With her cheek propped onto her hand, Sakura watched through the glass window with eyes full of excitement. She earned herself a good few minutes of sleep since she boarded the plane and now fully awake, she opted to enjoy the scenery pass by as she waited for her ordered breakfast to arrive. Over the horizon, she could already make out the towering buildings of the infamous City of Heroes. The city so similar yet so vastly different from her own.
The clouds that blanketed her view minutes ago had dwindled the closer they got to the airport and soon gave her a bird's eye view of towering infrastructures made of steel and glass. The closest she had ever seen of such architecture was in Kiri, but even the Hidden Mist Village looked more like a floating city straight out of a fantasy book for its surrounding interconnected giant lakes. Musutafu City of Japan however, was a literal man-made city. Being entuned with nature all her life, Sakura just couldn't help compare.
Ever since Quirks were first discovered, five sections of the world had called for their own sovereignty. Each of which became independent regardless of the country they reside in but considered themselves as sister nations. This was due to the difference of ideology that came with the early understanding of the evolutionary trait of humans led by the first of those sovereign leaders- soon called as Kages- and those sovereignties, would be aptly called later as the Hidden Villages. Infamous for their secrecy, neutrality and strict non-involvement with the Outside Nations.
But despite their ambiguous background and indifferent treatment with Outsiders, the Hidden Villages and the Outside Nations were tied together by the Treaty of Several Thousand Hands. In its terms, the Outside Nations will recognize the Hidden Villages as independent countries, under the condition that both shall answer to the call of international emergency whether by villains or by natural disasters. Among other things.
Of course, the home which Sakura belonged to, was called the Hidden Leaf Village that shared its continent with Japan.
This will be her first time to visit a country outside of the Hidden Villages. The only exception was when she had to present and patent her invention of instant poison and venom extraction via water absorption at I-Island, but that's a story for another day. The purpose of her visit this time however, was to finish the last of her studies.
Throughout history, when Quirkology had finally taken its place in the field of science and medicine, it has been found that only a total of ten people of the world's population has ever been born with the healing quirk, or anything that falls into the regeneration, restoration, and removal of ailments in the living body. With only a probability of 0.00001%, regardless if both parents have healing quirks, and a 0.005% chance of being able to heal others, it's certainly a dangerous and greatly coveted power greedy hands would kill to get their hands on. As it's the only quirk that defied nature's dominion over life and death itself. Also, as much as it is rare, such ability came with a price. For no person that belonged in the H-Type (Healing) quirk category have any offensive and defensive abilities, thus making them viable and extremely vulnerable to threats and completely unsuitable for battle.
Except Haruno Sakura.
Then again, her quirk wasn't exclusive to healing wounds. But that's a detail she won't be disclosing to anyone anytime.
Just like most children, Sakura's first manifestation of her quirk was when she was at the tender age of four, and was aptly classified as a Super Strength Quirk under the Emitter type. Fortunately, her quirk did not include muscle augmentation so she retained her appearance as a normal girl. The only drawback however, was her body's excessive use of its stored calcium every time she used her quirk. Ergo food with high concentrations of calcium had forever became a staple of her daily diet.
Apart from her appearance as a feeble, small, and fragile looking girl, Sakura's enhanced strength was not something worth giving any special attention to as there had been multiple people who had the same type of quirk before. However, what no one anticipated, was the awakening of her second quirk.
Not one year into their careers as (freshly-graduated) heroes, Sakura and her best friends (and subsequent teammates)- Naruto and Sasuke, had a bad encounter with a group of villains. Though low-class, a trio of Gen-ranked heroes who could barely control their own quirks were still no match against them. Needless to say, the three didn't make it out unscathed, much to the fury of their parents. However, compared to her boys, Sakura made it out with the least injuries- with only bruises and a broken arm to decorate her misfortune while her boys had to be braced and casted due to numerous fractures and injured organs. They weren't even expected to make a full recovery in months. But it was at that moment of despair and self-loathing for being weak despite the name of her quirk did Sakura's hidden ability awoke.
The image of her teammates, awake and fully healed as if they were never injured in the first place, was something she could never forget.
Needless to say, Sakura's entire life changed ever since hat incident.
