Hey there, everyone! Hope you all had a great Christmas.
Now that said, I know I did and not just because of my time with family and friends; I seriously thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of the favorites and follows this story has received thus far. Already, it outstrips pretty much all of my other fics and to think it's only 8 actual chapters in as of now! Seriously, I cannot thank you guys enough for that.
Now to the guest reviewer from the previous chapter: well to be blunt, this is a sequel to a previous fic after all, one that already focuses on non-Naruto elements, so it's to be expected that this fic in turn will have little in the way of shinobi elements, so to speak. Sorry if this somehow comes off as sounding condescending, because I really don't intend to sound that way, but that's how it is. Whatever you do from now on – reading this fic or dropping it – is up to you and I'll respect that decision no matter what.
That aside though, from here on out things really will be changing from the RWBY timeline and you can expect to start actually seeing the RWBY characters start getting into the limelight more often once I further build a few things in this fic. So to that end, please be patient with me.
Now onto the chapter!
Chapter 8
Ryuichi sighed, taking a moment to massage his temple. "This wasn't quite what I had wanted to happen…" he muttered.
From beside him, his wife Mari gently patted him on the back of his shoulder. "But it's how things have to go right? After all, they did see and hear quite a bit."
"Yeah…" Ryuichi conceded without much of a fight.
"Besides, it's more important that you two and the students are alright," Naruto said, sitting from across the table that Ryuichi and Mari sat at. To his sides sat Miki and Hanako, who nodded in agreement.
"But I never would've thought another Holy Knight would make an appearance this soon after the first one…" Miki then said. It seemed way too soon for the Holy Knights to seemingly start mobilizing, or at least it felt that way to her. And it worried her greatly because if they were already on the move this quickly and one of them was able to go up against Ryuichi of all people…
"U-Uhmmm…" She and the others were broken from their thoughts when they looked to the other people in the room. Standing towards the wall of the spacious office they all were in, teams RWBY and JNPR stood there looking very much uncomfortable. Even the normally lively Nora of the latter team seemed to hold her tongue. The one who had just spoke though was none other than Ruby, the youngest of the group nervously raising her hand to get their attention. "So just why are we here, professor Namikaze?" she squeaked out.
No longer in his little 'disguise' for today's main event, Naruto's more casual appearance really threw both teams there off, especially since he wasn't quite suppressing his mana, thereby unintentionally making both teams feel like they're being slowly crushed under a mountain just from the sheer pressure of his 'presence.' That being said, it seemed that not even this overwhelming presence of his stopped Yang from looking appreciatively over his clearly not scrawny form, eyeing his slim yet muscled physique not so subtly.
"Because after what had happened at the port, there's no way you four are just going to leave this matter alone," Naruto calmly answered. He and his wife and friends have read the files Beacon had on team RWBY thus far and knew for a fact how they were like. Once something caught their eyes, the girls weren't exactly going to just let it go, no matter how much it might be in their best interest not to pursue it.
"Then, uh…" Jaune now began, getting his attention. Unlike Ruby, who sounded nervous because of Naruto's sudden focus on her, he sounded a bit 'out of it' because he was trying not to eye Miki too much. She's always been considered by the student body to be a very attractive woman, but seeing her in her usual 'out of work' dress made her look stunning, what with the way it hugged her slender yet clearly muscular body. "Why are we here then?"
"Because." Naruto's voice took on a flatter quality. "They would've told you what was going on anyway once this meeting is over." He pointed to team RWBY, all of whom had the decency to look sheepish. He was right after all. Although it's only been a few weeks since the semester started, teams RWBY and JNPR already had a strong bond of friendship between them, enough for Blake to have given her teammates permission just the other day to tell team JNPR that she was a Faunus. If they were such good friends that such a personal detail could be exchanged between them, then Naruto and the others highly doubted team RWBY would keep this meeting a secret.
"But don't worry," Hanako now spoke, as cheerful as always. "This isn't going to be something to be nervous about."
"Oh I highly doubt that."
The doors to the room suddenly opened and in walked in both Ozpin and Glynda, the latter of the two looking less than pleased. That she had just spoken wasn't needed for the teams to understand that she wasn't happy at all. "If it were up to me, I'd ensure all of you would never step foot in this office under such… circumstances."
