Although Kyoka had called out Hizashi for his combat abilities or as she insinuated lack of, Sakura's analysis had made her nervous while they neared their destination for the practical exam. Her leg wouldn't stop fidgeting, her fingers were twitching and her leather jacket felt like a bad choice to contain nerves and sweat.
Kyoka had felt the eyes of her classmates trail when they left, even though she knew they were mostly following her companion. Sakura was someone they wanted to see in action and against a teacher, it was just icing on the cake. So here they were now waiting patiently to arrive at their destination.
Whether or not she knew it, Sakura had become a topic in class A. Preferring to keep a distance from her classmates, there was barely anything known about her on a personal level. Everyone else had all but settled, Sakura was the only one who stood out of their circle by choice. She was often seen with Hitoshi from general studies, but other than that she kept to herself.
What made her such a topic was that she had become a goal their classmates wanted to reach. To be able to face their challenges and surpass them as easily as she appeared to. Now they were going to see if she could do it again.
..
..
..
It was pleasant when they got off the bus and Sakura found their test was taking place in a forest area, surrounded by walls to close in the area. They knew where the gate was, so it was easy to assume Hizashi would stay close to the area, with his long-ranged type quirk, he would easily be able to keep most foes at bay with his voice. Sakura hadn't seen him in action other than the USJ, but it was powerful. It wouldn't have anything on her experience in the Forest of Death where she took her first chuunin exam though.
"Man, we aren't used to fighting in this sort of environment," Kyokga hissed under her breath.
"It's fine, here you won't have to worry about glass breaking because of the sound attacks, and I don't have to worry about breaking up the ground as much either," They were fussy about the level of destruction inflicted and would likely be grading it. It was a different level compared to the entrance exams where robots were already destroying most of the area so a little extra didn't matter.
"How are we going to do this though?" asked Kyoka.
Sakura just stared glancing around without responding.
..
..
..
Izuku didn't want to turn his head from the screen, or even blink. Things were usually happening so fast with Sakura that it was difficult to get data even if you missed only a few seconds of action when it came to her.
"Sakura must have something up her sleeves for this right?"
Although he told himself not to turn around, he was surprised by the voice that could only belong to one presence. "Ha! What's Fivehead gonna pull over on us this time huh?"
"Kacchan, you came too?" Izuku couldn't help blurting before he covered his mouth, seeing the blonde's eyes seethe. It just reminded Izuku that he had his match coming up soon and he was going to have to find a way to work with this person that acted like a bomb about to go off every time Izuku was near.
"What you say, nerd? Saying I can't be here?"
"N-no, it's not that it's just-
Katsuki scoffed, glaring up at the screen watching Sakura's face, her demeanor as calm as ever while he became more irritable watching. But he wanted to see this, to find one point of weakness, and against a teacher, this was the best chance. "Fivehead's super strength shouldn't be able to touch Present Mic if he can keep them away. Her weakness is probably long-ranged attacks like that,"
Chiyo hummed, leaning back in her chair and looking over the different screens and camera angles. "Theoretically that is what we assumed when she was paired with Present Mic for this exam. She is one of the best close combat fighters, but she's well rounded in other aspects that made her difficult to assign for this exam,"
In truth it had been a toss-up about who should fight Sakura since her strength was greater than the other power types her age, All Might be considered for it because of his power, and even Shouta since he could erase her power. Although the Sports Festival showed, that she was capable of fending well without her strength. The debate had crossed that they needed to test the students against their greatest weakness and Nezu predicted that it would likely be long-range combat since she hadn't shown any capabilities in that area.
There was also the matter of her quirk. The principal had already made clear that Sakura hadn't been honest about her quirk and its true abilities and while that wasn't a crime, approaching the subject was problematic. Toshinori hid the true nature of his quirk as well, but the reason for that was for the safety and protection of society. Then there were people like Shouta who preferred to work in the shadows specifically for the advantage it gave him with his quirk. Once the nature of ability is known it can easily become a weakness, but villains these days honestly weren't that coordinated.
Only a select few, even so, Sakura was cautious to keep her abilities sealed. The topic was a bit controversial because heroes always showcased their ability to the public as a way to prove they were capable of protecting and defending while putting fear in villains. But it also showed their hand.
So long as Sakura had no other motives for hiding the true nature of her power, all would be fine.
Izuku, Tenya, and Shouto shared a look between each other, showing they had been taken back to the fight with Stain. The fight Sakura had won. Against a villain, one determined to murder them and with enough skill to give the three of them trouble together. It fueled their curiosity. If Sakura was going to be able to go against what was presumed as her weakness.
How was she going to handle this one?
..
..
..
