"Local, Late Breaking, Shocking. This is the Vale News Network, The VNN, reporting live from the lower district where a massive bust of The Torchwick gang has spurred controversy on how such a massive criminal syndicate could manifest in the lower districts and stretch to the upper districts. Some high-ranking officials inside The Vale Police Agency have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, emblazonment, and even one count of treason. There is no news of whom leaked the information, or if there ever was a whistleblower. Stay tuned for mor-…"A blast from Roman Torchwick sent the small television screen scattering around the area.

'It only took two months to destroy what it took four years to make, I knew that little bastard was a bad idea." Roman growled as he walked over to his men, which were very few.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, he looked around, before sighing. Rubbing his temple, he looked at photo wall he kept of all his underbosses, and men. Half of them had a red x over them. Sighing, he just leaned back in his chair, before looking around the dark warehouse that was his hideout.

Taking another deep breath, "well looks like you did it Sunny, ya beat me."

Roman couldn't help but chuckle, hell it turned into snickering as he just clutched his cane. That's when he heard footsteps, he studied the dark warehouse room, and saw a pair of yellow eyes staring back at him.

Tapping his cane, he turned towards the yellow eyes, "what in the hell do you want?"


A blonde hair boy was currently sleeping on a nice comfortable bed, his eyes fluttered open as he looked at the room around him. It's been a month since he moved into a friend's place, and this was after the legal battle to expunge is own record.

Funny how taking down, through photographic memory, a criminal enterprise made talks go smoother. However, all Naruto did was remember names Roman mentioned, and remembered faces that he would draw for the police.

They did all the work, they got most of the credit, but a part of him knew that Roman somewhere was probably sulking in his defeat. Defeat for Roman wasn't really a defeat, and Naruto knew that much, the man for his criminality was still industrious.

It'd only be a matter of time before he either regrew his empire or made it somewhere else. Roman still had friends in high places, very high places that got off scot free. It worried Naruto, for his sake, and the sake of the friends he came to make out of this horrible situation.

The blonde slowly raised up, stretching as he got out of his bed, adorned only in orange boxers he walked over to a closet. Opening, it pulled out a blue shirt with a bunny pictured on the back, and a pair of tan cargo shorts.

A knock on his door alerted him, "come on Naruto mom is making breakfast."

"I'll be down in a minute Sakura!" Naruto called out loud enough so she could hear him.

He walked over to the dresser, grabbing a belt, and belting his shorts so they could hold up better if he was to start running for any reason. The blonde ran fingers through his shaggy-spikey blonde hair, before smiling as he looked at a picture of his adoptive grandfather.

The blonde got done moving his hair behind his ears, before finally heading towards the door. The smell of fresh food was always a welcomed smell, and used-to-be rare commodity he'd only enjoy once a month.

Now, he got it every day, and he didn't know how to voice his opinion on it. In a way, he felt guilt, and he always reflected on the what ifs, and he couldn't help it. Watching the casket getting lowered, finally after two weeks, since his daughter finally came from Atlas.

They didn't part on friendly terms, since Naruto inherited his grandfather's effects, well what remained after Roman firebombed the house and orphanage. He thought Naruto would be inside of either one, but that only served to do three things.

One, at very least the children were evacuated safely, but had to be scattered about.

Two, cause Naruto to have severe first degree burns due to him rushing in and saving his grandfather's effects.

Three, only increase the manhunt, and of course he would be given the death penalty if he was ever caught.

All these things happened during three months, but things seemed to be turning around for at least the moment. Naruto smiled as he walked down stairs, finally feeling a peace that he rarely felt as a child, that was simply being a part of a family.

"Look, about time he showed." Kizashi spoke aloud as Naruto reached the kitchen, "what took ya so long lad?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his sheepishly as he gave a bit of a toothy smile, his fox ears twitched as he did, "sorry I was just getting ready."

"Heh, trying to impress girls?" Kizashi joked as he looked at Naruto, "because they don't really go for the scout type."

Sakura groaned, while Kizashi began laughing heartedly at the blonde's blushing while crossed his arms and sulked a little bit. He had just gotten these clothes the other day after doing some odd jobs, and watched as Mebuki rolled her eyes.

Mebuki walked behind her husband, punching him in the head, "idiot."

The punch wasn't too hard, but it still made the man hear a bell inside of his head as he was clutching a small lump forming that forming at the very top of his head. Naruto slightly chuckled at the sight, before Mebuki turned to him, and he went immediately silent.

Sighing, Mebuki made everyone's plate before taking a seat at her side of the table directly across from her husband. "So, anyone want to say morning prayer?"

"I'll do it mom." Sakura offered as she raised her hand up, she coughed to clear her throat.

"From darkness, all was given shape. From light, all was given life. In between the twilight, we'll all feast upon both with delight. May the brother Gods keep us safe, may their combined power keep us in living shape." Sakura spoke as the family put their hands together, all but Naruto had their eyes closed.

