Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY nor Naruto, all credits go to their respective creators.
As always, my replies to your reviews and some clarifications are at the bottom
This is the new and improved version of Chapter 5.
Hello there! Happy New Year to you all! Sorry, this took quite a while. I started rewriting this chapter somewhere in August, but because of the numerous schoolwork we've got, I had to take a long break and focus more on college. Now that I'm here, I just want to point out that I've changed my pen name from CallMeDaybreak into TIl Death I Do Art. Yeah, poetic, right? Pfft. Now with that out of the way, let's get on with the story, shall we?
Reminders:
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
"Jutsu"
Chapter 5: A Stray Dog
'An illusion,' the headmaster quickly deducted without a second to spare when the room he's currently occupying took a drastic change. His desk, the walls, the floor, and even the Uchiha in front of him, turned black and white.
The once calm and peaceful atmosphere of his 'safe-haven' vanished in a flash, gone and replaced by a strong feeling of suffocation and oppressiveness, resembling that of Atlas' towering structures. Simultaneously, it carries that dullness present in a dark alley under a heavy thunderstorm, all amplified to the extreme. It was all but inviting for Ozpin.
The only other color straying from the monochrome in front of him, is the crimson light that seeps through his window, illuminating his side of the room. It was both unnatural and sinister, so much that it prompted the headmaster to turn. A chilling sight of a blood-painted, full moon greeted him.
If his room losing its colors didn't unnerve him a bit, then this certainly did its job as a wave of anxiety suddenly gnawed at the back of his mind, though he pushed it aside and remained stoic when he faced the teen. If this was the Uchiha's ploy to intimidate him, then he would not confer, no. He was never to panic when faced by a threat. He was always calm and level-headed no matter the danger, and the Uchiha was no different. Which is why he did just that… to test the unstable waters.
"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Uchiha?" he patiently inquired while keeping a straight face. Suspicion clawed at the back of his head, begging him to listen, only for him to ignore it as before.
The teen in question didn't move nor answered from his spot, Sharingan still flaring as he stared at the eyes of Ozpin. The shinobi's arms then moved under his cloak, and the headmaster immediately tensed. He tightly gripped his cane beside him, preparing to defend from an attack, only to lessen it a second later when he noticed the Uchiha crossing his arms on his chest.
A false alarm… for now.
A few seconds of tense silence passed, Ozpin stared at him, awaiting his response, and he stared back. Both showing not a hint of emotion on their respective facades, before Sasuke finally answered, "It matters not what my intentions are, Ozpin."
It was not the answer that the headmaster was looking for, and the shinobi clearly knows that. The Uchiha was baiting his well-hidden anxiety, that much he could tell. After all, fear towards an individual with unknown intentions is more fright-inducing than those whose intentions are known.
Still, he would not rise to the bait. "Care to enlighten this old man as to what you're hoping to accomplish, Mr. Uchiha?" he challenged while observing the teen in front of him with calculative eyes. The possibility that the Uchiha is working for Salem crossed his mind, though it is still too early to acknowledge that thought. He'll at least give him a slight benefit of the doubt, despite his provocative actions… and some would call him foolish for that.
Sasuke frowned, looking unamused as ever. "As I said before, it matters not what my intentions are," he paused before briefly closing his eyes and opening it once more. "What matters, however, is what will you do, Ozpin?"
It was the headmaster's turn to frown. "I'm giving you a chance, Mr. Uchiha, stop this foolishness at once and I would turn the other around pretending this had never happened," he stated more austere this time, as he waited patiently for the red-eyed teen's response.
But deafening silence was all he received.
And with that, his eyes hardened. "If that is your answer… then you leave me no choice, Mr. Uchiha." He stood up from his seat, The Long Memory held in his right hand, and leveled stern look at the shinobi.
Without a second to spare, he quickly condensed a thick layer of aura around him, before flaring it in a mighty push. However, it proved to be a feeble attempt as the illusion didn't break. 'It's more powerful than I've formerly predicted.' He narrowed his eyes at the unmoving teen.
'Is this another copied semblance… or is this another ability that stems from his eyes?' He hastily scoured his brain for any answer, clue or hint he could find about the Uchiha's illusion, before his eyes widened in realization. The answer was so simple that it's literally staring at him in the face.
'It's his eye,' he concluded as he quickly averted his gaze away from the teen's kekkei genkai. 'The illusion was casted the moment I met his eye.'
Sasuke seemed to take notice of his aversion, the smirk on his face was more than enough proof at that. "It seems I've underestimated your perception, Ozpin… Now then, what will you do now?"
He ignored the taunt and instead, concentrated to condense a thick layer of aura once more. The prime difference this time, is that it was thicker and more potent than before. With another mighty push, he flared it, successfully shattering the illusion, and reverting the world around him to its original color.
'I was right… the illusion didn't break before because I was still staring at his eyes… It's undoubtedly the source of his illusion,' he briefly concluded before pressing the tip of his cane on the floor in front of him. He then rested both of his hands on the handle, back straight, shoulders tense as he stated, "It would take more than just an illusion to bring me down, Mr. Uchiha." He glared at the teen, yet careful enough to avoid his eye.