Both teams flinched at her words. But there was still some form of protest. "But… it was unavoidable that we'd get caught up in the situation," Blake, ever the rational one of team RWBY most of the times, spoke. "After all, it's not as if the fight was one we could simply avoid."
And she had a point there. With the abilities both Ryuichi and Heracles had demonstrated, there was absolutely no way anyone would've been able to stay out of it. Blake was certain, having seen them actually fight, that if the fight had gone on the city would've been reduced to rubble in no time.
"That still doesn't make it right for students to get involved," Glynda retorted without hesitation. She personally has never engaged in any battles against a magus, but like Ozpin, she's been witness to some battles between magi and right away she knew that no one hunter or huntress would be a much for one, much less the students of Beacon. Although her expression and voice radiated nothing but annoyance, she genuinely was concerned for both teams' safety if they really are going to get involved in this.
"Glynda…" Ozpin said, his calmness a stark contrast with her current mood. He said nothing further. Not a single word. His expression didn't even change. But immediately, everyone could see the headmaster's right-hand assistant almost literally 'deflate,' her temper soothed for now. And it was with this sight, that the headmaster spoke once more. "While I do understand where she is coming from," he began, pausing to take a sip from his seemingly ever present cup of coffee. "I can also understand why you all will need to be here for this meeting too. So as long as you don't cause a ruckus… you can stay and, if need be, help out in the future."
That seemed to make both teams look up at him in surprise. "Really?" Yang spoke, doing so on behalf of pretty much everyone. She put her hands on her hips. "I'd have thought you'd be a bit more… opposed to this, professor. Not that any of us are gonna complain."
"Well, it's certainly better than denying you of this and risk having you all sneaking behind our backs to do something," Ozpin said bluntly, taking another sip of his coffee. He allowed himself a smile when they winced at his words. Then he turned to the magi in the room. "So just when will this meeting be starting?" he asked them.
"Well, Yuko and the others are apparently already on the way here; they're catching a ride here," Miki said. "As for Masami, apparently she's taking her own personal transport here, but it's lagging just a bit."
Ozpin nodded. "I see. Then if it's alright, I think I and Glynda will be staying for this meeting too." Strictly speaking, this was a meeting meant solely for the magi. Teams RWBY and JNPR were the exceptions because of team RWBY's unintentional involvement and team JNPR's friendship with said team.
"By all means…" Mari said with a casual smile. "Just pull up a chair or something. Though we're still going to have to wait a while for everyone to arrive."
Ozpin simply chuckled. "Waiting is hardly a chore in this situation."
And it was with those words that he and Glynda took a seat at the table. Glynda even used her semblance to conjure up some chairs for the teams to use too. No point in having the students stand around after all.
Now it was simply a matter of waiting for the ball to finally start rolling.
Elsewhere, on a private Bullhead heading for Beacon Academy, Takehiko was sitting peacefully in the back of said Bullhead. He wasn't alone though; also seated were Katsu, Daisuke, and Yuko, the woman having called up Takehiko to give her a ride, to which he had obliged without too much of a hassle.
"We're almost there, sir," said the pilot over the intercom.
"Good," Takehiko replied, having his own intercom to speak with said pilot. Switching it off, he turned slightly to Daisuke, who had fallen asleep earlier. "Wake up, we'll be landing soon."
A little disgruntled, Daisuke slowly woke up. "Already…?"
Ignoring him now, Takehiko took this moment to address Katsu and Yuko. "I'm surprised you were able to find the time to come to this meeting. Don't you have certain duties to attend to, Katsu? And you as well, Yuko. You're a teacher, after all…"
"Finding others to split my duties with is easy enough to do," Katsu replied first. "And it's not as if I am all that busy to begin with."
"Then why are you still dressed in your uniform?" Takehiko asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Because it's quite comfortable despite its appearance. And one never knows when one will be attacked." The big man then cocked his head to the side. "If anything, I should be asking you that; you're still wearing those designer clothes of yours."
"Well you certainly have me there," Takehiko replied in good humor. "And you?" He now addressed Yuko.
Said woman simply shrugged. "There's plenty of other good teachers there to cover for me. And besides, the headmaster said that despite me being 'new' to the school, I've been working quite hard and have earned some time off," she explained.