"Good prayer, good prayer, now dig in. You both must head into town, Naruto has some odd jobs to do in town at Cassardis. Apparently, Naruto's trying to get a job at the new noodle place in town, what was it dear?" Mebuki asked Naruto as she took a forkful of eggs into mouth.

Naruto wolfed down his eggs, before smiling. "Ichiraku."

"Mistral family, apparently, they're immigrating to Patch due to "Competition on the market" but as far I can tell they'd be fine here." Sakura chimed in as she too wolfed down her eggs.

"Hey, that's not exactly true, Teuichi said to me that it's just easier to get stuff here. Since Patch sits on a trade route between here and Mistral." Naruto also chimed in, "personally I think it's cool…regardless of the past I experience in Mistral they still served decent food."

Everyone frowned at Naruto's comment, "wh-what?"

"Still doesn't make it right Naruto, should I beat you because I feed you?" Kizashi questioned the blonde, who was lightly playing with fork.

Naruto sighed a little, "no sir."

"And, please, stop with that sir stuff." Kizashi told Naruto as he crossed his arms and pouted his lips a little bit, "I'm not old yet."

"Honey, we're both in our forties, we're old as dust." Mebuki stated making her husband mutter as he sulked in his chair.

Sakura looked at Naruto who slightly smiled back at her, "so what's Sakura doing in town today?"

"Well, she's picking up a scroll for you." Naruto stopped eating at Mebuki's comment and they all swore they saw stars glowing in his eyes.

"A scroll?! Really, I never had a scroll before, how do they work…are they fragile?" Naruto spouted out as he grew excited, "but…don't they cost a lot of money?"

"Relax Naruto, besides isn't it your birthday coming up soon?" Mebuki questioned she began to dip her biscuits into the gravy.

"Umm…isn't it September?" Naruto inquired from Mebuki who only nodded in response.

Mebuki and Kizashi looked at each other, Kizashi finally speaking up, "and?"

"My birthday isn't until October…and besides, I actually was saving up money already." Naruto beamed at the end as he rubbed back of his head. "So…umm…umm…I-I, I just don't think I deserve it…"

The table stopped doing what they were doing, before Mebuki pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look kid, we get it. You've had to be independent for most of your life, this is probably the first time you've had a stable household environment. We're not offering the scroll because we don't think you deserve it, we think you'll be needing it."

Naruto sighed, before smiling, "thank you."

"Heh, don't thank us just yet brat." Mebuki took a spoonful of biscuits and gravy before quickly swallowing it, "you can thank us by doing good in life."

"Avoid the old ways young one, for it is a path of destruction." Kizashi sounded with a sagely tone as if was a preacher.

Sakura rolled her eyes, "really day, Ranger-One? Really, really?!"

The man threw his arms up in defense, "hey-hey-hey-hey! In my defense, you used to quote that movie too!"

Sakura blushed brightly before flames seem to form in her eyes, before she got up from the table, slamming her hand down. "Cha! That's not even funny dad, it was a phase!"

Kizashi did the same thing, "oi, a phase or not you still have a collectible Star Wing Fighter in your room!"

"Dad!" Sakura yelled blushing even more, "I don't have that anymore!"

"Yes you do…" Naruto chimed in with a mutter, making them both stare at him.

"And, you would know how?" Sakura incredulously questioned the blonde as she folded her arms.

"It's above your T.V, on the left side of your shelf by your collectable Pete The Rabbit Bowtie." Naruto answered with a smirk, "girly nerd."

Kizashi appeared beside Naruto, holding out his hand, a resounding slap could be heard as they clapped each other's hands. "Boom." Her father declared in victory, "even Naruto seen it!"

"B-but how?" Naruto interrupted Sakura by pointing at his head, "oh yeah…the photographic memory."

Sakura watched as Naruto finished his sausage quickly, before getting up from the chair. "Well think it's time we hit the dusty trail, got to get to Ichiraku before nine."

"Um Naruto," Sakura had a dark smirk come across her face, "you sure that photographic memory of yours is keen?"

"Kee-what now?" Naruto questioned before Sakura facepalmed herself.

She took a deep breath, "you know like really accurate, really effective? I mean if that is the case can't you remember the time?"

"Oh, yeah, it's great. I remember sitting down here it was…seven…thirty…" Naruto leaned a little to the right to see that it was now eight-forty.

"Gaaah!" Naruto screamed as he ran up the stairs and hopped down on foot as he started putting his socks on.

He was moving like a blue and yellow blur as he quickly slipped on his shoes by forcing his feet into them. The poor blonde rushed out the door before running back in and looked at Sakura. "What'ya waiting for?!"

"Go on ahead Naruto, besides she won't be leaving for a little bit now anyways." Mebuki waived him off as he growled before dashing back outside.

