Chapter 2: A World of Heroes
The concept of Quirks was something Sakura found the most interesting about this world, as well as the rules that went with them. Quirks refer to the abilities and mutations that appeared in history without origin and vary among eighty percent of the population. Quirks cannot be used publicly by any non-licensed hero. Quirks cannot be used to injure other persons under any circumstances without just cause and a hero license. It was those fundamental rules that laid the foundation of labeling criminals or as they were termed here, villains.
This profession of heroism was born from the chaos the appearance of quirks had created. When everyone believed that they could use their power to shape the world as they wanted it. It was such a basic concept though. You have the power, flaunt it over others to get what you want. Power mixed with the selfishness of human nature and that's what happens. The restrictions of quirks were a means of controlling the chaos that came with power, but she knew first hand that it wasn't possible to control something like this. When you have power, it's easy to get caught up in ambitions. It was a web that couldn't be broken, untangled, or navigated. At some point, you just can't go on any further and that's where you stop.
The term heroes was primarily more of a title earned through an education system rather than selfless acts of bravery. It involved profit and popularity, rankings, and statics.
When risking your life, receiving reward certainly seemed more practical to Sakura. As a ninja who has been sent on death threatening missions, she wouldn't be too happy if her success wasn't rewarded. But being a ninja was more than just a job, if that were the case more people would have had choices when it came to becoming one. But there was status, expectations, loyalties, the sake of survival, talent, ability, traditions and so much more that factored in when it came to being a ninja.
A hero's path was much more narrow in this world, and evidently cleaner on their part.
Understanding the foundation of this society was the means to help Sakura adapt quicker so she wouldn't cause disruptions while attempting to find a way out of this world. But she hadn't anticipated how differently it operated to hers. And realized that a flawless transition wasn't possible.
Naruto had been known to attract trouble, Sakura wasn't sure if it was his subconscious that drew him to it or if this was just fate playing its hand. But whatever happened, Sakura was usually dragged along with him, as his teammate and friend. That excuse was moot in this world and Sakura was beginning to think that when trouble came her way it wasn't due to someone else's fortune but her misfortune.
There was a low crime rate in Japan compared to other countries in this world. The reason is said to be the great Symbol of Peace, All Might, the number one hero who resided here. Japan also had that quirk restriction law which was unique.
That didn't mean that there weren't crimes committed by those who thought to use their abilities to aid in their selfish desires. Of course, she had no intention of becoming a hero nor did she want anything to do with vigilantism. There was an overflow of heroes working to deal with these problems.
If only they had shown up a bit earlier…..
Two days on her own in this world and Sakura had spent the majority of it in a library researching and the rest exploring the city. She realized that she needed to find a way to sustain herself so that she could afford lodging. Going a few days without eating wasn't much of an issue for her but she was going to have to replenish eventually.
'What can I do for money though?'
Despite her trailing thoughts and the loud roads she walked along, Sakura didn't miss the disturbance in the air as she passed the silent buildings, catching the hostile presence lurking in the darkness of those spaces.
"P-Please, let me go,"
Cackles and soft cries, strained with fear were clearer as she pressed her back against the cold concrete and brick.
"Hand over your purse,"
'Dammit,'
She strolled into the alley, examining the situation, four figures in total, one victim, and three villains. They weren't well illuminated under the dimness of the ally, but Sakura could see them well enough to know that one of them had hands like blades, each finger like sharp talons, the other literally had the appearance of an ape, similar facial and body structure. The third had wild hair like a porcupine and a rough face and was hunched forward like he couldn't bare the weight of his hair. The three had blocked any escapes with the help of the buildings forming the alleyway.
Blade-hands was the first to notice the new figure moving into the darkness, "Hey you there!"
"Kumo, get that one," said the ape.
Kumo, the porcupine humanoid, towered over her, "Alright little girl, hand over everything you've got and we might spare you,"
She kept her gaze down, hands in pocket, "Leave,"
"Huh?" All attention turned to her now.
"I said leave. Get away from that women and leave right now,"
Laughter echoed against the brick and cement, "You want us to leave?"
"Aw, trying to play hero little girl?"
"You think you're in any position to make demands? Get her Kumo,"
The porcupine's clawed hand reached towards her, that's when it all happened instantly. Grabbing his torn shirt, Sakura flipped the culprit into the air with one swift motion of her arm and watched him land on the ground with a heavy grunt.
Sakura turned back and looked at the trembling women. "Go now,"
She stood up with difficulty but did her best to hurry before the other villains tried to grab her or block her opening. She ran passed Sakura, taking a right out of the alley, taking her phone out to call a hero.
"Should have taken the chance to leave when I gave it to you," Sakura said looking over her first victim in this world. Feeling the wind shift behind her, she leaned far back, avoiding the swing by the gorilla-man.
He went in for another, hands clasped together and raised above his head. He shouted as he swung, "You're dead kid!"
Again Sakura sidestepped and his fists smashed into the concrete, "Ugh idiots,"
Swinging her leg up, Sakura hit him straight in his chest, a trick of blood fell from his lips as he was lifted high into the air, shooting passed the rooftops of the buildings and a little higher before he started falling again.
Sakura stared up, "Would you die if I didn't catch you?"
"CATCH ME, CATCH ME" He cried, tears from his eyes, saliva from his mouth with limbs flailing around. He couldn't close his eyes and waited to hit the ground, but came to a sudden yet painful stop. His stomach lurched as the wind was knocked out of him, as well as his consciousness.
"Okay then," Sakura tossed him under her palm further into the ally, he flew passed his last standing accomplice until he hit a wall. "He won't be waking up for a while,"
The man with blade hands grounded his teeth loudly, "This-This little….."
Kumo recovered himself from the ground, but Sakura had already heard him shuffling behind her. He stood up, his hair began to bristle and crack as they hardened, "You…You're dead!"
The attack never had a chance to be activated as a single push, sent him flying across the road to the opposite buildings ally that lined up. They barely heard his grunt before trash cans smashing together.
"There' and now all that's left is-
She had to duck as blade swiftly cut through the air and then jumped to the side as they came down. "You're impatient,"
The blade fingers spread wide before the villain moved in to attack again. Figuring that the ally way was too confiding, Sakura moved out into the street. The hoody slid off her head against the wind and the momentum of her movements as she evaded the attacks, pivoting away from her opponent with little effort.
