That next morning the whole tribe can tell something is different. They are not sure what is different but clearly something is. When Zoro walks out he walks out like a man on a mission. What surprises everyone is that Raven does not come with him. Usually they leave together on their spars.

When Zoro walks out he loudly declares for all to hear "I am challenging Raven Branwen for control of this tribe. She has made me mad and therefor I believe she is no longer fit for command of this tribe. Seeing as I am not a member of this tribe I need someone to either deny my challenge or second it. Be aware the one who denies my challenge I will be challenging for placement in the tribe."

Everyone is shacking at that statement wondering what Raven has done to make Zoro so mad. Vernal is putting things together based off of what Raven has told her and now Zoro's proclamation. She decides to speak up "I will second your challenge Zoro. I may have faith in Raven's leadership but I can not stress that you have proven to be the better fighter and perhaps the better leader."

Raven walks out. "I have heard your challenge and answer it thus. If you win not only will I cede control of the tribe but I will leave and never return however if I win you will stay here and work for me."

Zoro "I can accept those terms. We will fight as we have for several years now under those same rules."

Raven "That is acceptable."

Everyone gathers to watch Yang and Ruby included. The duel begins and you can cut the tension with a knife. Even though Raven wants to return to Yang and Tai she also wants to beat Zoro. They begin and Raven goes on offense only to suddenly find herself being cut and stabbed all at once she didn't even see Zoro draw any of his weapons only to find herself being sliced by Enma and stabbed by his new weapon. Her aura breaks and she collapses bleeding from 2 non-lethal wounds. The whole camp goes silent at what they just watched. They all knew Zoro was the superior fighter but no one expected it to be that easy for the man, especially not Yang and Ruby who had never seen him take a fight serious enough to use multiple weapons.

Once the fight is decided Zoro declares for all to hear "As leader of this tribe I have decided that Raven will stay here for the day before departing in the morning. As she has been a worthy adversary over the years and has earned that."

The tribe has no real choice but to concede this. After that showing no one even dares to question anything he declares. Zoro has more to declare after seeing his declaration go unchallenged. "I declare we are no longer bandits but rather you are going to be the start of my army. We will now operate as extralegal. I want everyone to train up and make themselves better. I will be leaving with Raven as I have things I have to do including a score to settle with a certain crow. As such I will be sending you all to Menagerie. You will find a man by the name of Ghira I will let him know you are coming. He will put you to work training and teaching. They have much to learn and are strong to learn it. While there he is my proxy you will follow his commands as though they are mine. If you don't I will know and I will take retribution."

There is some grumbling amongst some members but most take it in stride. Vernal asks "So are you going to be training us then? What about the White Fang they don't like our kind especially not in Menagerie?" This is met by people mumbling agreement.

Zoro "That is easy the White Fang at least there militant wing is officially an enemy of the tribe. The idea behind sending you there is to help bridge the gap between our people so that we have the strongest for when we must fight. Don't get me wrong we will have to fight at some point perhaps sooner than I would like."

And so he now controls the Branwen tribe and has set Raven free to return to her daughter and husband. He has started to build up a fighting force what for he won't say only that it is always good to have allies. He contacts Ghira and lets him know he is sending people his way to help with the academy as well as the Grimm problem but that they will need his support. He also tells him that they are under his command. He does not mention the fight to come or that they have declared war on the militant White Fang.

Vernal asked if she could accompany them and continue her apprenticeship under Raven. Zoro looks to Raven and then to Yang both of who nod before he agrees on the condition that she train with him as well. This she can accept. With all of that accomplished Raven uses her semblance to take them to Zoro's next summer training spot. This year he does not go to Menagerie but rather to the great city of Mistral. When they get there they go and find a man named Opal he has been in hiding for many years now as he seems to know to much and has been hunted because of it.

When they find him Zoro introduces everyone before asking if he has found anyone interesting lately. When Opal responds in the affirmative he knows Zoro will want to meet her so he calls for her. In walks someone he never thought he would lay eyes on again let alone in a world so far from his own.

Zoro upon seeing her gets up and gives her the biggest hug he can and just never wants to let go. Kuina is at first confused but then she remembers what that stranger who gave her the sword all those years ago said "Someone has been searching for you even if they refuse to admit it to themselves. When they find you they will recognize you and they will embrace you as a sister. When this happens you should consider following him" Remembering this she decides to accept this affection from this stranger who she has heard of but never met.

Zoro "I almost didn't recognize you being a bit older than I remember but I am glad I did. I thought for sure I would never see you again."

Everyone is confused both by his actions and now his statement. He see's this and decides he had best explain some things.

Zoro "I once knew someone very much like you she carried that exact sword in fact. She was my greatest rival when I was young I never managed to defeat her even after 2001 tries. Unfortunately she passed away before we could accomplish our goals. She was a wonderful swordmistress and an even better friend. When I saw you I simply could not help myself."

When he says that everything comes rushing back to her. All the spars the conversations everything. For her it's like they just finished their last spar but for Zoro it seems to have been a long time if his voice and eye are anything to judge from. "Can we step outside Zoro?"

Zoro nods and they go outside to be alone. "Why did you wish to step outside?"

Kuina "I don't know how long it has been for you but I woke up here a few weeks and found Opal. He has been good to me not as good as my father but the best I can hope for under the circumstances. When he found me I had no memories of my time with you or anything of our world. It wasn't until you hugged me that I remembered it all. It is taking time to put all the memories of two lives together but I am doing it. How long was I gone? How did you get here?"

Zoro "That makes me so happy to hear. I mean it sucks but I am so happy to hear it truly is you. After you died I took Wado Ichimoi and set off to achieve our goal. I did by the way and after that I had to do something else so I opened a dojo and taught until the day I died at a good old age. It was at this point I was offered a deal to help the family I found along the way and here I am. I have a mission here that I will tell you about later."

Kuina "So where you happy?"

Zoro "After I found my family I certainly was. I will have to tell you about them some time."

Kuina "I will enjoy that."

With that they go back inside and rejoin the group. After a few weeks there talking and training and generally being happy. Zoro and his group return after trading scroll numbers. When they make it back it is just about time to begin the next school year and Ruby's first.

SO I need a fourth team member for Zoro. I am putting Kuina, Vernal, Zoro on a team. I really don't want to break up team RWBY assuming I keep Blake as a protagonist. I don't really like doing OC as my mind doesn't work that great. If anyone has any ideas either of a character that would fit or a character in general they want to see me make appear feel free to let me know. Bringing Raven home won't change who Yang is let alone who Ruby is as their basically set but freeing Raven to redeem herself will be important later. As far as the battle I hinted at I am not sure if it will be against the white fang or if they will decide to go against the various kingdoms. We will check in on them next chapter and watch the grow and change into a fighting force that will rival Atlas at least in prowess.