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Chapter 16, the long awaited!
If you haven't read the rewritten first 4 chapters, you need to do so before reading this one. It didn't change much in terms of setting, but it changed enough. How any of you even thought they were tolerable before is beyond me. If you have read them, then I'm not gonna keep you waiting any longer. . . but prepare to be sorely disappointed. #SelfDeprication #CripplingSelfDoubt :)
This fic from here on out becomes single person perspective. You'll read the thoughts of and the story through one person's eyes.
It's Been A Long Time, But It Wasn't Intended; I Made Too Many Mistakes That Needed To Be Mended!
Chapter Sixteen: Never Will It Be Forgotten
"How did this happen?" Sasuke growled out where he stood. Both Suigetsu and Jūgo sitting across of him on a bench in the ruins of Mountain Glenn, neither worse for wear from their little travel through dimensions. "The seal was drawn out perfectly as specified, the amount of Dust I delivered was more than enough to cover it. So how is it that not only am I still here, but now you two as well?"
The Sharingan and Rinnegan were both used for the countless revisions and corrections he made, it was impossible to be from his end. He needed to summon Tatsuya again, to make sure just what the hell happened in Ryūchi Cave.
All Suigetsu did was shrug. "Don't ask me, I was only there to bring and guard Jūgo in Ryūchi Cave," he told him. "I'm fine, by the way. Definitely wasn't hurt slamming into Mr. Bipolar like a bullet or anything."
A glare from Sasuke was his response to that quip, but had no effect. Looking at his comrades, there was almost no change to them besides being a little taller, and he hadn't seen them long before even coming to Remnant. Looking behind him, Neo leaned on a wall just watching the trio.
'She knows too much. . .' the Uchiha thought before looking to the floor. He wasn't going to kill her, but he was going to keep her on a close leash until he was fully convinced of her loyalty. 'If you weren't convinced, then why did you bring her in the first place?' He didn't know the answer.
No, that wasn't right. He knew the answer perfectly well. Her loyalty would have been locked in when they arrived in Konoha, and he trusted her enough to know she wouldn't stab him in the back. Now? She's become kind of an unpredictable liability, but he trusted her even if it was to an extent.
One small sign against her would be her last, however.
Damn it. . .
He shook his head. He'd cross that bridge when he came upon it. "Just tell me how the hell you two came through the portal," he demanded of them to get back on track. He'll give time for his home to investigate what happened with the seal, they'd know more in that regard than him. Perhaps he could find out some information from these two.
Jūgo nodded and Suigetsu shrugged. "When I heard your home was looking for Chakra donors, I volunteered to help with the seal," Jūgo began then gestured to the Kiri-nin. "I couldn't bring myself to enter alone, so I left Orochimaru and went to Kirigakure and get Suigetsu to make sure I don't do anything 'drastic'." Sasuke knew exactly what he meant.
"You're still training the future Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Suigetsu?" the Uchiha asked. He still had the Kubikiribōchō peering over his shoulder from the deal he struck with the Mizukage to keep it.
"Hey, until the Mizukage allows me permanent ownership till my death, I'm still a teacher for those pissants," he said with a shrug. It certainly helped he was trained to master every one of the seven swords early on with Mangetsu, so his experience must be invaluable when they got those missing blades back, minus Samehada that should still be with Killer B.
The Uchiha looked back to Jūgo for him to continue. "After I found Suigetsu and asked-" "Badgered!" "-him to keep me in control, we went to Konoha and waited until it was time, then onto Ryūchi Cave where the thousands of ninjas gathered because of Naruto Uzumaki."
That last bit made Sasuke raise his brow. Bringing people together? Sounded like something Naruto could do, something Sasuke wasn't very adept in. Thousands, though? That was a surprising number that only a Kage summit could bring. Well, not 'only' anymore.
The bipolar man continued. "I took my spot on the front end of the seal, where I was specifically placed to be kept under watch by Suigetsu and other ninjas." So they didn't trust him enough to control his 'beast mode' and kept him where everyone could see him, the Uchiha found it understandable. Especially since he only uses Nature Chakra which was what causes him to go berserk, and was what he had to be using to donate.