With the news of her healing quirk traveling throughout the higher ups, it was only a matter of time before someone would take her in as an apprentice. Little did she know that it was the Slug Princess who would get to her first and instantly proclaim her as her successor. However, due to the nature of her circumstances, and for the sake of her own safety, the Hokage had issued her case as a Priority 1 Confidentiality until Tsunade deemed her able to fully defend herself and have full mastery of her powers. Still, those closest to her and the high-ranking members of the Hidden Villages, were the only ones who were aware of her double quirks. Not only was it a rare phenomenon but it would be detrimental if the Outside Nations found out her secret.
To the public, Sakura Haruno was a Jou-ranked Pro Hero, and a very talented doctor.
Her master, Senju Tsunade- a master in a variety of styles in combat, had taught her how to fight as well as in medicine. And on the day the student had finally surpassed the master, Tsunade deemed her worthy to carry on her legacy, and retreated back to the haven of Shikkotsu Forest for her retirement. Sakura's Byakugou Seal was proof of that.
Though Sakura may have officially graduated from Tsunade's tutelage, she has yet to completely finish her training as a doctor. Ergo, with the permission of the Hokage- the Yellow Flash, Sakura was heading to Musutafu City of Japan to study under Recovery Girl to finish her auxiliary lessons. Like post-graduate courses after college.
Apart from that, Sakura took it as a chance to finish one final requirement she has left to do to become an official hero. Even though she doesn't have to, as she was technically a support for Tsunade during her years as a student (and the fact that she already has a hero license), Sakura's nothing but meticulous and seeing that blank space on her record was enough to set off her nerves. For amongst Konoha's requirements to become a Pro Hero, the Support Hero Contract explicitly states that an aspiring hero must enter a two-year contract under a Pro Hero recognized by the World Heroes Association. Since she'll be staying at Musutafu for her medical training, she thought she might as well apply as a support to fully complete her documents.
And she already has the very hero in mind.
Of course, she knew the risk for doing such a thing. Which was why she didn't proceed with her plan without consulting the Hokage and her master first (being best friends with the son of the Hokage really does have its perks).
She's allowed to carry on with her plan on the condition that she was not, under any circumstances, unless her very life was in unavoidable danger, allowed to disclose to anyone (apart from the only two informed individuals in U.A. High School) that she has both healing and super strength quirks.
"Ms. Haruno? I apologize for the wait."
Sakura smiled at the flight attendant as she brought her the breakfast she ordered earlier. Flying in first class is really the best. As she took a sip of her first cup of coffee in Musutafu City, Japan, the optimistic side of her hoped for fond memories and new knowledge yet to learn.
She wouldn't mind an adventure too.
Her plane landed at the airport at exactly 8:15AM and she boarded the train that would lead her to the heart of the city.
With her luggage in tow, Sakura meandered through the modern station made of steel, concrete and glass as she followed the crowd exiting the station. Despite the high morning sun, Sakura pulled up the hoodie of her jacket over her head as she welcomed her first breath in Musutafu City. She fished out her new smartphone from her pocket and fiddled her finger over screen to order a taxi to take her to the hotel. It was quite the peculiar invention, though Shizune was more than happy to teach her how to use one. Though she's yet to know what else she could do with her new phone apart from the pre-installed apps. After all back home, the primary method of communication were Fire Hawks and errand Gen-heroes; trains were used to transport raw materials instead of people; and the only public utility vehicles allowed to roam the streets are for the elderly, civilians, and quirkless citizens. Otherwise, heroes were encouraged to travel on foot to promote physical fitness and training.
Sakura managed to book a taxi from her Ober app and it displayed that she had less than two minutes of free time before it could meet her around the corner of the station. That's still more than enough free time for Sakura to practically skip her way towards the rows upon rows of stalls that sold snacks and quick meals.
"Hello there miss!" greeted the middle-aged man from behind the stall, "Care to have a try of my dango? I guarantee you it's the sweetest and most chewy dango around!"
Sakura smiled back and ordered herself two sticks covered in syrup.
.
A tired sigh of defeat passed through Izuku's lips for the nth time that day.
Why, oh why does his mother have to buy something that require it to be claimed so far away? Can't they just send it through courier? He had to go all the way to the station just to retrieve this… this… jar of exotic spices.
With another sigh, Izuku placed said jar back in the bag it came with- ribbons and all. Apart from the trouble of commuting so far so early in the morning and almost not making it in time, Izuku couldn't find it in himself to feel really troubled.
