Adam was having a bad day.

He was suffering with the worst hangover in his short life. Closing his eyes, Adam smashed his head on the desk of his office. He lifted his head and banged it again. Aura held up and protected him from taking any damage, but it didn't prevent the wave of dizziness that came with it -which was Adam thankful for.

This process continued for quiet a bit of time before the noise of closing the door reached him.

He raised his head only to look at the smirking face of Naruto. Adam scowled and showed him middle finger. Naruto's smirk widened even more. Damn bastard! It was his fault that he was having a hangover.

"Good morning, Adam~" Naruto greeted and purposefully dragged the metal chair back to make screeching noise.

"Not so loud!"

The chuckling sound only infuriated Adam more.

"You look like shit, Adam."

"Thank you for stating the obvious, Sherlock."

"Here, drink this. I brought coffee for you."

Bastard knew that he was going to experience hangover. Grabbing the coffee on the desk, Adam drank it like there's no tomorrow, burning his tongue in the process, and then released a heavy sigh.

"Feeling good?" Naruto asked leaning back in his chair.

"Don't expect a thank you-"

"Not expecting one."

"-This was all your fault to begin with. It was your idea to get drunk twelve hours before your flight. It was you who replaced my drink with alcohol."

Naruto shrugged. "It was my last night here, I wanted to make it memorable. I would be off to Beacon then."

"Off to the Beacon, dealing with bunch of brats." This time it was Adam who was smirking.

Naruto grimaced. "Don't remind me."

Adam's smirk widened. Even if the age difference was of only three years, there was a difference between mentality. Comparing Naruto and the Beacon students would be like comparing a child with an adult.

Adam leaned forward and said, "Oh, but still you have to meet them."

"I will avoid everybody."

"In Beacon, there are team of four students. You will have three brats with you."

"I will tell the Headmaster to put me solo."

Adam scoffed. "Yeah. Good luck with that."

Naruto sighed, receding. "So any tips for me to make friends."

"Be polite," Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What I mean is, always be polite. Treat them as you would treat an acquaintance."

Naruto shook his head. "I don't think it will be of any use."

"Do you have any other ideas?"

"…no."

"Then suffer with this."

Then there was a comfortable silence between them. Adam treasured it. Four years ago, when Ghira died, it was all chaos. Only now, things were somewhat stable and peaceful in Menagerie. But he had a feeling it wasn't going to last for long. When Naruto would go to beacon, the responsibility of whole Menagerie would fell on his shoulders.

And it wasn't easy to handle it.

He already had his hands full with White Fang -perks of being the Highleader- and now he had to handle an another military unit along with their huntsman academy and a whole village. Working as a chieftain was exhausting, and considering it was only his second day, he could only hope for the best.

"I am gonna miss this place."

"Well," Adam said as he sipped the now lukewarm coffee. "it is normal to miss your home . . . I think."

"I thought you would know it."

Adam shrugged. "I am not omniscient."

Naruto sighed. "Be that as it may, I will be going now."

The blond rose from the chair, turned away, and suddenly stood still for a moment. Adam could see hesitation in Naruto's body language, and he also knew what it was about, but wanted Naruto to confront it.

"I . . . will miss you." Naruto said slowly

Adam gave a smile, not that Naruto could see. "Me too."

As Naruto nodded and went for the door, Adam called out.

The blond stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"Even if you get some friends there, try not to get attached to any of them," Adam warned, "you may have to kill them in future. And I think I don't need to spell when happens when you lose your emotions and go into that state."

And he need not to. Both of them knew what that state was, and how destructive it was. Not for Naruto but for the people around him. It could cause an international event which would affect Menagerie's reputation. The blond knew that he was representating not only himself, but also Menagerie.

Naruto gave a grunt and left the room.

Sighing, Adam slowly stood up and turned to the window behind him. He could see almost half of the city Kuo Kahana. It was Naruto's idea to build a tower for chieftain in the centre of the city, so that whoever would be in tenure, he/she could at least enjoy some scenery. Adam welcomed it. He knew the next few months were going to be quite stressful, and he need anything to release that stress.

"I'm worried about you Naruto."

…Ozpin…

Ozpin knew the day was going to be awful.

First of all, Glynda was tense from the morning and by experience he knew a tense Glynda was bad for his health. Second, he had to give a speech today, which he wasn't even slightly prepared for. Third, the councillors of Vale were giving him a headache -sometimes he hoped they would just die. Last but not the least, his coffee supply ran out.