Sasuke gave him a humorless smirk before pulling his sword, Kusanagi no Tsurugi, from his scabbard and pointing it towards the headmaster. "Is that so? Then allow me to prove you wrong, Ozpin."
"I'm giving you one final chance, Mr. Uchiha." A statement that escaped his lips, although already knowing the teen's answer. His hold on his cane tightened as he pointed it like a rapier at the shinobi. His body was lowered, his feet centimeters apart, and his shoulders were tense. Stance honed from his battles throughout the years, prepared for the nearing clash.
"I don't remember asking." And with that, Sasuke dashed towards him at a breakneck speed.
He quickly steeled himself as he tracked the Uchiha jumping over his desk, sword raised in his right hand, slashing through the air and quickly closing on him. He swiftly raised his cane, not wasting a second to intercept the attack, creating a few dying sparks and a ringing noise as both metals heavily clashed one another.
Sasuke landed on the desk and Ozpin immediately ducked, sensing the incoming kick seconds before it came. He then retaliated at the opening by driving his cane at the teen's abdomen with a swift and powerful thrust, only to catch nothing.
He widely missed his mark as Sasuke anticipated his attack and backflipped high into the air. With impeccable control over his movements, the headmaster was slightly surprised when the shinobi twisted and maneuvered his body midair, almost that of an experienced acrobat, as he positioned himself upside down before quickly taking four shuriken from his back pouch and throwing it at him.
Ozpin swiftly poised his cane in front of him, prepared to deflect the fast-approaching projectiles when his eyes widened in surprise. 'What!?'
Almost like a mind-boggling magic trick, the headmaster was caught off-guard when the four spinning shuriken multiplied into sixteen, all the while quickly closing towards him. The sight baffled him a bit, but it didn't linger as he quickly regained his composure.
Ozpin raised his cane once more, with a speed that dwarfs even some Jōnin at the Elemental Nations, he blurred and deflected the numerous shurikens at an inhuman momentum. His strikes and parries were precise, emitting a green neon lighting that traced the air. At the same time, an afterimage of him staying still was left in his wake, deceiving those whose eyes were too slow to track him into thinking he didn't move from his spot.
Most of the throwing stars exploded in a puff of smoke, similar to that of a small cloud, while the original four fell and clattered on the floor. Their hazardous nature long snuffed out. 'A clone semblance… another ability he hid.' He concluded while narrowing his eyes at the teen who landed nimbly on the ground ahead of him.
'What more are you hiding, young man?'
The headmaster then pushed his thoughts aside when the shinobi in front of him moved. He watched carefully, whole body prepared to for anything that can occur as Sasuke raised his sword to his side before uttering, "Kusanagi no Tsurugi: Chidorigatana."
'Grass-Mowing Sword: One Thousand Birds Katana?' Ozpin briefly pondered the translation afore tensing at the familiar sight. The only difference this time, is that unlike before wherein the Uchiha's hand was engulfed by a dense blue lighting, it was his sword that carried the change instead.
The lightning blade held by Sasuke flickered and pulsed violently, the brightness that accompanied it banished some of the shadows in an intimidating fashion. A familiar noise soon broke the silence of the room as the sound of a thousand chirping birds flooded the space, they were in.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes at the lightning coated weapon. He already saw how deadly the Uchiha's lightning before, based on the clip of his fight with Goodwitch and his initiation. If it allowed the teen to shatter Goodwitch's barrier using his hand, then what more can it do if it was paired with a sharp sword?
Needless to say, it was painfully obvious to him that the lightning coating will enhance the sword's sharpness, possibly twice greater than its base form. If that's the case, then blocking and parrying is out of his possible options. He has to adjust his style or his only means of defending himself—his cane will be sliced in half.
"I believe we've done enough fooling, Ozpin." He heard the Uchiha impassively say, prompting him to remove his gaze away from the sword and settled it at the shinobi.
"It's best you take this more serious this time ," the shinobi continued, voice shifting colder with each passing word, "You played me the fool before, throwing everything you can to lure me as your pawn… Now… I believe it's your turn."
A sudden wave of killing intent hit the headmaster full force, causing him to flinch reflexively. It was so dark—potent and thick, that he can almost feel it in the air as if he was in a pool filled with icy water. His eyes hardened at the unpleasant feeling while the cogs in his brain turned at a dangerous speed.
He was a fool, and he knew that now. The Uchiha was far more dangerous than he had initially thought. He needs to apprehend him now before he can—
"Don't blink."
It was all the warning Ozpin received afore Sasuke vanished in a burst of speed, leaving nothing but a flurry of leaves in his spot. His brown eyes slightly widened in surprise, caught off guard by how quicker the Uchiha moved compared to earlier, before narrowing at the incoming danger he felt.
'Behind!' He followed his instincts and swiftly ducked, feeling the lightning blade crackle, inches away as it passed threateningly above his head. He turned, drawing his cane quickly, and retaliated with multiple thrusts. All were short but precise, calculated to aim the teen's vital spots, yet none managed to land as Sasuke dodged it with ease, simply by backpedaling.