"You," Kizashi looked at Sakura, "that was a good prank."

The pink haired girl smiled as she pulled out her scroll, walking over to stove to change its clock to eight-ten, the correct time.

"You know, if he's going to join Signal next year dad as a fresh fish he should be able to tell time better. Qrow and Taiyang would be cool with it…. but, then there's Anko." Sakura pinched her nose, "and I thought Lee was annoying…along with Yang!"

"Hey, that's not nice to talk about your teacher like that." Mebuki pointed out making Sakura roll her eyes, "so are really getting him a scroll?"

"Yep," Kizashi answered, "besides the end of the academic year is in October. He can sign himself up, and if he wants the education he'll be working for it."


Naruto ran full speed along the road leading to Cassardis, the town coming into view as he continued his running. He used what little bit of aura training he had to improve his speed, and at this pace he'd be a little late.

His fox ears flopped about as he ran, "cra-crap-crap-crap-wowahaow!"

Naruto jumped up, avoiding food cart as it was being pulled across the road. He landed, hard, tumbling in some leafs. Growling, he dusted himself of the foliage, before stretching as he walked towards Ichiraku.

The restaurant was by the road, having open view of the streets, and all the hallmarks of Mistral flare in its design. Walking over there, Naruto dipped under the covering, coming face-to-face over the counter to a brown eyed woman named Ayame, her long chestnut hair was tied into bun as she cooked the noodles while her father was busy maintaining the orders at the counter.

Her father had faded brown hair, and wore a white pure white uniform compared to his daughter's vibrant mix of yellow and light tan colored clothing. Her obi, a Mistralian clothed belt, was white as snow and tied into a small slipknot in the front.

"Ah, look I knew this kid was good, he's twenty minutes early!" Teuichi called out to his daughter, when Naruto nearly tripped as he looked at their clock.

It was now Eight-forty, his right eye twitched, "Good one Sakura…good one."

Suddenly he felt something his chest, looking down he caught some clothing, before Teuichi looked at him. "You'll be running orders today, full eight-hour shift, possible overtime."

Naruto smirked, as he put on the clothing, while he gave the man a two-finger salute. "You can count me in boss!"


Naruto huffed, puffed and nearly fell as sweat rolled off his head. The blonde had been running nonstop all day. In fact, it was now night, he'd been working twelve hours and had gotten about a thousand Lien. All of them yellow and red bills.

He was wearing a bonnet over his head, hiding his fox ears, felt a rather cool wind blow past him. Fall was coming, he could feel it in his bones, but also felt the first year of his training coming up. He may have been older than Sakura, but since he never had any formal training he'd have to start from the bottom.

He'd probably be one of the few straight civilian cadets coming into the primary school. The only benefit he had was that he has been getting some training with Sakura and Kizashi.

Mebuki had finally decided to live out her life as a housewife to a businessman, peace and tranquility.

He also had been given a pack containing fresh ramen, he intended to share with Sakura, of course when he added the Fire Stone Pepper. He may be kind, but he wasn't above payback, and this was the one time he'd been pranked three times in a row.

Hobbling along the street he stopped when he saw a girl with green hair sitting by the side of the road. Sighing, he walked towards her, she must've been a little older than him. Wearing a full white dress, and having dark red eyes that still seem to slightly glow in the dark.

"Um, miss, you okay?" Naruto questioned as he walked towards her.

"Oh!" the girl snapped out of her trance, just in time to look up at Naruto. "So-sorry am I in your way?"

"No…" Naruto deadpanned as he looked around, "are you lost?"

"Kind of, I was supposed to meet a friend out here…but I think she got lost as well." She rubbed the back of her head before her stomach grumbled.

Naruto pursed his lips, before smiling. "Hungry?"

"I could kill for food right now," Naruto stood there wide eyed at the comment, "I mean yes."

"Oookkaaay then," Naruto spoke and then sat down at the side of the road with her.

"I got Miso and Vegetable." Naruto stated as he plopped the backpack down.

The girl looked at him as if he had grown a second head, "of what?"

"Ramen." Naruto chimed in, "possibly the greatest thing on Remnant."

"Heh," the girl chuckled as she watched unbuckle the cover of the pack.

"Oh cool, the old man hooked me up. I got some Grape Soda, and Strawberry too!" Naruto commented as he got out both cans, setting them on the ground.

"Old man, like your father?" Naruto stopped as he chuckled a little bit.

He turned to her, before pointing at his bonnet, "nah I'm a server at Ichiraku. It's the Ramen place in Cassardis. The small town here in patch."

"Oh," the girl smiled, "that's cool."

"heh, they're nice people, anyway I never caught your name?" Naruto questioned.

The girl extended out her hand, "I'm Emerald, Emerald Sustrai."

"Uzumaki Naruto," the blonde smiled brightly, "soon to be expert Huntsman."