While some may think the last reason was childish, but not him. Last time his supply ran out, some days later, Amber was nearly killed.

So, Ozpin knew the day was going to be awful.

Flanked by Glynda, he stood in front of airpad on the Academy. There was only one airpad on the Beacon, which was only used in some kind of emergency. But for once, it was being used as a normal one for the representative of Menagerie.

Uzumaki Naruto.

Only name and a picture was provided. Nothing more. Ozpin understood why they had did that. After all, they couldn't give anything to Beacon so that it could be potentially used against their students.

He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. The bullhead was late. Mr Uzumaki would have to take two flights - one, from Menagerie to Vale, and the other would be from Vale to Beacon. The problem was that the port where Mr Uzumaki would land was far away from the port where flights would take off to Beacon. He supposed he could understand why Mr Uzumaki was late.

His hands itched as the familiar weight of mug was absent. His personal blend pf coffee took days to make and he had been busy more than usual due to making preparations, debating with councillors of Vale, and handling new admission forms. He was the only one who knew how to make Biohazard Coffee.

It was then when he heard the noise of bullhead, Ozpin watched as it landed and opened the door. One figure appeared.

Clad in nothing but blue jeans and burnt orange t-shirt, Uzumaki Naruto, standing at the height of 5'11 or 6'0, sauntered up to them with an black backpack slung over his shoulder. There was an air of nonchalance around him, which the Headmaster was wary of.

The way he walked either meant the boy was a carefree person, or he didn't deem them much as a threat. And as crazy as it sounded, the immortal's instincts screamed at him that it was the latter, and one thing he had learned over thousands of years was to always trust your instincts no matter how foolish it felt.

But there was one thing he was curious of: Uzumaki Naruto had no faunus features except three whisker-like marks on each cheek. Granted, he knew there were many faunus with no visible features, but still it made him wonder what animal faunus was Naruto.

Ozpin offered his hand when the blond stood before him. "Uzumaki Naruto?"

Naruto slowly shook his hand. "Yes."

Again Ozpin was surprised by the sound of his voice; It was calm and soft. He would have expected a normal teenager like to be nervous. Then again, Menagerie would send it's best to a hostile territory.

"I apologise for being late. It was due to my mistake as I didn't knew the directions."

"It was nothing." It was, but he was being formal. "Now then, let's head inside, Mr Uzumaki."

Naruto nodded as Ozpin led him, with Glynda following them.

…

A few minutes later, in his office, Ozpin sat behind his desk, with Naruto sitting before him, and Glynda standing at the closed doors of elevator.

The entire minutes they spent walking to the office, Ozpin felt like he was judged. It was not an unfamiliar feeling, but a forgotten one. After spending more than a decade behind the desk, signing paperwork, he had forgotten what it felt like it was to be a prey. It had gotten his blood running. Of course, that also meant that Naruto was more dangerous.

"Now we have some paperwork to do," Ozpin said as he pushed some papers towards Naruto. "Here, fill them up."

A few scribblings later, when Naruto was done, he pushed them back to Ozpin. Taking the the papers, Ozpin looked at it.

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Sex: Male

Race: Faunus

Age: 21

Affiliations: Menagerie

Characteristics: Blond hair, blue eyes, and three marks on each side of cheek.

Weapon: Ninjato, Wakizashi.

Semblance: Runes

Runes?

Carefully masking his real emotions, he raised an eyebrow at the age. "Twenty-one years old?"

Naruto shrugged. "I joined school late."

Or you are much more powerful than you appear and are lying to get into Beacon and infiltrate the Academy.

"Mr Uzumaki I would like you describe your semblance a little bit more, so that our professors would know how to help to nurture it."

Naruto shook his head. "I am sorry professor, but I am not allowed to disclose any further information. I am sure you understand it."

Or you don't want to give us an edge.

While his speculations might not be true, there was always a possibility. Still, he had to tread this carefully and find hidden answers between the conversation.

"Very well. While I would love to give you a tour, unfortunately I still have some work to do," Ozpin said. Then he pointed at Glynda. "Glynda here, can give you a tour and take you to the amphitheatre where the initiation will begin. Any questions?"

"Why should I be present at amphitheatre when I am already a student?"

"Yes, it's correct that you're a transfer student and don't need to be tested. But you still need a team, that's why you have to be present."

And also we can keep an eye on you that way.

"And other questions?" Ozpin asked as leaned back in chair.

"I have two requests," Naruto said as he raised his index finger. "First, I might have to leave the school on weekends."

