Blood.

Sakura was only 12 years old when she had her first kill, as was expected with most newly graduated Gen-ranked heroes in Konoha. Even if the circumstances weren't expected. They were on an escort mission to the Land of Waves when things went dire to the point it skyrocketed their mission rank not meant for Gen-ranks. At the first ambush, she drew the first blood, but it was Sasuke who made the first kill out of all of them (apart from Kakashi, of course). When the skirmish with Gato's gang happened though, the image and sensation of lodging her kunai through a fully-grown man's neck, and have the blood race down the length of her arm, would forever be burned in her memory.

Ino's father, (apart from being the Head of Intelligence Division) was assigned as their trauma psychologist. A policy of the village made mandatory for heroes who had made their first kill, thanks to Tsunade's efforts in her youth.

As someone who grew up in such a society and environment, it's understandable that Sakura would believe that things like that were normal. That killing your enemies is better than getting yourself killed is normal.

So imagine her shock and confusion when she had her first lesson about the Outside Nations.

"Unfortunately, we can't do anything about that. Just as we have our own way of doing things, they have theirs. As long as those laws and agreements are maintained, then there would be no problems, no matter how stupid or barbaric it may seem to the other party."

It took time for Tsunade's words to sink into her though. After all, why detain? She understood if it's an order but why not kill someone who had no second thoughts of killing you? It's not that the Hidden Villages raised them as cold-blooded. They were all taught and made understood the sanctity of human life even at the academy. In fact, enemies, excluding assassination targets, are always given the option to surrender. If they do, they will become prisoners, judged fairly according to their offenses, and treated properly according to conventional ethics. If not, and they fought back with the intent to kill, then it's free game.

To the Hidden Villages, this is the definition of a Hero: a warrior sworn to the will of their village, protector of its citizens, preserver of peace and order.

Killer of killers.

Last night's events were a huge welcome for her own sanity since arriving to Japan. It was a simple get in, secure the parcel, leave no survivors, and get out, rescue mission. She had a feeling it was meant for another ANBU operative but was instead given to her in consideration. It made her smile despite the sight of burning corpses before her. Kushina and Minato may have low-key implied how they would've wanted to have a daughter, and being Naruto's best female childhood friend (and unofficial retainer), she had been on the receiving end of those affections by default.

She made a mental note to send the couple another box of souvenirs to go with the next batch of her deliveries back home. She's not a greedy person so there might as well be something she could spend her extra money on.

For the last few weeks her fingers had been really itching to grab the kunai from her pouch during spars and the occasional villain encounter. Apparently, to the Outside Nations, a hero isn't 'supposed to' wield extremely dangerous weapons. A concept she understood yet will still scoff at from time to time. Its not so much as a culture shock but more like years of drilled instincts can be hard to keep leashed for long.

She learned, when she finally understood how the internet works, (Thank you, Endeavor's sidekicks) that the only information available to the public about the Hidden Villages, were the natural landmarks meant to advertise and entice tourists. Apart from that, the heroes of the Hidden Villages are implied to operate as a military rather than a glorified system who uphold strict rules and laws. That all heroes work discreetly and with little to no publicity touched by the media. So, it's no surprise that people from the Outside Nations hardly know anything about their heroes, not that they care if they're worshipped or not. They get more than enough praise and respect, and fear, from their fellow heroes and the citizens that wisely keep their mouths shut to foreigners. Of course, it's also left unsaid that heroes of the Hidden Villages kill villains.

It's not that the Hidden Villages are restrictive of their citizens either. So long as they keep from causing trouble to other people and the village as a whole, then they're pretty much free to do as they please.

That fact seemed to be only known and kept hush by high officials in the Outside Nations; but for the sake of discretion, and in accordance with the Treaty of Several Thousand Hands, missions commissioned by the those from outside and missions conducted outside the Hidden Villages, should only be done by Tokubetsu Jou and ANBU-ranked heroes.

