It was a standard for the Police Force to work closely with heroes. Though they weren't allowed to use their quirks, their job was still about keeping peace and order, as well as stopping crimes (albeit low-level ones), apart from detaining villains. Their occupation may not be as glorified and praised by the masses as do heroes, but Tsukauchi Naomasa still prided in himself as a member of the police department.

Although there's a universal cooperation between the heroes and police, only some heroes voluntarily enter the investigative department to help officers like him solve cases ahead of time rather than just swooping in only when the problem arises. One of which is Endeavor, who- given his track record- had been more than a familiar face in numerous precincts' briefing and meeting rooms.

Naomasa had worked with the No. 2 Pro Hero on some cases as well, and learned quickly that despite his aggressive and rude façade, he's a reliable and confident man with more than satisfactory deductive skills and reasoning. Most of the time when heroes take on a case with them, they usually hang back as a sort of trump card when it was time for the operation to commence. Though some would offer an opinion or suggestion here and there, rarely was there one who would willingly dedicate time to actually help solve the case with them.

As he entered the meeting room, his eyes immediately fell on the hulking figure sitting near the front of a projector screen. It's kind of hard not to with those ever-present flames. Needless to say, Naomasa had no qualms about working with the Flame Hero again on another case. What he's uncertain about was the pink-haired woman sitting next to him.

Haruno Sakura, also known as Shamrock Queen (or just Queen, for short) Endeavor's Support Hero. She was eye-catching, in more ways than just her colors. Though her height was easily dwarfed by the man beside her, she had an air about her that commanded just as much as her employer's. It's a feeling he would usually get around people with positions of power. Unlike most heroes who preferred to have an approachable air about them, theirs demanded respect.

Just like everyone else, Naomasa was also surprised of her appearance and position as Endeavor's Support. Even more so when he himself had seen the pinkette fight- with a power that erased any doubt about her capabilities as a hero despite her untowardness with the media and her lack of concern with her hero image. He's also heard from various colleagues about how they always looked forward on the times she would deliver arrested heroes. Apparently, she made a good conversationalist and even wrote better reports than most heroes.

Even his sister, Makoto, had shown interest in the mysterious pinkette. Although it's more like she admired her physical features and how she's able to carry herself with elegance even with such simple attire. Being in her line of work, she would know.

"Now that's a woman who knows her stuff." Were her exact words.

However, as amazing as her feats were, he couldn't tell for sure if she has the same aptitude as her employer in the investigative department. Not that he'd hold it against her if she didn't. Either way, she'd make an excellent additional force in the operation.

"Thank you for volunteering in helping out with this case. We expect you would provide us with your keen insight again, Endeavor, and I'm sure it'll be a pleasure working with you, Shamrock Queen," he bowed his head curtly at the two heroes. The former of which just snorted while the latter dipped her head back with a polite smile. Not once did the air around her faltered.

"Yes, yes, enough with the pleasantries. Get on with it. It's not like you don't know each other already," Endeavor said with a hand waving dismissively.

"I don't," the pinkette quipped, turning her head halfway towards the redhead while keeping an eye on him.

Endeavor turned his gaze towards her with a raised brow of disbelief beneath his enflamed eyes. All the while Naomasa blinked at her words. Although its true that this was their first official meeting, the pinkette should've heard of him at least since he's one of the few who personally worked closely with heroes. Granted, most of the cases he worked with All Might the most compared to others.

"Pardon me, Shamrock Queen," Naomasa started with a smile and a polite bow, "I'm Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"Ahh," she bobbed her head, "the pleasure's all mine."

"Do excuse my Support," Endeavor interjected, arms still stubbornly crossed over his chest, "She's used to living under a rock her entire life."

"And I wholeheartedly thank you for your understanding on my Hero's problem, detective," Sakura followed immediately, "See, his manners were knocked out of him when he fell off his rocker as a baby."

Wide-eyed and blinking at the exchange that just happened, Naomasa could only stare between the two heroes who just remained in their seats, wholly unperturbed at what just transpired between them. From his personal experience, if it were another hero, Endeavor would've immediately retaliated at the slightest remark against him. Yet, apart from the slight increase in the billow of his flames and the glare he sent her at the corner of his eyes, Endeavor kept his silence as the woman next to him continued to smile ever so jovially.

