"Japan, Tokyo International Airport"
The sun blazed over Tokyo with extraordinary intensity, marking a perfect midsummer day. Crowds in beachwear milled around, some cooling off with ice cream cones, staving off the stifling 35 °C heat.
A soft grunt escaped a female voice aboard a private jet gradually descending to the runway. The aircraft was white, adorned with a star insignia. Though the wind howled around it, the plane's sleek aerodynamics kept disturbances at bay. Its wings guided it gently toward the ground, wheels extended. And then, with graceful inevitability, the landing gear made contact—smooth, precise, resolute.
「Ladies and gentlemen ■■■■■■■ and ■■■■■■■, we have just landed.」
Stretching with a bright, genuine smile was a woman with blue hair and cyan eyes, lean yet toned, her jawline sharp and refined. She wore shorts and strapped sandals, standing tall by female standards at 1.66 meters. Her posture relaxed, she radiated happiness.
「Victoria finally gave me a vacation!」 she exclaimed in Korean, then reached for her suitcase, carefully placing her work tuxedo inside as though handling something precious.
「No need to shout… I'm exhausted,」 muttered the man beside her. He removed a book from his face, slipping on red-lensed glasses that concealed his eyes, then gently placed the book into his own suitcase. He stood at 1.90 m, muscular. His outfit—a burgundy dress shirt, matching tie and trousers, plus wine-colored shoes—was neat but had an air of casual comfort.
A soft breeze greeted him as he stepped off the plane. 「What a delightful breeze.」 A gentle smile curved his lips.
「You're right.」 She nodded, stepping off in turn. They both disembarked into the summer heat, their private jet delivered by Victoria's agency.
They'd arrived unannounced, on vacation—no obligations tying them to their home countries, no urgent missions.
As top-ranking heroes in Victoria's agency, these two were finally enjoying time off. Victoria hadn't specified how long—but the blue-haired woman felt confident they had enough to truly savor Japan.
「If Victoria calls… you go back.」 The man warned quickly before retreating. The woman looked after him, shock and disbelief flickering across her features—but hunger got the better of her. Breakfast awaited, and he was already thinking ahead.
Their years of service—years of dedication rewarded with a hefty paycheck from Victoria—would finally go to good use.
「D‑Don't say that again…」 she stammered in Mandarin, recalling something painful; her voice trembled, and a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.
「Well, either way, what restaurant should we go to first?」
She tapped her phone, showing him a list of places with descriptions: Gyukatsu Motomura, Nabezo Shibuya Koendori, NOBU Tokyo, Izakaya Tanuki, and more.
Thanks to their impressive agency status—second only to Victoria globally—they could easily afford luxury.
「I want meat. You did your research, right? Take me somewhere good.」
He swiped through his phone and ordered a car—a sleek Maserati MC20. They loaded their bags into the trunk. He opened the door for her; she slipped inside, then he followed. The engine roared to life; he revved a few times and shifted into first gear, smoothly exiting the airport.
They sped through Tokyo's sun-soaked streets, heads turning at the sight of the black supercar. After several minutes, they arrived at Nabezo Shibuya Koendori. Stepping inside, they were guided to a table in a reception area.
A discreet ding accompanied the door's opening—and the blast of cool air hit them like relief from an ice-wielding Quirk. Air conditioning embraced them, welcome and comforting.
Warm light danced off dark wooden panels, casting gentle shadows that moved like living art. Pendant lamps hovered like silent drones, their rays highlighting the steam rising from simmering pots and accentuating every detail of the patrons and their meals.
Tables resembled tactical training stations, wide and equipped with built-in grilles.
「This place reminds me a bit of our HQ's dining hall—though ours is better.」
The blue-haired woman quipped, flicking through the menu with a playful smirk.
「Stop comparing, that's rude. Remember, we're in public and people will judge us just like they would judge Victoria.」
The dark-haired man with red glasses lectured, his tone light but firm as he held the menu.
「Okay, sorry. I didn't even realize I was doing it.」 She sighed in Mandarin, another small bead of sweat tracing down her temple as thoughts of Victoria resurfaced.
Moments passed before they placed their orders. She chose an A5 Wagyu Course, sukiyaki, salt-and-tonkotsu broth, and a Coca-Cola. He opted for a Pork Course paired with vegetables, rice, udon noodles, and a refreshing orange juice.
A few minutes later, their meals arrived. For her, the tray was presented with a subtle ceremonial bow. Stunning slices of A5 Wagyu lay arranged like translucent art under golden light. Marbled reds and whites woven together like minimalist brushstrokes—each piece promised to melt effortlessly.
Beside it, two simmering broths in divided pots: one dark, viscous sukiyaki with a sweet aroma of soy and mirin—its rising steam seeming to whisper tales of old Japan. The other, a creamy salt-and-tonkotsu broth, milky and deeply comforting—a timeless, soulful soup.