The villain didn't take too kindly to her casually evading his attacks, left, right, up, down. It didn't matter which direction, she maneuvered herself perfectly to evade. "YOU BITCH!"
That was his last words before he kissed the tar, his vision blurred at the sight of a sneaker kicking him, he flew to the other side of the street.
She ran her fingers through her hair, a small smile graced her face. It almost felt wrong to have relieved tension through fighting. Though it was only a sliver of weight lifted.
"You there!"
There was the briefest sound of compressed air before Sakura saw someone rushing down the road as quickly as a vehicle. It was a man, but he was wearing a full set of white armor, including a helmet that hides his face. But she already knew he was looking at her through the plate of glass covering his eyes.
'Uh oh,' Turning around, Sakura quickly attempted to escape, leaping onto the building's roof and moving out of sight.
"Hey, come back here!"
She just kept running, vanishing into the night; the hero was unable to chase. "Who was that?"
This was just one of the many incidents that the kunoichi would be having.
This was the first time in three days that Sakura's been noticed since leaving the hospital. She took no stops until returning to a vacant building close to the outskirts. The paint had worn in color with layers scraped back revealing the brickwork, windows with edges of broken glass or vacant of any, letting in the moonlight. Inside was filled with boxes, papers, equipment, that held no value without function. It was eerie from outside, enough to discourage people from wandering in.
Something Sakura was counting on.
She leaned against the wall with the sturdiest appearance and just closed her eyes. "Damn, what did I run for?"
It's not like she was the one who committed any crimes, but it seemed like the better option than being asked questions about a situation she hadn't meant to be involved in.
Looking through the window at the full moon, reminded Sakura of what the moon in her world looked like before it bled red and reflected the sharingan. 'That's all over now,'
Her hand reached inside her shirt to brush along the scarred skin on her chest.
Concerning her objective to return home, Sakura had been able to conclude two options. Kaguya was able to open portals to different dimensions, including this one and if the theory stood, then it was possible for someone with a similar ability to do the same. Sakura had witnessed it when Obito Uchiha had opened the different dimensions in search of Sasuke, though it took a massive amount of chakra from him and her. Unfortunately, even in her world, she could only count on one hand the individuals who could accomplish that feat and considering that it's already been a few days she wasn't feeling too confident in hoping for a rescue.
There was an impact on her world and Sakura didn't know what kind of turmoil may have resulted in the aftermath. Also, it was likely she would be assumed dead given her injuries when she was transported. Who would think she could survive a strike like that?
It was easy to say that she would figure out her own way to get back home but dimensional travel wasn't a familiar concept. And this world didn't have people with chakra, they had quirks. So her best option was to find a quirk that could open portals to dimensions. That was going to be like looking for a needle in the haystack, except there was no promise that the needle even exists. She was still going to search for it.
'I could use a more comfortable place to do it though,' She sighed as a heavy breeze entered the building.
Arriving in another world had its disadvantages, even more, when you were completely unprepared, having nothing but the clothes on your back. Sakura was trying to figure out a way to support herself while in this world; and further research, she learned that she wouldn't be able to do much in the light of the authority and labor laws. But there was always an underbelly to explore more lucrative options.
And it didn't take long for her to find one.
"ALRIGHT FOLKS THE TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. SET ALL POSTURING ASIDE, WATCH OUT FOR SPLATTER IN THE FIRST AISLES AS WE GET READY TO UNLEASH THE COMPETITORS FOR TONIGHTS SHOW. GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BETS FOR THE FIRST MATCH,"
Despite being an interloper, Sakura's ninja training had certainly helped pave her way through the underground world of Tokyo. Villains ran around the on streets, sometimes in the middle of the day, committing all sorts of crimes, some to a ridiculous extent, but that didn't mean activity wouldn't go around in the dark. There was still some tact.
It was all a matter of observation and knowing where to go for the right information; and through that Sakura discovered her way to making quick cash with little effort on her part. Many underground fight clubs were existing, all varying from application to types of audience. It was a place where quirks could run rampant and all gloves were off.
Bloodlust seeped in the air; mingling with smoke that left a bad aftertaste in the mouth. Sakura just kept hers shut under a mask, much like Kakashi's, a bandanna tied over her head hiding her pink locks and her hood also hanging over her face to shadow her identity. It wasn't being overly cautious, but the fashion many of the fighters were following. The company here wasn't exactly savory.
The arena she stood in was more like a pit covered with a thick layer of metal running up to replicate the appearance of a cage. She entered from one end while her opponent entered from the opposite side all in clear view of the audience.
"We've got some fresh blood out here tonight and we have your favorite competitor to spill it! Khan!"
There was a rouse, the ground shaking with a figure stomping, over three meters, shaggy faded orange fur lined with black and white that didn't hide the curves of muscles, fangs bearing already and yellow eyes gleaming with hostility. A quirk that made him look like a tiger, albeit an enhanced version.
"A new little comer and I do mean little! Nemesis,"
Real names were not usually exchanged in these fights, but the audiences needed something to bet on and it was something that Sakura decided on after lightly browsing through a Greek mythology book.
The crowds were calling out, but most were not in support. She had seen the line of brawlers and there was a distinct menacing presence that each of them carried. It was barely a trickle to Sakura but likely a shower to others. She didn't carry that in her presence constantly like a suit of armor.
Khan snarled when she stepped into the spotlight, "Thanks for the easy win pipsqueak,"
"THE BETS ARE PLACED, FIGHTERS GET READY! WINNER BY KNOCKOUT OR SURRENDER. NO LIMITS. BEGIN"
Tigers were animals equip with speed and power, and those qualities were also embedded in this man's quirk. It took two sprints to appear in front of Sakura, claws out to tear into her. She didn't move as they bared down blurring. Debris tracked up and from that cloud Khan exited with little grace, flying backward and hitting the iron cage hard enough to dent, his tongue out, eyes glazed white.
"I was thinking the same thing, dumb ass,"
The crowd had a momentary lapse of silence, then grew with a roar of different voices meshing to become a cheer.
"WINNER NEMESIS"
It was the first of many fights that would send the name Nemesis throughout the underground; becoming especially well known for winning by a single hit. As long as she continued to move with this persona, she could earn a living in the shadows and walk around in the light without care. Or so she thought.