Unswayed by his failed attempt, the headmaster pushed forward, releasing another barrage of thrust attacks faster than before. The familiar, green neon lighting traced the air following his rapid jabs; however, all was for naught as the Uchiha dodged it all without being hit, with the same impassiveness plastered on his face.
Whether it was to irk him or plain cockiness, Ozpin ignored it and continued his advance. However, it proved to be a mistake in his part as the Uchiha feigned to dodge to the right before parrying his strike with a quick and calculated slash.
His hold on his cane was loosened, guard warded open, before he managed to correct it. The Long Memory's tip was cleanly sliced off, offering no resistance like a soft tomato to a sharp cleaver.
He was right, parries and blocks were useless—the Uchiha's lightning-coated sword can easily slice through it. His eyes briefly surveyed the damage for a second, and it almost cost him the fight as Sasuke capitalized on the short distraction with a swift but deadly overhead slash.
His instincts blared, and Ozpin lowered his center, pushing his legs on the ground as he hastily jumped away before the flickering, lightning blade reaches him. A loud rupturing noise followed the devastating attack and echoed throughout the room. Rubbles erupted from the floor as the katana connected on his former spot.
'To cause such a damage…' he grimly mused as his sight narrowed at the heavily broken floor, rubbles and concrete rippled in a spiral pattern that formed a small crater, almost as if an explosive dust were detonated on the spot.
'That blade of his… it's not only sharp but also destructive. I have my doubts if my aura can even hold against multiple attacks like that.' He glared at the expressionless shinobi, gazing at him atop the crater. 'I need to end this fast!'
Lowering his center, Ozpin rushed at Sasuke with his cane poised high. His eyes tracking the Uchiha as he did the same. The two experienced warriors met at the center and rapidly traded blows using their respective weapons, sword versus cane, thrust versus slash. Both combatants moved so fast that even a veteran huntsman will have a hard time tracking the two.
The headmaster's attacks were precise, offering short and calculated movements, careful enough to not overextend his reach and give unwanted openings to his defense. He dodged and ducked the Uchiha's slashes with immense speed, before retaliating with his own. All missed its mark.
Even with his inhuman speed leaving afterimages and blurs that was overwhelming to some, the Uchiha is still able to keep up with him!
Ozpin's eyes hardened as he tracked the movements of the teen. Sasuke's swordsmanship was both graceful and deadly at the same time. His slashes were precise and calculated, poised only to strike at his most vulnerable and vital spots—it was like he was trained to kill humans and faunus instead of Grimm. Almost like an assassin.
The grey-haired huntsman abruptly moved his head to the side, avoiding the shinobi's attempt at impaling his neck. Not a second later, he then rolled to the left as multiple kunais were embedded on his former spot. Standing quickly on his feet, only to feel a well-packed punch hit him in his midsection. He didn't see that coming!
His aura flared, lessening the damage, yet it wasn't able to keep him from being winded. His features twisted in discomfort and pain, mouth gaping open as an unceremonious amount of saliva escaped his throat. Breathless and vulnerable, his opponent seized the opportunity.
Sasuke, in one fluid motion, spun and kicked the open Ozpin at the side of his head, disorienting him as his aura crackled. He was then thrown across the room from the force, tumbling and rolling, before he was able to land on his feet and stab his cane on the ground, stopping his momentum just as he was about to hit the wall.
Ozpin took a quick intake of air, narrowing his eyes at the shinobi as he ignored the pain and his unsteady vision. The Uchiha's fighting style was more adaptive that he thought, not relying on a single style while pushing the element of surprise to his advantage. He should know, after all he was very much caught off guard by the teen's well-timed punch.
He steadied his breathing, not tearing his gaze away from the teen as he plans his next move. But before he could, his trail of thoughts was suddenly interrupted when the Uchiha rushed at him. He tightened his hold on his cane, body lowering on instinct as his opponent neared him. If he can't parry the teen's sword, then he needs to improvise something, lest his disadvantage drag him down.
Sasuke's blade sailed through the air, and Ozpin waited for the perfect moment before he countered. If Ozpin can't parry the teen's sword, then he'll instead parry his unguarded arm. He will create his opening!
The Uchiha's blood-colored eye widened in surprise as the long memory redirected his arm and sword away from the grey-haired huntsman. The trap was set! Ozpin burst into speed, releasing another barrage of thrusts targeted at the Uchiha's head. The teen suddenly ducked low, crouching on the floor to avoid the multiple attacks—it was what Ozpin wanted.
'There!' The headmaster capitalized on the opening with a swift and powerful strike aimed at the teen's solar plexus. He was sure that dodging or blocking his attack in time was plain impossible due to Sasuke's position, and he knows that the teen is aware of this predicament.
His cane is already nearing its mark, attempting to block it will do no good as the Uchiha's sword wouldn't reach it in time. It will allow him to land a clean hit at Sasuke's solar plexus, aura or not, the sheer blunt of the attack will knock the air out of his lungs, giving him the opportunity to land more hits on the teen to finish the fight.