For Sakura, it was technically her first mission conducted outside the village. One of Japan's high-ranking officials, whose name and position were purposely omitted from the mission scroll, had their daughter kidnapped and held for blackmail. Due to the sensitivity and negative effect it might cause to the public if not dealt with, they had no choice but to ask for outside help. At least they were more than happy to pay the exorbitant fee for the commission if it meant the job would be done swiftly and silently. As curious as she was about the circumstances behind the mission, as a hero of Konoha, she's in no position to question her superiors. Especially if it's an A-rank mission. At least, as a bonus, she was allowed to 'get rid' of the kidnappers however she wanted as long as she cleans up after. A clean-up that came in the form of severing fingers from each body, forcing the cells of identifiable parts of the body to undergo necrosis such as fingerprints, feet, and teeth, before burning the pile of bodies. Those fingers she collected will have to be delivered back home along with her mission report as proof of completion.

She snuck into the official's mansion and woke the girl up just in time as her father came into his office room. She made sure to keep the girl unconscious while she 'hunted', despite being only a few years younger than her. These people are easily appalled and squeamish when it came to death.

Garbed in her full (bloodied) ANBU uniform, along with her tattoo emblazoned on her left shoulder, the official warily approached her with a suitcase full of bills in Japanese Yen. Despite the clear gratitude and relief of having his daughter back, he was practically shaking out of fear. Most probably due to the deadly visage she made. Not that it mattered. Her identity's perfectly hidden; hair tucked under the skin-tight suit below her armor, gloves, and Tiger mask. The moment she received the money from shaking hands, she flash-stepped out through the window and disappeared just as suddenly as she came.

Not without stopping by at a local bar and having a good time, of course. She distinctly recall a certain Iida Tensei owed her a few more drinks.

"-kura?"

Sakura looked up to hollowed blue eyes. "Hm?"

"I was just asking if you'd like more tea?" Toshinori gestured to her empty cup.

She let out a small laugh and gestured to her mango parfait, "No, no, I'm good. I still have this, after all. Sorry I zoned out a bit. I just remembered that I still have laundry to do."

"Oh, is that so?" he answered somewhat reluctantly.

Toshinori, Sakura learned, is someone easy to talk to. She suspected it had something to do with his blonde hair and deep blue eyes. A color combination she had grown fond of and currently missing all throughout her life. Though there were bouts of awkwardness in his speech and careful shyness, she found it endearing if anything despite his obvious seniority in age. Not that she cared. In Konoha, age is but a number once camaraderie and respect has been established. Plus, he knew to keep their interactions a secret. Since she learned, to her horror, that people tend to gloat about meeting such a renowned hero- a title she would rather erase. But what else can she do to a society that treats their heroes like celebrities?

They might as well make them product endorsers and craft dolls and figurines out of their likeness- oh, wait, they already do that.

"So how have you been?" he asked, lanky fingers fidgeting around his tea cup, "I'm really sorry I haven't been in contact for a while…"

"Hey, stop that," she said with slight rebuke, "I've told you it's fine, haven't I? It was an emergency so it can't be helped-" he let out a sigh of relief- "though I felt a bit ghosted."

His gaze snapped up at her just as a round of incoherent words left his lips in embarrassment to try and explain himself.

What an easy man to tease.

Sakura giggled to herself. It's her right to tease him for technically ghosting her. For a moment, she thought she lost a friend brought about by fame. With how easily flustered Toshinori is, she thought that being friends with him inconvenienced him in a way. The blonde did have a high opinion of heroes, after all. So she was more than happy to schedule on her next day-off the moment he replied back to her.

When they did finally meet, after he painstakingly apologized for his absence, he showed her around Tokyo, especially in Shibuya, for most of the morning and afternoon before returning to their favorite café.

