A/N: As ever we're still sticking to the "Embers" rule here, folks.
I don't want this to meet the fate of "An Attitude Adjustment" or poor "Reaper of Remnant" but I'm a man of my word.
Every review no matter how large or small, keeps me writing. No reviews? No inspiration. No inspiration? No story. So speak up! Your words matter!
Sorry if this seems short. APPARENTLY -don't trust my dentist now- I need a root canal. Going to get a second opinion.
Now then, lets answer your questions.
Q: That quote! Naruto pulling an Escanor?! YES! DO IT!
A: Funny thing, that. He's not trying to. But he's forced to act like someone he isn't at times for the sake of Kuroyuri. Lead, and they will follow. That sort of thing.
At the end of the day he's still very much himself; as Nora and Ren will most certainly attest. Its just something of a facade he puts on.
Q: Timeskips when?
A: Timeskips now! I'll say no more.
Q: Wait a hot minute! Is Nora's Semblance summoning...?!
A: Not spoiling anything yet.
Q: Not gonna lie, Naruto seems comparatively sane so far?
A: Naruto's mental break has already begun, though he's not realized it yet. Consider this! He was ripped from his world into another, fought for his life, watched people die in front front of him. And at the end of it all, he somehow wound up in charge of Kuroyuri. To top it off, he's got Little!Nora calling him her Semblance.
Embrace the crazy, Naruto! Its the only way to survive.
Q: Are you about to do what I think you're going to? If so, yes! Do it!
A: I'm actually exploring a different angle here. For instance, getting Summoned to Remnant has...changed Naruto a bit. His body's quite alright, as is his chakra, but you don't get YANKED BETWEEN worlds without some side effects. And this one...well, well, well. I'll let the chapter do the talking for me~!
Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get on with the delightful madness that is this story.
As ever I own no reference, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one.
Really, it would be easier if I did, but that's that.
Now, then. Here. We. Go.
"Funny thing. Ever since I came this world I've felt...stronger during the day. Strange thing, isn't it? At night, I'm just fine, but during daylight? Ha! I feel like I could bench press a mountain. Yet you call me a god? Me? I ain't a god. I'm not a monster either. I'm just a human. Unlike you.
"Tell me how it feels to know you're looked down on by a human...SALEM?!"
~the future.
Who Decided That?
Some say madness is the emergency exit.
The easy way out, a quick escape when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Perhaps it was. Naruto was certainly feeling more than a little mad right about now.
There was just. So much. To do!
Kuryoyuri was in terrible disrepair after the Grimm raid, her people rudderless and adrift with the death of their mayor and most of their warriors. It fell to him to take charge in the aftermath of this disaster. He could play the part; or at least stumble his way through the steps in a some reasonable fashion...he hoped.
"Really?" Kurama chortled softly in his head. "This from the man who wants to build a portcullis and a moat."
'They're defensible, alright?!'
The man before him didn't seem to agree.
"Alright." Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose and resisted the urge to snarl at the craftsman before him. "The moat will come later. For now, the gates should take precedence." when the man didn't challenge him -few did these days- he bulled on and outlined his plan once more. "Secure it." he snapped his fingers in distaste. "Fortify it, man! Its wide open for crying out loud! I want it finished by tonight!"
"But my lord, we don't have enough men...
Ignore that word. Naruto crossed his fingers instead. Chakra pulsed. Smoke flared into the afternoon air. No one looked up from their assigned tasks. This was a common enough sight by now; they'd grown used to such wonders days ago. Quick as a flash two dozen shadow clones materialized at the blond's back, grinning from ear to ear.
"You do now." he frowned at the builder. "Scoot!"
"It will be done, my lord!" The man, a balding fellow with brown eyes and grey hair, snapped of a salute and scurried of. "Gods bless you!"
"And stop calling me that!" He shouted after the man's back. "I'm not a lord!"
By the log, he loathed that phrase. My lord, this. My lord, that! My lord, my lord, MY LORD! He wasn't a lord! He had never been a lord! Yet these people persisted in treating him like one! Aaargh! It made him want to tear his hair out! Was this what being Hokage was like? He hoped not. Endless paperwork, constant delegating, breaking up arguments, fending off Grimm and keep everyone on task; it was like herding cats! But he couldn't simply up and leave these people to their fates. Sometimes the worst action to take was taking no action at all.
