Mha: Sand Sand Fruit

Seeing the dragon approaching, Akira instinctively hid behind a nearby pillar. He wasn't sure whether this dragon was an ally brought by Nako Miyagawa or a companion of Ishimura, the villain. Making a wrong move could spell disaster.

Fortunately, the dragon turned out to be a professional Hero, Ryuko Tatsuma—also known as the Dragon Hero. Ranked tenth among Pro Heroes, she had come as Nako's rescuer.

With a soft "thud," Ryuko landed gracefully on the ground, her enormous dragon form shifting into her human appearance. She wore a sleek cheongsam, her short hair framing her determined face, and her presence exuded authority.

"Is this the place?" Ryuko asked, turning to Nako, who had been clinging to her back.

"Yes," Nako replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Ryuko scanned the area, her sharp eyes narrowing. "It seems quiet. But the absence of noise can mean danger. Your friend might be in trouble."

Nako bit her lip, the thought of Akira injured—or worse—clouding her mind.

"He's fine! I know he's alive!" Nako suddenly exclaimed, more to reassure herself than anyone else.

Ryuko raised an eyebrow but softened her tone. "I hope you're right. Stay here while I check inside. If you follow, you might only get in the way."

Nako hesitated before nodding, knowing Ryuko was right.

From his hiding spot, Akira heard every word. Realizing they weren't enemies, he stepped out cautiously. "Nako, you're finally back!"

Nako froze at the sound of Akira's voice, her wide eyes locking onto him. For a moment, she stood still, and then, as if propelled by relief, she ran toward him.

She threw her arms around Akira, her tears soaking his shirt. "I thought you were dead! I was so scared!"

Akira patted her back awkwardly, clearly unused to such displays of emotion. "I told you, I'm tougher than I look."

Ryuko observed the exchange with a neutral expression. "So, you're Akira?"

Akira nodded, stepping back slightly from Nako.

Ryuko's gaze hardened. "Is there anyone else inside?"

"No," Nako answered, her voice still shaky. "It was just the two of us tonight."

"Good. Reinforcements are on their way. I need you both to come with me and explain everything. But first, let me check the scene." Without waiting for a response, Ryuko strode toward the ruined office.

---

Inside the Ruins

Ryuko walked cautiously through the wreckage, her eyes taking in the destruction. The collapsed walls, scattered debris, and strange patches of white liquid were evidence of a fierce battle.

"What happened here?" she muttered. "Nako said only two people were present... could Akira have done all this? Or was another Hero involved?"

As she stepped on the ground, a soft crunch caught her attention. Looking down, she saw a thin layer of sand. Picking some up, she studied it closely.

"Sand? There aren't any Pro Heroes with sand-based Quirks around here. Could it be... a new Hero? Or someone unregistered?"

Her thoughts raced as she approached the patches of hardened liquid. The scene didn't align with any reports of known Pro Heroes or villains.

---

The Aftermath

Two hours later, Akira and Nako were seated in the office under Ryuko's watchful gaze.

"So, you're telling me you didn't fight the villain?" Ryuko's sharp tone cut through the silence as she interrogated Akira.

Akira's expression remained calm. "No, I didn't. I sent Nako to call for help while I tried to buy time. A mysterious person appeared and fought Ishimura. During the chaos, I hid."

Ryuko's eyes narrowed, studying his face for any signs of deception. She neither confirmed nor denied whether she believed him. "What's your Quirk?"

Akira hesitated for a moment but decided there was no point in hiding it. "It's related to sand. My body can partially transform into sand."

Ryuko nodded, filing the information away. "Fine. Reinforcements are here, and Nako's father is on his way. Stay put until I return." She left without another word.

---

The Quiet Hall

Left alone in the quiet hall, Akira noticed Nako had fallen asleep in her chair. The events of the night had clearly taken a toll on her.

Leaning back in his seat, Akira sighed. His mind replayed the battle with Ishimura, the unexpected arrival of Ryuko, and his decision to keep his involvement hidden.

"Things are only going to get more complicated," he muttered, glancing at the ruins outside.

Little did he know, tonight was just the beginning of a much larger storm.