"I see. Rather ironic in a way since you did create that school," Takehiko spoke as he reclined his seat a bit. "That said… just what do you think of these Holy Knights?" His question was directed to all of his fellow passengers rather than just one of them.
"Honestly, I think I'll withhold my opinion until we actually start the meeting," Yuko said.
"I agree," Katsu chipped in, nodding. "As it is, we have very little information on them, so any opinions we have of them is already bound to be vague as it is. For now, we should just get to the meeting and simply plan out our collective move from there."
"Mhm…" Daisuke, now awake, stifled a yawn. "Yeah, that's right Take-yan. No real point in asking us that now of all times."
"Hmmm…" Takehiko pondered their words and quickly found no real reason to try and press the point. And to be fair, even he had only asked them half-heartedly. "Very well then. Until the meeting."
With those words spoken, the others made slight noises of agreement. As it was, they were already near Beacon Academy. Waiting another ten minutes or so to discuss the Holy Knights wasn't something to fret over much.
They just simply hope that this whole situation will ultimately pass by in relative haste.
Elsewhere, Heracles was sighing slightly.
"It's unlike you to be so… down," Indra spoke, taking note of Heracles' somewhat somber mood. "Surely, you're not that upset over such an attack?"
"Hardly," Heracles muttered as he conversed with his fellow Holy Knight back at their base. Sitting in what could possibly be called their little 'break' room, he was leaning back in his specially made chair. Even then, his massive frame caused it to bend slightly. "If anything, I'm quite impressed by how Thor had gotten me so focused on him that I was unable to account for a possible surprise attack. Especially when his wife's attack had proven most painful."
At that, Indra shrugged almost helplessly. "A valid point, though it's not as if it pierced your skin. But that aside, just what is the matter then?"
"Ha ha, nothing to worry over. I'm simply a little saddened our fight had to end so soon. Though our exchange was very brief, Thor proved to be much more powerful and dangerous than Jormungandr and that's without even summoning his magical weapon too. So I had been very much looking forward to forcing him to use Mjolnir," Heracles explained. "And that's certainly true; the arrow hardly pierced my skin." As if to prove this, he stood up and turned his back to Indra, lifting up the back of his shirt to show where Mari had shot him. Upon his heavily muscled back, there was not so much as a single blemish or scratch, showing the younger Holy Knight just how little of an effect Mari's arrow had had on him.
This only spoke volumes as to his sheer resiliency. Even when the arrow really had sent him flying at lightning speed to the next continent over, not even that crash had left any real visible damage on him. Although it had taken him a while to figure out where he was at, it had ultimately been child's play for the lion Faunus to make his way back to base and with his head held high; after all, he had completed his goal of stalling long enough for Roman and the White Fang to get away. As a result, Cinder and by extension her master had gotten their hands on a substantial amount of Dust.
Still, being a fighter at heart, this 'success' did little to lift his mood. "My only real solace is that right now the ancient magi will likely be meeting to figure out how to combat us."
"Mhm." Indra nodded in agreement. It certainly seemed like the most likely course of action to be undertaken. "To think they were so powerful too… and the truly mind boggling thought is that it's Fenrir who is the most powerful of them all."
Those last few words did seem to somewhat bolster Heracles' spirit, evident by his now growing grin. "True. The 'ultimate magus' as he is called… according to the captain, not even the other ancient magi can compare to him…" Now that thought did get his blood boiling in excitement. If Thor and his wife, Sif, could prove such a challenge already, then he was truly eager to see for himself the sort of power Fenrir can display.
But there was more to wanting to fight Fenrir than simply his own battlelust; it was Fenrir that he and the second seat were partially designed to fight anyway.
Indra chuckled. "Honestly, I find it hard to believe. Don't get me wrong, I believe the captain when he says it, but even then… the thought of such a powerful being existing is simply insane."
"Ha, perhaps. But I certainly wouldn't complain." Heracles then paused as he sat back down. Then when he spoke again, he changed the subject. "Hmm, come to think of it too, just where are the others at? Hard at work taking care of other things, I presume?"