Naomasa could only laugh nervously.

"Right… let's get to it then," he cleared his throat and approached the laptop on his side of the long table. When the projector blared open, the picture of a bald man appeared with a rotund face. "The person before you is named Kimue Yaru, a man in his late forties who's been charged of drug trafficking…"

He began to iterate even as he passed a folder to Endeavor who proceeded to take in as much information as he could. Meanwhile, Shamrock Queen kept her gaze at him, listening attentively.

"…we have successfully raided most of his drug dens and arrested his men but unfortunately, he had escaped during the skirmishes. During our investigation-" Naomasa couldn't help but pause as Endeavor passed the folder to his Support who took her turn in reading the documents.

He would be lying if he said the gesture didn't astonish him- shocked him even. He had only been a rookie when he saw Endeavor with his previous Support, and had witnessed with his very own eyes how he hoarded the case file to himself and left his Support just sitting there, waiting for orders. That left an impression in Naomasa on the kind of man the Flame Hero was. Cooperative when needed, but ultimately prideful.

'But this?' his mind lagged, as if trying to process it. Added to the fact that he had also just seen an unusual… banter between the two heroes not too long ago.

"Is something wrong, detective?" Queen asked, effectively snapping him from his astonishment. Her verdant eyes peeked patiently at him while her Hero narrowed his eyes at his sudden pause.

"I-It's nothing," Naomasa flustered a bit before continuing, "As I was saying. During our investigation, we've also discovered that he had been working with a yakuza gang called the Rising Golden Fang- a syndicate that's been wanted for the manufacturing and distribution of illegal substances. In which a raid operation is scheduled in three days' time when our intel gathered of a shipment coming in Kureno Bay. We have reason to believe that Kimue will be in one of their warehouses at the docks."

"Sounds to me that you have this case all figured out," Endeavor said while Shamrock Queen had yet to look up from the folder.

"While we do have some strong leads, we were hoping that your aid would allow us to increase our chances of his capture. As you've already read, Kimue is quite elusive and has slipped past us numerous times. Of course, we're also counting on you during the raid."

The Flame Hero huffed, "And who else have you contacted to help you on this raid?"

"Given the location, we've requested help from Captain Selkie and his Oki Mariner, as well as Gang Orca and his Pod," Naomasa looked up from his own set of documents. They've just sent out the requests but knowing those Pro Heroes, there's no doubt that they would accept. "It is imperative that Kimue is finally caught and arrested, Endeavor. Not only for his crimes but our investigations had also led us to suspect him to be a middle-man and contact between various gangs and syndicates. Once he's brought into custody, it will undoubtedly help us in tracking them down."

"I have a question."

Naomasa snapped his head towards the Support Hero who finally chose that moment to speak up and raise her hand, "Yes?"

"It's come to my attention that this criminal's quirk is Camouflage?" she asked, yet her eyes no once strayed from the folder.

"Yes," he nodded, "That's what our records said, and given that he's never once initiated combat in our encounters, we believe that he has sufficient mastery with his quirk that enabled his escapes."

The pinkette hummed audibly, this time picking up the clipped picture of the suspect to get a closer look, "So that's what you believe."

Naomasa blinked, "I beg your pardon?"

"Since you've mentioned that he's given you the slip so many times, has it ever occurred to you that he has another method of escape than just using his quirk?" she finally looked up to direct an inquisitive brow at him. A question, laced with a challenge.

"Easy, Shamrock Queen," Endeavor warned lowly, but turned his head towards her.

"No offense, of course!" Sakura smiled pleasantly, "I have another question though, are the places listed here confirmed to be his hideouts?"

"Yes," the detective affirmed but thoughts remained on what she just said, wondering about what she just insinuated. "We've even had video footage of him coming in and out of some of them."

Deftly, Naomasa moved his mouse to open up folders in the laptop and adjusted the videos to play themselves simultaneously on the screen. At this, Queen stood up from her seat to get a closer look. Which wasn't much since she already sat close to the front so she only stopped short where Endeavor sat and leaned back on the table. Her eyes glued to the multiple videos.

"What have you found?" Endeavor asked, eyes turned to his Support to which the pinkette winked as she raised a finger to her lips.

