Airi Tsukihara hummed softly as she carried her shopping bags through the crowded Shibuya streets. The sun was setting, painting the city in warm orange light, and her reflection flashed across every store window she passed — just an ordinary girl with silver hair and a carefree smile.
At least, that's what she wanted to believe.
It had been a few weeks since the "Shibuya Shadow Incident," the night she blasted a monster into oblivion with a real-life Kamehameha. Since then, videos of her had spread across the internet, sparking theories ranging from "cosplayer with hologram tech" to "the next-generation superhero."
Airi, meanwhile, was just trying to live quietly.
She balanced her bags and sighed. "Maybe I should've bought less… training weights, glue, three rolls of leather fabric—okay, maybe not the glue."
She laughed to herself, but the smile faded as she noticed two men in black suits standing at the corner of the alley ahead. Their eyes followed her every step.
"Uh… weird," she muttered, tightening her grip on her shopping bags. "If this turns into a kidnapping scene, I swear I'll start throwing Kamehamehas at random."
"Miss Tsukihara Airi," one of the men said suddenly, stepping forward. His tone was calm, but his presence sent a chill down her spine. "We'd like to have a word with you. It's regarding your… abilities."
Airi froze. "My what?"
The man opened his palm, revealing a small holographic badge — the symbol of a golden infinity loop around an eye.
"The Bureau of Enhanced Individuals. We call ourselves Division X."
The other man nodded. "Please come with us. You're not in trouble — but we believe you may be the key to stopping something catastrophic."
Airi blinked. "Okay, that sounds exactly like the line villains use before they kidnap people."
The first man actually smiled faintly. "Understandable. But if we wanted to harm you, we wouldn't have approached you in public."
"Fair point…" she murmured, glancing around. People were still walking by, totally oblivious. "Alright. But if this is some weird cult thing, I'm bringing Agumon."
Both men exchanged confused looks.
"...Who?"
"Never mind," she said quickly. "Lead the way, Men in Black."
---
The car ride was silent. Tokyo's lights blurred outside the tinted windows as they drove out of the city and into the wooded outskirts. The vehicle eventually stopped before an underground facility disguised as a water treatment plant.
Inside, Airi's eyes widened — rows of glowing computer screens, holographic maps, and people in lab coats analyzing energy readings.
In the center of it all stood a tall woman in a white combat uniform, her silver hair tied back and her expression firm yet calm.
"Welcome, Airi Tsukihara," she said. "I'm Director Misaki of Division X. We've been monitoring you since the Shibuya event."
"So… you saw that?" Airi asked sheepishly. "The whole Kamehameha thing?"
"Everyone did," Misaki said flatly. "But we're not here for publicity. We're here because something much worse is coming."
She motioned toward a holographic display — an image of a young man with wild hair and a cruel grin. Around him, the air shimmered with red sparks.
"This man's name is Kuroda Ren. He possesses a power we classify as Matter Combustion. He can turn anything he touches — animal, metal, even people — into explosives."
Airi swallowed hard. "That's… horrifying."
"Two weeks ago," Misaki continued, "he destroyed three city blocks in Nagano. Over 300 casualties. We believe he's preparing for something far larger. We need people like you — those who can stand against superhuman threats."
"So you want me to join your… superhero agency?"
"Not quite," Misaki said, folding her arms. "We don't call them heroes. We call them Special-Class Operatives. But yes — that's the idea."
Airi looked down at her hands. The thought of using her imagination as a weapon felt strange… but also right. She clenched her fists, her eyes firm.
"Alright. I'll help. But I'm not doing this as some government agent. I'm doing it as Imaginara."
---
The following months were grueling.
Airi trained day and night — not just her imagination, but her body and focus.
Division X scientists studied her "Imagination Energy," a unique wavelength that allowed her to manifest fictional powers from memory.
She practiced energy control through visualization — picturing Goku's stance, imagining chakra flow like in Naruto, even summoning weak Digimon for sparring practice.
One day, after a particularly intense session, she collapsed onto the training floor, gasping.
"Still alive?" teased her instructor, a cybernetic soldier named Kaede.
"Barely," Airi groaned. "How do you people fight without anime power-ups?"
Kaede chuckled. "Discipline. You might want to borrow that next."
---
Weeks later, Misaki approached her again.
"Airi," she said, "your control has improved. It's time for you to begin field operations. But first — you'll need to conceal your identity."
Airi blinked. "Like… a superhero costume?"
"Exactly. Something that can protect you, and keep the public from linking you to the Shibuya incident."
Airi grinned. "Oh, I can handle that part."
---
That night, alone in her dorm room, Airi spread materials across the floor — sheets of reinforced alloy, synthetic leather, data-chips, and tools. Her fingers trembled with excitement.
"If I'm going to be a hero," she whispered, "I'm going to do it my way."
Her mind flashed back to her childhood — watching Digimon Tamers with her friends, mesmerized by the graceful and powerful warrior priestess Sakuyamon. A guardian who balanced light and darkness, strength and serenity.
"That's it," Airi said, eyes gleaming. "My armor… will be Sakuyamon."
She imagined the elegant armor — gold and violet, sleek yet sacred. She visualized its textures, its weight, the spiritual energy that pulsed through it. Then, she reached into her imagination… and created.
Light enveloped her room as energy fused metal with thought. The sound of hammering, welding, and data shimmer echoed through the air. When it was done, a gleaming armor stood before her — part mechanical, part mystical.
She stepped toward it, touching its smooth surface.
"It's perfect," she whispered.
The next day, Airi walked into the Division X training hall wearing her new suit. The gold armor gleamed under the lights, the fox-mask helmet hiding her face, and the yin-yang emblem shining on her chest.
Kaede whistled. "You built that yourself?"
Airi nodded. "Sakuyamon style. Strong enough to take a hit from a Goku-level blast… probably."
Misaki smiled faintly. "You certainly have flair."
Airi raised her helmet, eyes shining.
"I told you, Director — I'm not just using imagination. I am imagination."