Rolling backwards or to the side are also out of the question, as it will take a fraction of a second to perform, simply too slow for this situation. And even if he does manage to pull it, he will then lag behind the headmaster's momentum, allowing Ozpin to land multiple hits on him and end the fight.
No matter what path Sasuke choose, the trap was already sprung. Ozpin was sure he can end this—
The Uchiha leaped.
—Or so he thought.
'What!?' His eyes widened in surprise. He didn't anticipate this! He really did not expect this! His attack caught only air, and his target, the Uchiha, is standing on the tip of his cane—balancing himself on the cylindrical metal, expression cool as if he did the most mundane and basic thing in the world. And if that wasn't enough to leave him speechless, Ozpin felt no added weight on his cane, almost as if the Uchiha is made out of paper.
His instincts abruptly blared, freeing him from his bemused stupor, before he felt Sasuke's foot planting on his chest. The teen kicked, staggering Ozpin, as he used the momentum to backflip high into the air, creating space.
Slightly stumbling backwards before he caught himself, the headmaster disregarded his failed attempt at finishing the fight and dashed towards the airborne Uchiha. His eyes tracking the teen, as he watched Sasuke shift his body horizontally in the air, facing him. The Uchiha is plotting something, that much he can tell.
A tick of a clock later, that suspicion was solidified as he watched the teen point his free hand at his direction. A familiar word followed, "Raiton: Chidori Eisō."
The headmaster's eyes narrowed as he quickly halted his dart, however, it was already too late. Under just a second, the shinobi's left hand was engulfed by the same lightning present in his sword. It crackled violently while chirping loudly, before a spear made entirely out of lightning rapidly extended towards Ozpin.
Time slowed down before his very eyes, as the lightning spear neared his beating heart. It was only inches away that even with his superior speed, he knows he can't dodge. He has no other options but to use it—his hidden ace!
Pushing his speed to the max, Ozpin shoved the tip of his cane to the ground and crouched. A wave of a familiar power washed upon him—his magic—before a green energy barrier was conjured, protecting him like a shield, and pushing the lightning away from his chest.
'That was close,' he inwardly mused as he gazed at the lightning spear embedded on his barrier yet failing to pierce through. He then glared at the still airborne Uchiha; surprise etched on the teen's usual cool face before he nimbly dashed towards him with his barrier still active. This was his chance!
Ozpin pushed through, dragging the lightning spear stuck on his barrier, afore jumping towards his open opponent. The Uchiha can't guard himself, this was his chance! He watched as Sasuke grit his teeth while dispelling his lightning spear before he twisted body vertically as a last effort to defend himself with his lightning coated sword—an erroneous move! It was already too late!
By the time the spear was released, Ozpin had already removed his barrier, granting him more speed and control, as the strain from using his magic was no more. High above the ground, he sailed through the air with a breakneck momentum, slipping through the teen's guard with ease. The green neon lighting followed and lit the room, all tracked to his movements as he released a barrage of thrusts towards the Uchiha's unguarded chest.
Each blow connected and left the Uchiha wheezing as the very air he needed was knocked from his lungs. His grip from his sword loosened, lightning dispersing as it fell and clattered onto the floor. Ozpin then followed by twisting in the air, pushing every ounce of strength he has as he gripped the long memory with all his might before he strikes it at the teen's solar plexus.
The teen fell fast and was forced into the ground, as a loud rupturing noise accompanied the explosion of rubbles and dust. A shallow crater was formed with the Uchiha embedded on its center. Battered and bruised, he lay, gathering as much lost air as he could before attempting to remove himself from the pavement—but the headmaster is still not done.
Ozpin landed beside the struggling Uchiha and delivered another barrage of thrusts using his cane, once again knocking the air out of the teen, causing him to grimace in pain and cough blood. His head toppled backwards, landing on the heap of the cold, broken floor while his breath hitched in desperation as he sucked as much lost air as he could. He was too winded to resist, Sharingan reverting to back to the normal onyx coloration due to exhaustion. He was down for the count, and the headmaster knows that.
"I regret it had to end like this, young man…" Ozpin stated in a leveled tone while mildly huffing, his adrenaline from the battle is subsiding, allowing his old age to catch up with him. He was obviously tired, so much that he pushed his cane on the ground to support himself before he continued, "I did not want any of this to happen… but you gave me no choice—you forced my hands to do this."
He then watched as Sasuke moved his head to the side to face him. Hardened, brown pupils locked into black ones. "What will you do now… Ozpin?" He heard the teen asked weakly from his position on the floor. The headmaster paused, whatever he was about to say died from his mouth for his thoughts consumed him before he could reply.
Earlier, he gave the Uchiha the benefit of the doubt. He originally thought he was just a misguided youth, one acting purely on instinct and pride without thinking the consequences his actions may carry. However, right after their clash, he was more than inclined to believe that the Uchiha is anything but that, based on his observations.