"I have a guess, but I need to confirm something first," she then turned to the perplexed detective, "One last question. Do you have a medical record on this man? Or at least, a profile that showed his immediate family and their quirks?"

'Is she suspecting that he has a powerful relative that can let him escape?' he wondered. Unfortunately, Naomasa had already screened Kimue's family background and none of them have a quirk that can allow any immediate escape or even someone who's tied to a powerful gang. 'But if that's what she's thinking, then why would she want his medical records?'

He turned his gaze at Endeavor who's yet to refute or interrupt any of his Support's queries. The redhead remained silent and his face was neutral as ever but even as his head was turned to him, his teal eyes focused on the woman nearly sitting on his side of the table with- dare he say it-intrigue.

"I suppose we can… issue a request for them. I'm sure it wouldn't take long…" Naomasa answered, albeit unsure what's just happening before him. He's used to Pro Heroes trying to take lead of the reins and being more active in such cases but Support Heroes? What's made this all the more mind-boggling was that fact that it's Endeavor himself.

The pinkette beamed, "If you please."

As she turned her sights back to the screen, Naomasa remained where he stood. So unused to this sort of situation, he turned to the pinkette's employer, expecting him to berate her in some form for ordering people without consulting him first. Not that she wasn't allowed, but because it's the Flame Hero, that sort of expectation wasn't without merit. Instead, an impatient expression was the only thing that met the detective.

"Well? You heard her," Endeavor huffed and even his flames fumed a bit bigger to get him to get on with her request.

Naomasa excused himself out of the room with a perplexed face as his colleagues approached him to inquire what the infamous Red and Pink duo was really like.

He had no answer.

By the time he returned, he was surprised to find the two heroes had made use of the whiteboard that stood on one side of the room. What shocked him however, was the fact that he had just caught Endeavor plucking the marker off the pinkette's hand because she couldn't reach the top part of the board. They were drawing some sort of map.

"You know, if you'd just allow me to wear my heels aga-"

"No. It's appalling enough how the commission even let you wear such things."

"Well excuse me for not preferring Flashy and Gaudy in my choice of attire. Besides, people love my 'costume'."

"That's the tragedy."

'What's with this banter?' Naomasa could only stare, dumbfounded. Never had he imagined Endeavor could be so… casual with someone. As he waited for the files, he was reminded of people's comments at how well Endeavor and Shamrock Queen worked together. Almost as if they've been a team for years.

It's one thing to only have heard of it, it's another to actually see it. His interactions with them haven't been that long but he's being gradually convinced that their work efficiency isn't only limited in the battlefield.

"Thank you, detective," the pinkette smiled cheerily as he handed her the documents. He watched her flip through them once and her smile stretched into a satisfied grin, "Looks like my hypothesis is correct."

She strode confidently after handing the files to her boss, who looked through them as well but by the look on his face, he wasn't able to conclude the same thing she did.

"And that is?" Endeavor inquired as Shamrock Queen pulled the whiteboard in front of the projector screen.

"Our criminal has been using the city's drainage system as means of escape," she said confidently.

"Explain yourself," said Endeavor, but before he could even finish the command, the pinkette had already grabbed the marker. Obviously having already expecting his words.

She turned briefly to Naomasa as she started, "I'm sure you're familiar with this map already, detective. It's a layout of the hideouts and dens your team have secured during your encounters. From what you said, it's likely he used these specific locations since it would be easy for him to move his contraband around since it's not near any major street but it's not in a location suspicious enough to warrant such activities either. Which, I'm sure you're correct but I'm afraid there's one detail you oversaw, "she left the whiteboard for the laptop and opened up an image of the prefecture's drainage system. Enlarging it so it would fit perfectly over the drawn map on the whiteboard, before finally using her marker to encircle the rectangles near the hideouts, "All of his hideouts either have catch basins nearby or built on top of them."

Naomasa's eyes widened. True, he wouldn't have noted such a detail because he thought the strategic placement of his dens had been it. But even with this fact, there's still something that doesn't add up.

"But even if that's the case, it's still not possible for him to use those as a means of escape," Endeavor piped in before he could, "those catch basins have outlet pipes no average person can fit through."

"Ahh but that's the point, isn't it?" she answered as-a-matter-of-factly, "An average person wouldn't be able to fit through those pipes so there's no reason for the police to suspect him using them."