"It would appear so. Lugh though, is currently training with his weapon, Areadbhar, I believe it's called," Indra replied after thinking for a moment. "The last I checked in with him, his skill has been growing in leaps and bounds, so he's well underway to being prepared for fighting an ancient magus. To be expected of our fifth seat though."
"Mhm, and what of the others?" Heracles then asked.
However, before Indra could respond, the room was suddenly filled with dry laughter. "If you're so intrigued as to what we're doing, how about you get up and find us yourself?" said a raspy voice as a new person entered the room.
Said arrival was a man, a tall one at that. Dressed in the same uniform as his fellow Holy Knights, he looked quite thin, even sickly due to how pale his skin was, though people would be wrong in thinking this; though he was indeed thin, he possessed a well trained frame, born from many years of training and battle. With white hair that was swept back into a shoulder length ponytail, the clearly older man eyed Heracles and Indra with his piercing blue eyes.
"Didn't think you'd be back already though. Weren't you supposed to be gone longer?" the older man asked of Heracles.
Heracles simply laughed. "Apophis. You should know me well enough, old friend, that I never take long in anything I do."
Apophis, who is none other than the second seat among the Holy Knights, simply shook his head. Yet he smiled all the while. "I suppose so." He paused for a minute as he looked over the much larger man. "Still, I must say, something seems a little off about you… have you actually been injured?" He sounded incredulous, as if such a thing was too hard for him to fathom.
"Hardly. Nothing more than a minute scratch," Heracles replied with but a wave of the hand, dismissing his friend's question.
"Well, if you say so," Apophis said, shrugging. "So just what is this little conversation of yours about, eh? The ancient magi?"
"Mainly what their next move could be," Indra spoke. "What do you think it'd be?"
"Honestly, if I were them, I'd simply stay put for now," Apophis answered. "From their perspective, we're very much an unknown fighting force. All they do know is that we're more or less opposed to them and have the power to challenge them. But aside from those two simple facts, all they can do is speculate and try to think of ways to act on that, which is simply impossible. At any rate, all they can do is adopt a 'wait and see' approach until we finally launch our next move." Apophis' explanation was delivered immediately and with complete certainty. Having fought against many foes back in his younger days, be it humans or Faunus during criminal skirmishes or the Grimm, he's accumulated a wealth of battle experience that only honed his mind and body. Thinking tactically from the perspective of the enemy was an easy enough task for him to do and one that none of the Holy Knights had ever questioned.
So it was with his words spoken that Indra nodded. "I see! So in that respect, we certainly hold the advantage."
Apophis nodded. "Indeed. But until the captain gives the order, we are to simply keep on preparing, lest he needs us to do a little odd job here and there like Heracles had to do."
"But of course…" Indra nodded yet again. "That said, I'll make it a point to also see how Kalma is doing." He looked rather thoughtful now. "Now that I think of her, she's probably still resting in that little room of hers. I can never quite understand why she prefers such a dark and dreary room…"
At that, Heracles hummed in agreement. "Perhaps it's simply to her tastes… or perhaps it's due to her own 'little' weapon."
"True…" Indra muttered, still thinking.
Kalma. She was the sixth seat of the Holy Knights, ranking just above him in that regard. Being roughly around the same age as him if not a little younger, it was easier for him to get along with her than the other knights, though that isn't to say he's lacking in camaraderie with the other ones. That said, he was usually the one to check up on her. So it was on this note that he silently reminded himself to check on her later.
"Well then," Apophis spoke up. "How about we turn in early for the day? After all, we're going to be busy in the coming weeks, it'd seem."
"But of course…" Heracles agreed.
Indra himself nodded as well. And so it was with their agreement that the three knights got up and left the room, not seemingly worried at all about what could come next.
Back at Beacon Academy though, teams RWBY and JNPR were feeling pretty worried and with reason they would say if asked.
The other guests that team magi and Ozpin and Glynda had been waiting for had finally shown up and were now seated at the table.
However, it seemed like most of them were focused on the two teams, Takehiko, Katsu, and Masami – who had arrived just a few minutes after the others had – looking at them almost inquisitively. Well, the first two looked inquisitive; Masami simply looked amused by both team's reactions to being in the presence of so many magi.
"Just why are they here?" Takehiko asked Naruto, pointing to the teams.