Fresh vegetables were meticulously arranged: decorative-shiitake caps, carrot slices cut into flower shapes, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, firm tofu, and long green stalks of negi. A coiled nest of udon awaited its plunge into the broth.
A frosty Coca-Cola bubbled in a thick glass, condensation beading on the outside—its fizz rising like the release of a Quirk inside the drink itself.
For him, the plate looked hearty and balanced. Both pork loin and belly were sliced with gentle pink hues, edged with tender fat—like natural armor, built for both strength and flavor.
Vegetables were laid out like tactical gear before battle: bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, greens folded like fresh leaves on a training ground.
Rice sparkled in a handcrafted bowl—the grains like pearls warmed by steam. Thick, springy udon rested beside it, ready to soak up the broth like a well-prepared trainee absorbing every lesson.
And the bright orange juice, poured into a broad glass, radiated sunset hues, the ice cubes tinkling softly like signals of refreshment.
"Itadakimasu!" he said, gratitude shining in his tone as he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.
"Itadakimasu," she echoed, matching his sincerity and sinking into her meal.
◇ ◇ ◇
They stepped out of the restaurant, both visibly revitalized from the meal. Their steps carried them back toward their car, the hum of conversation filling the summer air—until a pair of voices nearby caught their attention.
「Hey, did you hear there's gonna be a U.A. tournament?」
「Of course! The news spread across the whole country. But I don't get it… They were attacked just weeks ago, so why now?」
The two overheard the conversation, though it hardly came as a shock. They didn't react outwardly and simply continued toward the car, slipping inside.
「You thinking of checking out this U.A. event?」
The woman asked the question casually while watching her partner through the rearview mirror, her expression expectant as their driver pulled onto the road.
「A hero school? Sounds ridiculous. But then again, it's Japan—everyone's got their own way of doing things.」
His tone held quiet skepticism. To him, the Korean system was superior—more efficient, more ruthless. The Hero Clan's control over the country gave heroes total autonomy in handling villains. The system was clean, sharp, absolute. No committees. No red tape.
Of course, villains still existed. Since the emergence of Gifts, some had survived deep in the shadows—too dangerous or too slippery to eliminate. But the structure kept most in check.
「Speaking of the Hero Clan… did you hear the tension between the Clan Leader and the Bishop's been escalating?」
Her voice had shifted—more thoughtful, more alert. Like her partner, she possessed a Gift, as Quirks were known in South Korea. Physically, she was already above most, but the power gap between figures like the Clan Leader and the Bishop was something else entirely.
She remembered Victoria mentioning it not long ago. It made sense—the Bishop was unpredictable, volatile. And if there was one thing both of them knew for sure, it was that Victoria wouldn't pick sides. She'd just watch from a distance. Always calculating. Always waiting.
「The Bishop again? That bastard still pulling his desperate stunts? If it were me, I'd leave the Leader alone. Water's not gonna take that man down.」
It was a level-headed opinion. The Clan Leader wasn't just powerful—he was terrifyingly efficient. Victoria herself had acknowledged his strength. He'd put the Bishop on his knees twice before voluntarily aligning under her command.
Despite her thorny personality, Victoria was close to both of them. Somehow, they made it work.
「I agree.」
The woman responded quietly, taking a sip of water from the cupholder between them. A small shiver ran down her spine at the memory of Victoria's words: "Be a good girl." The last time they fought on her home turf, she'd crushed the District Lord with her bare hands… but she hadn't been able to lay a scratch on Victoria. In hand-to-hand combat, she'd been utterly overpowered.
She knew how brutal the Hero Clan's training methods were. And she respected it. In fact, she believed that even someone Giftless could become a hero through that kind of discipline.
「Alright then. If you want to see this festival, let's go. Might be interesting to see Japan's standards.」
The man finished his drink and wiped his mouth, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Tock tock
A sharp tapping sound on the window snapped their attention sideways. The man in glasses turned his head—and locked eyes with a stranger. A suspicious-looking man, grinning with pointed teeth and eyes too wide to be friendly.
「You've gotta be kidding me…」
It was hard to tell if this was a joke—or a real threat. Unfortunately, it felt all too real.
「A villain… on our vacation…」
Her tone was bitter, almost resentful. As if she'd dared to hope for peace.
The man rolled down the window. Before the stranger could say a word, a destructive wave of red energy exploded from inside the car—obliterating the would-be villain on the spot. There was nothing left. Not even a shadow.
「What a garbage country. We don't have street trash like this in Korea. The weak don't survive war.」
He adjusted his glasses and rolled the window back up.
「Yeah. In Korea, villains know their place. They don't wander around free like pests.」
She muttered, irritation creeping into her voice. Their peaceful morning, nearly shattered. She was already starting to regret coming to Japan.
◇ ◇ ◇
They parked the car near a tall building, several blocks away from the main stadium. From a distance, they could already spot the crowd gathering—waves of civilians moving toward the venue, while pro-heroes patrolled in greater numbers. Security had clearly been ramped up. Japan wasn't taking any risks after recent events.