Ozpin frowned for a moment. Students could be out of Beacon for whole weekend, they just had to be present on weekdays. But giving him the freedom also meant he will be out of reach. And Ozpin had no doubt that Naruto would meet his accomplices - sharing the information he had gathered in Beacon.

"Second," Naruto continued as he raised his middle finger. "Can you play chess?"

". . . Yes," Ozpin said, wondering where it was going.

"Can we both have some matches regularly?"

"Why?"

"You seem to be wise person to talk to."

Ozpin paused. Then his eyes narrowed when he caught the meaning of the words.

You seem to be a wise person to talk to.

I want to tell you something which can't be said in the presence of Glynda.

Why not send Glynda outside then? Ozpin didn't know the reason. But if there was some valuable information, then he was willing to play in Naruto's hand - at least that's what he would let Naruto think. After all, being underestimated was always welcomed.

But there was one thing that unsettled him; what would Naruto get from the conversation? An ally? Or perhaps there was a mutual enemy?

He would need to look at it in future. But for now . . .

"Very well then. I will grant both of your requests, though I may not be available sometimes for a chess match."

Naruto nodded. "Understandable."

"Well then," Ozpin said, "Glynda?"

Glynda nodded. Then she said to Naruto, "Please follow me."

Naruto nodded and offered a hand to Ozpin. "Very well then, Headmaster Ozpin. I look forward to our meeting."

Ozpin said nothing. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and shook hands.

As both blondes made their way out, Ozpin called out.

"One last thing, Mr Uzumaki," Naruto stopped and looked over his shoulder. "While Beacon Academy promotes Faunus equality, the same is can't be said for the students. And even if you see someone harassing a faunus, please inform the teacher. Do not take any actions on your own."

The transfer student closed his eyes and breathed out. "Very well."

Ozpin watched in silence as they left. He had a feeling that things were changing, but whether for good or bad, he had no idea.

...Yang...

"…What about Jaune? He seems . . . Nice. There you go plus one friend. That's a hundred percent increase."

"Pretty sure Weiss counts as negative friend. Well, back to zero."

"Hey, there's no such thing as negative friend. You made one friend and one enemy." A pillow collided with Yang's face. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me, you have friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet."

Just then, a clinking sound of two glass reached them. Sitting up, Yang looked at the origin of the noise. There on the ledge of the window sat a boy with blond hair and three whisker-like marks on each cheek, his back pressed against the window's length with one leg on windowsill and another dangling. Beside him was his only source of light: a candle.

Clad in casual black t-shirt and nightpants, he stared at the moon, with moonlight reflecting on his face. In his hands were two glasses filled with something.

"That guy…" Ruby trailed.

"You know him?" Yang asked.

"Yeah. I mean-no! I just saw him before I exploded when you left me alone!"

Yang winced. A little bit of guilt rose within her but she shook it off easily. Coddling Ruby wasn't going to help her in the future and might make things worse for her. She had to make Ruby needed to do things alone.

"Well," a mischievous gleam entered in Yang's eye. "Here's the first chance to make a friend." And with that she began to drag Ruby towards the guy.

"What are you doing?!" Ruby squawked.

"Nothing," she grinned over her shoulder. "Just helping you to make help a friend."

Ruby needed some friends in her life. Crescent Rose didn't count. Nor did Yang. She needed some real friends, who could help her when needed. Not a sister or an inanimate object.

Stopping in front of the window, Yang said, "Hello~!"

The guy glanced at her, his icy blue eyes narrowed. "Yes."

"I believe you two," she gave a push to Ruby. "have met before?"

"Met? No. Saw? Then yes, I believe I saw her exploding."

"Yeah, that's me. My name is Ruby." Ruby looked away, probably embarrassed, as she offered her hand.

For a moment, it looked like he wouldn't take the hand. Then he sighed and shook them.

"Ruby…?"

"Ruby Rose, but you can call me Ruby."

"Naruto Uzumaki. You can call me Naruto." Then he glanced at Yang. "And you?"

Yang offered a salute. "Yang Xiao-Long at your service. I am Ruby's older sister." She grinned. "I like your drink mister."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know what I am drinking?"

"Yup. I know. All thanks to this." Yang pointed at her nose. Then she glanced at the glasses. "But are you allowed to drink it in here?"

"There's no such rule in Beacon." He scoffed. "People don't even bother to confirm it."

"Can I take a si-"

"Hey! What are you guys talking about?!" Ruby interrupted.