The teen's slashes were calculated and precise, trained only to strike at his most vulnerable and vital spots. Even an experienced huntsman doesn't have that much extensive knowledge on the human anatomy and where it's fatal to attack, no. If it's anything, Sasuke's movements were way too different from just a villager who hunts Grimm for survival, as he told of himself before. It's quite the opposite, actually.
The Uchiha moves like a highly trained assassin: quick, efficient, and deadly. And if that wasn't enough evidence to piece the puzzle together, the teen's Sharingan along with his various, copied semblance are more than enough proof to connect him to such bloody profession. After all, illusions and lightning are a perfect combination to get the job done.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes at the teen laying on the ground. The sound of Sasuke's heavy yet controlled breathing is the only noise present apart from the twists and turns of the cogs around them.
A killer ordered to do… what a killer must do…
Ozpin's eyes grew hard and cold, anger swelling rapidly inside him. His grip on his cane tightened, blood circulation cut as whiteness washed over his knuckles. There's only one being who would send such a professional to do deed. It must be her, there's no one else. It must be Salem, the queen of the Grimm.
'Why?' He paused; thoughts coming to a sudden halt as the unexpected question made its way into his mind. It was a simple but valid question, enough to tear and set ablaze to his previous assumption, and enough to quell the anger from within him.
Why, indeed? Why would Salem, a crafty manipulator who plays using her own, well-devised plans, plot something as straightforward as sending an assassin to kill him? No matter how hard he tries to put it, it really doesn't match Salem's personality.
Afterall, he knows the queen of Grimm too well. Gutsy she may be, Ozpin knows that she is too careful with her pawns and what rules she plays. She would not just send one man to attack him head on at Beacon where he has his advantage, no. There is no chance she would gamble like that when her chances of winning are slim.
No, she wouldn't plan something as sloppy as that. Instead, she would take her time devising something bigger that would ensure her victory, like ordering the Uchiha to stay undercover and garner his trust before she strikes.
Ozpin's brows furrowed in concentration for a second, before it vanished just as quickly as it appeared. There are just too many inconsistencies to ignore, too many irregularities that greatly blurs the line connecting Sasuke to Salem. If that's the case, then perhaps the damning truth is that the Uchiha wasn't even working for her.
Then who does he work for if it's not Salem? A third party, perhaps? Or is he working on his own? Another mystery upon the piles surrounding the Uchiha that he must know.
"Though, I admire your skills, young man… I'm afraid I'll have to turn you to the authorities for your actions." Once again, he tested the waters, searching for any reaction. A blank look was all he received.
"I won't lie, the punishment for your actions would be, in all cases, severe…" He leveled a stern look at the teen. "Attempted murder is already a heavy crime, what more towards one headmaster of a known prestigious school for huntsman and huntresses? As you may guess, it wouldn't be exactly light… However, if you answer a question of mine… I can pull some strings to lessen your sentence. So, enlighten this curious, old man, will you?"
Silence.
"Who do you work for?" he pressed the question, eyeing the Uchiha as he lay on the cold floor. Silence. Silence once again. His bride didn't work, he should have seen that coming. He shakes his head and tries a different approach.
"Please speak up, Mr. Uchiha… Although, I am against using morally questionable methods to gain wanted answers… I'm afraid there are others who would cross the line in prying you, young man… so it'll be best if you speak now."
Intimidation, a tactic Ozpin is willing to use to gain information from the Uchiha. And though his words can be seen as a bluff, it is anything but that. Besides, James Ironwood is no stranger in using more physical means during an interrogation. Bloody and questionable it may be, Ozpin can understand that it's a necessity, a sacrifice for the greater good, even if he doesn't fully support it.
Yet Ozpin is willing to avoid it… for now, at least. Just because almost, everyone is prone to talk when threatened with torture. If the Uchiha gave him what he wanted now, he can prevent him and Ironwood from meeting this early on. Afterall, Vale has more use for the Uchiha rather than Atlas. Yes, he can still use him in his war against Salem despite everything. Call him foolish, and he would call himself a tactician. Uchiha Sasuke is a very powerful piece to have.
A tick of the clock and still no answer. Another tick of the clock and his patience is wearing thin. Ozpin deeply frowned. "Who do you work for?" he repeated, colder with barely contained edge this time. Still silence.
The raven-haired teen continues to lay on the broken floor, breathing controlled and even as opposed to before. His face was filled with no worries or concern, blank and expressionless like staring at a plain wall. The threat didn't even faze him one bit, and it irked the headmaster even if he doesn't show it.
Silence once more.
"If that's your answer, then you leave me no choice," Ozpin found himself saying after a while. "Just know that I tried to steer you to a better path, I tried to give you multiple chances to correct your actions—chances that you so stubbornly ignored…" He took a deep breath. "I will repeat what I said before, you forced my hands to do this. And now, you must take responsibility for your actions."
The headmaster closed his eyes, massaging his temples, before opening it once more. Looks like he will need James' help, after all. He was about to take his scroll and contact Glynda to apprehend the teen in front of him, when Sasuke moved.