"Heh." Nora giggled from her perch atop his shoulders, snapping him back to reality. "You really don't like that word, do ya. My looord~!" she drawled the word with a merry titter. "What's so bad about it?"
"Everything." He frowned up at the little girl who had laid claim to him. "Also...boop."
Quick as a flash he reached up to flicked her nose. She giggled and clung on tight to his hair. "Best! Semblance! Ever!"
"That again?" And there was another mountain to climb. Whatever a Semblance was, he surely wasn't it...right? Naruto rolled his eyes at the thought. "She's not going to stop calling me that, is she?"
To be fair, Naruto was many things. Kind. Understanding. Determined. Patient...was not one of them. He was willing to hear people out, sure, but he had his limits. He'd always been a man of action; a warrior wearing his heart on one sleeve even as he swung a fist in the other. He'd never been the sort to stand still. But children were...difficult.
"I'm afraid not." Ren replied with a mild smile as his side. "You'd best get used to it."
Naruto scowled down at the little traitor. Be that way, would he? Two could play at that game! His hand descended, ruffling the boy's dark hair. The stoic boy actually blinked at that, and the general air of malaise about him dissipated a bit. Ren jolted, but made no effort to push him away. On a whim, Naruto let his heart guide him, as it always head.
...suppose that makes you my little brother then."
His words had the desired effect. Now it was Ren's turn to sputter. "Excuse me?!"
"You need someone to look after you, right? Naruto beamed back. "When you put it like that...
"Yup! That's us!" Nora giggled and pointed toward the horizon. "Forward faithful steed! To glory!"
Naruto rolled his eyes and walked forward a more sedate pace, despite Nora's insistence that he break into a sprint.
All told, the damage here had proven admittedly minor this far. He'd arrived and beaten back the horde before too many buildings fell. This place could be rebuilt-no, it would be. From the ashes of this pitiful settlement, they would make a new one. It would better. Stronger. He wouldn't let it fall again. People died when they are killed? Well! He wouldn't let anyone else die, then. He would save everyone in front of him...even if it drove him stark raving mad.
But hey, he hadn't cracked yet. Surely that was a good thing.
First came the walls. Most of them had endured despite the assault; for the Nuckelavee had come in through the main gate. Those would be rebuilt nice and high in the days that followed, then manned with clones until Kuroyuri trained up a fresh batch of warriors. By some struck of luck, the grand Sakura tree in the center of the city had been spared. Grimm had no interest in trees or plants. It became a memorial for those who fell during the siege.
His eyes swept across the square, watching the hardy folk at work.
Second was the rubble; while the walls were being rebuilt, ruined houses were demolished. Caved in roofs were cleared away. Several survivors had already been found within. One of which, miracle of miracles, turned out to be Ren's mother; badly hurt and with a cracked skull. He'd done all he could for her. Now it was up to time. And luck. His had held so far. He could only pray it would endure the storm that was to come. His luck -and his silver tongue!- hadn't failed him yet after all.
An Ren was strong. She would live. She had to. Ren needed his mother.
Ren himself had been quiet and withdrawn until just now; a result of unlocking his semblance under great duress. Naruto found himself sympathizing with the poor boy. He'd suffered a great shock and regardless if mother survived her injuries or not, it didn't change the fact that his father had perished. Semblance or not, some miracles carried a heavy price. Every action had an equal and opposite reaction.
Speaking of which...
Kurama felt it before he did. "Do you smell that?"
What was that scent? Naruto paused in midstep, frowned, and inhaled once. He followed it and looked up up, frowning at waft of smoke in the distance. It wasn't coming from Kuroyuri but rather, just outside it. No, not smoke he realized, but dust, the normal sort, as if a large group of people were moving very quickly. His heart
"What's that smoke?"
He soon had his answer.
Someone slammed a hammer against the village bell, kicking up a terrible clamor.
"Bandits!" a woman on the wall brayed! "Bandits at the gate!"
Naruto felt something harden in his heart. Resolve and determination fused together, turning his heart to sunny steel. Robbers and thieves. It seemed some things never changed, even in a new world. He started forward, only to remember just who was sitting atop his shoulders. He made his choice in an instant.