Naruto and Yang looked at each other, having a conversation with eyes, before Naruto answered, "You see these glasses over here," he pointed at the things beside him and patiently waited for a nod. "Well, the substance inside is called alcohol."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You can't drink alc-" before she could complete her sentence, a hand clamped down her face.

"Do you want to bust him or what?" Yang hissed.

Ruby sheepishly scratched her neck. "Uhh. Sorry."

"Leave it," he closed his eyes. "Nothing would have happened even if you screamed that on the top of your lungs." And with that, Naruto turned away, returning to previous activity.

Yang turned to Ruby and tilted her head towards Naruto.

Ruby just looked confused.

Yang facepalmed. She pointed at Ruby, then pointed at Naruto. After that she made a go gesture with her hand.

Ruby looked even more confused. "What?"

"Talk to him, idiot." Yang whispered.

"What should I talk?" Ruby whispered back.

"Anything. Now go." Yang said and then gave a push to Ruby, who yelped and almost fell flat on her face. Yang facepalmed again. She hadn't even pushed her with much force. Sometimes she forgot that Ruby had a lithe frame.

Naruto, who heard the noise, glanced at the source and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!"

Naruto let out an hmm, but said nothing more.

"So . . . What are you thinking about, Naruto?"

Yang groaned mentally. Out of thousand different questions, why did she has to ask that one.

"My home . . ." He trailed.

Uh-oh. Danger! She knew that tone. It was only used if something tragic happened. Just as she opened her mouth, Ruby spoke again.

"Where are you from?"

Naruto didn't seem to mind the question as he answered, "Me? I am from-"

"You again!" A new voice yelled. The trio looked at the source to find a short, around Ruby's height, girl with white hair and white sleeping gown stood behind Ruby, hands on the hips. Yang recognised her. After all, she had met Weiss in the amphitheatre "Do you people even realise how loud you are when some of us are trying to sleep here?"

Yang blinked. Were they loud? She didn't know.

"Ahhh!" Ruby jumped to her feet. "You again."

"I should be the one saying that. Honestly how did a prestigious school Beacon allowed such a dolt like you to enter?"

Yang's eyes narrowed. This was too far. Sure, she admitted that Ruby was clumsy and socially awkward, but questioning her right to the Beacon? Nope. Ruby had taken a step back, looking hurt.

Yang never got her chance as Naruto chose that moment to speak.

"What are you here for?"

Weiss glared at Naruto. "I came here because some people can't keep their voice down."

"Now if your business is done here. You can go."

"I won't go until you guys don't shut up!"

"This is last time I am telling you this. go away, Schnee."

How did Naruto knew her name, anyway? Did they met before?

"I will not! What are you going to do?"

One thing that Yang observed was that ever since she and Ruby talked with him, he had been nothing but polite. Now? Was it her or he was extra rude to Weiss? And judging by his clenched jaw and fist, it also felt like he was restraining himself from . . . something she couldn't tell.

Naruto eyes narrowed. He then looked around and raised his hand. "Excuse me."

Feeling curious, Yang followed his eyesight and found herself looking at the scary teacher from the amphitheatre coming towards them. Fuck! She didn't even notice there was any teacher at ballroom. But considering a room full of hormonal teenagers, she should have seen it coming.

"Is there something troubling you Mr Uzumaki?" The teacher asked as she stopped at some distance from them.

"Miss Schnee here," he pointed at Weiss, "is disturbing us by making baseless accusations."

"What? I didn-"

"Miss Schnee, to your bed." The teacher ordered and waited for Weiss to go. Weiss did, but not before throwing a last glare at Naruto. The teacher then turned towards remaining trio. "Three of you, off to the bed as well." And with that she went away, likely to scold other students.

Yang slowly turned towards Naruto, who just stared at the retreating form of teacher.

"What was that, Naruto?" Ruby asked in awe.

"Hm?" Naruto asked, as if it wasn't a big deal.

"How the hell did you got the teacher to listen?" Yang asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Teachers always don't listen to the both sides, they always take one without listening the others. But you, you got her to not only listen but also send Weiss away-"

"If you have listened carefully, you would find that she ordered us to sleep as well."

"-how did you do that?"

"If I had been a regular student, she would have scolded all of us without hearing me out." He closed his eyes. "But since I am a special student, she would have to at least listen my demands."

"What do you mean by special student?"

Naruto smirked, "That's for me to know and you to find out." He then frowned. "Now off with you guys. Tomorrow is a big day for you two."

"Not for you?" Yang asked, raising an eyebrow. Surely, it was gonna be a big day for all students present in ballroom. After all, tomorrow was the day when

The smirk returned in full force. "Didn't I say I am a special case? Now, shoo."