Expecting another hostile action, he hastily raised his cane, stance ready to combat the Uchiha but stopped when the teen merely raised his right hand. Confused at the gesture, he locked eyes with Sasuke, who in turn, raised his two fingers before pointing it towards the direction of his desk. He followed it, and his eyes widened in surprise at what he saw.
There, sitting leisurely on his chair with his hands clasped together on his stomach while his feet are raised on his desk, is the rogue student he supposedly defeated and was laying on the floor, Uchiha Sasuke. The teen's expression is still blank, though Ozpin could have sworn there was a hint of mild interest hidden in that visible eye of his.
Ozpin, with a cold sweat, looks back towards the spot where the Uchiha is supposedly laying. His eyes widened again, visibly shocked when he saw the laying teen morph into a cast of hawks. He then flinched when the birds of prey flew around him, each cawing loudly before surrounding him as if he's the eye of the storm. He prepared himself for an attack, but just as quickly as they appeared, the hawks vanished into nothingness before he could even blink.
'…What was that?' the headmaster questioned himself after a while. He glanced back at the Uchiha at his desk, a perplexed look still displayed on his aged face. 'What was that? What happened?' he asked himself once again yet failing to deliver a proper answer. His hands on his cane tightened, and it took him another second to notice its shaking. Was it because he's thrilled? Or was it adrenaline? No, he's afraid. Pure terror kept gnawing at the back of his head telling him to flee. Run. Hide. Escape. But he won't. He resisted it with all his will.
The headmaster took a deep breath, holding it in for a second, before releasing it. He repeated the process to calm himself, and that he did. After recovering, he then narrowed his eyes at the expressionless shinobi. He opened his mouth to talk but the Uchiha interrupted him.
"I do admit…" the headmaster heard him say monotonously. "It's quite amusing to watch you attack the thin air, Ozpin."
'Thin air?' he questioned before he realized it. "An illusion," he gritted the words out of his mouth. All this time, he was fighting an illusion! He played right into the shinobi's hands without realizing it!
"Hn."
Ozpin gritted his teeth. An oversight on his part cost him to be in the treacherous position he is in. He used most of his aura and strength during the fight. He was already tired. He needs to correct this fast!
He ran forward, or at least tried to as he found himself unable to move. 'What?' He tried lifting his arm, tried to turn his head, or move any part of his body. He couldn't, no matter how hard he tried to resist. It was almost like he's caught in a sleep paralysis, a very, very strong sleep paralysis.
"Save your strength, Ozpin," he heard the Uchiha say as he remained motionless from his spot. "You can't do anything while bound inside my illusion. No matter how hard you resist, you simply cannot escape."
'How is that possible? I broke free from his illusion earlier—I didn't even spare a single glance at his eye when we fought!' the headmaster mused to himself, cogs in his brain twisting rapidly to piece the puzzle together. 'How did I get caught in another—'
"You did not break free from anything," Sasuke interrupted with an answer as if reading Ozpin's very thoughts. "All of this isn't real," he coolly continued while watching the helpless huntsman.
'Calm down,' Ozpin reminded himself. Slowing his breathing as he waited for the teen to continue. Panicking would do him no good. He can still turn this around, and he needs to be calm and sensible for that to happen. He needs to stall some time, he needs to create a slip, a trap for the Uchiha to fall from. Yes, he can still win this, and he must be patient.
"How?" he calmly inquired, expression blank, mirroring the shinobi's own.
"Back then, when you noticed me inside your office, the moment you looked at my eye," he heard Sasuke reply. "The moment you met my eye, everything that happened afterwards, the Tsukuyomi, the fight, including this—" he watched as the shinobi paused and extend his left hand forward, open palm pointing upwards before turning into a cast of hawks. "—is all in your head."
Ozpin's blood ran cold yet steeled himself not to give any reaction, any weakness.
"The real you are still sitting comfortably on your chair while staring at my eyes." He then watched as the birds of prey returned to the shinobi, reforming his hand before his very eyes.
Shock flooded his system as if he were electrocuted, though he managed to hide it with a blank façade. A twitch was all there is. His thoughts, however, were a different story.
'I wasn't even able to do anything… To be defeated the second I gazed into his eye… Such a powerful and frightening semblance.' He pushed those thoughts aside, sweat dropping from his neck as he asked, "Tsukuyomi? Moon Reader? Is that what you used to turn the skies red?"
He then watched as Sasuke let out a small smirk. "You're sharp, Ozpin." He took that as a confirmation.
The shinobi adopted a thoughtful look. Ozpin assumed the teen was contemplating on whether he answer him or not. The former won as the shinobi opened his mouth and spoke.
"To tell you the truth, that wasn't the real Tsukuyomi." He took his bait, yes. A first step. Now, he needs to stall more. He needs to find more; he needs to find out the teen's intention. "Afterall, it was a technique exclusive to my brother." There! It was only a flicker, too fast for most eyes to notice, yet Ozpin caught it. There was that sorrow in the teen's expression as he mentioned his brother.