He received an answer from Ryuichi instead. "It's because they accidentally got caught up in all of this." Then he took several minutes to explain the whole situation to everyone there.
Needless to say, they were all surprised, including teams RWBY and JNPR as well; they had no idea that Ryuichi had been trailing Blake for so long.
As if noticing this about them, Ryuichi turned to them with an apologetic smile on his face, though it was mainly aimed at the cat Faunus herself. "Sorry, Ms. Belladonna, but it's our duty to watch over all of Beacon's students. And although you probably weren't considering yourself one at the time, that still applies to you too."
"I… I see…" Blake lamely replied, unable to really form words. On the one hand, it felt weird to learn that she's been followed for all the days she's been wandering around Vale. On the other hand, it felt kind of nice to now know that no one in this room cared she was a Faunus and one who had once been a part of the White Fang at that too.
"If anything," Yuko then spoke, running a hand through her pale hair. "This is kind of a blessing in disguise, isn't it?"
Katsu nodded in agreement. Folding his arms across his chest, he spoke. "It could be. Since she was once a member of the White Fang, she could provide us with information as to how they really do their operations. Although the group has most likely shifted gears since she's left them, they must still follow a very similar approach to matters," he explained.
"Ah, but perhaps it would be best if we ask her first, rather than just decide on our own, yes?" Masami then spoke. "Because the way you speak of it, you make it sound like she has no choice but to tell us… and as they're her former comrades, giving away such information would certainly be hard of on her. Isn't that right, Ms. Belladonna?"
Blake and the others could only look mystified at Masami, all of them somewhat entranced by her beauty, but ultimately they were able to shake off the 'spell' and Blake was able to answer. "While it would be… kind of painful to speak of them," she began. "I just can't agree with their changed goals nor the fact they're working with that Torchwick guy… so it isn't too much of a hassle."
"A-Ah, and we'll land a hand too if you need our help!" Ruby hastily added immediately after Blake finished speaking. "I-I mean, I don't know how much good we'll be against these guys, but…"
This got a bit of a chuckle out of Daisuke, who actually opened his usually closed eyes. "Ah ha, you're a bit of a cute one, aren't you Ru-chan?" he commented.
"U-Uhm," Jaune now tried to speak as he and his teammates watched Ruby go red in the face. "We're willing to lend a hand too if it's needed… can't let our friends fight the good fight on their own he said." He really did want to help out. Though he was going through a tough time right now, what with the little improvement he's been making through his training, he really did want to help out. Inherently, he was indeed a very good and even brave person at heart, though his abilities weren't quite up to snuff as he'd often think.
Smiling, Pyrrha patted him on the shoulder. "Yes. As our leader just said, please let us help too," she spoke confidently.
From beside her, Ren nodded, a small smile on his face. As for Nora, the girl whooped, as if she was an excited kid getting ready for a really lively party.
Although their backs were turned to both teams right now, Ozpin had a small smile on his face. Glynda was shaking her head, muttering just under her breath how dangerous this could for them. And yet if one looked closely enough, she too sported a small smile.
"Hmm, I see then." Takehiko himself actually looked pretty pleased as well. "Well then, we'll be relying on you every now and then, I suppose," he said to both teams.
"That all said," Miki now spoke, immediately getting everyone's attention. "Just what do we do now about these Holy Knights? I mean, I hate to bring this up… but all we know for sure about them are that they are out to fight us and that they seem to have the power to possibly match us too."
"Well, except for Naruto-kun," Masami then said with a smile. "I highly doubt these troublemakers have anyone who could match him."
"Err, that's pretty flattering, Masami," Naruto then replied, a little sheepish. "But I'm pretty sure that sooner or later there may be someone who could put up a good fight…"
"Ne, I'm kind of doubting that, Nami-yan," Daisuke said in good humor. "I mean, you did beat Odin all those centuries ago. And that's pretty damn impressive."
"Mhm, Master sure is powerful…" Hanako said with a pout, her arms folded under her breasts. "So much so I hardly see any action anymore…" Her pout deepened.
This only drew looks of sheer confusion from the two teams while all of the magi and Ozpin and Glynda simply nodded in agreement with Hanako. "She's Naruto's magical weapon," Ryuichi then explained to the two teams.