With her pockets now full, Sakura found a place to stay, a small one-bedroom apartment in a rundown building with a landlord that didn't ask a lot of questions about his tenants. It was enough for someone who wasn't planning on making a life in this world.
'Still, this place is kind of interesting,' To Sakura's distant thought, the only response she received was a small 'mew'. Following the sound to a tabby-cat anxiously starring at the open can of tuna, it's bright green eyes crying out for its meal.
"Yeah, yeah, food first, vent after. You're getting fatter, you know?" Not that it was bad given the previous condition of the cat. Sakura dished out the tuna into a food bowl, watching the cat gleefully begin to eat.
"Haven't seen you in a while,"
Her lips curved up, turning her head. "Hitoshi,"
At the end of the underpass, a boy close to her age dressed neatly in school uniform; his indigo hair flaring form the breeze, purple eyes that were nearly constantly half-closed. Hitoshi Shinso; the only person in this world Sakura allowed herself to become familiar with. The reason they met, currently enjoying a can of tuna and a bowl of milk.
'Urgh, what's up with this world's coddling nature? I can't believe another hero tried to chase me to a home I don't have,'
Apparently, it wasn't normal for teenagers to be walking around late at night in this particular area since there was an up-spring in criminal activity in the neighborhood. That was the least of your concerns when you were in a foreign world with no provisions and little information. Also, she could protect herself well enough. She hadn't synced with this world just yet and so much was different for her to instantly adapt.
She was coming across an underpass that was looking like a good place to stay for the night, but someone was already there. Two someones. A young boy, with droopy eyes who did not look like someone you'd see out this time of night. He was leaning against the wall, cradling a cat in his arms.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He glanced over with fright, surprised by her presence that had gotten close enough for his sense to pick up and yet hadn't. "Who are you?"
"Just passing by," Sakura leaned closer, "What's wrong with this little guy?"
The boy looked sullen, "He was laying on the side of the road, it looked like he was hurt so I brought him to get checked out. Vet says he's probably not going to last the night,"
Sakura smiled; able to deduce the situation, "So you're just keeping him company?"
"Better than a noisy street," There was a bitterness behind his tone. "I'm just waiting, then I'll find someplace to dig before heading off,"
Silently, her hands reached out hovering above the furry animal, chakra concentrating into her hands to give a bright glow. She began healing the internal injuries, and quickly Sakura picked up an unusual rate of healing.
'Am I imaging this?' She wondered. Before at the hospital, she had noted the slight speed in healing burns but hadn't thought about it too much since external injuries were not as difficult to fix in comparison to internal.
"What are you doing?" the boy asked.
"I need to concentrate," He must have understood because he didn't say anything the rest of the time she healed. The cat opened its eyes, the previous dreariness, was gone, eyes shining. It licked the tips of the pinkettes fingers affectionately.
"Meow,"
"This little guy will be alright; now he just needs some tending,"
The boy stared in astonishment; before straightening his posture, "I'm Hitoshi Shinso,"
"Sakura Haruno,"
Then on, the two spent days meeting at the underpass to check in on the stray and in turn became familiar with each other. There was a lot of weariness at first, likely because neither were that willing to engage in personal conversation. Time removed the wall between them brick by brick. Sakura ended up catching Hitoshi more at the library where he would go to study as entrances exams would be coming up for junior high students. He showed Sakura how to use the computers there and access the internet which just opened a whole new range of information for the girl she was grateful for.
"A few days is hardly a while; besides shouldn't you be off studying? Entrance exams for high schools are going to start sometime aren't they?"
"I have been studying," Hitoshi crouched down next to her to pet the cat. "I doubt I can say the same for you, homeschooling must be nice,"
"Hey, I've been busy. Just moved to a new place," Sakura grinned. When Hitoshi asked her what school she went to, she had come up with that lie and given her 'manners' and all her free time Hitoshi easily believed it. "And by the way, I do go to the library to read,"
"I still stand by my statement," said Hitoshi, "I can hardly call your browsing studying. Are you planning on making it through your exams on minimum effort?"
Sakura stuck out her tongue, tasting the frosty air and sucked in a breath, "It's pretty cold here huh?"
"It is that season," Hitoshi responded dryly,
"Do you already know what high schools you're applying for?"
"Yeah," Hitoshi bit the bait, "Mainly, I want to go to U.A,"
When Sakura was still learning about heroes, she discovered that some of the best had one thing in common and that was their attendance at the school with one of the top hero programs but it was also considered to have difficult entrance requirements.
"I'm sure you'll get in," Sakura patted the boy's shoulder; but she easily noticed the way his demeanor deflated. Eyebrows furrowing, creating creases revealing doubt. "What? Don't think you can do it?"
"It doesn't matter what I think; UA isn't easy to get into, I'm applying to the hero course and the general studies,"
"I don't get it," Sakura admitted, "You want to be a hero right?"
Hitoshi frowned, "Why do you sound so surprised?"
Sakura shrugged, she didn't have the hype everyone else had about heroes. In the sociology papers, she read on heroes, the basic principle was that they were the only ones permitted by the law to use their powers and hence were admired by society in turn for their actions. Anyone else who stemmed from the norms was considered deviants or villains.
'In that case, I would easily be considered one too' There were plenty of villains lurking around corners and back alleys and with her keen senses Sakura could easily detect bloodlust and malicious intent; that carried her into those places at times to deal with these individuals who were using their powers outside of the law to commit crimes and she would be considered a villain for exercising her power to remedy those actions.
In the last few weeks that Sakura had been to this world, she dealt with purse-snatching incidents, attempted burglary, and attempted murder. Of course, those weren't the only crimes she had witnessed to but like most of the public eye, she had remained in the spectator and civilian seat since there were heroes around to deal with the situations.
"Right, everyone wants to be a hero don't they?"
Hitoshi looked at the cat purring against him, "Of course they do but not everyone gets to,"
"I'm picking up that there's more to what you're saying, so just say it," At this point, Sakura knew that Hitoshi was not one to mask his words and he was brazen.
"My quirk; probably isn't what you'd consider 'hero worthy',"
Quirks were such a norm that it was often the first thing you'd find out about a person after their name, yet Hitoshi hadn't told Sakura about his and she didn't ask either. That was just one of the few things he found odd about her.
