Chapter 18

After searching through the fifth supposed White Fang safe house, with the previous four all being empty aside from a few crates and some old school White Fang flags, Naruto was beginning to think that Blake was just being paranoid about the whole thing. Sure finding out she was an ex member of a world recognized terrorist organization, or more specifically a group of people that were practically bandits but on a much larger scale than the Branwen tribe could ever dream of becoming, was rather shocking. On the other hand, it at least proved to Naruto that his partner had a good moral compass, a lot better than his at any rate, and was actively working to make up for her past mistakes. Yet none of this changes the simple fact that they've been wandering around for the better part of four hours with no sign of any actual White Fang activity. The strange thing was that he still hadn't been able to get in contact with Yang or anyone else; a fact that was slowly beginning to worry him.

"Well, that's another empty warehouse we can cross off the list," said Sun, who was in the middle of eating another banana he'd somehow procured without either Naruto or Blake noticing, almost making Naruto wonder where the monkey boy was hiding them.

"This doesn't make any sense, we've checked all their safehouses and still haven't found a trace of them even being here for months. There has to be something I'm missing," Blake all but hissed as she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes in thought; at this point Naruto really just wanted to find the others and go back to Beacon.

"Well hasn't it been some time since you were last with them? If I was in their position, I know I'd find a few more safe houses then you wouldn't know about and abandon the ones that you did. It would be less of a security risk," Naruto pointed out.

"So where do you think we should look," Sun asked his fellow blonde.

"A place close to the border of the city so they could get in and out without too many people noticing, but also a place that has enough traffic that they could blend in with a crowd if needed. We've already checked all the warehouses, so that only really leaves the docks. If they did set up at the docks then they'd have the entire ocean to get lost in and no one would really notice a few extra ships slipping in early in the morning or late at night. Well, at least that's what I'd do if I was in their position."

"At this point we've got nothing else to lose, not to mention it is getting rather late and the last transport to Beacon will be leaving pretty soon. If nothing else we can continue later," Blake summarized, getting a nod of agreement from the other two as all three of them began the long walk across Vale to the docks.

As the group of three walked through the rather busy streets of Vale, Blake surprisingly began to talk about her past with the White Fang and more specifically about the partner she had before she met Naruto and Yang. Apparently he was a swordsman, a trait shared between Naruto and Blake as well, and was so devoted to seeing the Faunus rise up that he went about it in the borderline radical fashion; even for the new rather extremist White Fang. Apparently the final straw for Blake was when he was willing to destroy the entire train full of people just to make a clean getaway with some supplies that were being transported. Blake was now concerned that Adam had somehow made it to Vale and was running the White Fang cell that was stationed here.

"So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how obsessive is this Adam guy?" Naruto asked, although he already had a vague idea what the answer was given by how Blake flinched at the very mention of his name.

"I don't even think it will register on a scale like that. He's possessive, demanding, and when things don't go his way he tends to lash out violently. The scary part is that he can also be cunning when he wants to be, inspiring when he needs to be, and if so devoted what he believes in that he's willing to sacrifice anything and anyone," Blake said, recalling the conversation from not so long ago that she had with Adam about how he was willing to sacrifice any number of Faunus lives if it meant killing just a few more humans.

"Well if he is in Vale, then were going to have to deal with him at one point or another. I've met his type before and it usually doesn't end until someone is buried in the ground," Naruto it seemed that plenty of times when he was both with the tribe and working as a mercenary, with no one coming out unscathed in any of those incidents.

"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt but I have a question," Sun interrupted, getting the two partners attention.

"What?"

"So this Adam guy, did he happen to be a bull Faunus? About maybe my height with short red and black hair, a rather emo looking outfit, and attitudes so edgy that it could probably tan a fleas backside?" Blake was rather surprised at Sun's rather spot on description.

"Something like that, why?" Sun's own answer came in the form of him pointing at the TV in a shop window, a TV that clearly showed the very person Sun had just described.

"Oh no," Blake whispered in horror, feeling a pit form in her stomach as one of her greatest fears and now become a gut wrenching reality.

"What the hell is he saying?" Naruto asked as they all clearly saw Adam's mouth moving but couldn't hear him through the large sheet of glass that made up the storefront.

