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Three years before the start of the storyline, Saitama was an unemployed man on a job hunt. Before becoming unemployed, Saitama was working part-time at a convenience store.[2] On one occasion, a robber was entering the convenience store. Despite the man pointing a knife at Saitama, all Saitama did was wonder where the barcode was, believing that the knife was one of the merchandise.[3] One day, after yet another failed interview, a dejected Saitama encounters Crablante on the street. Crablante notices Saitama's lifeless eyes and spares his life. He tells Saitama that the prey he is after is a child with a cleft chin.[4]
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As he walks on, Saitama spots the child Crablante mentioned. However, his nihilistic attitude takes over and he decides to not intervene in the matter. Suddenly, Crablante appears behind the child and attacks him, but Saitama impulsively saves the kid, which surprises himself. He urges the child to run away and demands to know why Crablante wants the boy dead. While Crablante explains the prank the boy pulled on him, Saitama chuckles and notes aloud how the monster resembles a creature from a children's cartoon he watched as a kid. This enrages Crablante, who pummels Saitama even after the latter resolves to live out his childhood dream of being a superhero by fighting back. Saitama then lassos one of Crablante's eyestalks with the loop of his tie and tears it out.[5] Unbeknown to him, the child tells his grandfather about the incident and the grandfather decides to create the Hero Association to prevent similar incidents from happening.