The trees were thick providing a canopy over most of the area, but it wouldn't help them to hide from sound attacks. Sakura had learned already the kind of power those abilities held. She had also seen how other's dealt with it. And a thing about quirks was it didn't leave much room for versatility, in her opinion, you would have to learn to construct and reconstruct your quirk to claim more variety. The fundamentals remained, however. That's where it is different from chakra.
That was a weakness Sakura wasn't afraid of exposing.
An alarm went off, ringing throughout the forest indicating that it was time for the exam to begin.
"So we should try to avoid combat with Present Mic right?" Kyoka asked. Sakura had insisted they go as far into the forest as possible even if it meant being further from the exit but she hadn't said anything to indicate that their final plans would be confrontation either.
"That would be best but I don't think that's going to be possible until it happens,"
"Until what?"
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
It was worse than Sakura anticipated, Hizashi's first attack to sound them out. They were at such a distance, but he was still able to reach them from where they were. That's how powerful his voice was.
Sakura and Kyoka clutched at their ears short of pushing them back into their skulls just to silence the sound threatening to bleed them dry. The feeling of the soundwaves was a physical force that vibrated through them. Hizashi would be able to drown out Kyoka's sound and his attacks could go to such lengths that he could keep Sakura at a distance. The noise was so distressing that it sent all the birds scattering from the trees, insects driving underground and animals scurrying into burrows and further to the edge of the forest.
Forcing her way through the sound was an option but a reckless one lest she wanted her ears damaged in the process. It wasn't impossible to try and bulldoze through but Sakura preferred to try exhausting other methods before she went to the drastic.
"This is worse than I thought," Kyoka hissed. Her ears were especially sensitive to sound and this enhanced boom box that was Hizashi was not helping her to fight.
Soon the voice died down, but they knew it wouldn't be long before another sound wave hit them.
"We need to act fast," Sakura set down her pouch and went through its contents, pulling out a bag of cotton buds and a bottle of water she had gotten from the vending machine.
"What are those for?"
Sakura poured water over the buds in her hand, before squeezing out some of the excesses. Giving two to Kyoka, "Put those in your ears, it will help drown out the sound."
"Nice, you already thought of this from the start?"
"I know a thing or two about dealing with sound attacks, this is the first logical thing to do," Sakura said, wasting no time shielding her ears. They would still be able to hear but at least now they had some sort of protection so they wouldn't have to always keep their hands occupied to guard their ears.
'I need my hands free anyway,'
'COME OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNN"
Another wave washed over them, and again they covered their ears, but the noise cancellation was improved thanks to Sakura's makeshift mufflers. At least their brains didn't feel like it was experiencing an earthquake within their craniums, though there was still pain.
"What are we going to do? He's probably standing by the gate waiting for us, but we can't get near even with these,"
"We don't need to get in close to beat him," Sakura said, closing her ears as another sound blast came at them. Hizashi didn't even know their general location but he was able to extend his reach to them.
"You got a plan then?" Kyoka asked, hopeful.
"Depends," Sakura said curtly.
"On what?"
"Whether or not we can find what I need,"
..
..
..
Hizashi sighed, looking up at the sky as the birds scattered from his voice startling them away. He didn't like being in this particular environment and was looking forward to ending this exam.
'Don't let your guard down especially around Haruno," Shouta warned him.
Not like it mattered, Sakura wouldn't be able to get near him with his sound acting as a shield and a weapon of attack. Kyoka also wouldn't be able to come near him with her sensitive ears, and she had no chance of outmatching his voice to her sound. The weights on him were barely a handicap when he didn't have to move from the entrance of the large gate behind.
Shouta would call him lax in his assessment, but he thought it was the most practical going against students who had little to no real combat experience. Even the principal said that while they were telling students that this exam was going to leave them going full force against the teacher despite the handicap, they had made a rule to leave at least some leeway for their students to stand a chance. Otherwise, everyone would just fail.
This was already a new method of exams, best not to crush all their spirits in case they shouldn't recover from the loss.
Sakura Haruno was difficult, from what Hizashi heard from Shouta and his experience with the girl in his English class to which sometimes she would listen attentively without truly understanding what she had learned or simply ignoring it altogether. She was the worst student in his class in these terms, but in all other aspects, she was above the hero students. He wasn't even sure if second years could take her on.
That's how assured they had become of her abilities. Only based on what had been seen so far. All of the faculty teaching class A were aware that Sakura had a complicated background compared to the other students and Hizashi was even more aware because of how Shouta would vent to him.
There was no denying her talent now, but the same could be said for the other students as well, just because she was on top now didn't mean that she couldn't be toppled in the future. This exam was a means to help the students grow and become more acquainted with actual combat while humbling them. Because that was an affliction most quirk users had when they were young. Even Hizashi could admit to being guilty of it.
In a time of youth one either admired their quirk to a poisonous extent or loathed it that they didn't know what to do. At times you would tether between the two until you found a way to keep balance. But that only usually happened once you were in the line of work as a hero.