"To answer your question though," she continued after swallowing a spoonful of her dessert. Bless Mr. Sakimichi for making a private menu just for her (in his words- his favorite customer), "I've been doing well lately. Work's been great as usual and I've been enjoying what the city has to offer so far."

They haven't talked about how the other has been doing since she there was so much to see and explore, and for him to explain, during the tour. It was also a good distraction to keep him from apologizing again. Honestly, it's like he's done something unforgivable to her to look like a kicked puppy.

"What the city's desserts have to offer, you mean," he said with a small smile to which Sakura chuckled and held up her hands in mock surrender.

"Guilty," she admitted. "What about you though? I won't ask about that emergency but I would like to know what you've been up to lately."

"Uh, well…"

There goes his shyness again. It made a part of her, that Konoha hero part of her, suspect that he's hiding something.

"A lot has happened…" he mumbled but her trained ears easily picked it up in the quiet café.

"Like?" she goaded.

"Like… I got a… job…"

Sakura blinked, "Oh, well that's wonderful! But didn't you say that you're currently on a vacation?"

From beneath the table, she noticed the way his right hand shifted towards his stomach but decided from commenting about it, again. Sakura was very familiar of such gestures from patients that had undergone a sort of trauma that. Oftentimes ones that left a scar.

She should know, she has one dead center of her body just below her breasts.

"I am, but an old friend of mine called and offered me a job. I'll be teaching at a high school starting the new term next year," a subtle wave of bitterness suddenly waved over him when he continued, "I don't mind. It's a welcome change. Especially since I can't fully return to my old occupation without difficulty."

Something in the way he rubbed his side made her own scar burn slightly in remembrance. Most of his poisons have always had a burning sensation. Toshinori once told her in passing (she suspected it was just a slip of the tongue) that he used to work with heroes prior to his extended vacation. Though she hasn't seen what's underneath his shirt, a curiosity no thanks to her medic side, she does recognize a wounded soldier. It's in his expressive blue eyes and the way he tends to drift, and sometimes avoid, from topics that involved his previous occupation.

Sakura suspected he's either a former hero or something similar. Either way, an unfortunate must've happened to him to put him out of commission. In Konoha, thanks to the Yondaime, heroes put out of the active roster due to irrecoverable injuries, are still given the chance to work in admin or in the academy, if they don't want to retire or live in peace as a former-hero-civilian.

It may seem rude of her to assume but she can't help it on such tells. Instead of babying her, Tsunade all but threw her into the trauma ward once she's had full grasp of the basics.

She smiled a soft smile when she reached out and grasped his other hand on the table, making the blonde snap from his melancholy. "Still, that's good to hear. I'm very happy for you Toshinori. I'm glad things are working out for you."

His hollowed eyes widened a moment before it softened and she felt him squeeze her hand back in thanks.

"You think you're up to teaching a bunch of teenagers?"

Besides the mandatory general lessons at the start of the academy, most lessons taught to would-be heroes are focused on the essentials of survival, stratagem, and general offensive and defensive training. The rest is taught by individual instructors or by their own volition once teams are formed after graduation at the age of 12. A stark contrast to civilian schools that followed similarly to most schools in the Outside Nations.

Also, since Konoha's Hero System was run as a meritocracy, as a special requirement for Jou-rank heroes that displayed commendable leadership skills, she was entrusted to training squads of underperforming academy students.

This made the blonde chortle and a scratch the back of his head sheepishly. It must be a blonde thing.

"Well, I do like children and I have high regards to the students of the school I'll be teaching in. I'm pretty sure I can handle it."

Pain, trauma, helplessness, vulnerable, his entire life flashing before his eyes-

DEATH

When his new (secret) master told him to be ready for their first lesson, he definitely didn't expect coming face to face with death.

Whereas he expected a barrage of physical training, a display of his quirk, or even a spar to assess his current level, Sakura bombarded him a mental assault that made his blood run colder than any ice he's ever produced, sweat through every pore of his body, and cloud his brain that almost made him unconscious.