"What is your quirk?"
"Brainwashing," There was a heavy pause in which Hitoshi was waiting for the girl to fill with questions and statements he had heard many times in revealing his quirk, but none came. She was just sitting there, waiting for him to explain. "I can make anyone who responds to me do whatever I tell them,"
Sakura rested her chin on her knees, "So you can make people do whatever you want? And you're still completely conscious when that happens?"
"What are you talking about? Of course, I am. You can guess why that wouldn't be considered a great quirk for a hero,"
Sakura shook her head, "No, I really don't, I think it's an impressive ability. Mental powers are considered a lot harder to deal with than physical powers. It creates a wound you can't see, and if you can't see it you don't know how to fix it, which is why I think they're pretty incredible abilities,"
Complete surprise and perhaps apprehension showed in his face this time, "I've gotten used to people hearing about my quirk and telling me not to brainwash them. Even associating it with villains. But what you said, that's a new one,"
Now Sakura realized why he was so taken aback by her words; this world did its best to be black and white. "I had a friend with a similar ability. She could transfer her will into other people and control them. It allowed her to subdue stronger opponents easily with minimal damage, which isn't something you can say for some of the heroes around here."
Property damage was something that this world prioritized over the capture of villains and if a hero had breached this priority in a fight then they would be charged for damages. Another aspect Sakura found ridiculous since it was always possible to replace and repair broken roads or damaged buildings. People's lives were another matter. For someone who had witnessed her entire village get destroyed instantly; Sakura didn't hold a high value on those kinds of rules.
"Still people think it's a quirk better suited for villains work,"
She snorted, "So basically it's the quirk that makes the man? I don't think you'd get a lot of villains standing in the dead of night keeping an injured cat company. Not a lot of decent civilians would do that either. It's your actions that define you, not your power. I'm into the whole hero business, to be honest, but I do think that someone like you would make a good one,"
It must have been the first time he had ever heard anyone say something like that to him. Hitoshi turned his head away, but Sakura caught his smile.
The small 'meow' grabbed her attention, she set the cat on her thighs, stroking its head, "We should find him an owner; we haven't even given him a name,"
"Because that's something its owner should do," Stated Hitoshi, keeping his head turned to the light at the entrance of the underpass. "Licht,"
"What?"
"His name, Licht,"
"I thought you couldn't take him?" Sakura recalled this conversation. She couldn't take the cat because at the time she was homeless and right now she wasn't looking to handle the responsibility of a pet when she was looking for a way to leave this world someday soon. She would be exploring this entire world but she wanted to remain close to where the portal had opened. She was looking at all possibilities, however slim. And this was one of them. So her home base had to be here in Tokyo and nothing could be allowed to compromise that.
"I did, but I changed my mind,"
"Okay, I'm not letting you take him home until you tell me why you changed your mind,"
Hitoshi looked back to her, "When he was injured; I saw it happen. I saw the car coming on the road but I couldn't do anything. When it drove away, I went to the vet and when they said there was nothing they could do-
"You waited with him," Sakura nodded. "What, you were feeling guilty because you didn't jump in front of a speeding three thousand pounds of metal?" The lacking response answered. Wanting to be a hero, but having a quirk that was judged as villainous adding to the misconception was being unable to save a stray cat, would start weaving threads of doubt. "Just screw it,"
"What does that mean?" Hitoshi frowned.
"Either move on from the mistakes you made or find a way to fix it, but dwelling isn't going to help anyone," Sakura craned her shoulder back, feeling the bone pop. "I can promise you this much; nothing good comes from dragging your past with you,"
Hitoshi glanced down at the cat again, "You're weird Sakura,"
She brushed against his shoulder, "Is that a bad thing?"
She was closing in on three figures, two closing in towards the center each in familiar features, dark hair, blonde, and white. Hands extending outwards. Faces completely blacked out as if they were never meant to be seen. Her mouth opened to call out, but all that escaped was the thick substance of red pooling out.
Again she tried to get her voice, to move her body, but it was as if a weight was pressing down on her chest inhibiting all other forms of motion.
It seemed her body forgot how to breathe, her chest stopped moving, she couldn't inhale. Her ears wouldn't register sound, her body couldn't grant the tiniest motion of a finger; all which heightened her fear of sight that remained present.
Falling like a solid statue, watching vivid environments flash around her; flames scrunching out a face with angry yellow eyes ready to engulf her.
Then a pool of moldy gray liquid simmering with steam closing in. Then fragments of snow and ice curling around like a whirlwind.
She tried to cry out, she tried to scream as she fell as if with no range of motion. Down below, she neared a pit of darkness, growing closer faster than she wanted. Like her stomach was being lifted towards her chest, she fell faster.
Images filled her vision in place, a baby with pink, her younger self crying in a park, a red ribbon, her friends, school, graduation, parents. Flashes of her being in each of these moments as they passed too quick to capture at a regular pace, but as if she was reliving it all as solid as reality.
Then when she stops falling. Nothing.
"AUHHH!" Sakura involuntarily sprung forward, heaving for air she had been denied in her nightmare. Then would paw at the scar on her chest as if trying to soothe friction with a source she couldn't find and erase the hidden memories that joined in from her life flashing before her eyes.
Recurring dreams, exaggerating the war and her end in it tended to surface when she least expected and in conjunction would be the uncomfortable tightening in her chest from sleep paralysis. It was becoming routine and she didn't like it.
Kicking back the covers on the single bed, Sakura walked into the bathroom pulling down the tank top to observe the scar under the flickering light. No matter how many times she examined it, she just couldn't make sense of how it came to be or rather how that was all left.
'I should be dead,' That was the only thought that came to her when she saw it every time. How she healed from such an injury to be left only with this scar was a miracle she couldn't realize. In a manner, she was grateful to be able to see this scar, so she knew what happened back in her world was real and that while she was here, her friends were back home. Safe at last. Done with war.
She just wouldn't be able to see it, nor properly mourn the loss of her friends and comrades at their funerals. There was likely one being held for her.
After splashing water on her face, Sakura moved into the kitchen to make coffee. When she had dreams like these, the temptation to go back to bed was usually lost. Thankfully it was not a constant issue.
