then staggers and sinks to his knees. His hands tightened into a fist and he yells upwards toward some imaginary being. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHY? JUST WHY? ALL THE GOOD FOOD IS GONE!"

The people going out with all their bought goods glance oddly at the bald guy, wailing in despair before shrugging their shoulders and leaving. The few shoppers left just briefly glance at the noise before continuing.

Though one shopper did pause long enough to say. "Man, that's what happens if you come during the last few hours to a big bargain day at the supermarket. Should have planned your Saturday correctly and come sooner."

For the people around them, if they listen carefully, they'll probably see Genos pat Saitama shoulders saying encouraging words in an attempt to comfort the Sensei and the person being comforted muttering under his breath.

"No, no, no…. All the best potato chips are gone too!"

Strolling through the aisles, Saitama started examining the choices left.

Scratching his head, he looks at his... disable? He still isn't sure if Genos was serious about that offer or not. Eh, whatever. An extra person is appreciated to carry the groceries, just in case, some annoyance appears along the way home. Which has to at least happen every other day. "Oi, Genos look for the cheapest things you can find. Oh! And get some ramen packages or udon noodles, they're running out. I'm gonna go head to the freezer section, if you need me I should be around there."

"Aye, sensei." Genos watch as Saitama headed away, looking completely out of place because of his yellow uniform and white cape in a normal everyday supermarket.

Genos wonders if Saitama knows that the few people left are giving a confused and questioning glance at his outfit. Should he tell sensei that maybe his choice of wear for normal mundane things shouldn't be his hero costume, it just attracts too much unneeded attention. But whatever, it doesn't matter. Right now he's helping out with Sensei's groceries.

Genos walks the opposite way a few steps before realizing that he has no idea how to find anything. 'This place has signs… right?' He looks up and just heads towards the sign that has big words saying how the product was half off. That place seemed like a good start.

Lost in thought he almost didn't notice a child, who was close to running a shopping cart into him. Putting a hand out, he stopped the shopping cart before it went any further and crash into a shelf with jars behind him. Which would have been a mess he did not want to happen.

"Careful, kid. You don't want to run into anyone here, you could harm someone." Genos kneels down to the child's height. She looked around 8 years old, with black straight hair.

Her wide silver eyes stared up at his. "I'm sorry mister! I didn't mean to hit you, I couldn't see over the cart, I won't do it again!" She looks down in her hands in embarrassment, her hair falling, covering her face.

Genos smiled softly, she reminded him of some of the kids in his village before the cyborg came and changed his life forever. He reached out tucking in her hair behind her ear. "No worries, princess. What's your name?"

Her face lit up at the word 'princess'. "I'm Akiko!" Apparently, that was her invitation to touch his hair too. She placed her hand on his head. "Oh! It's so soft!" She started giggling and tugging on the blond strands.

"Hey, Akiko. Where are your parents?" He then picked her up and settled her on his hip with her laughing along the way.

Akiko pointed towards the aisle in the end, with one hand still holding on to his hair. "She's over there! My parents are away, for now, so I came here with baachan!"

Genos started to walk over there with Akiko on his hip and the cart rolling in front of him. Turning around the corner he saw an old woman, attempting to get a box down from the shelf. Apparently, she hasn't noticed the wayward child with the cart yet.

"Here, let me give you a hand with that." He set Akiko down and picked up the box full of sweet potatoes (he raised an eyebrow at it) and placed it in the cart.

"Oh, my! Thank you, young man. I'm afraid with my back I'm struggling to do anything that involves, well anything!" The old woman finally noticed the child bouncing on her heels behind Genos. "Oh! Akiko, did you run off again? I told you to stick near me. I'm sorry, Akiko has a curiosity of a young fox."

"It's not a problem ma'am. She's a sweet child." Genos ruffled Akiko's hair then.

"No ma'am, please that makes me feel old. Call me Torika."