It was called Bloodlust, she explained after he came to. A sensation he will one day encounter and must overcome as soon as possible from powerful enemies once he became a Pro Hero. Not.

He had seen villains wreaking havoc before, sometimes before his very eyes, but never has he ever felt anything close to what she threw at him. Not even under Endeavor's abuse has he ever felt anything like it.

At that moment, Shoto actually thought Sakura was going to kill him.

"Why would you do that?"

"Why wouldn't I do that? You're going to be a hero, aren't you? Listen very carefully and drill it into your head if you have to. The first lesson must always be the first teaching a student remembers the most. A hero is someone who faces death all the time. Whether their foe is a villain, an accident, or a natural disaster, a hero puts their life on the line in service of those who can't help themselves. No matter how powerful your quirk is, you are no god. I don't ever want you to forget that there's always a possibility someone out there is stronger than you. You are human, you can bleed and you can most certainly die. It is only by acknowledging death, the fear that comes with it, and your own vulnerability, will you be able to face head-on any opponent, and grow without any shackles holding you back. Now that, Shoto, is your lesson number one."

He wanted to refute, wanted to say that what she did wasn't normal and just… just… wrong? No, what she said has a point. In fact, she's absolutely right. Her method of delivery was just extreme. If Shoto wasn't so shaken and awestruck of what just happened, he would've wondered how a hero could hold such amount of bloodlust to begin with…

In the end, it took Shoto four days to face her bloodlust, if not fully. During which she made sure to give him a bar of chocolate after each session. She never explicitly explained it but it was definitely a welcome gesture after such a soul-striking assault. At least when he faced that dreadful wave for the last time, he didn't bow, didn't close his eyes, and he especially didn't step back. She said that his eyes still showed fear and he froze in place, but despite all that, the fact that he kept his gaze on her and never once faltered, was enough for him to pass.

Shoto didn't realize how much he was holding his breath until he pressed his fist to his palm and bowed to her in a salute she taught, and she did the same gesture in return.

For his next lesson however, after they found a suitable, isolated, secluded place for them to go all-out without prying eyes, Sakura dangled a small bell connected to a string in front of him. His mission, she said, was to snatch the bell from her within the time limit using any means necessary.

"If you don't want to disappoint me, Shoto, you won't hold back."

It took less than five seconds for her to pin him down on the grassy soil. The pain that came from her precise points to his body and the exhaustion from for running around and using his quirk for the whole day (while she read a medical pocketbook nonchalantly at a nearby rock, springing to action only when necessary- literally snapping her fingers to blow his ice away), Shoto indisputably failed.

As punishment, Sakura presented him a couple of weights to fasten on his wrists and ankles. And because he swore to be a diligent student, Shoto obeyed and only took off the weights when he has to bathe.

"Alright, I think we can call it a day," Sakura said after finally looking up from her newly bought tablet and Shoto all but threw himself back after a more intense routine. The fact that he still wasn't allowed to take off the weights only made it more difficult. His limbs felt like lead and all he could do was pant heavily to recover his breath. Never mind that he was practically drenched in sweat.

After his Bell Test, Shoto made sure to bring an extra set of clothes to change into after school. In fairness, under Sakura's supervision, he admits that his current training is definitely a better improvement than his own routine. Even though it's tougher and always tests his limits each session.

Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, the pinkette certainly didn't hold back. Sometimes, she would even teach him stances but most of the time, she'll let him train on his own with her instructions as a guide. The only times she would intervene (which happened most often during the first day), is when he faltered, made a wrong position, or a wrong posture.

"Don't forget to cool down," she reminded.

"Yes… ma'am," he said between pants before propping his arms up to stand. Despite the shake of his limbs, Shoto stood up straight. He took deep, even breaths and stretched just as she taught him to do while mentally counting down with each position. At the last stance, Shoto resumed his usual salute and the pinkette dipped her head in return.