'This just means I get an early start,' She pulled the corner of her lips up. Opening her kitchen cabinet and then fridge, she sighed, "I need to go shopping,"
Sakura's daily routine usually started with morning training, as a bookworm, she adorned cramming in a corner of a library and reading. However, as a shinobi who had experienced first hand what a burden neglect of training and skill honing could result in; Sakura was motivated to keep at the practice. Even more so given past events.
Getting back to her world was still a distant figure she needed to calculate. Hence her time would be better-consumed training instead of dwelling. In that case, she could multitask on her warm-up.
Her run was out of the neighborhood she stayed, to the coast where she would keep going until she reached the same abandoned building she stayed in before. She could train, be as loud as she wanted and no one would be any the wiser.
There were targets set around make of broken pieces of wood with drawings she used her newly purchased shuriken and kunai knives. She made her own training dummy. Strung up drums with metal chains to use as punching bags which didn't last for more than one round and the rest of her training she resumed without equipment.
The barrel hanging from the branch was taking slashes from Sakura's chakra scalpel, the metal broke through with either fine lines or punctures from her entire hand breaking through. When the barrel couldn't take any more of the abuse an uneven part fell off with a thud.
"Still can't sharpen it quick enough to go all the way through," A sidekick threw the remaining barrel from the chain and into the collapsing wall.
For most of the day after returning to her apartment to clean up from her workout; Sakura would go to the library to do more research on this world and methods of escaping it. In response to her research, she learned that quirks were hereditary but could evolve, mutate, and develop in certain cases.
'History of quirks were not the kindest to its receivers, it's amazing how far they've come,' Sakura was sitting in the back of the library, a tower of books at her side and a notepad in front of her.
'Quirk Frequency refers to quirks that replicate similar traits among individuals with no relation to one another. Such as gigantification. There are also quirks of certain natures that are not largely common even in today's age. This includes regeneration and or healing which allows repairing severe damage to the body. And warping quirks that allow individuals to teleport themselves and/or others to different locations.'
She grabbed another file, 'Documents regarding individuals quirk's fall under personal information and cannot be accessed without permission from appropriate authorities…..damn, learned how to use that computer for nothing!'
Despite going as far as to investigate cases of different forms of rips in space-time and dimensional travel and so on. She would only receive links to works of fiction or theories in papers immediately when she added 'other world'.
Hours passed before Sakura left the library again, gaining new knowledge about the world she was now in and disappointment that it was all she gained.
'I don't want to try cooking today. Still can't get the taste of that mince pie out of my mind,' Sakura grimaced before turning to the next aisles, finding the easy frozen meals and tossing that into her cart. Cooking wasn't one of her strong skills, and she didn't have a flair for housework either, but living on her own for this long, already Sakura was becoming accustomed to the new roles she had to play.
She strolled through the supermarket; familiar with its layout by now. She often made just one trip for a big purchase for the week so she didn't have to come around often. It was in a fairly quiet part of town that grew near silent in the last afternoon, just as the sun was about to take its final peak.
Everything on her list in the cart, Sakura lined at the cashiers counter to check out. The current customer had moved out of the way so it was just one more in front of her.
Her eyes hardened; she looked passed the lady in front of her to the entrance/exit of the supermarket. Some of the other customers in front had noticed it as well. A large figure looming over the entrance, too big to fit through. The top of the walls broke through, cracks running up to the ceiling, shattering some of the lights, as glass scattered, screams and alarms joined in.
A voice deep, projected intentionally to capture the entire store's attention, "Now that's what I call inconsiderate! Can't even get through the front entrance,"
Sakura let out a sigh, 'Oh damn,'
Chapter 3: Gone Viral
The crime rate in Japan had been listed as one of the lowest in the world; despite this, Sakura saw many petty crimes being committed throughout her days here. Made her think about how bad the situation might be in other countries of this world. Society had taken some of these crimes and looked at them as entertainment, a live show of sorts when heroes were around. Heroes technically were sources of entertainment that's why they appeared in adverts and commercials and were hot topics in news stories; always on the front page. Glamorized to appeal to society and remedy the fear of quirks and what they could do. It was a brilliant method of creating an environment to control the chaos.
The issue was; for people who were born with such a prominent individuality that could only be expressed through following certain doctrine would result in some turning away from it. Deviant activity touched on psychological, environmental, and sociological factors. Which varied person to person depending on individuals' beliefs and agenda, but villains likely followed similar patterns that resulted in them.
That's what Sakura's analytical side concluded, as she viewed some of the most ridiculous acts of lawbreaking by villains. They had power but nothing to show for it. She understood the critical thought process but didn't exonerate villains for their actions that inconvenienced or endangered others needlessly.
And she didn't appreciate becoming one of those individuals.
Shelves crashed with magazines and specials displays placed out in the front of the store. All knocked down as the hulking individual stepped through as if deliberately burying his feet in the fall to crack the floors and cause tremors to exert fear and gain attention.
It worked well. The whole store was up in a panic; customers and employees rushed back.
"IT'S A VILLAIN,"
"SOMEONE HELP,"
"CALL A HERO"
He was tall, towering; pink skinned that folded over his head from his shoulders, casting a shadow over his face, emphasizing his cold white eyes. A chain cast over the right shoulder connecting to a corset vest. Sakura's mind distastefully thought one thing.
'Pink acorn,' She drew in her bottom lip to bite. Few of the cashiers were frozen in fear as he neared them too quickly for their flight instincts to initiate. It didn't matter, since the exit was being barricaded. Some looking around hoping for a hero to appear.
"I want all of this store's cash in bags within two minutes! Clean out those registers!"
The first aisle of items being tossed down accompanied by the second caused further distress and woke the cashiers from their fright as they started clearing out the money and putting it in their store's bags.
"HURRY UP"
There were whimpering mutters in the back, people all uttering the word hero and save repeatedly, likely wishing for one to appear about now. Sakura was one of them. Another aisle was smacked down by the villain.
'I'm going to lose my shopping spot if this store gets destroyed,'
Customers were all huddled, and the cashiers were moving as quickly as their trembling, sweaty bodies would enable in this stressful situation.
Sakura began unpacking her groceries from her cart, "Okay, would you mind checking these out for me?"