"Genos, and may I ask you a question? Ma'a- Torika, what are you going to do with all these sweet potatoes?"

"Oh! That! My husband is balding, and since I love him dearly, I'm getting all the necessary food to help him with his problem. Sweet potatoes one of the many things that are really good for hair growth and it's also nice since it's on sale."

Well, that new piece of information perked Genos attention. This old woman may hold the key to helping sensei! "Torika, I have someone I know that is also bald, he's my sensei. I hope to help him out. Can you tell me what things are good for hair growth?"

"Ah! Well, you ask the right person! Here, let me tell you a list of things you should get!"

Genos promptly whipped out his training diary, because this is information that he definitely can not lose.

Saitama sneezes, unaware of the plan going on about him.

He looks into the grocery basket. He has already gotten most of the needed food on his to-do list. But it felt like something is missing. Itching his nose, he paused to think. "Oh. Seems like I forgot the milk. Maybe I should get juice too, hopefully, that's on sale for at least 50 percent."

Looking around the frozen section he searches for the place where they keep the milk. After zoning in on it, he walks towards it till he's in front of it, staring blankly at the different brands. Saitama's eyes skimmed through the milk section and finally opened the glass door and reached in to get the cheapest gallon that was left in there.

Grabbing it, Saitama's face was empty as he thought about this day's adventure. This morning he was just fighting scientifically advanced monsters, which led him to the mad scientist's base where Genos burned it to a crisp before they can even see what it had in store. The Kabuto bug monster had brought his hopes up that he would actually have a challenge. But when the bug fought with Genos he knew that the bug won't pose any difficulty in defeating. With all of that, it would seem like it will make anyone's day exciting. But... it's been disappointing, some of the reason is due to the part where those monsters only took a punch to get rid of. There hasn't been even one monster that actually posed a challenge since a year and a half ago, ever since he lost his hair.

But the real reason is that now, he's here shopping like any ordinary person would do. The truth is that was mostly disappointing because he felt like he'd been cheated of something, and now everything he does feels so…. simple and boring. A hero life as the strongest human alive maybe isn't as fun as it was thought to be, but it was better than the alternative.

A businessman.

Saitama shudders and decides not to think about the time where he tried (and repeatedly failed) to find a job where he knew he had no interest in.

Closing the door, he turned around to look for a juice that's on sale. Preferably blueberry juice, he hasn't tried that in a while.

Going to the aisle where the juices are, Saitama saw the only other person there, was a child with a backpack on, pacing back and forward muttering something under his breath.

Eh, no one of importance. Saitama just continued to look at the type of juices offered.

The child was around 9 or 10 years of age with short brown hair and can be seen in deep concentration. He's wearing a button up blue shirt and a lollipop in his hands. His muttering is quiet but bits and pieces could be heard if Saitama cared. It was along the lines of "Maybe I should use my spider limbs…. No, that would probably take knock down all the shelves. How do I reach it now? I guess the only option left is to do it myself. I should make some smaller technology in the future..."

Down the aisle to the right of the Child Emperor, Saitama was absentmindedly scratched his head while inspecting the drinks. 'Shoot, they ran out of blueberry juice.' Saitama inwardly sighed, then said to himself. "Fine, well then, let's look for apple. It's been awhile since I've tried that either." Going over near to where the Child Emperor stands, Saitama looks up at the apple juice up on the highest shelf, which was a nice 20 feet from the ground. "Ah, perfect."

Pausing from his's grumbling, child's calculating eyes suddenly narrows down on Saitama like he was the answer to his problem. (That particular person was still unaware to the kid's mumbling, oblivious to the fact that the child is the Child Emperor and who the Child Emperor is.) The man didn't seem like anyone interesting, his face was ordinary enough to look over but why is he wearing that outfit? And a cape? He doesn't remember anyone matching that description in any classes in the Hero Association. Whatever, probably just a crackpot. "Hey, cape man. Since you seem like you're going to get the apple juice, can you get one for me too?