Suigetsu continued for his charge. "After the Chakra began circulating the seal along with the energy from those crystal things, a black portal appeared in front of us, and then decided to suck us in instead of spitting you out. Our luck for being literally in the face of the damn thing." He then looked to Jūgo. "I'm blaming you, by the way."
It sounded identical to Sasuke's, the only difference being the end result. Were the seals in the wrong places? Sasuke couldn't even imagine the White Snake Sage allowing such an amateurish mistake. No, there had to be more to it, he just needed to give them time to investigate. Regardless, he'll need to summon Tatsuya soon and let them know what happened on his end.
"Are you gonna introduce us to pinky over there or what?" Suigetsu said as he looked to Neo's direction. "I was told you were bringing a friend, but didn't think you were bringing a kid." She must have heard, because she flipped him off. "Huh, I see you taught her something from our world."
Looking at the woman, Sasuke kept thinking of ways to deal with her. "Her name's Neopolitan, chances are she's older than you," he replied. "I used to work for her partner to get all those crystals you mentioned. She's been of help during my stay here on Remnant, and is now in my charge until I know what to do with her now that she knows about the ninja world and myself."
That last bit held more truth than he would've liked.
"You can just kill her, it'd make things easier," Suigetsu offered, but Sasuke ignored that idea of altogether, and she must've heard that too, considering she now had two middle fingers pointed at him. "Tell you what, I'll do it for you."
"You won't be doing anything of the sort, she's a comrade of ours whether you like it or not." And now he saw Neo stick her tongue at the Kiri-nin. "Neo," Sasuke called out as he looked to her with a serious look. "While I say you won't be harmed, if you so much as hint to anyone anything about the truth of my origin, it won't be him that kills you. Understood?"
That put her tongue back in her mouth, and now she stood there staring at the Uchiha neutrally, until she shrugged and did a zipping motion on her mouth. He felt there was a joke there, and he knew she clearly understood despite that grin she now had. For her sake, he hoped so.
"Regardless if that woman has becomes part of our group or not, what are we supposed to do now?" Jūgo asked. "I assume we're going to whatever village you were in until a solution is made."
There would've been silence, but Neo began to giggle, which didn't fit well with Sasuke's annoyed sigh.
"I'm guessing you made your mark on this world," Suigetsu stated in amusement at his irritation. "What'd you do, go on another avenger quest?" He then looked around the ruined city. "I'd say your destruction of the village part was rather successful. Good job."
Ignoring Suigetsu was easy, mostly because Sasuke had to think of his next move with these two added into the mix. 'Mistral's criminal underworld should house us well, but would it be that easy?' Getting there would be an ordeal in of itself, but doable. It's the hunt for him that would be the real hindrance, especially with everything he had done and shown.
"I became a wanted man as I worked with a criminal who in turn worked for a Faunus insurgent group," the Uchiha began explaining to the two. "Recently, there was a plan I wasn't aware of to destroy a plaza to bring in Grimm to ravage the city, and I betrayed them in the midst of it in order to stop it, but it still happened and I had to summon a small army of dogs to purge the city of said Grimm. After that, I was arrested and later escaped to enact the seal. Now I'm possibly the most wanted man on Remnant."
Now there was silence, which was fitting in his opinion.
"What's a Faunus?"
"The hell's Grimm?"
Sasuke sighed again. He had a lot of explaining to do and plans to make. One of which included dealing with a rather bothersome headmaster and an angry general. He just hoped it didn't come down to that particular plan.
"Have you found him yet?" Ironwood asked the officer through his earpiece, then frowned at the reply. "Then keep searching. He couldn't have left Vale." He signed off with a grunt and turned towards his two colleagues in Ozpin's office.
"Couldn't have left Vale?" Glynda repeated his words. "It's been almost a day since his escape from your ship, no corpse and no sighting since then. He could be already on a ship to Mistral by now, and that's if he hasn't mind-controlled his way out."