"Nora," he whispered her name on a thread of breath, "Off."
Credit where it was due, the little girl didn't hesitate; she clamored off his shoulders, slid down his back and landed beside Ren. Naruto flicked him a wary gaze, somewhat annoyed to find that he had retreated into himself once more. Likewise, poor Nora looked to have clammed up entire. Fretful fingers latched onto Ren's sleeve and held tight. Any trace of excitement was gone from her gaze, replaced by fear.
Wait...where they afraid of him?
"What's wrong?" he frowned at them.
"You're eyes." she murmured, pointing. "They're glowing."
"They are?" Naruto blinked, nonplussed by the words. He wasn't using senjutsu or calling upon any of Kurama's power. For lack of a mirror he pulled out a kunai, finding his reflection in the polished metal. His eyes were indeed glowing, trailing with golden light edging out from his still-blue eyes like living flames. That was...something? He didn't feel any different. Just angry, irritated by the presence of fresh attackers. Someone yelped in the distance and he stowed the knife away quickly. Nora had spoken true. It was mystery for later.
He turned, only to find that Nora had latched onto his leg. Fretful blue eyes met his. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. I'll be just a moment." he drew them in for a quick hug. "Stay here and look after each other."
"You'll come back?" She sniffled against his shoulder, clinging to that now. "Really? You will?"
He drew back and patted her head. "Yup. I never go back on my word."
She tried to stay something, but he didn't give her the chance; instead he spun and bolted toward the gate at breakneck speed. No need to hold back here. A single leap carried him the rest of the way in a heartbeat, sent him arcing over a dilapidated building to his destination...
"What's going on here?!"
...and then, quite suddenly, he was there, landing before the gate proper. His feet struck the ground in a pointed crouch and slammed out of it, eyes alight as he searched for the source of the disturbance.
He needn't look far.
They were certainly a ragtag bunch all things considered, clad in torn leathers, torn and dirty, rough and ready, numbering little more than a dozen. Their weapons did them no credit, worn axes and swords all, and other strange devices that he didn't recognize. Were those bows? They didn't look like bows. Thoughts for later.
His nose wrinkled at the negative emotions emanating from the lot of them, and still more when he saw their victims.
Three bodies sprawled at their feet. Two were still breathing. One, the craftsman he'd just sent here...was not.
Naruto twitched. Had he sent the man to his death? No. No, no, no! Not again!
"Hello, friend." their leader was exceptional for his eyepatch, scarred head, and absolutely nothing else. "Looks like you could use a bit of protection-
Naruto didn't speak. He lashed out. A golden arm burst from him, grabbed the three craftsmen and reeled them in like fish. He knelt immediately, touching a marked hand to the old man's chest. Nothing. No life. Not even the faintest of breath. In a fit of panic he lashed out and pushed chakra into the man's chest. More. More still.
The craftsman- Dean, he remembered his name now- sputtered and coughed, eyes flying open. "My...lord...?"
Naruto scowled as he climbed back to his feet. "Told you not to call me that...stay there."
"Well." Kurama offered a low hum. "That's new...
"Don't ignore us, huntsman!"
A bullet whistled at Naruto face. He caught it and ground it down to fine powder.
"Last mistake." he opened his fingers, leaving the remains of the round to tumble into the ground. "Leave. Now."
"No can do, I'm afraid." the scarred leader of the troupe only sneered at him. "See, I'm afraid we can't do that. You haven't paid your protection money.
His brow furrowed. "Protection?"
"Indeed!" the bandit grinned and spread his arms wide, wholly unaware of the dragon he'd just awoken. "For a generous fee, me and my boys look after this little village of yours. Ain't that generous of us?" he turned to gaze back as his comrades with a sneer. "Its that time of the month, ya see. Pay up an' we'll see our way gone."
"What's wrong with you?" Blue eyes narrowed to venomous slits. "We have no money. This place just attacked by Grimm! We have no money!"
"Too bad." His words fell on deaf ears. "Guess you'll pay in blood, then."
...no." blue eyes slid shut. "I don't think we will."
"What, you some kind of hero or-gah?!"
He pitched back, clutching at his chest, and the dagger within.
It was a fair throw; his body was a corpse before it hit the ground.