"Still, those pipes drain into one big storm drain. With or without rain, he'd have to be underwater for a long amount of time. Not to mention he'd have to traverse in a tunnel with zero visibility until he could reach a corridor where he can safely walk through," Naomasa added.

"Yes, but that's not a problem since he can breathe underwater anyway."

A pause.

"How…?" the detective began. "Are you saying he has another quirk?"

"No," she answered, "Rather, it's his Latent Quirk."

"Latent Quirk?"

The pinkette's answer was immediate as if she was answering a very common question, "It's a term used to describe quirks that are passive in comparison to the ones most acquire by the age of four. It's hereditary by nature and is most often applied to those with anthropomorphic features. Ever wondered why some people could look different yet have a completely unrelated quirk altogether? Take this Kimue for example. He doesn't look that different from a… pudgy man but when you look closely, his features are closely amphibian-like."

She approached the laptop again. This time, to pull up the picture of the suspect.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, I noticed his nose has an odd shape but what really confirmed my hypothesis was the way he breathed. See how his chin and neck expands slightly?" Sakura then gave a quick overview on the respiration of frogs and other amphibians, "-and his family history just seals the deal. All of the members in his immediate family have similar features."

"And it shouldn't be a surprise since most amphibians can camouflage," Endeavor nodded agreeably, "So all this time, he's convinced the police that he's been using his camouflage to escape, and since camouflaging is not as effective as invisibility, it only increased his infamy so the next time, the police would be more focused in securing the perimeter than looking anywhere else."

"And since he's been doing the same method for years," Sakura continued, "he's bound to have memorized the drainage system so navigation wouldn't be a problem since he's also bypassed the need to breathe air because of his Latent Quirk."

Dumbfounded, Naomasa stared wide-eyed at the pinkette for the nth time that day. In just a few short hours, she had astounded him with every turn. Even more so with Endeavor in the picture. He supposed that all those claims about her having the power, beauty, and brains, were not just exaggerations after all. Really, how was she able to deduce all of that in just a single sitting? If he didn't know any better, he might suspect her of having some form of special training.

There was a pensive, almost chiding look when she turned to address him again, "You guys take what's written in your records for granted, you fail to notice that there might be more to tricks up their sleeves."

.

Thanks to Sakura's discovery of their target's secret, the operation will proceed as follows: Captain Selkie and his Oki Mariner Crew will monitor the ship scheduled to dock at the port and maintain position in case anyone would escape by sea. Whereas the main bulk of the operation, which comprised of Gang Orca, his Pod, and most of the police teams, will secure and surround the dock and warehouse once the ship and the yakuza members arrive. In the meantime, Endeavor, Detective Tsukauchi, and a few teams will be stationed a bit further away from the port to incapacitate any escapee as well as to monitor their intended target.

As for Sakura, her role was to drive out the rat and into the trap.

"It's time," the detective said after checking his wristwatch.

The pinkette stretched after securing her tracking device beneath her raincoat. Since they have no way of knowing which route Kimue would take once he enters the sewers, and given that no one is small enough (or brave enough) to navigate the dark, damp, and smelly system to lie in wait and drive the target to his destination in such short notice, she volunteered.

This at first garnered an inquisitive look from her boss, reminding her of the Golem Incident with All Might. As unpleasant as that accident was, Sakura only huffed at Endeavor and warned him from even thinking of underestimating her.

"Whoever said the work of a hero is all glitz and glamor is naïve and stupid. If I'm going to let some dirty accident hinder me from my work then what kind of hero am I?"

She'd like to think she didn't imagine the hint of a small smile (smirk?) he tried to hide after she said those words.

"Here I go then," she announced.

There were no words of 'Good Luck' or 'Be careful' that came from her boss. She knew by now that he wasn't that kind of man. To Endeavor, someone competent and proficient didn't need luck or be reminded to be careful like some rookie. It was a gesture that Sakura understood and appreciated because they have the same discipline back home. In the Hidden Villages, every battle might as well be a gamble, but none are willing to leave it up to chance. They believed that wishing someone as such is an insult in their ability to attain victory and success with their own skill and efforts.

So instead, she locked her verdant eyes with his teal orbs for a scant few seconds before turning on her heel and descend on the manhole nearest to where Kimue would cross from the port.