A fresh towel and large bottle of energy drink on each of her hands waited him as usual.

"You're doing good, Shoto. Keep it up and I'll be showing you something new tomorrow." She's always careful to not say the word 'teach'.

He looked up from the towel he was wiping his sweat with, "Does that mean I can take off the weights tomorrow?"

And finally have some quirk training, goes left unsaid. Sakura put him under a strict no-quirk rule ever since his Bell Test. As part of his punishment for failing, she said, but he had a feeling that wasn't the case.

Although Shoto had an inkling of the weights' purpose, he was sorely tempted to take them off especially after every session. He didn't mind it at first. In fact, they were practically weightless in the beginning, but as time passed, the weights become heavier and heavier for some reason that it made him sluggish.

"Of course not!" she chirped, "I told you, those weights are going to be your closest friends for a very long time. They can be a pain in the asses now but believe me, with those on, you'll be able to train without training. Of course, if you think you can't handle it, you can always qu-"

"No," Shoto said firmly. Just as the pinkette never failed to encourage and cheer him on, she also never failed to give him the option to quit.

A soft smile curled on her lips at his answer and as usual, she nodded in understanding along with a hand on his shoulder. And just like the previous times, something warm and relaxing wafts over him as if giving him renewed strength.

So far, this training with the Queen is much better than Endeavor's. Maybe because the situation's different. Whereas he was young, unwilling, and forced, Shoto was determined and driven now. In a sense that he's willing to tire himself to unconsciousness every time. And yet, there's something in the way the pinkette handled their lessons that made it much welcoming than his father's. Maybe because of her encouraging, the fact that she's ready to tend to him after sessions, how the training's tough but reasonable, the words of wisdom, or how she's never forced him to do something he doesn't want to do.

"Come on, let's pack up here. I still have a shift later tonight with your dad."

Shoto tried not to cringe at the mention of him. Despite his exhaustion, something sour would always creep from the recesses of his heart whenever Endeavor's mentioned even in passing.

"Why did you apply to be his Support?"

She lifted her head from the tablet again. Shoto was genuinely surprised to find out she was a licensed doctor on top of being a hero. She told him that just because she's working as a Support, doesn't mean she's going to neglect her duties as a health-care provider. Her staff at the hospital she worked in would send her patient files, test results, and diagnostic images for her to review and approve. She only implied that she held a high position in the hospital.

"Because I think he's a great hero," she said without hesitation, "Sure he's not the most approachable or public-friendly like All Might but he's very efficient and gets the job done. It also helps that he's not entirely involved with the media."

Shoto wasn't sure what to say about that. He's never cared to look into his father's prowess as a hero. To him, Endeavor's nothing more than an abusive, power-hungry father.

"Also," she locked eyes with him with a genuine smile on her face, "I'm at home with fire."

Oookay, maybe she overdid it a bit?

With the adrenaline of her recent mission still searing through her veins, perhaps subjecting Shoto to such Bloodlust wasn't the wisest thing to do as a first lesson.

Up, down, up, down.

If she hadn't controlled herself in time then she swore the boy would've peed himself or, god forbid, pass out. Furthermore, if Endeavor found out she nearly scared his son to death, she'll be kicked out of the agency and deported back to Konoha in two seconds flat.

Up, down, up, down.

Yeah, perhaps it was cruel of her to do that. But for kids like Shoto, who won in the genetic lottery- as Shikamaru put it, needed to be taught a lesson and slapped with a harsh truth before they think of themselves as invincible. God knows how much the Hidden Villages had dealt with terrorists who have god complexes.

Her own first experience with bloodlust was during her team's skirmish in the Wave Incident, but the most dreadful one was when had to face-off with Gaara that time when he lost control of his quirk, however briefly. The only difference between hers and Shoto's, is that her encounters wouldn't hesitate to actually make promise of their killing intent.