A rumor had been circulating that All Might was currently in Japan and it hasn't been confirmed until last night when the news captured him saving people from a burning building.
The fact that his favorite hero was in his home country was more than enough to cause him immense excitement. Besides, which fanboy wouldn't?
Just as he put a spring in his step however, screams suddenly erupted amongst the crowd and Izuku turned his head just in time to see a hulking thirty-foot tall brown bear charging towards him. In panic, Izuku screamed and threw himself to the side.
"You think your weak-ass guns could work on me?! You worthless police?!" the bear roared as it abruptly turned and swiped a massive paw at the chasing policemen and speeding patrol cars.
Izuku watched in horror at the sight of both policemen and civilians alike being swept away by massive claws across the clearing that was the shinkansen's entrance. Blood smeared the pavement as bodies flung around like ragdolls. For a brief moment, a spike of justice hit the young hero until reality washed it away like rain just as instantly. He's quirkless. What can he do anyway? Someone like him, who might as well be just a nuisance, could do nothing in the face of such danger.
Even so… can he really just sit by and watch as people around him were getting hurt?
"The bear's going after that person!"
"Somebody help them!"
"Hey! Get out of there!"
Izuku snapped from his self-loathing and looked up at the shouts. True enough, there was somebody standing in front of an empty dango stall as the villain towered over them. Even as the people around him shouted for them to get away, the person didn't budge. Almost as if they didn't hear anything. The shots fired from the policemen couldn't even make a dent on the transformed villain's fur.
"Get out of my way!" the bear roared as it raised a giant paw, ready for one clean swipe.
"WATCH OUT!" Izuku screamed.
The paw swiped the dango stall into bits and splinters, but there was no trace of a body nor a hint of blood anywhere in sight.
The shock made Izuku catch himself and the villain dumbfounded. Where did they go? They couldn't have just disappeared. For a moment, he thought (hoped) that All Might had appeared to save the hooded stranger, and his hearty laughter would then resound in his ears. However, what happened next rocked him to his core, both literally and metaphorically.
It happened so fast. That if he had blinked, he would've missed it. One moment the thirty-foot grizzly stood on its hind legs, making itself even taller and more intimidating, and the next its head was squished flat onto the ground with a resounding crash and rumble that would've simulated a low magnitude earthquake.
He felt like he was watching an action movie as he waited for the dust and debris to clear in silent suspense. Izuku felt his heart beat in his ears as he stared up in awe at the mystery person in hood standing regally atop the villain's slumped form. Its head was bloody and half-buried into the pavement. It doesn't take a genius to know that its skull had been fractured from the blow.
"Whoa…" he couldn't help marvel. Just who is this person? They're definitely a hero! After all, no ordinary civilian would just recklessly beat up a villain, especially someone so enormous and dangerous, and in just one blow! The law states that in case a villain appears, civilians must take shelter and leave the work to the heroes and the police. The only exception to this rule was if the civilian in question used their quirk in self-defense.
Even so, no ordinary civilian could be this powerful and not call themselves a hero. The only question that remained though, which one? As Izuku wracked his brain on any possible hero in his mental archive that could meet their vague descriptions, the hooded figure jumped down and casually walked towards him.
E-Eh?! T-T-They're coming here?! Why?!
Izuku scrambled in panic until he realized that the person squatted in front of him. With the hood on, he could only make out a pair of feminine lips as they tilted their head to the side as if they were assessing him. He made the quick assumption that they were female until he panicked again when she suddenly cupped his face.
"U-Uhm! E-E-Excuse-!" Izuku stammered. Face red with embarrassment.
"You're hurt," she said, and Izuku felt himself freeze at the sound of her voice. Melodic, sweet, and definitely female. Izuku didn't even realize he was hurt. Probably from when he moved away from the rampaging bear.
He didn't know whether it was because of the heat that came from being touched by a woman but when the heat on his face increased, specifically on his right, he realized that something was up. That, and there was a faint green glow from the corner of his eye.
The woman's hand was glowing green. Glowing! But oddly enough it didn't feel uncomfortable. In fact, it felt warm- a welcoming warmth, the kind one would expect to come home to after a long tiring day, and he felt instantly relaxed.
When she pulled back, he reflexively leaned forward as if his body wanted more. How odd indeed. His hand came up to his right cheek, but where he expected to have a faint scar, he only felt smooth skin, as soft as a baby's.