The cashier didn't know where to look, but Sakura's stunt had fractured his attention from transferring the money from the register to a store bag. Her demeanor easily stood out in the pool of fear everyone had created. And that's what she wanted.
A shadow enveloped her entire form, and the cashier had shrunk down at the register table; Sakura just hoped look was of fear and not because he urinated or she was going to have to check out at another register when this was finished.
"You little brat, didn't I say everyone on the ground!?"
Sakura didn't even glance his way as she kept unpacking, "Actually you said, clean out the registers,"
Infuriating her opponents, making them drop their guard, drawing them in close; it was a typical tactic for Sakura. She especially used it against powerful opponents, but in this case, she was more concerned about other people being used as shields and hostages.
She giggled, holding her chin, eyes narrowed with mischief, a crooked, mocking grin on her face, "Judging by your memory skills, I can understand why you're in this line of activity,"
"WHY YOU LITTLE-
This villain wasn't just strong he was also quick, Sakura deduced from how his fist drew back blurring, but it was that moment Sakura moved as well, but not to attack yet. With the chain of his vest clasped firmly in one hand, Sakura dragged the villain out of the store through the wrecked entrance. On release, he skidded across to the middle of the street.
Onlookers were few and more spaces were available, even so, Sakura knew better than to prolong a fight with someone unhinged, angered, and strong. Even more so on account of her actions.
The villain laughed, maniacally, "I get it now. Wanna play hero huh little girl? Fine then," He started shifting from one side to another, to show off his speed, then appeared right in front of her to take another swing of his fist "Let's play and see who-
"Yeah, not really," Sakura's movements were swift and fluid, she curled her fingers on the gold wristband, stuck her foot to anchor against his and watched the villain flip onto his back. Her fist impacted the villain's gut through his vest, she pushed further causing him to cough up a bit of blood. The ground had a slight tremor as this happened, and the tar had small fractures beneath the surface, as Sakura made sure to keep her chakra release in check to avoid uplifting the road.
Though she waited for a reaction, the villain wasn't awake anymore. Sakura craned her neck to the right, cranking her shoulder "I'm not playing anything; idiot,"
"Then she came back inside, asked to check out her items and left when the police cars were down the road," The store cashier watched the pen stroke follow his every word as he gave his report. Feeling somewhat prideful as the witness to the attempted larceny and defeat of Vihara Headgear. He was a powerful villain that had earned a reputation for larceny and murder, and now he was finally apprehended. By a teenage girl.
"And you don't know her name?"
"No, sorry detective,"
Another spectator abruptly entered the conversation, "She was amazing; beating that villain with one punch! And she's just a kid too! I mean, the video is just-
"Can I see that video?"
The quality of the video was subpar, but understandable given it was taken by a shaking witness. It started with Detective Tsukauchi looked at the screen in disbelief, he could see the face clearly in one frame, for barely four seconds. It was all done instantly, almost impossibly quick, the villain was dragged out of the store and then taken down outside. But what had him in awe rather than the actions taken was the one responsible for those actions.
Without a doubt, he could place the face to a name.
"This is not possible," But he was certain of it. This was the same girl that had disappeared right under their noses at the hospital; well and fine and taking down villains like a vigilante.
'I better call Eraserhead,'
"Are you sure it was her?"
"I'll send you the video to confirm but I'm positive that this is our missing girl,"
"Alright send it to my e-mail, get back to me if you find anything else and I'll keep an ear out," Shouta swiped his screen to end the call. He turned on the computer on his desk, logged in, and opened his emails.
It was assumed that the girl ran away because she wanted to avoid being taken by social services. it was a wonder how she managed to escape the hospital's fourth floor without leaving her room down a straight drop. The girl was an enigma which made it even harder to put out a report of her.
That night he found her looked like she was on the verge of death; her clothes were ripped in the section revealing a scar with blood fresh enough to mingle with the air and stain the ground beneath her. Signs of a very fresh and recent wound. The fact that the doctor was able to confirm she could heal, had led him to conclude she managed to repair whatever damage was done to her. On the other hand, what brought her to that position still lingered on his mind.
"Hey there, you're supposed to be finalizing the test papers for the entrance exam! What's with the long face?" Shouta didn't turn his head, but his eyes did glance for a few seconds towards the source of the very loud and overly positive toned voice. His colleague, Hizashi Yamada, hero name Present Mic. Shouta's classmate in high school and currently work colleague at U.A. Though they were in the teacher's office, like many others here he was in his hero costume, consisting primarily of black leather, from neck to toe.
The computer made a ding when a new message arrived. Shouta opened the attachment video and pressed play. Enlarging to screen to ensure he didn't miss anything. What he saw surprised him.
"Look at this," he said to Hizashi.
"Whoa!" Hizashi exclaimed when the video got to the part of Sakura punching the villain, "Isn't that guy high on the watch list?"
"I'm more focused on the kid taking him down," Shouta said with a slight hiss in his voice. "She's that girl I was telling you about. Went missing from the hospital a few weeks ago,"
"Oh! The one that's got you doing all those late-night patrols and adding darker shades to the rings under your eyes?" Hizashi moved closer to the screen. He pressed replay and increased the volume.
'You little brat, didn't I say everyone on the ground!"
"Actually, you said to clean out the registers,"
Hizashi snickered, "That's some kid. Looks about the right age to be signing up for a hero course huh?"
"Shes' a runaway patient possibly with amnesia. Not to mention a minor no one has reported missing, and with an identity that can't be found in any of the databases. What makes you think she'll be applying to school?"
"Who will be applying to school?" A light voice chimed in. Shouta and Hizashi turned away from the screen, dipping their chins down.
"Principal Nezu,"
It took a while for Sakura to get the basics for using this world's technology, but eventually, she learned them, allowing her to expand on her research and stay up to date on current events in this world. She only kept up with news reports in case any valuable information appeared. The media mainly covered stories about heroes and their activities, in turn, that underlined villains and their crimes along with both parties' quirks showcased. Sakura had taken to watching videos and reading articles online, but she still didn't understand the speed of the information flow. Until she learned the term, 'going viral.'
"That's you right?" Hitoshi held up his phone, video on the half screen where she could read the title. 'Girl stops villain at a local supermarket with one punch!'. She winced when she watched herself punch the villain.