By all accounts, Shoto had it easy. Not to mention she felt really guilty afterwards that she made it a point to always treat the boy to his favorite cold soba whenever she can and secretly heal up his tired muscles from training.

She could almost hear Shikamaru's condescending tone if he ever found out she's spoiling the kid to this extent. To have their own teacher tend to them after each training session, it's a luxury no student in Konoha ever received. Not even clan children.

It's a good thing the kid was able to at least face killing intent to the face. Hopefully, she won't have to emit such killing aura again while she's here. At least, while she's not wearing her ANBU mask.

"Maybe I am babying him a bit," she mumbled to herself.

"What about a baby?"

Sakura released her breath as she moved to a new position. One leg still perfectly balanced and unperturbed on the sweaty back of her employer. Compared to Kakashi, Endeavor's back is much broader and his muscles are perfectly defined so keeping her balance was a piece of cake as she did her kata stretches while he's doing his push-ups.

"Nothing."

Still, the boy's doing perfectly fine, if not a bit behind. She could tell that Shoto's training was lacking even through his claims of training early. Then again, Sakura had to remind herself that the Outside Nations train their heroes much later in age.

How very inefficient.

She heard Endeavor huff below her, "Count!"

"Eighty-six," she said as she moved her arms next. If only she knew how shocked and disbelieved people would be to learn Endeavor's permitting her to be in such a position, to literally stand on top of him.

"So, is there anything on the agenda this week?"

Endeavor didn't falter in his pace, "Nothing much besides your fitting later at the Support Division. Why? You going on a date or something?"

Sakura can't help let out a laugh, "Never pegged you to care about my love life."

"I don't."

She chuckled, "Though I'm still single and ready to mingle, no, I'm going to visit a friend of mine over the weekend."

"A friend?"

"My parent's friend, to be exact. I've known them for years but I didn't know they lived nearby until I bumped into them."

"Huh, well, do what you want. Just make sure those gloves are tested out."

"Thanks, boss. Even though I still think it's unnecessary."

"Don't make me order you," he growled a bit in warning. An idea came over her during one of their spars about her having a flame fist of her own. Though Sakura has high tolerance with fire, she's not immune to burning, thus the commission of custom gloves. Basically, she liked the idea, his Support Division liked the challenge, and his PR Manager thought it a good opportunity esthetic-wise. For some reason however, Endeavor allowed it. "Really, we might as well add shoes to the order. God knows how much your small height needs help."

Oh, he did not just go there.

Out of spite, Sakura bounced on his back and landed non-too gently just as he pushed himself up. A satisfied smirk graced her lips when he let out a grunt and his arms shook a bit with the added minute force.

"Small but terrible, you mean," she corrected.

"Yes… very terrible," he looked over his shoulder to her to glare to which she responded with a childish stick of her tongue.

"Hold," she said on the last upward motion and Endeavor heaved himself up and maintained that position for a few seconds just as she held a finishing stance of her own.

Lost in her thoughts and being the un-asking subordinate she is, Sakura had no idea Endeavor had renovated his own private training room since they first entertained the idea of training together. She always thought his sidekicks just doesn't use this training room.

.

Bakugo Masaru is a very kind man. He was one of the lucky few who received an invitation to the design convention hosted by her father when she was still small. Knowing Haruno Kizashi did have an eccentric side, the Outsider must've made a good impression on him to always be invited on such events ever since. Of course, that's before Masaru learned that Kizashi was the owner of the textile company that partnered with their design firm.

Though not a family of heroes, the Haruno clan's influence when it came to trade and commerce had reached far and wide around the globe. Her father received the fashion and textile business of the family. Sakura herself had been exposed to the ways of business when she was young before she focused on her training. And occasionally, she would accompany her parents to those sorts of events.

Suffice to say, as a Haruno, Sakura has never worried about money.

She knew the mild-mannered fashion designer, who always addressed her so politely and with honorifics, got married and had a child. Though she's never met them since at that time, her training demanded so much of her attention.