Now standing outside the vehicle, the two Korean heroes stood before a building that towered over fifteen stories high.
「Let's go.」
The man walked to the rooftop's edge. With a casual kick, he struck the concrete barrier—it crumbled like dry bread, the stone snapping as though made of toy blocks. Without hesitation, he leapt forward—like someone stepping across a puddle.
Boom!
A short shockwave burst outward. That was the power of Korean cadet training. There, a hero wasn't just a Gift user. They became something more—superhuman.
「Hope it's a good show,」 the woman muttered, crouching slightly. Her muscles coiled, then launched. She landed softly, quiet and controlled. She'd moderated her strength deliberately, not wanting to draw unnecessary eyes.
She landed beside him, her form disappearing under layers of stealth. From that height, neither civilian nor student would have noticed them watching.
The man stood still, his gaze fixed on the arena below. The obstacle course stretched for kilometers—a winding path of ramps, walls, and uneven terrain. It looked like a child's playground to him. Four kilometers… a distance he could cross in one step, if he chose to. His face remained unreadable, but a flicker of skepticism glinted behind his crimson lenses.
Next to him, the woman crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her elbow. She watched the students preparing at the starting line, their tension obvious.
「Aren't they… kind of slow?」
There was disappointment in her tone—nearly disdain. She had expected more from these so-called top-tier students. To her, a hero in training should move like a bullet—gifted or not. But here, they relied too heavily on their Gifts, as though their bodies were just accessories.
「In this country, they really do value Gifts above everything, huh?」
She murmured it quietly, more to herself than him.
And she wasn't wrong. In a world where the Quirkless were cast aside, it was easy to forget what raw physical training could accomplish. A human without a Gift, if pushed to their limits, could have cleared that course in under a minute.
But no one here was trying to go beyond what their Gift gave them.
「…」
The man remained silent. His eyes were still fixed on the competitors. Something in the way they moved—tentative, unsure—caught his attention. It wasn't just their lack of strength. It was a deeper flaw. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe pity. Or maybe it was just the awareness that these kids had never been taught what true training meant.
A breeze swept across the arena, carrying cheers and the thudding of the students' feet. Dust kicked into the air. The two foreigners stayed still—one bored, one calculating.
「Looks like that green-haired kid isn't using his Gift… or maybe…」 she began, her words fading as the man reached out, placing a hand on her head.
「He has a Gift. But it's clearly too much for that skinny frame.」
The woman nodded slowly in agreement.
「So U.A.—Japan's best hero academy—doesn't even build up their students physically. His body's decent compared to his classmates, but nothing remarkable.」
She continued watching, her cyan eyes tracking every movement on the field.
「If we took him to Korea, he'd easily be this country's number one. He's smart… maybe his power's worth something too. But that shyness? That weak personality?」
The man adjusted his glasses.
「That has to go. If Vicky saw him the way he is now… he wouldn't survive.」
「Agreed. That timidness is holding back most of his potential.」
Her arms remained crossed, her gaze narrowing on Midoriya Izuku. His Gift was something extraordinary—but potential was worthless if locked behind hesitation.
Time passed. The race came to an end. The green-haired boy had taken first place—cleverly using the explosion of a mine and a metal plate to launch himself forward without injury.
「Let's go down there. This is already getting on my nerves. If this is their best, they're all gonna get crushed by the real world.」
The man removed his glasses—and in their place, a green-and-white tribal mask with black markings appeared over his face. He grabbed the woman by the waist, and with a sudden burst of wind, they vanished, leaving only a gust of displaced air behind.
◇ ◇ ◇
Midnight took the mic, presenting the results:
「First place: Class A — Midoriya Izuku.」
「Second place: Class A — Todoroki Shoto.」
「Third place: Class A — Bakugou Katsuki.」
But before she could continue, the sky darkened momentarily. Wind swirled violently. Shadows bled across the arena floor.
Then—impact.
Two figures dropped from the sky like comets. When they landed, the ground shook—dust and debris clouding the field.
Pro-heroes moved into action. Civilians panicked. The students tensed. Izuku trembled. Shoto stayed calm, assessing. Bakugou, still winded, clenched his fists, sparking tiny explosions in his palms.
Two lights shimmered through the smoke—one cyan, the other green.
Suddenly, the green glow disappeared.
「What're you staring at, kid?」
A voice rang out beside Izuku. He turned—and found a man in wine-colored clothing, a tribal mask over his face, with one arm casually slung around his shoulders.
[Xin Sheng – Rank 3 Hero of Korea, Assistant to Hero #2 Victoria]
「Frankly, your security's terrible. Letting just anyone walk in like this?」
Another voice echoed out, this time from the cyan glow. It belonged to a woman in a black tuxedo and white shirt. She appeared beside Izuku in a blink.
Her tone was casual, but her posture was alert. Sharp.
[Hakate – Rank 5 Hero of Korea, Assistant to Hero #2 Victoria]