Her feet landed on the cold stone floor with a wet slap. The tracking device situated on her collar lit up as a small red dot in the darkness. Its purpose was to allow those aboveground to follow her movements so they may able to anticipate the target at the designated point, or in case something happens to cause her to steer off the route.

Unbothered by the darkness and humidity, Sakura slipped the night vision goggles provided to her off her head and secured it in one of her belt loops. It would be a great insult to the abyss-like shadows of the Nara Forest if she couldn't traverse something like this. Not when there's plenty of sound from scuttling pests and moving water to feed her other senses. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't jealous at how Shikamaru can walk through a complete void, bereft of any sound, sight or even smell, as if he was just strolling down the park. If she recalled correctly, Sasuke also had a similar sort of training in Ryuchi Cave.

Hidden beneath her raincoat, Sakura took out a handy little flashlight in case she needed it, as well as her beloved Tiger-themed ANBU mask.

The light from her flashlight gave the stark red lines an ominous glow in the darkness.

As it turned out, she didn't need to wait long for her target. There was a distinct wet plop of a large mass followed by a litany of curses directed at the police and heroes.

"Goddamn heroes ruining everything… this will set be back another fucking week," the target grumbled lowly as he took out his flashlight, but in the echoing pipes and to Sakura's own trained hearing, it was as loud as it can be.

Plop, plop, plop came the man's steps in the damp sewers. Confident that his getaway method hasn't been discovered yet, he moved about as if it was second nature. Wholly unaware of the lurking killer of killers watching him from that very darkness.

Her own footsteps were silent, inaudible even, like a ghost haunting its victim, or like a predator stalking its prey. It would've been better if her target didn't need to use a flashlight, making him a beacon that's easy to follow and therefore robbing the fun out of it.

She hasn't been given another mission since the last one Shikamaru gave her. She understood, and she should be thankful the Hokage was even able to spare her a mission (an ANBU-ranked one at that) when she's technically on the job. Still, it didn't mean she's been wanting to let loose some of her bloodlust.

Therefore, she'd be damned if she'll let this opportunity pass by. Even if she's just stalking prey she's not allowed to kill.

'It can't hurt to have a little fun. Cats play with their food first, after all.'

.

Endeavor rushed forwards with the tracking device on hand. While he was left to follow Shamrock Queen's movements aboveground in case some unforeseen detour happened, Tsukauchi and a small team of police, went ahead to their designated point to intercept the target once Sakura chased him off the sewers.

Contrary to her quirk that's considered loud and abrasive, he had lost count on the times the pinkette was able to sneak up on him both on and off the battlefield. It unnerved him, true, but it at least allowed him to train his senses and perception more. Whatever training she had in Konoha, she had certainly amassed the most of her skillset and mastered them. He doubts he'd even seen half of her cards despite working together for months now.

Endeavor respects power, and Sakura has that power.

So despite this being the pinkette's first full-stealth operation, he was confident that she can do the job. Especially since she's volunteered herself willingly for it. It also pleased him that her incident with sewage did not deter her from her work.

She's fearless as she was fearsome, and really, he couldn't ask for a better partner.

If only he met her sooner…

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when the red blip on the tracking device suddenly picked up speed. It frustrated him when the red dot would zoom towards one place only to dart back towards another. If he hadn't known the pinkette was indeed capable of such a feat, he would've thought she could secretly teleport.

'What the hell is she doing?'

Still, he watched closely. Based on her movements, he could tell that despite whatever's happening down there, she's effectively steering the target to the planned route they have. It was like that for a couple of minutes until the red dot started to move in a straight line, and judging that distance, it wouldn't be long until they'd reach the designated point.

Endeavor braced himself as he rejoined with Tsukauchi at the gated water tunnel, who were also at the ready since the detective had a device as well.

Plop, plop, plop!

The sounds of rushing footsteps over puddles came closer and closer as the red dot on his device were only a few feet away.

Endeavor counted, 'Three… two… one…'

The redhead dashed forwards the second he saw the silhouette of the target. Grabbing him by the head, he slammed him down the ground that elicited a cry of pain from him. He was about to say he's under arrest but the pudgy man started shouting.

"MONSTER! THERE'S A MONSTER IN THERE! A MONSTER!" Kimue shrieked. Eyes frantic as he struggled under his hold even as the police came forward to cuff him.