They all let out a collective 'oh' and looked satisfied with the answer. Until. "Wait, what's a magical weapon?" Jaune asked.
"We'll have to answer that later, Jaune," Ozpin then spoke up, for the first time in the meeting. "For now, let's try and focus on the original purpose of this meeting."
"But of course…" Katsu agreed. "That said, Miki here does raise a very valid point; we know so little about these so called Holy Knights that to come up with any meaningful strategy is nearly pointless." He stifled a growl of annoyance as he spoke. After all, if there was one thing that was always vital to battle, it was information. Information or lack of it could prove a pivotal point in anything, especially when in conflict, where it could potentially save a life or end it.
"Not quite," Masami then spoke. "From what you three," she said, motioning towards Katsu, Takehiko, and Daisuke. "explained in addition to what Ryuichi said, these people clearly use an artificial form of mana and have weapons that are similar to magical weapons… yet aren't magical weapons at all. That alone can tell us plenty."
She took a deep breath and then proceeded to talk some more. "From that information, we can discern that clearly they weren't always the way they were, or rather, that they aren't magi in any capacity. In all likelihood, they required experimentation to achieve the abilities they have, making them more like pseudo magi than anything else. Therefore, while their physical abilities would seem on par with our own, they will most likely lack the naturally long lifespans and regeneration that they have."
At that, Ryuichi nodded. "Yeah, not only that, but now that Masami mentions it, something else we need to consider is just what they've been trying to do so far. That Indra guy attacked you three with the intention of essentially scoping you out, testing your abilities. The one I fight, as battle thirsty as he was, was there to serve as back up for the White Fang and Roman Torchwick. So in some way or another, these Holy Knights are connected to them."
"So much for the 'Holy' part of their titles…" Yuko muttered. It didn't take a genius to know that Roman Torchwick was bad news and that the White Fang, considering their extreme methods, were far from saints either. That these Holy Knights might be lending aid to them said a lot about them.
The other magi sat in silence, digesting all that was just said.
"Certainly there is all of that to consider," Glynda now spoke, much to the surprise of some. She ignored their looks and adjusted her glasses that were sliding down her face a bit. "But that still doesn't seem to let us form a real strategy against them."
"Perhaps," Katsu then spoke. "But listening to Masami, we could now at least form some kind of counter attack against them when they next show their faces. I understand that such a reactionary approach to this is less than pleasing, but better something than nothing."
"Meh, I'm still a little more worried about their weapons though," Daisuke now spoke, looking serious. "I mean, they may not have magical weapons like us, but whatever they're using as a substitute is powerful enough to more or less match us anyway."
"So… then would that make these weapons just as hard to destroy?" Miki now questioned. "If so, then unless they have some sort of inherent structural weakness, then there probably is no real way to counter them, right?" She hated to be the potential devil's advocate to forming some sort of counter, but it had to be said.
Beside her, her husband pondered this quite seriously. "You know, that's a very good point. A very vital one too. If these weapons of theirs do have some kind of weakness, then wouldn't it also help us to hypothesize what it could be? Granted, it'll still be speculation in the end until the next battle, but still…" Naruto shrugged helplessly as he tried to contribute to the discussion.
"Hmm, well if or when another Holy Knight appears, if I'm around I could always use Mimisbrunner on their weapons to see what I can figure out," Hanako then offered.
That right there made the magi feel better in addition to Ozpin and Glynda who were in the know on their abilities.
The two teams still standing about, however, were very much in the dark. "Ren, Ren," Nora whispered not quite quietly. "Do you know what they're saying?" she asked with child-like wonder.
"No clue…" the black haired teen honestly replied.
"But it does sound very interesting," Pyrrha then chipped in. Seriousness aside, what the magi were talking about sounded unlike anything she's ever heard of before.
"Yeah…" Jaune agreed.
While team JNPR continued to quietly talk amongst themselves in regards to the terms the magi were using, team RWBY seemed more concerned about the actual topic the magi were discussing. "Whoa nelly…" Yang began, an awkward smile on her face. "These Holy Knights must be pretty tough if they're this into the talking," she commented.