As if the universe was finally throwing him a bone, Adam's face suddenly appeared on a large holographic billboard and his voice came over the city's loudspeakers. Sure enough, the moment Naruto heard his voice he wanted to punch Adam right in the throat.

"Citizens of Vale, my name is Adam and I bring you a message from the White Fang. For too long the Faunus of this world have been held under the tyrannical boot of you humans. We were the ones first thrown in cages, we were the ones sold into slavery time and time again, and we were the ones that built the very civilization that you all come to know. That ends now, for we have grown tired of working in your minds and building your cities that we are then thrown out of. Before, you sent soldiers after us, now you send these Huntsmen and Huntresses after us. So, just like in ages past when we adapted to fight your soldiers, we now adapt to fight our new hunters. By eliminating them before they can become a threat," Adam stepped to the side to reveal something that made Naruto's blood freeze and then boil hot with unbridled rage.

Tied up and chained to a wall was both Naruto's and Ruby's team, with all of them looking to struggle to get free only to be forcefully settled by a rather large looking Faunus that had a weird mix between a chainsaw and a sword. Stepping back into view, Adams once frowning face now sported a rather disturbing grin as it was clear he was just imagining the kind of chaos he was now causing.

"These seven will be the first to fall in this new war, but that is not to say I won't give you guys a sporting chance to come and save them. Among the populists of Vale there are two individuals that I extend this generous offer out to. A traitor to our cause and her new partner, you know who you are. Come and face me, try and save your friends. By now the authorities will no doubt have traced us to the Vale docks. If anyone but the two I've specified enters the property, then all you will find are seven dead bodies. I'll be waiting, my beloved," and with that the transmission suddenly cut off, leaving behind only static in its wake and a city now on the verge of panic.

Yet in this new maelstrom of chaos, in which Blake looked to be on the bridge of a panic attack, Naruto stood there still is a statue. He knew what anger felt like, it was a common trait for members of the Branwen family, it was hot and it felt like it would boil out of your body. But this was different, this wasn't a righteous anger, it didn't blaze like an inferno, it was ice cold and threatened to freeze his very heart. Naruto's mind felt laser focused, memorizing every detail of this Adam that he had just witnessed, but more importantly he saw how truly and utterly terrified Yang was in the background.

He'd seen the tears coming down Ruby's cheeks after that one large Faunus had backhanded her. He'd seen Weiss try and put up a brave front. Pyrrha's body had been slack, hanging limply without even so much as a twitch. Jaune's face looked swollen, as if someone had wailed on him mercilessly long after his aura broke. Even Nora and Ren looked like they'd gone through the ringer, as their aura had been flashing ever so slightly.

"Naruto," Blake's voice was low and filled with caution, she did notice how he hadn't moved a muscle and yet was giving off the most frightening vibe, "What are we going to do?"

Naruto slowly turned on his heel and began marching towards the docks, his scroll already in hand as he pressed several buttons without even looking at them, "I'm going to go down to the docks, I'm going to get our friends back, and then I'm going to butcher every White Fang member that stands between me and Adam. No one attacks those I care about in lives."

Adam couldn't look more pleased with himself as the connection was cut in his message was delivered. From what his spies had observed, this Naruto person would no doubt come to save those that he cares about, a weakness Adam was more than willing to exploit. It was Blake's decision that was still up in the air; she had a tendency to run away when things got tough and the thought had no doubt crossed her mind by this point. In the end it doesn't matter one way or another, Adam firmly believed that he would kill this Naruto person and then he have all the time in the world to track down his beloved Blake.

"Finish fortifying this place and insure no authorities are able to get in!" Adam barked out, "This is the beginning of a new age for the Faunus and I will stand for nothing less than a complete victory!"

It pleased Adam to no end when those under his command let out a united shout before going back to their assigned tasks with renewed speed. He was also more than pleased that he'd managed to convince the White Fang leader to allow him to select his own members, meaning all those under his command also shared his viewpoint. No one would really second-guess him, no one would report his actions, but more importantly they all obeyed his commands without question.

"You're not... gonna get away with this," leave it to a human to interrupt his brief moment of joy, especially since it was Blake's other new partner.