Still looking upward, Saitama blinked and started to put his grocery basket down. But besides that, he gave no sign of hearing anything.

"Hello?! Are you even listening to me?"

The kid's eyes twitched in annoyance, is that bald man actually ignoring him? Well if this follicly challenged guy wants to do it that way, fine. He will resort to a more painful way to get his notice.

He to walked over to Saitama and with a portion of his strength kicked him in the shin, and it still packs quite a sting for anyone despite his size. Any normal man would have probably been thrown back and support a healthy size bruised. And possibly some fractured bones.

But of course, Saitama is a different case.

"Oh?" Saitama looks down at his shin wondering if something touched him and finally switching his awareness on to the S-Class Hero. "Do you need something?"

The Child Emperor sweatdropped. 'Ok then.' He thought. 'This guy is definitely not as ordinary as he looks. Not if he can withstand my kick like it was nothing.' With that thought in his mind, he repeated his request. "You're getting the same juice to right? Can you get one for me too so I don't have to bother with it myself." He pointed to the apple juice bottles on the highest shelf.

"Uh, sure." Saitama glanced up to it. Rubbing his hands, he took a few steps towards the shelf that supports the drinks.

"Aren't you getting a ladder or something?" The kid's head tilted, giving out a questioning air.

"Nah, no need." And with that Saitama casually hopped up in the air and grabbed the needed stuff from several feet off the ground, then came back down causing dust to scatter and ended up making a small crack on the tiled floor. Handing the dozen packaged drinks to the kid and putting his dozen in his basket, he started to walk away.

"Hey! Wait!" The Child Emperor yelled, curious about this unknown guy.

Saitama halted and turned around, facing the kid. "Oh?"

"Thank you, for helping me by the way." Then, the kid pointedly nodded at Saitama's outfit. "I was just wondering if your job is a hero?"

"Well, I'm just a hero for fun. It's just a hobby of mine." Saitama shrugged but then his eyes focus intently on the kid. "Have you heard of me before?"

Racking through his brain once again, to see if he recognized any bald guys in the Hero Association, he concluded. "No, I haven't."

Saitama face went blank. "Oh, okay." That comment made him remember, that maybe even after 3 years no one notices what he does.

"Hmmm… Have you ever heard of the Hero Association?" The Child Emperor asked while licking his lollipop, unaware of the thoughts that was going through Saitama's head.

Saitama snapped out of the things going in his mind. "Association? For Heros?"

The kid blinked in surprised, how does someone not know about this? He thought information on it was all over the news and the internet. "It's an association founded by Agoni, the multi-millionaire because his grandchild was saved by a mysterious hero. There are four different classes of heroes that rank from highest to lowest from C, B, A, and S. Usually to become one, the person would have to take a superhero entrance test which has a physical and written exam. It's not the easiest to get in. Heroes that do get in, get recorded down and paid for their service. They also get public credit for their work fighting against those monsters. The line of work is really da-"

Before the Child Emperor could get any further in explaining, Saitama interrupted him, scowling. "Wait up, kid. Shorten it to 20 words or less."

Irritation flickered in the Child Emperor's face, he was about to snap back at Saitama for interrupting when someone spoke up behind him. "Sensei, I have finished shopping." If it wasn't for the number of times he dealt with the other people in the S-Class, where some of them have a habit of sneaking up on each other, he would have for sure jumped in surprise. Only through experience, the only thing he indicated that he was surprise was the slight widening of eyes. He forced himself to casually turn instead of tensing up. 'It takes a lot of skill for someone to sneak up on me. That person would have been around S-Class or a very high A-class, and if that bald guy is his sensei then what does that mean then?'

"Maa, Genos. What took you so long," Saitama paused, the conversation with the kid went through his head. "Have you heard of the Hero Association?"

"Yes, I have. But I never thought it was necessary during my search for justice."

