**Z-Valhalla. The Central Market.** **Sunday. 10:00 AM.**
This is the holy hour.
Every supermarket in the fused district releases its weekly ad at exactly 10:00 AM.
The streets are quiet. Tense.
Warriors sharpen blades. Housewives tie aprons. Goblins tighten sneaker laces.
Saitama stands outside "ODIN-MART".
He holds a shopping basket in one hand and **The Black Card** in the other.
Genos is scanning the perimeter. "Threat Analysis: High concentration of coupon-users. Notable Rivals detected: Garou, The Valkyries, and The Blizzard Bunch."
"Garou is here?" Saitama scans the crowd.
There he is. Leaning against a lamp post. Wearing a tracksuit. He has mastered the art of "Discount Hunting Fist."
Garou makes eye contact. He nods.
*The Game is On.*
**The Doors Open.**
*DING-DONG.*
"Welcome to Odin-Mart! Today's Special: Giant Squid Tentacles - 80% OFF!"
Chaos.
The crowd surges.
Saitama uses **Serious Series: Serious Power-Walk**.
He weaves through the mob without touching anyone, moving like liquid.
He reaches the Seafood Aisle.
**Obstacle 1: The Ice Wall.**
A wall of ice blocks the Squid section.
Standing guard is **Ymir**, the First Frost Giant (who works part-time as a Stock Boy).
"Back!" Ymir bellows. "I am restocking! No entry for 5 minutes!"
"I don't have 5 minutes," a voice hisses.
Garou leaps over the ice wall.
"Flowing Water Smashing Cart!"
He pushes a shopping cart through the ice, shattering it.
"My barrier!" Ymir gasps.
Garou grabs three squid packs. "First strike!"
Saitama runs through the shattered ice.
"Hey! Save one for me!"
**Obstacle 2: The Psychic Barrier.**
Saitama reaches the last pack of Squid.
It starts floating.
Green aura.
Fubuki stands at the end of the aisle.
"I need this for the Hotpot Party!" Fubuki declares. "The Blizzard Group demands calamari!"
"Fubuki," Saitama warns. "Put down the squid."
"Fight me for it!" Fubuki creates a psychic tornado of canned beans.
Genos steps in. "I will handle the Esper, Master. Proceed to the meat section!"
Genos fires a **Flash Grenade**.
Fubuki flinches. The psychic grip loosens.
The squid drops.
Saitama catches it.
"Nice assist, Genos."
**Obstacle 3: The Manager.**
Saitama sprints to the register.
He places his basket down.
Squid. Cabbage. Discount Eggs.
The cashier scans them.
"That will be 1,500 Yen."
Saitama swipes The Black Card.
*BEEP.* **Transaction Declined.**
Saitama freezes. "What?"
The cashier (a Dwarf) looks at the screen.
"Sir, this card has been flagged for 'Excessive Usage'. The limit was reached yesterday."
Saitama remembers.
Yesterday was Saturday. Garou's turn.
He sees Garou at the next register, grinning. Garou holds up a bag of protein powder.
"Sorry, Baldy! I bought in bulk! Maxed out the limit!"
Garou laughs. He runs for the exit.
Saitama trembles.
The Black Card... useless?
He looks at the cashier.
"Can I pay with... pocket lint?"
"No lint. Cash only."
Saitama checks his pockets.
500 Yen.
He needs 1,500.
He looks at the squid. The glorious, pink tentacle.
"I... I can't afford it."
Saitama puts the squid back.
He walks away.
Defeated.
**The Twist.**
As Saitama walks out, head hung low, a shadow blocks the sun.
**Adam** stands there.
He holds a basket of fresh, home-grown produce from the roof.
"Father..." Adam whispers. (He calls Saitama father sometimes because Saitama taught him agriculture).
"I sold the giant pumpkins. We have profit."
Adam hands Saitama a stack of coins.
2,000 Yen.
Saitama stares at the money.
"Adam... you grew money?"
"I grew Value," Adam corrects sagely. "Go. Get your squid."
Saitama turns around.
The fire returns to his eyes.
"Garou thought he won. But he forgot... agriculture!"
Saitama sprints back to the register.
"I'll take the squid! And a chocolate bar!"
**Epilogue.**
That night.
The apartment smells of grilled squid.
Saitama, Genos, Adam, and even Satan (who likes seafood) are feasting.
Garou is sitting on the roof, eating dry protein powder because he spent all the card limit and has no actual food.
"Dry," Garou coughs. "The powder... it chokes me."
Saitama walks onto the balcony. He holds a grilled tentacle on a stick.
He offers it to Garou.
"Here. You messed up, but you gotta eat."
Garou looks at the squid. He looks at Saitama.
"I hate you," Garou mutters, taking the stick. "Thanks."
They eat under the glow of the Yggdrasil-lit moon.
Rivals. Roommates. Customers.