"What I did is merely a false version of it, an obvious way to let you know that you are trapped inside an illusion…" Ozpin listened as the dots began to connect inside his head. "So that I would attempt to break it, then be forced to show you my combat capabilities," he answered curtly. "Am I right, Mr. Uchiha?"
The shinobi nodded in response. "It was a ruse to see what power you hold, Ozpin. And seeing that you hold two semblances… I'm quite surprised," the shinobi stated as he eyed the headmaster suspiciously. He's oblivious to his magic. Good. That proves he is not really working with Salem. Now, for the second step.
"I do admit, that's quite an impressive plan, young man," Ozpin started, as he watched the shinobi with a calculating gaze. "Moreover, I'm quite curious how you were able to formulate a plan like that… did perhaps your brother taught you that?"
The moment he said that, Sasuke's face darkened for a second before it vanished quickly. A slip. A weakness he could pounce on.
"Don't overstep your boundaries, Ozpin." The warning was loud and clear with ice accompanying it despite the teen's blank look.
"Very well, I apologize for letting my curiosity get the better of me," he apologized, though lacking sincerity, before he continued. "Then, allow me to ask you another question." The shinobi merely raised his eyebrow on his request, while Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "Just what are you after, Mr. Uchiha?"
"Even if you do not outright say it, I for one knows that you have your own very reasons for doing this. Is there something in Beacon that caught your eye? Or are you merely doing this as a testament of power? Surely you have your reasons, Mr. Uchiha, so do enlighten this old huntsman's curiosity… no matter how ridiculous your reasoning may sound."
He watched as Sasuke narrowed his visible eye on him. A tick of the clock struck before silence befell them once again. Then the Uchiha finally answered. "I am searching for someone…"
'That's it?' The headmaster quirked an eyebrow, confused at the reasoning he got. "Is that all?" he inquired; bewilderment evident in his tone. "What makes you think you can find in Beacon the person you are looking for."
"I don't," was the offhanded reply he got. He narrowed his eyes at the teen in suspicion. "Then why are you here? Why are you attacking me?"
"As I've said, I am searching for someone…" the shinobi repeated, staring unflinchingly at the huntsman's cool eyes. "Do you remember the village that I have come from, Ozpin?"
The question came out of nowhere, confusing the headmaster for a fraction of a second. His eyebrow quirked before he hummed. "I do remember… Konohagakure no Sato, the village hidden in the leaves."
The Uchiha nodded in confirmation. "The one I am searching for—no—the people I am searching for are a threat to our village." For some reason, Ozpin found a hint of fear from the Uchiha's face as he stated that.
Are the people he's searching for, that dangerous to cause such a reaction from the usual stoic teen? Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that his enemy, Salem, is far more sinister and powerful than the shinobi's own.
If only he knew how terribly wrong, he was.
"It's my mission to track them, to ensure the safety of our village. Beacon just happened to be the optimal place for me stay while I continue my search."
He quirked an eyebrow at that, lips forming a stern frown. "So, you're just a henchman—no, a stray dog ordered to do its village's dirty job. And I thought you don't want to be anyone's pawn. You have an interesting sense of humor, Mr. Uchiha."
"Call me what you want, it matters little to me." Sasuke replied with frost as equal as Ozpin's. "What I'm doing is for the greater good, no matter how dirty it may seem to you."
"Greater good?" Though calmer than before, the headmaster failed to mask his frustration upon stating that. "You call attacking me, for the greater good? You really do have an interesting sense of humor, Mr. Uchiha."
The teen stayed emotionless and silent while eyeing him. He returned the gaze. "So, now what? Are you going to kill me, Mr. Uchiha? For the assumption that you're doing this for the greater good?"
"No," came the immediate reply. "I wasn't planning anything like that." Though the response was supposed to appease him, for some reason, Ozpin felt shivers run down his spine when he heard that. Then the Uchiha's eye bled crimson, Sharingan flaring to life for the headmaster to see. "You have more use to me alive than dead, after all."
The small shiver he felt immediately turned to fear. A twitch was there, and all there is. "What are you planning, young man?"
"As I've said before, I have a mission. I need to fulfill that mission no matter the consequence. Failure is not an option I have." The teen gazed at Ozpin's eyes with his lone Sharingan. "Think of this as a precaution in case you become problematic to my plans. You just happen to be too sharp and cunning to be left untied."
"You're afraid I would interfere in this mission of yours?"
"Afraid? No. Just… cautious."
Another twitch. "Then why trap me inside this illusion?"
"I originally planned to use my eye to extract information out of you, information I'm unable to gain due to my lack of sources. Then I would use my status as a student to continue my task from Beacon, making this my base and cover away from any prying eye. However, seeing the abilities you showcased earlier… my plan slightly differed." The headmaster's stomach dropped followed by a wave of paranoia. "I know that there is more to you. I know that you're hiding something, Ozpin."
The feelings increased. Shock, fear, terror, paranoia and various more clouded his thoughts, building like a storm in the middle of the sea. His previous failures haunted him. His earlier plans burned and crashed, forgotten as his emotions overcame his once clear and leveled mind. If he only he could move, then his body would shake uncontrollably under the stress.