"We have combinations of Atlesian Knights, soldiers and airships guarding the borders," James defended. "And we have reason to believe Sasuke Uchiha can't control droids, so he couldn't have went through without us knowing." There wan't combat or damage reported, so he couldn't have left via land, and his attempt to leave through the air was denied explosively.
'If he's not dead, then he's hiding within the city,' James thought irritably as he looked past his friends towards the view of Vale. Unfortunately, Sasuke found himself some staunch support, which made things more difficult than it already was. "Roman should shed some light on the situation when he starts being more compliant."
Torchwick was the last to speak to the Uchiha, but denied to help them. He was visibly angry after he awoke, but went into a charade about not being able to remember; a common problem in his family, apparently. The last bit annoyed the general at such a mocking lie.
Roman can play his little game, because he wasn't being let out anytime soon. Not until he talks, at least. If he doesn't, then there were several prisons vying for him. If James had his way, he had a cold prison cell ready for the thief to occupy for the remainder of his life.
"And what happened in the ship?" Glynda asked. "I understood that he was secured and low on Aura. How could he have escaped?" A valid question, in the general's opinion, but one he couldn't answer fully.
It was Ozpin who took the lead, thankfully. "It seems Sasuke had another ability hidden up his sleeve, teleportation. As for being low an Aura, we only assumed that was the case, which clearly wasn't true." When he summoned that massive beast, it was more of an educated guess than an assumption, but his escape threw that out the window very quickly.
"Another ability?" Glynda sighed out. "I'm starting to believe that theory of him consuming other people for their Semblance." James was as well. "Teleportation and you don't think he could have escaped Vale?"
James shook his head. "It must be short range teleportation, otherwise things would have went vastly different." The combat footage with Winter when he had to run for a while before suddenly 'appearing' between her and the lock down switch was a clue, the other rare moments caught on camera being either very impressive speed or that teleportation ability just after the attack on the CCT.
"So how could he escape two headmasters in the same room with him?" Glynda asked, causing the very two to look at each other. "Both of you've been oddly quiet about it. What did he do to you two?"
Shaking his head, Ozpin answered, "we're not sure. What he used on us seemed to be an illusion, but all I can say for certain is that it's another eye technique of his." He leaned back with a sigh. "In fact, his eyes might be a source for most of his techniques."
The general rolled his shoulder at that particularly painful memory, and agreed with his friend's sentiment. It wasn't even counting how the Uchiha could use nature's wrath so freely, unless they were linked to the eyes as well. At least he had an idea of what to remove first when Sasuke's captured again.
"Chances are he's hiding in one of your citizen's homes," he said to the two. "You saw how support for him has grown, someone in the city has to be housing him until he escapes." Regardless if Sasuke saved a few from the Grimm, he was the one who helped put them there in the first place. Damn fools.
"Or altered their mind to allow him, or he could even be posing as them in their own home," Ozpin added. "Your soldiers might have seen him and be none the wiser." It crossed his mind multiple times that it would be the case.
"Or he could've escaped outside the walls of Vale," Goodwitch said as she fiddled with her Scroll.
James sighed. Uchiha was powerful, there was no denying that, but his reports didn't indicate anything that said he left. "Glynda, while it's possible, chances are-" Her Scroll was shoved in his face. "Oh. . ." There goes his theories out the window.
On her Scroll showed a live camera feed outside the main gate of Vale. In front of said gate, the Uchiha himself with several guards, droids, and soldiers from Vale and Atlas aimed their weapons towards him. He wasn't doing anything besides raising his arms up in the air in surrender.
There was no way he- *Beep* "What is it?" James nearly shouted in his earpieces. "If you're going to inform me about Sasuke Uchiha being at the gate, I already know." Two seconds passed before he finally said, "good. Tell the men not to move and keep an eye on Sasuke Uchiha, and make sure to watch the other gates and walls if this is a diversion."
When he looked back to his two friends, Ozpin was on a call about directing Huntsmen towards that area, and Glynda was watching the feed carefully for any update. They had to be thinking the same thing he was. It was a trap of some kind, it had to be.