Red brows knitted together at his incessant shouts of a monster in the sewer. He looked down at his device only to see the red dot right where he was, and true enough, when he turned the hysterical man over, there was the tracker pinned on the collar of his shirt.

His head snapped back to the dark tunnel behind him, and was reminded of the rapid movements on the tracking device a few minutes ago, but before he could wonder if Kimue's words about a monster held any truth, or if something happened to his Support, a petite figure burst forth from the shadows. Raincoat and night vision goggles and all.

"Oh good, he's already cuffed!" she let out a sigh of relief, "He's surprisingly light on his feet."

Enji didn't notice he let out a relieved breath of his own too.

"Shamrock Queen! Are you alright? Kimue's been shouting something about a monster. Did you encounter something down there?" Naomasa rushed forwards, having seen the strange rapid movements in his device as well.

"Monster?" the pinkette tilted her head before casting a glance at the criminal who was just given a sedative to calm down. She clicked her tongue and put her hands on her waist, "How rude! I was trying to make a grab for him when he turned to a wrong tunnel but then he flashed his flashlight on me and then started running and calling me a monster! It's the goggles, isn't it?"

Endeavor snorted, partly amused at her story and partly disgusted at their target. As elusive and conniving he was, he was a coward, and Endeavor certainly has no respect for cowards.

"I'm glad it was nothing then," Naomasa let out a small smile, relieved that there wasn't an unknown factor they had to deal with, before moving back to the team to relay further instructions.

Endeavor chose that moment to approach the pinkette, who turned to him with an accomplished smile.

"Never said a hero doesn't have its dirty moments, literally," he commented even though not a single splash stained her raincoat and boots.

"Well, it's good that I'm being paid enough for it then," her lips tugged into a smirk and something… churned at the pits of his stomach then.

"Endeavor! Queen!" Naomasa called, effectively gaining their attentions, "We're heading back to the station but the raid's still underway. Gang Orca said they have it under control but they wouldn't mind additional reinforcements."

"We'll go," he decided immediately.

"Alright," Naomasa nodded, "Do you want to bring some of the men or-"

"There's no need. My Support and I are more than enough," he said with a tone that left no room for argument. He turned on his heel at the direction of the port to which the pinkette mirrored without question. He knew she wouldn't complain. Especially since she's hardly tired.

"Do you think they'd left us some leftovers once we get there?" she asked, ready to sprint when he does.

"Only one way to find out, but first," Endeavor turned and tugged on the strap of her night vision goggles covering the top half of her head. He didn't question when Naomasa offered the thing to help her in the tunnels, but for whatever reason, he couldn't help but feel displeased the whole time she wore it, "take that blasted thing off. There's no reason for you to wear it anymore and your Hero name is named after your eyes. What's the point if you're just going to cover them?"

"Alright, alright! Stop pulling!" she puffed out as she swatted his hand away. Sakura tugged open the strap and took off the goggles. She shook her head a bit, making her pastel pink locks sway before carding a now-gloveless hand across her scalp to comb them down. "There, is that better?"

Teal eyes fixed on verdant greens that had a spark in them and once more, he felt something dormant churn inside him.

"Yes."

Snow-white brows furrowed deeper at an increasingly anxious, fidgeting Natsuo. Fuyumi, for all her adopted role as the stand-in mother of their family, hardly used her authority to outright demand something from her siblings. Sure, she would seldom chide them with chores but that's about it.

The reason to warrant her use of authority this time, however, focused solely on their reticent younger brother.

"Natsuo," she drawled warningly, hands on her hips. Her brother in question however, just kept his head turned to the side with a tight lip. Which only made her more suspicious than his earlier attempts of deflecting her.

There's no denying that something changed in Shoto over the last few weeks.

It began with Fuyumi noticing the curious increase in his laundry. Most of which she recognized were used for his self-training. This obviously worried her since Shoto's in the graduating year of junior high, and now he's taken it upon himself to train. To prepare himself once he enters U.A. She's worried that he's pushing himself too far and it only increased when Shoto started coming home much later than usual after school. Coming home with a disheveled look and another bag of used training gear as if he runs a marathon every day before coming home. He also started to wear training weights too and never took them off even during meals.