"I'm not trying to get away with this, in fact I want everyone to know it was me that started it. I want the history books remember who led the Faunus into a true golden age, who ensured that the humans felt what it was like to be caged up like an animal," Adam's smile was positively twisted as he unsheathed his sword and rested the tip under Yang's chin, "But don't worry, you will live past tonight and will actually be one of the lucky ones."

Yang just continued to glare at him, her eyes now set at a steady scarlet, even when she felt the razor-sharp blade draw just the tiniest bit of blood. She knew Naruto was coming for them, she didn't know how she knew but she did, and if he didn't beat the crap out of this Adam guy but not a force on Remnant would stop her from doing it. It was the sound of sirens only a few minutes later that signaled the beginning of a very long night, but Yang just hoped that she really did get to see the end of it.

When Naruto, Blake, and Sun finally did arrive at the docks they found police cars lying in the area, both officers and other hunters lining the perimeter with weapons drawn, and a whole mob of civilians crowding around the barricades. Naruto's first thought was to just bulldoze his way through the crowd, he wasn't really in the mood to be sneaky about all this and the longer he took meant the more danger his friends were in, but in the end that wasn't necessary. Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch herself seemed to spot the group of three, with a purple aura highlighting some of the barricades and making a path right down the middle for them to proceed unhindered. The flashes of cameras and reporters were nearly deafening as they walked through the now parted crowd, Blake's ears twitched underneath her bow while she kept sending looks at everyone that practically shouted right in her sensitive ears.

Glynda, despite her professionalism and years of being a huntress, could barely suppress the small shiver when she spotted the smoldering icy rage in Naruto's crimson eyes. It almost triggered what one would call a flashback from one Glynda herself was still in training; more specifically of one of her classmates by the name of Raven Branwen. Shaking her head to focus her mind, the blonde haired headmistress motioned for the three students to follow her to what looked to be a command tent.

"I'm glad you managed to make it here, although I wish it was under better circumstances," Glynda said in a rather tired tone, truly wishing that none of them were in this situation but knowing there was little they could do about it now.

"Has anyone been able to locate where our friends are in the warehouse?" Blake was the first one to speak up, jumping right to the point.

"I'm sad to say that this point it would be hard for us to miss them," Glynda said as she pulled out a photograph and handed it to the teens, "It seems this Adam wanted to put on a little show by moving all the hostages to the top of the warehouse where everyone can see them. Our own sharpshooters have also reported that the White Fang has marksmen of their own and have their rifles trained on your friends. We theorize that it's so they would be shot if anyone else but you two enter the property."

"Then I guess there's only one thing left for us to do," Naruto said as he heard a rather loud commotion outside, to which everyone exited the tent and found Naruto's personal weapons locker just floating there along with Blake's.

"Mr. Uzumaki, may I remind you that going in there will no doubt lead to your death," Glynda began as Naruto and Blake began to gear up, "Not only are you severely outnumbered but you're more than likely to be shot the moment you step onto the property."

Glynda was beginning to hate Ozpin's orders right about now; what kind of headmaster orders one of his teachers to help two teenagers walk into a deathtrap? That's beside the point, the real question was what kind of teenager can be so calm and focused when there about to charge headlong into danger? It was a little disturbing, if Glynda was being honest with herself, at how calm and collected Naruto was being right now.

"You know this Adam guy best, is there anything you can think of that might piss him off enough to make him come out of his hole and fight me himself?" Naruto asked Blake as he finished shipping on his mismatched armor and moved to stop his spear to his back and katana to his side.

"General insults towards him might work, but it's not a sure thing, and insulting the Faunus will only provoke the others," Blake looked down in thought before looking up to see Naruto slipping several of his knives into their respective holsters and finally putting on his cloak, "Although there might be one thing, but I don't think you're going to like it."

Naruto just raised an eyebrow.

Sun wasn't going to lie, he felt a little out of place now.

Cinder didn't know what to make of the orders she'd been given by Salem, or at least she found them confusing to a certain extent. The fact that she was ordered to have her entire group to take up positions around the White Fang occupied warehouse, scrolls in hand and set to record, made the young woman feel a bit underutilized. It wasn't until she spotted Naruto walking towards the main gate that she understood the reason why Salem had taken a sudden interest. Cinder really couldn't help the smirk that formed on her face; they were about to witness quite the show.

"Maybe I won't be so bored after all."