Wait, does that mean she just-!
"You hea-" he began in astonishment, but stopped himself short when the person suddenly stood up. From his vantage point, he could clearly see under the hood, and Izuku marveled at the sight of emerald eyes that shone brightly against their shadowed face.
She held up a finger to her lips in secrecy and winked.
When Izuku blinked, she disappeared.
From then on, Midoriya Izuku reserved a notebook dedicated to the mysterious green-eyed heroine in the hopes of figuring out their identity.
.
So much for keeping it low.
Sakura sighed as she continued walking down the street from her hotel. All the while ignoring the looks from the people no doubt staring at her pastel pink hair. Even though other people with brighter, weirder hair colors have popped up over the years, it didn't matter if she's in Konoha or in another country, her hair will always catch people's attention. She's used to it by now anyway. Hers were a pink hue that artists coveted.
She can almost hear her master's shrill scolding for her recklessness yesterday. The dango was just sooo good she didn't notice that there was any danger going on until her own body reacted on reflex. Then the local news reported of a mystery hero that single-handedly took down a villain in front of the shinkansen. Apparently, that bear had been causing quite a ruckus for some time now. Fortunately, the cameras didn't catch her face thanks to her hood. Still, she chose to stay in her room for the rest of the day as an added precaution.
Well, she supposed that's one small pebble behind her now. So long as nobody recognized her, it shouldn't worry her. Though there's that kid she healed but what were the chances of her meeting him again? She highly doubted he was able to fully see her face anyway.
Now with her back up straight, Sakura made her way through the unfamiliar streets with the map on her phone as a guide.
Luckily for her, Shizune gave her a hefty allowance for both her transportation, accommodation, and food expenses. Not only that, but during her stay here in the city, Sakura will be working as an assistant to Recovery Girl at this U.A. High School as a cover-up for her training. Though she will only be limited to providing conventional treatment, Sakura doesn't mind. After all, her master had also trained her in conventional medicine. If she's going to embrace her power as a medic, then she might as well learn all that she can.
Hopefully, if her application goes through, she would have her own steady source of income.
Though her training with Recovery Girl will have to wait. Sakura purposely pulled back her medical training for one year so that she could focus on being a Support Hero. She reasoned that it would be weird and suspicious for a foreigner to suddenly appear out of nowhere and work double time as a school nurse and a support. Especially since both employers of hers were named Pro Heroes. That aspect puts her in a disadvantage especially since she's from the Hidden Village. Though she's sure Dr. Shuzenji would understand, she couldn't say the same for her other boss. Besides, it wouldn't easily ease her way into her employer's good side if he learned that she's working another job on the side. It would give him the impression that she's not taking her job as a support seriously.
She's been informed that her target hero was very meticulous about one's the duties and responsibilities as a hero.
That greater sense of duty and honor was what appealed to Sakura in the first place. Of course, she's also heard about the difficulties of applying for that specific position but Sakura just brushed it off as exaggerations. Then again, Sakura does love a challenge.
"Oh, where am I know?" Sakura whined as she twisted and tapped on the screen of her phone. The bold-colored line that's supposed to track her location hadn't moved for a while now until it suddenly returned her back to the home screen. She shot her head up and looked around for any sign that would tell her where she could be but the names of the streets were still foreign to her.
Great. She's lost. But she was so sure she's on the right track!
Honestly, trekking the Forest of Death back home would be much easier than this urban city.
The pinkette sighed as she had no choice but to ask for directions.
And as if her cries for help were answered, the automatic doors of a nearby convenience store opened to reveal a scrawny looking, blonde-haired man wearing baggy clothes with a plastic full of his purchase in one hand.
Sakura bolted after him.
"Excuse me, sir!" she called out with long strides and the man visibly flinched. The blonde let out a gasp once she stopped in front of him, "I'm very sorry to bother you, sir, but can you help me?"
The blonde's shadowed blue eyes struck a chord inside Sakura. His eyes looked so much like her dear friend Naruto's. Except the man's have a more piercing shade that was both intimidating and mesmerizing at the same time. Haa… she hasn't been here long and she already misses her friends back home.
"U-Uh yes, of course. How can I be of service?" the blonde stammered, his face tinted with red.
"I was hoping if you could tell me where Kariya Street is? I'm not from around here and I think I'm a little lost," she tilted her head and scratched her cheek sheepishly.