Natsuo once made a comment in jest that Shoto must be going to a gym. Which isn't entirely impossible, she supposed, but Fuyumi's still doubtful. For although Shoto never goes anywhere near their father's training room, he'd always use the yard instead.

At first, Fuyumi tried her hardest to just passively support her brother just as she had been doing for the last decade. Especially when Shoto surprised her with a request to add certain foods in their meals, or at least his.

"I'm training," Shoto answered when she finally asked, which only further worried and frustrated her. The former at her brother and the latter at herself, since neither of them have any say about their father's drive when it comes to hero training.

As if things couldn't get any worse, there were days when Shoto would come home and just pass out as soon as he reaches his room. Obviously from exhaustion. Whatever training Shoto was doing, it's obviously excessive and since their father's given him unofficial leave to 'cool off his rebellious phase', she's afraid that he's doing it unsupervised and beyond his capabilities.

Then on the day she mustered up the will to confront him about it, she caught Shoto in Natsuo's room instead. What she saw had her clamping her hands to her mouth in shock. Bruises, ranging from yellow to purplish-blue both old and fresh, littered everywhere on his back and torso. She watched Shoto try not to wince as Natsuo dabbed ointment and warm compress on areas he can't reach. And based on their silent conversation, this wasn't the first time Natsuo helped Shoto out with these problems.

Once Shoto went back to his room after their session, Fuyumi came barreling to Natsuo's room, shocking the teen in horror till he's as pale as his hair.

"Natsuo, please. I can't stand it anymore! You have to tell me something or I'll lose my mind!"

Natsuo glanced at her at that and the desperation on her expression finally made him relent.

"What do you want to know?" he sighed as he raked a hand through his hair. So much for keeping a secret between brothers. Then again, a part of Natsuo has been really itching to tell Fuyumi about it anyway.

"Wha- Everything! What happened to Shoto? Is this why he's always home late? How long has this been going on? Is he in trouble? How come he… he…"

How come he didn't say anything to me? Goes unsaid.

Natsuo brought his hands on her shoulders and forced her to sit down on his bed before taking his place on his desk chair.

He took a deep breath before answering, "Okay, first of all, I'm sorry I haven't told you anything. I wanted to tell you- I swear I do- but Shoto made me promise to keep it a secret."

"But why would he keep something like this from me?" her heart clenched as her mind jumped to conclusions that Shoto must've hated or didn't trust her enough. Granted, she's done nothing for him in his early childhood when he needed her most but she's trying her hardest to make up for it. Unless… it's all too late-

"Stop that," Natsuo snapped as if reading her thoughts, "I don't know why he hasn't told you but I'm sure he has his reasons. In fact, I wouldn't have found out if I hadn't caught him in the first place."

"What do you mean?"

"You were still at work that time and I wanted to go out to buy a pop. I wanted to know if Shoto needed anything so I stopped by his room," his brows furrowed together in concern as he replayed that memory in his head, "He was trying to get a heating pad on his shoulder blade. You could imagine I was more confrontational about it. Shoto didn't want to say anything at first and tried to kick me out but I guess my stubbornness has some use, huh? I offered my help instead and Shoto just made me promise to not tell anyone else."

"Then, where did those bruises come from? Is Shoto… is someone bothering him?" as revered as the children of top heroes are, that still didn't exempt them from bullies. Though Shoto's aloof nature hadn't subjected him to such treatment even in childhood, there had been an incident or two in the past when he came home with traces of using his quirk. But Incidences like that never lasted this long.

"I thought of that too, and at first I thought he was doing something to him again but when I asked him about it, Shoto just said otherwise. The only answer I could get out of him is that he's training himself. Now, how and what sort of training he's doing, I have no idea. I…" Natsuo turned his head away as if in shame, "I know I should've kept asking, but I just… didn't want to push him. He's had enough of that from him throughout his life. I can't force him to say something he obviously doesn't want to share. Even though he swore that he's not doing something life-threatening… I was hoping he'd eventually tell me later."

"Then you don't know more than I do…"

"Yeah."

Natsuo sighed along with his sister. Fuyumi opened her mouth to ask something after a pregnant pause when the sound of their doorbell rang throughout their silent house.

This chapter had undergone a LOT of rewrites since it's technically a 'transitional' chapter to when Endeavor finally learns Sakura's secretly training Shoto.