Grumbles rose but none disobeyed, both of feeling tired. As Naruto said, there was a long day before them. And sleeping late would do no good. Taking a last look at Naruto as she crawled in her roll, Yang saw him pinching out the flame of the candle and standing on the windowsill, the outline of his frame glowing due to the moonlight. And then he vanished.

Yang rubbed her eyes. And then looked at window. It was closed. One second, Naruto was there, next second he wasn't.

Am I going crazy? She thought as her eyelids felt heavier. Whatever. I will deal with it tomorrow.

And so the chapter ended. I apologise for the delay, as it should be posted on 28 Sept, but exams kept me from posting anything. I was/am drained. Writing this chapter with studying for exams was a hard thing. Anyway, I won't bore you guys further.

Coming back to the chapter, the last scene might have felt rushed. I admit you might have felt it similar to Beast of Beacon by Coeur Al'Aran as I took inspiration from it. At first, I wrote it all in Ruby's POV, but I knew can't get her thought process very well. Hell, I couldn't even write her dialogues right as I mostly write with cold characters which suits me the best. So, I changed the scene into Yang's POV.

The whole next chapter will be in Naruto's POV

So, I wrote this scene, but thought it was too dark and will fuck with the light hearted tone in the chapter, so I discarded it. Though I might add it in future.

⟦DELETED SCENE⟧

Today was the day.

Today was the day when he will be experimented physically. Who was 'he'? No one but Chief Scientific Officer knew. We called him MK -a name taken from the Project named MK-Ultra.

MK was literally dragged into the chamber. His once sunny blond hair now were dull. His position was slackened on the chair his legs were tied to. The guards cuffed his hands to the table and forced him sit erect.

Guards left and a new person entered.

He wore all black. His face hidden. Tugging his gloves once again, the man place his suitcase on the table and then opened it. From where I stood behind the behind the one-way window, I could see many items like screwdrivers, scalpels, scissors, a stick covered with barbed wire, etcetera. . .

The man spoke a single word and then took out his screwdriver.

"Susimugham"

I looked away. I couldn't see the monstrosity happening before me. Today's experiment was to test limits of regeneration. And one didn't needed to learn bullhead science to know how regeneration was test.

He was a Kyubi, a nearly extinct race. I had read somewhere that Kyubi were the king of Faunus Kingdom. But this one? He was caged. Only brought out for experiments, nothing more.

Ahhhhhh!

I cringed, but didn't turn to look. I knew what was going on. And I also knew many other experiments would take place. I hated this place. Once I was a humble man, now I was a not a man but a monster.

"Why isn't his aura protecting him?" A scientist beside me muttered.

What? I almost turned but managed to squash the urge.

His aura was not protecting him?

The scientists beside me, unfazed by the carnage taking place in there, looked interested. I knew that look. That look meant more experiment which meant more carnage.

"Vajra Kandakam"

As another word was spoken, more screams followed.

We were gonna make him the Ultimate war machine. An ultimate soldier. No emotions, only devotion to the mission. I volunteered myself for the project, not knowing what was going to happen. And now I hate myself.

I needed to leave this place. But knew it was going to be a suicide if I tried now. I needed to divert others' attention. What I needed was a distraction. A distraction I needed to create, if I ever wanted to !save this place.

But not alone, I would take him with me.

I wasn't so merciless to leave him in this hellhole.

The story of Project MK-Ultra

By Arthur Watts.

In Hindu religion, Garuda Purana (a holy text) clearly prescribes the deserving punishments by the creator regarding the sins and karma. A total of 28 deadly punishments have been mentioned in the Garuda Purana which stating the readers which type of punishment his sins would led him to undergo at the hell.

1] Sucimukham (tortured by needles)

CRIME: Not doing good and amassing wealth by wrong doings and stealing wealth, not buying

PENALTY: Stinging with nails and torturing with hunger and thirst, constantly pricked and pierced by needles.

2] Visasanam (bashing from clubs)

CRIME: Rich people torturing poor and boasting the wealth and splendour without helping the needy

PENALTY: Non-stop bashing from heavy clubs from Yama's servants until their punishment term ends.

These are one of the 'good' ones, I think you don't wanna know about other Narakas like Kumbhipakam (which involves frying in oil) or Lalabhaksam [in which the sinner lies in a river of semen, feeding upon it until the end of his time].

If you are interested in this stuff, search 'Punishments in Garuda Purana'.

Till next time.

Bye.