Sakura Haruno seemed to be making a lot of exceptions to their typical first years, and that had been pointed out several times. So Hizashi would remain on guard, but he was confident still that he could handle two students.
'Let's see if she's got the base to back up the hype she's gone and caused,'
"HUUUUUUURRRRYYYY UUUUUUUUUUUUUP GAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLSSSS"
.
.
Again the noise was nauseating. Kyoka could barely keep her footing as the sound kept coming at them. They still wouldn't be able to get too close, only move around with discomfort, but it was apparently in accordance with whatever Sakura was planning.
When the sound ceased, that's when Kyoka made her move. Plugging her earphone jack into the earth, attempting to find what Sakura told her to search for. She listened closely to the sounds, distinguishing the wind, the shifting grains of sand, and the movements of insects until finally, she heard what she was looking for.
"I found it!" She said excitedly, but at that time, Kyoka had failed to realize that she should have shielded her ears and was hit with a blast of sound from Hizashi. The soggy cotton buds still served to block it out somewhat, but that didn't completely diminish the effect, especially with her hearing.
Sakura held her shoulder keeping Kyoka balanced.
It was difficult to communicate with the sound blockading their voices, that's why they had to act fast and talk when the chances of silence were granted.
"Which direction?" Sakura asked, throwing Kyoka over her shoulders since they were going to have to move fast.
"Not good really. It's in the direction of the gate and him, so we're going to have to get closer." Kyoka said with a sour expression. She didn't want to have her eardrums blasted by her teacher's screams, but Sakura insisted that this was necessary for their plan to pass. Though she remained vague on details, saying they were taken short on time and it wasn't needed.
"That's fine, you can try and drown out the sound once we're there, I'll take care of the rest."
"The rest of what-
Kyoka didn't receive a verbal answer and was swept away by the wind. Sakura showed off her speed and agility, jumping from branch to branch on a different tree at every turn. She was keeping a slow pace though so Kyoka could direct her where they needed to go while she listened. All the while they faced Hizashi's sound attacks.
..
..
..
"Impressive!" Exclaimed Tenya, chopping his hand in the air, "As expected of Haruno. She already thought of a way to counter Present Mic's voice."
Momo nodded, staring at the screen. "She used the cotton and water to create a barrier and protect their ears. Haruno must have realized Kyoka would be immobilized otherwise,"
Izuku stared at the screen muttering to himself, "She already thought that far ahead,"
It must be what she was talking about earlier when they were theorizing. It made him wonder if Sakura didn't already have a plan to defeat every teacher here. It also made him consider her advice about facing All Might.
If he was going to be the number one hero, he would need to be able to think this quickly on his feet that he still tended to stumble over. For now, he was content with just watching the match unfold.
..
..
Blow him away with one punch. That was an option, Sakura could get close enough to lay waste to the entire area that Hizashi stood on, but those kinds of attacks were problematic to use against allies. While the punch required control, it wouldn't be that once released, and she couldn't risk irreparably harming someone that wasn't her enemy. This was just an exam after all.
She remembered the destruction she caused after her seal was finally complete, and that was not something she wanted to show off.
Besides this was going to be a good practice in actual combat somewhat.
"Alright we're here," Sakura dropped off Kyoka before they were trying to defend their ears against another sound attack. Time was ticking and now that they were closer, the noise was enough to rattle their bones.
"What are we doing?"
"We're going to block out his sound," Sakura answered at last. There was a small stream flowing through the area, it wasn't a huge lake, but it would be enough for them to execute her plan. The water was clear as day.
"WHERE ARE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU"
Kyoka hissed, feeling her ears thrum from the pain, "Well can we hurry this up, I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"Find the general direction he's in and then I want you to aim your sound back at him,"
"Will that be enough to stop him?" Kyoka asked doubtfully.
"Probably not but that's not what we're after anyway, I need you to buy me time and prevent his sound from getting to me so I can concentrate easier,"
"For what? You still haven't explained to me what you're doing," Kyoka huffed but Sakura had turned away and to the body of water, watching the river flow calmly with little ripple from the previous sound attack.
"Get ready,"
Kyoka turned back to the source of Hizashi's noise, locating him easily enough and then plugging in her earphone jacks as she came to face the attack. The noise produced from her heartbeat was enhanced thanks to the gear attached to her boots, enough to break through rock but it wasn't enough to completely reach Hizashi.
It barely touched him, but at the very least it was proving enough to deter his sound so it wouldn't hit Sakura with full force.
"Whatever you're going to do, do it fast!"
"Keep that going," Sakura said before jumping into the river, well on top of it. Kyoka would have been shocked if she wasn't occupied trying to keep her eardrums from bursting. She was acting as Sakura's defense right now, so she couldn't lose sight of her target.