Raven wasn't going to lie, she was a little depressed with her own capabilities to not be able to find her son until she saw him walking into a heavily fortified warehouse with his Faunus partner; to apparently save his unknown sister and the rest of his friends from the White Fang. She ended up landing on the roof just across the street and well as of everyone's line of sight, holding her side when her sudden transformation and the stress from a long flight sent a jolt of pain through her already injured body. The sound of somebody dropping to the ground next to her didn't even phase Raven, not even when it was revealed to be Qrow.

"I take it you saw the announcement?" Qrow asked, crossing his arms as he too stared out to what would soon become a battlefield, but Raven just shook her head and took out the now torn picture of her son.

"The same thing happened the day that Summer went missing, I've been searching for him for the last few hours," was Raven's reply as she stuff the picture back into the folds of her outfit and resisted the urge to go charging down there and just begin butchering random White Fang members.

"I know that look, but you do know what will happen if you go down there, right?"

"I'm aware of what may happen, but every fiber of my being is telling me to ignore logic and save my kids; maybe even save their friends to," Raven growled out through clenched teeth, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her sword even when Qrow reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.

"That's what they would call parental instincts; which apparently you still possess to some frightening degree," Qrow always did try and lighten the mood with rather depressing jokes, but that usually work more for Tai and Summer.

"There has to be something I can do, but I can't figure out what it is. This was always Summer's thing, coming up with plans on the spot, I'm better just charging in and bulldozing anyone that gets to my way."

"You stay up here and keep watch, I'll head down and see what I can figure out and then give you a call. Please don't do anything crazy after I leave," with that said, Qrow transformed back into a bird and flew down towards the command tent, leaving behind one very agitated sister.

"Naruto, please be careful."

Upon arriving at the perimeter of the warehouse, Naruto and Blake were greeted by the majority of the White Fang forces forming what looked to be a mix between a mob and a firing line; with Adam apparently standing right out in front of it all. Upon looking up, Naruto's crimson eyes made contact with Yang's concerned filled scarlet ones, which he did find rather odd for the briefest of moments considering the rest of her semblance wasn't raging about. It would also seem the other members of their group had awoken and had been actively struggling to break free of their bindings just moments before noticing Naruto and Blake's arrival.

"I was wondering if you would show up, beloved. It seems your time among the lesser species has strengthened your spine just a bit when compared to the last time we enjoyed each other's company," Adam's voice cut through the air like a hot knife, it took all of Blake's willpower not to flinch when he called her that name she hated oh so much.

"Oh, so you're the ex," Naruto replied back in kind, his voice was mocking and filled with the kind of arrogance that would make even Cardin Winchester want to punch him in the face, "I have to say, I can see why she left you."

"Oh, so my beloved talks about me with her new pets, I'm flattered," Adam replied, though there was a subtle undertone of irritation in the red haired Faunus' voice.

"I don't see why, she told me you were a bull Faunus, but all I see standing before me is a chicken. I mean really, instead of handling rejection like a man you go on this big old hunt for her like some rabid dog? Talk about a serious stalker. No wonder she wanted to be rid of you, especially after I heard how small minded you are about some things," Naruto mocked even more, holding up his fingers as if to pinch something rather tiny, "Then, just to get her attention, you kidnap all of her friends and throw this big old tantrum. I mean really, how could you get any more pathetic?"

"I'd be very careful about what you say next human," by now the smile was cleanly wiped from Adam's face and he looked to be right on the edge of snapping, "Before I order you to be gunned down right in front of everyone watching, including your little girlfriend up there."

"Adam, please stop this…" Blake tried, putting on the timid act rather well.

"Clearly your little spies gave you the wrong information," OK, so maybe Naruto was enjoying himself a bit too much; playing the villainous douchebag was rather entertaining.

"Oh yea, how so?" Adam would soon regret asking that question.

Without any kind of warning at all, not the planets even the stars aligning, Naruto's hand suddenly tangled around Blake's waist as he pulled her in close and claimed her lips in possible the most toe curling kiss the Faunus girl had ever received in her entire life. This may have been her plan to royally piss off Adam, make him make a mistake in a fit of rage, but for just the briefest of moments everything around her faded away and she was in her own little blissful world. Of course that all ended when Naruto suddenly broke the kiss, twirled around with his sword already being drawn and blocked a familiar crimson blade from removing his head from the rest of his body.