"I'll activate the seal that I've placed in you, a genjutsu, which in turn will allow me to control you." He heard the Uchiha utter, snapping him from his state. 'Control?' Ozpin glared hatefully; teeth clenched as tight as he could.
"You'll turn me into a husk—someone under your thumb who would do your bidding?" Hate dripped like venom as he spat the question.
"Don't pretend you're disturbed by this, Ozpin. Afterall, you do the same thing, all under the banner of for the greater good." Emotionless, opposite to the headmaster's tone. "I know how people like you work. You keep peace by controlling everything. You try to keep everyone who you deemed useful under the tip of your thumb. You tried to do the same to me and look where it got you."
"Don't pretend you know everything about me, Mr. Uchiha!" The headmaster bellowed. Hate, anger, and fear long dissolved his composure. "You condemn me for that yet here you are doing the same! You're a hypocrite!"
"Hn. Didn't you try doing same thing earlier? To see what makes me tick? I merely did the same to you, Ozpin." He played him. He played him and he fell for it. He was outmatched from the start—he knew that now.
Desperation fed Ozpin. Like a wounded animal, Ozpin tried to move once more, doing everything he can to break free. He can't, no matter how hard he tried. He lost. The Uchiha stomped him.
Like a rabid wolf, his eyes, clouded by loathing, glared at the shinobi. "If you lay a single finger to any of my students, Mr. Uchiha. I—" An empty threat.
"I won't harm any of them, Ozpin. To that at least, you have my word." His glare didn't soften one bit. "Your secrets, however," the words fell cryptically into the air.
His secrets. 'No!' Ozpin's eyes widened in alarm; bubbling wrath replaced by a stronger fear. 'No! No! No!'
"N-no! Stop this at once Uchiha!" he shouted instantly, helplessness gripping at every word. "STOP!"
It fell on deaf ears. The teen disappeared in a cast of hawks before his very eyes. The last he saw was the Uchiha's red eye before an unwelcomed darkness quickly filled his vision.
"Release," Sasuke uttered while performing a single hand seal once outside the illusion. The seal he placed disappeared, leaving Ozpin vulnerable to the Genjutsu he placed earlier at the cliffs. The mind control justu was activated, and the effect came almost instantly. A reflection of his Sharingan appeared on the headmaster's eyes before it quickly disappeared.
The great headmaster of Beacon lost.
"You now work for me, Ozpin," he coolly said, earning a nod from the old huntsman.
The legendary huntsman of Vale was defeated.
"Very well, master. What are your orders then?" The words Ozpin uttered were emotionless, more so than in his normal state. It lacked warmth or coldness, only empty like the void.
The reincarnation of Ozma reduced to a puppet.
"Refrain from calling me 'master' and act like you usually do. It's best to do that to avoid any suspicion." Ozpin gave a small smile. A mimicry from the real one, yet barely noticeable.
The protector of mankind caged in an illusion.
"Now, tell me everything you know, Ozpin." A nod to his order followed.
Ozpin lost.
"Very well."
Ozpin is gone.
AN: As my boi, Sojiro would always say, Hooboy!
This was very very taxing to write as I've improved and changed a lot of things revolving this chapter. Nevertheless, it was very much worth it as the rewrite is finally done!
If you could probably tell, I changed my style once again in this chapter, shifting it to a single perspective at a time instead of the multiple perspectives in the previous chapters. It was a lot cleaner this way! And it kinda irked my why the hell I didn't do it at the start of Chapter 1. Oh well, I'm still new in the writing game so I'm still learning a lot of things by reading and writing. Oh, I also tried my best to make this chapter more immersive and descriptive than before, in a way you can feel what the characters were feeling. I really hope my writing improved one way or another.
Anyways, that's about it. I hope you do like this chapter. Thank you all for the favs and follows, I really really do appreciate it a lot! Leave a review if you haven't still dropped one. It would help me a lot! With that said, I'll see you soon, Buh bye!
REPLIES:
Wolf1741: Giblenator already explained it to you, so yeah. And thanks for the support!
Darth Lelouch: Thanks for reading and your support!
Giblenator: Very well said!
Danish78: Thank you very much! And thanks for the clarifying my mistake. I've always thought it's tsuruki aghhh my bad! And yep don't worry it's not really Tsukuyomi! As always thanks for the support! I Always appreciate it!
Dagsun: I dunno if I should be worried or nah?
rvala117: Thanks for reading and your support! And here ya go!
Restia32: I'm sorry I don't know what language that is, so I can't translate it! :cccc
Parker112345: Thank you and hope you enjoyed! And don't worry I definitely won't make him a harem protag! And regarding Yang and ships… honestly Yang is my least favorite member of team RWBY so I don't plan on making her Sasuke's love interest.
Vsauce: Michael Here I hope I explained it well in this chapter! Other than that, thanks for the support!
Ezio Kenway: Here ya go! Thanks for the support!