"He killed Bert!" One of the bandits looked up aghast, eyes narrow with hate. "Kill him!"
These men would've been invaluable during the siege. Kuroyuri had few in the way of warriors. But they hadn't. Protection? What protection?! This lot was a nasty bunch indeed and he wasn't feeling particularly merciful at the moment. It was all too easy to slip back into anger and let his emotions get the better of him. For once, anger had its day.
His fingers crossed. Smoke flared. Men screamed.
What followed couldn't even be called a proper fight. It was a massacre. A swarm of clones against barely twelve men? Poor bandits didn't even last thirty second. They fell under a storm of blows, crying for mercy as they fell before the gate. Clouds of dust kicked up, briefly turning the world brown and grey, obscuring the world from view.
"You bastard!" he heard a voice in the haze. "You think you're a hero?! Then die like one!"
He turned, just in time for a bandit to run him through the gut. There was no pain. Hmm. Surprising. He could see the blade in his sternum...and yet he felt nothing.
"Well." he hummed. "That's unexpected."
Kurama sighed. "Really? REALLY? When will they learn?"
Naruto agreed wholeheartedly as he reached around and cuffed the man on the chin.
"I can't be a hero?" he wiped a line of blood from his mouth. "Who decided that?" a tan hand reached around and ripped the blade from his stomach." I can't save everyone?" his head tilted, eyes narrowing to vicious slits of sapphire. "And who decided that? I decide such things!"
"That's impossible!" The bandit balked, eyes wide. "I ran you straight through!" another step, as he fell back on his rear. "What the hell are you?!"
Naruto took the words in strike.. Apparently regeneration wasn't a common thing in this world. Good to know. Not for this one.
"To you? I may as well be god." Blue eyes pulsed gold as his body began to glow anew. "Now bow."
He'd said it as a joke, a means to terrify the man; to make him quit the field.
He didn't expect him to actually do it.
Before his very eyes, the fool did just that; with but a whimper he dropped to his knees and leaned forward. His scarred head kissed the ground as he began to babble. Tears poured from his eyes as his body shook in a full on tremor. Within moments he was all but begging for his life, for the mercy he'd not shown the people of Kuroyuri.
"Mercy, my lord!" He bawled. "Please, spare me! I have a family! I'll renounce my chief and serve you!"
Curiosity reared its ugly head. "And who do you serve?
Sweat poured down his face. "...I can't tell you...!"
"Then you can die."
The man broke with a warble. "Raven Branwen!"
Two little words. A simple set of syllables. They would change everything.
A/N: Yeah, don't mess with Naruto when he's stressed.
Raven? You aren't ready. Lionheart certainly won't be. Oh dear, did I say that aloud?
Just think on that for a moment.
To say anything more would spoil things, so I won't. As ever we're sticking the "Embers" rule. I don't want this to meet the fate of "An Attitude Adjustment" or poor "Titan of Remnant" but I'm very much a man of my word.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And have some previews.
(Preview)
We made a weapon for you, my lord."
Naruto frowned at the giant golden ax. "Ha! Simple! I like it."
Kurama snorted. "You would. Bloody showoff, you have no subtlety!"
"I really must insist. You should come to Haven."
Blue eyes narrowed. "Get out of my sight, Lionheart...or you will die."
Beneath his gaze the Headmaster quailed. His word was final. Absolute. There was no arrogance or posturing behind it; just pure fact. No quarter. No question. For the first time in his life, he met someone who terrified him more than Salem. It was too much. Appeasing Ozpin and Salem was one thing, but a third party?! Caught between a rock and a hard place, his brain came to a singular, logical conclusion.
Nope. it spat. Fuck this shit! I'm out! No more of this! I quit! Someone else can be headmaster! Better him than me!
"What the hell is he?!"
Nora tittered merrily. "He's my semblance, silly. He shines. Like the sun."
Naruto grinned and brought a fist crashing down. The ground didn't just buckle. It BURNED.
"...Raven, was it? Look, I'm really not in the mood for this. Tell you what. I'll give you one free shot. But I'm warning you, if you wast it...
Her blade slammed into his neck and shattered, the impact snapping his head to one side. His gaze shifted.
...you're gonna regret it."
R&R~!