"If you had seen even a little of the battle between Mr. Sumeragi and that guy that I saw," Blake began. "You'd understand why this is such a serious matter."
Yang held up her hands as if to placate her. It wasn't exactly hard to not notice the somewhat clipped tone in which the cat Faunus spoke. "Whoa, I believe they're tough. After all, we were standing right in front of him." At the memory of that particular moment, Yang couldn't help but shiver a bit. It'd be a long time before she could forget the sheer power that seemed to radiate off of Heracles and threatened to crush her and everyone else.
"B-But do you think we'll really be able to help?" Ruby asked, now uncertain. She knew she had offered the help of her team to the magi, but hearing the magi continue to talk so seriously was somewhat beginning to make her question her own judgment call.
"Well, it's too late; you've already offered and they've already accepted," Weiss now said. "And while I do disagree with you so suddenly offering our help without our permission, we're just going to have to bite the bullet, I suppose." She folded her arms across her chest and gave the young leader of the team a poignant glare, immediately squashing whatever Ruby might've said to try and refute her point.
So it was with a lowered head and a sheepish smile that Ruby simply nodded. "Okay, good point…"
And so it was with these words spoke that the two teams continued to watch as the magi continued to talk amongst themselves well into the evening. Even as they asked for the opinions of the two teams in addition to Ozpin and Glynda, the magi seemed to not be stopping this meeting any time soon at all.
Elsewhere, Cinder watched with a triumphant smirk as the White Fang members working under Roman were hard at work loading a small dust plane with the Dust stolen from the port. It hadn't quite been as much Dust as she had expected, but it was still a substantial amount at any rate. Her master would be pleased by that.
As it is, she's already informed him of the success and was now awaiting the Dust's arrival. Soon enough his experiments with Dust will be underway again.
Of course, that said, the apprentice couldn't quite help but wonder just what was next. Having heard from Roman loudly complain about the difficulties of the operation in addition to Ryuichi's surprise appearance, Cinder had to wonder just what her master would request the Holy Knights to do next. As it is, there's no way the ancient magi are going to be idle anymore after Ryuichi had fought Heracles, but still… Cinder had to wonder now just how the ancient magi will respond. Although their options are indeed limited given the lack of information on the Holy Knights, Cinder didn't quite share the same confidence that the Holy Knights had. After all, these are the ancient magi they're talking about. Their skill, experience, and power are simply on another level compared to others. To underestimate them would be fatal.
"We've finished loading," one member of the White Fang reported.
"Good. Send it on its way then. You already know where to," Cinder replied. "Ah, and would you happen to know just where Mercury and Emerald have gone off to?"
"I believe they're still trying to tie up a few… loose ends," the White Fang member said.
"Ah, of course…" Cinder then dismissed the man so that he could go back to his duties. She inwardly sighed. So caught up she had been just now with her current thoughts that she had actually forgot that her two little right hand minions were out taking care of former White Fang members. The organization hated it when members upped and left. If she recalled correctly now, their most recent target is named Tuskon, though she could be wrong.
She then shrugged as she turned to leave for the time being. Ultimately, it mattered little to her the sort of 'loose ends' that the White Fang wanted done away with or Roman's continuing complaining. All that mattered to her now was that the stage had all but been literally set for the battle between the Holy Knights and the ancient magi. And it was all courtesy of her master.
And while she would not dare pretend she knew what exactly he was thinking of doing now, she knew one thing very well: that soon enough, the Holy Knights would stop hiding from the rest of the world and that the ancient magi will have no choice but to make a more public appearance themselves.
Although such a scenario would no doubt place her in great danger, Cinder couldn't fully suppress the smirk on her face; she was honestly looking forward to it.
And that's that for now. As you can see, mainly a talking chapter to give the characters a break from the action while also bringing up a few things that will be plot relevant.
Also, with this chapter, you can definitely expect the RWBY characters to start appearing more and so will Naruto, who I've had out of the limelight for some time now and with reason.
And while it will take some time, you can expect more than one revelation to be made and it's going to be a doozy at that too. The Holy Knights will be appearing more prominently now as well and you can expect some backstory for them to be revealed in due time as well in addition to their true 'goal.'
Until next time, everyone! Once again, I hope you all had a good Christmas and in turn will have a Happy New Year.