"Oooh, so that's what it looks like from the other end,"
Since Hitoshi had taken in Licht their regular meeting place had moved from the quiet underpass to the park close to Hitoshi's school. It had a better aesthetic, basically, a miniature garden, of neat grass verges filled with children's laughter while they played on the various colorful play equipment and pleasant chatter of the parents and passersby. Hitoshi commented on it being noisier but Sakura referred to it as lively and warmer on the concrete bench without the shades of trees, likely making it unpleasant on hot summer days but perfect for the cool weather right now.
"It already has over twenty thousand views, you should read the comments. A lot of people are talking about looking forward to seeing this future hero in action one day again,"
"Oh god," Sakura slapped her forehead. This would be a first; not having dealt with villains out in broad daylight before like this. And she assumed that by avoiding the police and heroes like every other incident, she would be able to keep her head low. "How do I get rid of this?"
"Delete the internet, because this video is on several social media sites and blogs,"
"Okay, how do I do that?" Sakura was looking so intently that the boy realized she wasn't joking.
"You can't-that was sarcasm. Seriously did you live your whole life under a rock?" Hitoshi titled his head, as he stared indifferently at the screen. "And wasn't your quirk healing?"
"Something like that," Sakura scratched her flushed cheeks.
"This video clearly says that it's something more than that," Hitoshi sighed, "I didn't think you were one of those,"
"One of what?" Sakura crossed her arms detecting the sliver of disdain.
"The lucky powerhouses that stand out even in a world where everyone's special is ordinary. Healing with super strength; it's the perfect quirk. You're really blessed. No wonder it was so easy for you to-
"To say what?" Sakura asked, but Hitoshi didn't speak realizing that he was about to step on a landmine he didn't think existed with the pinkette. Appearance alone, Sakura would blend into the crowd as less than ordinary. So to discover that she was this able made him disillusioned to her words.
"That it's not the quirk that makes you but your actions,"
Sakura threw her head back, her neck touching the concrete rest of the bench, "I didn't think you were that presumptuous. Is that just the way people are made to think here?"
He frowned, "I'm not being presumptu-
"But you do think I'm a lucky powerhouse-
"Well aren't you?" Hitoshi interrupted with rising frustration in his tone, "Isn't that why you said those things to me?"
"You think I said those things because I pity you rather than being empathetic?"
"Didn't you?"
From the perspective of anyone else in this world, it would be like that. Most quirks gave one function and it was the owner that was responsible for varying their uses. Chakra was different in that respect because it allowed a variety of uses, but it took training and what was possible for one individual wasn't possible for all. Chakra reserves varied, nature types, skills, talent, control. It all came together to play a role in the use of it for each person.
Control and training had been Sakura's foundation for her chakra abilities and that had taken years for her to get to where she was now. So to others who didn't understand how much training it took from a young age would of course assume she was just a lucky talent. With quirks that's usually what it came down to. That no matter how hard you tried, without the right quirk any effort would be a waste of time.
"Well if that's your concept about me; get over it, because what I said; it's still true" Sakura rested her chin on her hand, leaning forward to look ahead in the park, "And even if there are 'lucky powerhouses' out there; is it so important that it will affect your decisions and dreams for your life?"
Hitoshi inhaled softly, "No, guess not,"
"Everyone wants to be more than what they currently are, but without determination and action you'd just be wasting your time being bitter and watching everyone else get further ahead of you,"
Hitoshi and Sakura sat in absolute and thickening silence as her words lingered in the air until the pinkette stood up, her back turned away from the violet haired boy.
"No matter how talented or 'blessed' some may seem; everyone will have their own share of shortcomings and burdens to bear. No one get's anything in life for free,"
That night Sakura went to the underground fight club in a mood that synced with most of the other fighters present. The name Nemesis had spread quickly and there were many challengers eager to knock the fighter down and take on the recognition and popularity that was accumulated with it.
Of course, no matter who Sakura fought it was always the same result.
There were too many unaccustomed to her statue and were fooled by what was in front of them, the small lithe limbs that played to her advantage. Even in prolonged fights against enemies, it was always easy for Sakura to manipulate them into dropping guard giving her free chance to strike. Sight was always the overriding sense.
Sakura with her winning streak and no losses to her name yet was drawing in more quality opponent and tonight she was going to be up against one of the best.
This time, Sakura was going to be fighting a crowd favorite. Who dominated the underground fight club since his arrival long before Nemesis. This was promising to bring in one of her biggest rewards if she won; the stands were overcrowded with myriads of bodies, jostling for a better position and roaring.
"It's the fight you've all been waiting for! Our greatest highlight this evening! Both fighters are known for taking down their opponents with one punch! Now we're going to find out who's the top dog at long last! Here we have the newcomer, Nemesis!" Sakura felt her ears ring from the mesh of voices, "And of course the man with punches too fast to count, KENDO RAPPA,"
Sakura's opponent Rappa stood with the spotlight glaring down, emphasizing his massive form. One of the few fighters that felt no need to wear a mask, his wild brown hair cascading over his eyes. Gloves and leather straps with metal covered his hands. His presence made no effort to hide his anticipation for a fight. He was looking at her without judgment for her appearance as the other opponents.
It was the first time that she felt the need to put her guard up, since entering the underground fight club.
"You're strong right? You fight with your fists; so you understand don't you?"
Sakura didn't respond; Nemesis didn't have a concluded gender and it was assumed to be male. Though there wasn't a reason for it yet; Sakura preferred to keep the truth to herself.
Rappa raised his fists, "A real fight is when you use only the strength within you to kill…..you understand?"
'Thought so,' In her life as a ninja, she had come across many eccentrics for battle. It set them apart from other fighters who acted out of necessity, rather than their own desire.
"FIGHTERS READY…..BEGIN"
Like all her other opponents, Rappa rushed her; wind swirling around his fist when he pushed forward. He was known for his swiftness combined with the strength of his attacks that came like a barrage for those who could remain standing after the first hit. However, what the audience was seeing as a blurring fist was a clear image for Nemesis.
She ducked against the fist blow easily a little surprised by herself. Then came the spate of attacks fists flying like bullets attempting to hit the target. Sakura's form matched the blurring punches.
There was no frustration from Rappa as she kept maneuvering herself away from his attacks, making use of her nimble form. Instead, he began laughing, "THIS IS GREAT, THIS IS GREAT. YOU AREN'T FALLING YET!"