Sakura closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. Trying not to dawdle too much, she had spent some time training and improving on her combative skills. After her defeat against Kaguya, something had been planted in her, and it was becoming rotten, the thought that she could've done more if she had more capability.
It would make her restless, especially under her circumstances and when it would start to become too much, which was more often nowadays, she would go and train with everything she had. So that when she returned, the same mistake would not repeat itself.
It was just another layer of thoughts plaguing her fragile mindset.
The training camp meant nothing to her, passing was nothing, she didn't care for any of that, but she was not going to lose. The ridicule, patronizing, and lecturing, Sakura could endure for long, even as her patience was slipping but she was too prideful to throw away a win when there was no means to an end. And that was seeming more likely as she struggled to find a way out of this world and back to her own.
Right now what she needed was to do whatever she desired and what she wanted right now was a good fight. She wasn't afraid of confrontation, but Sakura was also temperamental and that made her struggle with enduring certain aspects. She enjoyed fighting.
It was typical of shinobi to become fond of sparring as a means of relaxing, and training that would be considered rigorous became a permanent part of their lifestyle. It was engraved into them and when you weren't able to practice, you would become restless.
It was perhaps the cost of achieving such battle skills. The subject teetered between a need and want. Perhaps another reason shinobi were encouraged not to let their emotions drive them.
'Alright,' Sakura drew her hands together, her fingers shifting slower than usual when she made hand signs. Despite practicing the jutsu, Sakura's speed and concentration required for its use was not something she could take lightly or as easily as her other jutsu.
When she started, it was slow but her memory was impeccable, which allowed her to learn and her control of chakra was what allowed her to even execute this. She had to be precise and keep her focus, which required her to let her guard down and become vulnerable. That's why she would say this wasn't a jutsu that was combat-ready, even if she could use it now.
'But in this case, it will work,'
Sakura wasn't only combated aware, but she was also familiar with teamwork, and Kyoka was a good partner against Hizashi, despite her obvious disadvantage against his quirk. It was just a matter of how Sakura decided to spin this to their advantage.
When Kakashi used this against Zabuza, there was finesse and awareness that Sakura knew she was lacking in her technique, but it would be enough for now.
The water began to ripple beneath her feet, rising carefully behind her until the stream was standing up with no support, like a backward waterfall. Then it began to take shape, the top molding into a reptilian head with narrow eyes until the head of a dragon became completely distinguishable.
The shadow of the water mass towered over Kyoka and Sakura in its marvel. High enough that Sakura almost lost control, but she manipulated the creature to surge forward quickly, rushing passed Kyoka who had such a shock she fell over, ending her sound attack.
…
..
With time running out and no move made yet, Hizashi had started to wonder if perhaps he had overestimated his students. Kyoka was using her sound to counter his own, but other than that there were no large movements detected. At least for a few minutes. He had started becoming comfortable with the idea that the girls might not reach for him.
Kyoka couldn't do it on her own, and Sakura wasn't the type to overexert herself.
He didn't hear it at first, but he could feel the vibrations of a low rumbling growing closer. Hizashi waited to see if it was perhaps Sakura and Kyoka making a move to confront him. But he was not expecting a large mass of water with a dragon's head coming straight towards him.
"WHAT THE-
He was engulfed in the cold embrace and roughly taken off his feet and flung through the gate in what could be considered a small tsunami. He spluttered, swallowing the water mixed with the dirt and leaves from the forest, the grim sitting in his throat as he tried to reach for air, but the force was too great.
..
..
"Hizashi-san?" Sakura tapped the man's cheek, but he just bubbled out something incoherent, but at the very least he was fine. That attack might have been a bit over the top, even if it was the safer option compared to breaking apart the ground.
"He's gonna be fine,"
"Yeah…."
Kyoka had to remind herself to closer her mouth as she looked over Hizashi's unconscious body. Sakura assured her that he was still breathing but the strength of the water attack had just knocked him for a loop. Some of the trees in the path had been uprooted and the ground was soggy and soft, having had a layer of earth ripped away from the sheer force of the attack.
The girls stepped out of the gate, listening to the announcement that they had passed but Kyoka's mind was occupied more with the mess in front of her.
And she wasn't the only one.
..
..
Izuku, Shouto, Tenya, Momo, Katsuki, Tsuyu, and Chiyo stared at the screen struck speechlessly. They questioned at first why Sakura and Kyoka had stopped at a river and thought that they might have been planning to use it as a route to getting closer to the gate. Then questions followed when Sakura stepped on the water like it was solid ground. Her hand signs became the topic of question they couldn't answer.
But it was after that water dragon appeared that they were rendered speechless. It was something so far out of what they assumed she was capable of that they couldn't form a sentence to comment on it while the creature tore through the forest and attacked their teacher.
Even though this wasn't the last of the battles, it was certainly going to be one they remembered.