Before James voice his thoughts, Ozpin said, "I just spoke with one of the people on scene, Sasuke Uchiha is requesting an audience with us." He did a double take at that. "By 'us' I mean James and myself, not the council." That was an odd move. He and Ozpin had power, but it would be the council that would usually handle these things. "What do you think, James?"
Was he actually requesting his opinion on a matter? It's been a while since that happened. "He'll be interrogated, but not by us," he said. "We are the ones hunting him, so if he's coming to us, then it could be for a parlay, one I don't intend to provide." And if an opportunity presented itself, take away those damn eyes of his. "I'm still sore from that technique he put me through, and I intend to pay him back in kind."
"Surely he knew you wouldn't grant his request, so why would he come back?" Glynda voiced as she saw in the feed Huntsmen arrive on the scene, their weapons added to the arsenal pointed Sasuke's way. "You don't really believe he's come just to be captured again, do you?"
"It could be arrogance. He did escape from a secure ship before and ran away with that woman that was with him," James replied, ignoring Ozpin's cough. "He even might've learned of his popularity and hoped to use that to sway public opinion and coerce the council for pardon or asylum." He wasn't going to let that happen, no matter what those naïve civilians thought and whatever those opportunistic politicians did.
Unluckily for the criminal, he came to them first out of what could only be false hope.
"So we quickly place him under arrest in your ship again since it's under Atlas jurisdiction and away from Vale's council authority?" The general nodded at Glynda's deduction. "The same ship he escaped before from two Huntsmen academy headmasters in the same room where he was chained?"
"We were caught off guard with an ability we didn't know he possessed and in a misinformed state," he countered heatedly. "It won't happen again, I'll make sure of it." Glynda didn't look convinced at all. "If you have another plan that doesn't involve giving him the spotlight to manipulate the people, I'm all ears. Mind you we need to act quickly before others find out."
Ozpin looked to Glynda for some guidance, who sighed and nodded, then looked back to the general. "Alright, James, we'll do it your way, but I want the three of us to be there when you interrogate him." Glynda nodded to that.
Good, they were able to see reason as he hoped, and the added force of them won't be something he would refuse, so he nodded. "If he wants to be captured, I will oblige that request with interest," he said as he tapped on his earpiece. "Bring him to my flagship, blind and bound. Be sure to send a security detail of Huntsmen until he's in a cell." He signed off on that, and walked to Glynda to watch the camera feed.
As instructed, the Atlesian guards brought his hands back into handcuffs, a bag now over his head to blind him fully. It wasn't that different from the last time, but he was being compliant like before, which made things all the more suspicious. It didn't matter, since in the bullhead with him would be full of wary Huntsmen instead of soldiers.
"Let's go, I'll have a dropship at the port ready to take us to my flagship ASAP." He began walking to the elevator when the two started following close behind. "I'll have him in an interrogation room with several Atlesian Knights, and just outside a few Huntsmen as contingency." A single questionable move would mean that vagrant's end at the barrel of a droid's gun.
"And what's stopping him from summoning those dogs again, or teleporting outside the room away from the Huntsmen?" Glynda asked as the elevator began taking him them down.
"The entire ship will be put on alert, Huntsmen and soldiers will be ready for an escape." He even called in the other battleship to support, and should be in close enough distance to assist for anything.
He saw Glynda furrow her brows. "That's all? Do you actually think he'd let you stop him?" No, but having three veteran Huntsmen onboard in spitting distance only helped his case.
"The three of us will be close by, so are you doubting our combined fighting ability as well?" Her scoff told him her answer. After a short walk across Beacon in silence, they reached the designated dropship intended for them and sat inside.
Taking out his Scroll to see a different feed, James now had Sasuke in an interrogation room, cuffed, blinded, and watched. The room held four Atlesian Knights, all of which had their guns point towards the criminal's head. If he so much as moved in a wrong way, it would be his last.