'This is….off somehow,'
Certainly, Tsunade's training had produced results, but even the pinkette had to wonder how they were this perfect? Her eyes had adjusted quicker, her heartbeat and breathing were calm as if she was sitting a field meditating. Already she was seeing a pattern to the attacks, all wild jabs flaring with excitement. It was like a child's mentality combined with power surpassing an adult.
The crowds were going as wild as Rappa by now, cheering, shouting, drunk on a thirst for blood. "ISN'T THIS SOMETHING FOLKS? IT'S A FIRST THAT RAPPA'S OPPONENT DOESN'T FALL VICTIM TO HIS FIST AFTER THE BELL"
"Finally! This is what I waited for so long! Now give me a real fight okay? Show me what you've got!"
'He's really excited,' Sakura backflipped twice to put distance between herself and Rappa, the material of her hoody torn from the graze revealing her stomach. She shouldn't prolong this. She had no obligation to do so. Even if he was just someone looking for a good fight.
Rappa didn't stay still for long and closed that distance quickly between him and Sakura.
In a fraction of a second, he lined up his shoulder with his opponent. He propelled himself forward. His opponent's guard went up, leaving nearly no openings but it didn't matter to Rappa. All he had to do was keep punching and see how Nemesis endured the force of his attack.
"No one was ever fast enough to dodge me, now I'm all warmed up!" A wide smile spread across his face.
Sakura decided to move onto the offensive, while Rappa rushed her. 'My turn,'
Lowering her body, she balanced herself on the palms of her hands and twisted her entire body to kick the man from under. Caught off guard, he stumbled was off-balance, he knew it. He had to get his feet under him, but now Sakura was lunging forward.
There was nothing for it. He couldn't block anything while he was still off-balance. His opponent drew a fist and connected with his chest. Something so small yet it felt as several tons of weight had been dropped on him in an instant, traveling throughout his body, cracking his bones, pushing blood up to his throat, and into his mouth. He felt the ground crack beneath him and the entire arena quaked startling the audience.
In his last breath of consciousness, he spoke, "You do…..understand,"
Sakura was always quick to analyze her opponents to identify and expose their weaknesses, and against someone like Rappa, she felt no need to second guess herself. He was stronger than most, which fueled the lack of hesitance he had when stepping into battle. His mentality was also a hard shell. But it was nothing she couldn't break. His fists were fast, but the same couldn't be said for the rest of his body. It was his quirk.
"I-IT'S OVER. ISN'T THAT SOMETHING? FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HIS APPEARANCE RAPPA HAS BEEN DEFEATED! WINNER NEMESIS!"
Sakura smirked behind her mask, feeling a tinge of satisfaction from her fight. Her mind taken away from her issues on the surface, but it was only a brief respite.
The days that followed Sakura weren't silent. Sometimes people would watch her with recognition, but she didn't mind it so long as they didn't go up to her and ask about the incident which happened several times. She wasn't expecting the incident to draw that much attention, but there was nothing she could do at this point. Her daily activities remained the same, but she could sense lingering glances at times and it wasn't pleasant.
Sakura stepped into the shower, the soles of her feet barely flinching on the tiles. She lifted the
handle, old and metallic, releasing thousands of cold drops turning lukewarm, darkening her
hair. Steam filled the room as she bathed her skin heavily, removing all signs of her day's activities.
Her mind fades into dullness, calmed by the steaming water. It's one of those days where she would stand until there was no more hot water. Drowning out the world around her. Through the fog, her thoughts were clearer, her goal and what she wanted. To return to her world.
Another week had gone and there were no breakthroughs in her research. What she read was beginning to repeat itself in paraphrases. New information growing scarce due to her specifications.
Her forehead touched the cold glass of the shower door, as she met her eyes. 'I'm going to find a way back,'
If nothing else she was at least determined. But she was also coming to terms that it was likely going to take longer than she wanted. Each day that passed; every sunrise and sunset was cruel to her; but she could be patient. So long as she didn't have to sit still.
'Whatever it takes,'
There were barely any steps Sakura needed to take in her all in one apartment. The bathroom door greeted her bed resting on the opposite side of the room, adjacent to the bathroom door was the kitchen space crammed in the corner next to a window. It had the bare minimum, a fridge, microwave, stove, and small cupboard hanging over it.
It wasn't particularly pleasing to view with its peeling paint layers and discolored wooden floorboards, but Sakura didn't mind any of it. Cleaning wasn't her favorite pass time and the less space the better. Her floor mainly covered with books and bags she kept her clothes in rather than unpacking. This wasn't her home and she had no intention of making it one.
She was just grateful that the landlord didn't mind his tenants so long as the rent was paid on time and most of the people here kept to themselves. At least they did until some of the tenants recognized her from the video.
Four times that week, someone had knocked on her door, either just wanting to say hello or chat her up about the event. She didn't understand the excitement when there were so many other stories of villains running around in the city and causing chaos and heroes putting a stop to them. Except she wasn't a hero, that's what made the story so unique. With the current state of the world, the number of civilians that would rush forward to assist in states of urgency was basically nonexistent. Those who did were called vigilantes and considered lawbreakers, no different from villains.
'Still, they could at least restrain from coming to my front door,'
At the thought, while she was digging through her fridge for a can of soda to cool down from the shower she heard the footsteps across the hallway and knocks on her door. She closed the fridge and threw herself back on her bed, returning to the book she was reading taking little interest in the noise on the other side of her door.
It was too late for company by her terms; and while the knocking went on for almost two minutes, Sakura continued to wait it out.
'Seriously is it the landlord?' No one else had been that persistent when she didn't answer her door but by now he would have called for her.
Eventually, there was a voice muffled through the wood, but it wasn't the landlord, "Sakura Haruno open up!"
The pinkette paused turning her page, "That voice….."
The knocks were more aggressive this time, "Sakura Haruno!"
Jumping up, Sakura unlocked her door, her vision meeting with the hero Eraser head and detective Tsukauchi standing in her doorway.
"Finally found you," said Shouta.
"Sakura Haruno, you need to come with us,"
With little concern for her appearance towards the adults, she slumped forward, heaving a breath, "Ah crap, not you people again!"