"Well, remind me to search it up when we get back to my place. And if you agree to go do the exams with me then I'll accept you as my student. You've been pestering about it the whole hour here, so take it or leave it."

Genos straightened up, eyes flashing in determination. "Aye! Sensei! I accept!"

Then gathering up his stuff Saitama begin to walk out, waving back at the Child Emperor. "Thanks for the information!" Then the odd pair, a bald guy, and a cyborg started to head out to the cash register.

The Child Emperor rocked back on his heels. 'I have a feeling they are going to make the next hero exam interesting.' A thoughtful look came across his face, 'I might as well go to see what happens, I don't think I have any exams or quizzes on that day for school.' Quietly humming, he wonders what things the duo are going to bring with them.

Heading out of the supermarket, Saitama and Genos both started to head towards Saitama's apartment. A few feet out a girl's voice was heard calling out.

"Hi, Genos!" It was Akiko with her grandma putting away their stuff in the car.

Genos nodded at her in acknowledgment.

The Grandma then looked over to them. Her eyes squinting and her hand coming up to adjust her glasses, looking at Saitama who was standing next to Genos. "Oh! You were right, son! Your sensei sure needs those vitamins to grow back his hair! He must be so wise and advance in years as me to already lost all of them!"

They drove off then, unaware of Saitama cursing about how he was actually 25 years old.

Puffing annoyance, Saitama turned sharply and continued walking. "You would assume that because I'm bald people would recognize me easier as the hero who saves them. But they think that I'm an old man or a weirdo." He grumbled under his breath, sulking.

"Sensei, I believe one day you will get known for what you do and I will be there when that happens." And Genos truly believed in that.

"Ha, thanks." Slightly cheered, Saitama then looked at the bags Genos bought and was currently carrying. "What did you buy Genos? It seems like awfully a lot."

Genos then took each food one by one out to show Saitama. "According to other people's experience things like sweet potatoes, spinach, yogurt, and guava are good for hair growth!"

Saitama started glaring at Genos. "I don't need anything for my head! I. Am. Perfectly. Fine. Like. This." Pausing at each word trying to emphasize his point.

In that moment before Genos can say anything to explain to Saitama about how healthy these foods are and why it would definitely prove beneficial to eat, a monster appeared climbing out of the sewers. It was a fish, a salmon to be more precise, with human legs. It was a horrid stench, Saitama noticed. But since it just crawled out of the sewers it made sense.

"I am the self-proclaimed Upstream Salmon Usurper, I can go past all things in my way in order to get to my goal. And, it is that I will be able to eat all the sushi I want and terrorize all the people that happen to be nearby. And unlucky for you guys, you're in my way." The Upstream Salmon Usurper smiled repulsively down at them.

"I can handle this master Saitama." Genos confidently stepped in front of Saitama, going into his battle stance. His upper body started glowing as he channeled his power to his arm.

"Ha, you'll never defeat me, kid! I have been doing this for years now and no one has s- AHHH! IT BURNSS!" The monster monologue was then interrupted when he was burned to death by the fire erupting out of Genos's hand.

A toasted piece of salmon was all that was left of the Upstream Salmon Usurper and a very burned street.

"Hmm," Saitama looked thoughtfully down at the remains. "Seems like we're having smoked salmon for dinner."

"Sensei, are you sure that's a good idea? You don't know where it's been." Genos thought of the sewers and internally shuddered.

"Eh, I'll wash it."

"But…"

"And you already cook it good so probably all the bad things are burned away."

Genos very reluctantly agreed. "Fine... I guess so Sensei. Well, it's salmon so I guess it would be good for your hair growth."

"No, let's not talk about my hair. I have been living my life fine like this and I don't need you to get any more crazy ideas to try to help my head."

"Then can I ask you about the truth on how you got stronger?"

"I'M TELLING YOU THAT'S ALL I DID!"

_END OF CHAPTER 1_