The blonde stared blinkingly at her for a few moments before he let out a small smile, "No, I don't think you are, miss. Kariya Street is right around this block. You won't miss it."
The pinkette beamed, "Oh really?! That's great! Thank you very much."
"You're a foreigner, I presume?" he inquired.
Sakura gave him a polite smile, "That's right. I just got here yesterday. I'm actually heading to Endeavor's Hero Agency."
His shadowed eyes widened at her implication, obviously shocked at her revelation.
"You're a hero?"
"Yep!" Sakura beamed again. This time, brighter than the last, "Anyways, I have to go. I'm really thankful for your help, sir. See you around!"
With a wave farewell to the nice man, Sakura set her sights towards her destination. True enough, when she rounded the corner to Kariya Street, Endeavor's Hero Agency loomed above the rest of the buildings. It was hardly difficult to miss. The building itself had an aura similar to what she would expect from a fearsome man like Endeavor.
"May I help you?" the receptionist asked once she came up front.
"Good day, I'm Haruno Sakura," she greeted, "I sent an application as a Support Hero two weeks ago?"
Behind her desk, the receptionist fiddled with her computer. The clacking of keys sounded too loud for her ears alongside her beating heart.
"Oh, there it is. Ms. Haruno, you applied for the position as… E-Endeavor's personal support?" the receptionist's eyes widened and her jaw became slack. The sudden silence that overcame the lobby made Sakura confused.
"Yes?" Sakura confirmed.
The woman stammered as she instructed her to sit by and wait since it appeared that Endeavor was still out doing his patrol.
Well, she supposed she can't blame them for reacting in such a way. Sakura wasn't ignorant to the fact that the Second Top Pro Hero of Japan was as intimidating as he was honor-bound. She doesn't know the full extent of it, but she knew enough that no one has ever lasted more than a week as Endeavor's Support Hero. All of which resigned too early for reasons being they couldn't keep up or that he's too 'difficult to work with'.
"If you want something, then strive for the best!" were the wise words of her master (on another drunken night), and that's exactly what she's aiming for.
If Sakura wants an impressive record as a Pro Hero, then she might as well fill it up in gold. The reason why she didn't choose to apply to All Might's Hero Agency, was because the apparent number one hero's presence was sporadic at best and Sakura refused to work as a regular sidekick controlled by the agency. No, if she's going to be someone's support, then she might as well be the support of said hero themselves. Right by their side. Furthermore, Endeavor's difficult reputation only spurred her on to apply.
Sakura was never this ambitious, the younger self in her still dreamed of a peaceful and contented life, but she's no longer bearing the name Haruno Sakura alone anymore. Her master Tsunade, sister Shizune, her friends and family, her village, and most specially her boys. They were her Will of Fire, they were the reasons why she wanted to be a medic and a hero in the first place, because she wanted to protect those smiles; and to do that, she needed to grow stronger.
Besides, what's wrong with wanting to learn from the best? Or in this case, second best.
Over an hour later, the automatic doors to the lobby opened and in came the very man Sakura came to see. She wasn't sure whether he does it by default or if he does it to maintain his fearsome façade but Sakura couldn't help but stare at the orange-red flames that trailed all over his body and face. Again, another pang of nostalgia hit her as fire reminded her of Sasuke. Last time she checked; her broody childhood friend was working on mastering his clan's infamous black fire. Also, Naruto had been making leaps and bounds on his wind manipulation quirk.
The muscled redhead stopped midway in his strides towards the elevators as Sakura boldly came up to him. Just like the prideful man she heard of him as, he looked at her down his nose, but despite the fact that the top of her head barely skimmed his flaming chin; her 5'4 easily dwarfed by his 6'4 ¾; Sakura didn't so much as blink beneath his scrutinizing gaze.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice a deep baritone.
Sakura's lips twisted up in a challenging smile, "A pleasure to finally meet you, Sir Endeavor. My name is Haruno Sakura and I'm here to be your Support Hero."
Despite his stoic façade, Endeavor's flames flared dangerously to incredible heights. So much so that everyone in the lobby scrambled away immediately to avoid the heat. However, Sakura's gaze didn't waver; didn't so much as flinch, as she continued to smile up at him. For within her shamrock eyes was a fire blazing stronger than anything he could possibly create.