"Oh I'm sorry, did that bother you?" a solid and sudden kick to the stomach sent Adam back a few yards, not to mention with everyone now focused on Naruto, Blake made a quick yet brief clone of herself and slipped out of sight.

"I'll kill you, I'll kill you both!" Adam shouted, raising his hand to give the signal for everyone to fire, but naturally Naruto couldn't let that happen.

"Then do it yourself, with your own hands, instead of hiding behind others like the edgy little bitch you are!" Naruto mocked even more, re-sheathing his sword but keeping his hand on the hilt regardless, "Unless you really are just a little chicken."

"Shut up. Shut up shut up SHUT UP!" Adam charged in without a second thought; Blake really did have his personality pegged properly, but now it was time for Naruto to focus.

While Naruto and Adam clashed, drawing everyone's attention to such a large spectacle, Blake ran through the maze of shipping containers that lines the outside of the warehouse. Shadows became her friends as she snuck behind White Fang members too preoccupied by the fight the pay attention to their surroundings; a trait that was becoming more and more pronounced as newer and less trained members were being added to their ranks. So it didn't really take her all that long the circle around them all end find a nice easy way to get to the roof of the warehouse where all her friends were being held, guarded by only two Faunus that were also watching the battle more than doing their jobs. It took her a moment to get closer, silently drawing her weapon, and in a flash of movement Blake struck hard and struck fast.

"Blake!" it was Ruby that shouted her name, an odd mix of surprise and mind numbing relief filled her silver eyes, but Blake just shushed her as quickly as she could.

"Don't be so loud, Faunus have good hearing remember?" Ruby nodded her head slowly, she was rather done at this point, "Good, now hold still while I cut you guys loose."

"Blake," Yang suddenly spoke up, her tone hauntingly empty, "After all this is over, we need to talk."

"Right"

"We need to get down there and help Naruto," was the first thing Pyrrha suggested the moment her bindings were cut, looking the most pissed off anyone could recall seeing her.

"That's not part of the plan," Blake cut her off with a small shake of her head, "Naruto's stalling for time so we can get you all to safety. The best thing we can do to help him is to get out of here."

"He's outnumbered down there, we can't just leave him," Ruby tried to argue.

"Blake's right," despite everything going on, Yang still had faith in her partners, "Besides, I get the feeling that while he's outnumbered, these bastards are outmatched."

Sure enough, back out in front of everyone else, Naruto was matching Adam strike for strike and was grinning the whole time. They moved around the small clearing with blurring speed, most could only see them vanish from one spot and reappear in another, but the next time they clashed the two sword wielders entered a blade lock. Even without seeing Adam's eyes, Naruto could still practically taste his bloodlust growing more and more out of control. Blake has certainly been right about the fastest and easiest way to set him off.

"Hm, is that the best you can do?" Naruto hummed, like he was talking to a child trying to hit him with a toy sword, "I have to say I expected more from such a high ranking member of the White Fang. Or should I say former member; after all why wouldn't they cut you loose after such a stupid public stunt such as this?"

"All you do is talk, I'll cut out your filthy human tongue!" Adam broke the blade lock and took a swing at Naruto's head, only for Naruto's free hand to reach out and catch the hilt of Adam's sword; this was then followed by another vicious hit to the gut.

"My filthy human tongue. Now why does it have to be human, why can't it just be a tongue, or are you just prejudice against humans in general. You know, from the way you talk, you sound like one of those human supremacy guys they always write about.

Adam slowly got back to his feet, using his own blade to help himself stand while a bit of blood leaked out of his mouth, "I have had enough, kill him!"

Naruto froze for a moment, as in his entire mind shut down, when he realized he was still surrounded on all sides by some heavily armed White Fang thugs. They had all their weapons trained on him, had no doubt been itching to join in, and were now give the order to do just that. So, to sum it all up, Naruto had just one word to say to this new found position her currently found himself in.

"Fuck."

The bullets came in one massive wave on continuous fire, with everything the White Fang had unloaded upon one single target with enough force to kick up quite the dust clout and obscure Naruto's form. It was only after every single round was spent that the firing finally stopped, meaning the dust could finally settle, and when it did many of them couldn't believe their eyes. For standing there, with not a single scratch on him, was Naruto but with faint traces of odd looking energy slowly soaking back into his skin.