So when she literally bumped into the brunette and invited her to his home to meet his family for dinner, she was more than happy to say yes.

Compared to most houses in the Hidden Villages, the Bakugo residence was sleeker and more modern as influenced by the western countries. Not that she minded. She's used to different architectural designs by now for traveling so much. What she didn't expect however, was his wife- Bakugo Mitsuki.

Unlike her husband, Mitsuki was brazen, aggressive, and brutally honest. Traits Sakura preferred and reminded greatly of her master. Plus, the older woman seemed to be very interested in her too. She claimed that Sakura's deference was a welcome sight to most female heroes. Especially her 'not-taking-anybody's-shit' attitude, as she described it.

"You knew Shamrock Queen all this time and you didn't even tell me?!"

They instantly hit it off.

To his defense, Masaru reasoned that it's been years since they last saw each other and wasn't sure if Sakura would grant him audience since she made it publicly clear that she doesn't like attention.

"Nonsense Masaru-oji-san! I've known you since I was small and you've been nothing but kind to me. Of course I'll make an exemption for you. Besides, I'm sure dad would love to hear that you've been doing well."

Everything was going well since she arrived at the Bakugo home. Masaru hadn't changed a bit and genuinely wished her father good health while Mitsuki was more than happy to supply her with stories and laughter like an old friend.

When Sakura met their son however…

"What is she doing here?"

BRAT. That singular word instantly rang bells in her mind the second she laid eyes on Bakugo Katsuki.

She wanted to be patient and civil since he's Masaru's son.

"Whatever, pinky."

She really tried…

"So what? Your quirk's not all that great."

Heaven forbid-

"I can throttle you even with my eyes closed!"

The dust and smoke cleared to reveal a dilapidated backyard. The scent of smoke, not so much as gunpowder, lingered in the air from all the consecutive explosions that occurred like fireworks lit at the same time. On one side, at a safe distance, a couple could only stare back in shock. Whether it was because of the state of their once-backyard (Sakura made a mental note to send the family a cheque out of her private savings to make up for the destruction), the wide gap in terms of skills, or the fact that their boisterous son was lying face-first on the ground with a stunned expression, she can't say for sure.

The boy's biggest mistake was to convince her to not hold herself back in this child's play. And based on her wristwatch, she supposed three minutes was enough time to entertain his whims.

As point of reference, both boys showed great power (Katsuki being another winner in the genetic lottery), however whereas Shoto lacked control and creativity, the bomber at her feet-

"You lack grace and discipline," she said coldly.

Crimson eyes were wild as they stared back at her from his paralyzed position- body practically immobile and limbs limp like noodles. Of course, she'll be sure to help him 'recover' out of courtesy to his parents.

Really, this is the sort of attitude she didn't want Shoto to develop. Still, it certainly compliments his quirk. As annoying his attitude has been for the last few minutes.

"Having such a temper is fine but that mouth of yours will definitely get yourself killed one day. If not by an enemy that has no patience with loud-mouths like you, then by yourself."

If he could, he would definitely shake in rage from both her words and the helpless situation he's in. It didn't help the fact that he's practically out of breath, and covered in dust and debris, while the pinkette stood without barely breaking a sweat and only a thin layer of dust over her. As well as the unimpressed expression on her face.

As the seconds ticked by with their eyes fixed on each other, there was a point where those emerald depths stared down at him like a predator would to a prey.

It was at that moment that Bakugo Katsuki realized a cold, hard truth.

He lost.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

Sakura blinked hard at the outburst and physically slapped her forehead at the realization. Ah shit, I did it again!

This has got to be the most throwaway chapter in this fic so far. I'm sorry for jumping to one scene to another instead of focusing on just one like in the previous chapters but there's so much needed to cover and I really wanted to progress the story since there's going to be one key development that must happen before Sakura starts working at UA and the storyline will follow canon events.

Ciao~!