"Well my semblance has never done that before," Naruto grunted to himself before turning his gaze towards the nearest White Fang member and gave him the scariest smile he'd ever seen, "My turn!"

The man didn't even get a chance to react before he found a knife buried in his throat, courtesy of Naruto naturally, and his death signaled all hell breaking loose. With no ammo left for their ranged weapons, the White Fang soldiers had no choice but to go in with whatever melee weapons they had. This suited Naruto just fine, he was more skilled at close range fighting anyway. What was supposed to be the slaughter of one teenage boy turned into a deadly dance the likes of which Adam had never seen before; from his current position observing his loyal soldiers getting massacred.

The police watched from a distance, Cinder watched from her own position, and even Raven watched with a bit of pride in her eyes. Unfortunately his friends, who were sneaking towards the exit, also caught a glimpse of Naruto butchering Faunus after Faunus with a ferocity and skill they never even imagined he possessed. Naruto chased them from side to side, always keeping as many of them to his front as he possibly could, and even managed to kill a Faunus with a short sword before stealing said sword to now duel wield. One of them managed to find just a bit more ammo, load it into their weapon, and by the time they managed to take aim he found a short sword flying through the air and into his throat; it almost decapitated him.

Body after body splashed against the now blood stained concrete, littered with severed limbs and spilled guts, until only a panting and blood soaked Naruto stood surrounded by a circle of corpses. Adam had yet to move from his own position, his mind couldn't comprehend how one teenager could slaughter so many of his best troops, and thus he stood there frozen with only his sword in hand.

"Run," the word reached across the distance between the two sword wielders and gripped Adam's heard like a vice, waking his mind and bringing him back to reality, "Run away, try and escape me, I want to see how far you'll get."

Adam wanted to attack, every fiber of his being was telling him to attack, but unfortunately he was about to be forced to play Naruto's little game when several bullheads came to a halt over them both, "THIS IS THE VALE POLICE DEPARTMENT, LAY YOUR WEAPON DOWN ON THE GROUND!"

"What's it gonna be little chicken?!" Naruto shouted over the wind being kicked up by the bullheads, pointing his katana at the redhead with that same mocking smile on his face.

"Shut up!" all manner of self preservation went out the window and Adam charged, blocking the hail of bullets that came at him from the bullheads and charging up his semblance.

Adam knew that if he didn't take out the bullheads then they would be nothing but a problem and fortunately his semblance was charged just enough to do that. With a war-cry of epic proportion, Adam swung his sword and let off a wave of energy strong enough to completely decimate both bullheads, but he made a mistake. That mistake was simple, one that he found out when his chest exploded in pain. He should have aimed for Naruto. Naruto's sword, that was now on fire of all things, had been shoved through Adam's chest and was now burning him from the inside out. Slowly reaching out, Naruto took Adam's mask off and looked into his eyes and the life slowly left the Faunus.

"No…" was all Adam could get out, Naruto sliding his sword free and letting the now lifeless body drop to the cold hard ground with a dull thud.

"You don't fuck with my pack," Naruto pocketed Adam's masked, sheathed his own sword, and then bent down to collect his opponent's fallen weapon; to the victor go the spoils.

The day was finally over, it was time to rest.

Ozpin watched from his office computer, a small smile playing across his lips as if he'd finally come to some great realization. He couldn't believe he'd been so blind, that he hadn't seen the similarities, but there was no mistaking it now. Either Qrow had lied to him, which he knew the man wouldn't, or Raven was a better actor than he gave her credit for. Look how splendid her son had turned out to be, the skill he had, the ferocity, the loyalty of his father and the killer instinct of his mother.

"Very well done, Mr. Branwen. Very well done indeed," Ozpin hummed to himself as he entered in a few more keys and sent a coded message to the head of police, "Now to insure you remain out of the spotlight, for now at least. You might just be my best piece yet."

Ok, so truth time, I hate righting long and drawn out fight scenes. If this was an anime or something then that would be one thing, but I'm so much more comfy writing plot than large action. On the plus side, Adam's dead. So R&R if you would be so kind and, as always, I'm open to new ideas. Also I was thing of doing an RWBY reacts story for this one, so let me know what you all think about that little idea.