Moving to a different camera view just outside the room, he saw the several Huntsmen he commissioned to guard the door, all of who had their weapons out and fully alert. Good. If he tried to escape again, it won't go as well as the last.
He kept watching the feeds until he felt the dropship land in the hanger bay merely a minute later. The ramp dropped, and he stepped outside first, nodding to the soldiers and officers there to greet him aboard before going on his way.
"Come, we'll be in a separate room to survey the questioning." And also be close enough to intervene should he do anything stupid. He wanted their audience? Fine, might as well hear what he has to say now that he's properly in chains before his sentencing.
"You're pulling out all the stops, I see," Glynda commented from behind him, noticing the overhaul in security in this specific ship. She knew why, of course. "Not sure how they could stop him if he summoned that dog inside here."
"I have the other ship close by for a reason, cannons charged and ready." If he summoned that massive thing inside, then the ship was going to fall regardless. The moment it reared any of its ugly heads, it would be quickly bombarded.
Soldiers saluted him as he walked by as expected of them, and that happened a lot with the amount of people quickly redirected to guard duty on this ship. Chances were the people noticed the rush and diversion of troops, he just didn't want the conclusions made just yet.
A long hallway and several corners later, the trio entered a room with a few personnel that stood up and saluted them, and with three times as many monitors. A few with different angles on Sasuke, others on different parts of the ship, all of which had guards on screen. Most of which were concentrated in areas near the interrogation room.
"As you were," the general said, letting the people around to sit back down to their consoles. The three stood in front of the center screen, showing the criminal in all his bound glory. "I assume nothing's changed since his capture?" he asked the nearest technician.
"No, sir, nothing's changed," the man said. "No reports of contact at the border, no sightings of suspicious individuals in the ship, all personnel are accounted for and cleared, but unfortunately the Aura readings on the prisoner are inconclusive as before."
James look to the bar that indicated Sasuke's Aura levels. Like reported from the previous capture and his time at Beacon, the bar flashed from full to empty and back constantly, never settling anywhere. If there's one truth the thief might've told, it had to be that his electric Aura sabotaged measuring systems.
'Damn convenient for you,' he thought with annoyance, then nodded to the officer right in front of him. "Begin the questioning and recording." There was no way he didn't regenerate all of his Aura by now, no amount of it would stop the damage of several headshots by the droids. Even if it wouldn't kill him since it was blunted by his Aura, bullets to the skull turned to hammers, and there's no leaving unscathed this time.
"Yes, sir," the officer said before leaning onto the microphone, then held down a button. "State your name and place of birth."
The covered head moved up an inch. "Sasuke Uchiha." There was a pause, likely out of deliberation to either tell the truth or lie. "Birthplace is the village of Konoha."
That wasn't a place he heard of before outside of anyone other than the Uchiha himself previously. Ozpin said he searched for this 'hidden' village, but factors such as Grimm and the wide search area made it extremely difficult.
"And where is Konoha located?" the officer asked. Good, he knew what to ask, but there was no response. "I'll ask again, wh-"
"I asked for an audience with Ironwood and Ozpin," Sasuke interrupted. "Bring them here, and I'll answer the questions." Cocky brat.
"You're in no position to make demands," the interrogated said heatedly. "You are a prisoner, the only leverage you have is helping us to lower your prison sentence. Now where is Ko-"
"That's where you're mistaken, I'm in every position to ignore you and make demands."
What nonsense. "If you do not cooperate, we'll have to use other means to pry the answers out of you. Would you prefer that?"
Sasuke scoffed, of all things. "Did you honestly think the boss would come here personally?" The boss? "I'm a clone, fool." James resisted the urge to slam his fist through the screen. Damn it, damn it, damn it! He knew there was something suspicious when things were being too easy. "What's more, as a clone, I vanish at the slightest injury, and the original will receive the memories I acquired telepathically."
The Uchiha used clones before extensively as cover for several days at a time, so this was a lower risk scenario than coming here in person. Of course, he'd send a clone! And if that last statement was true. . . he needed to be caught quick before he went into hiding.
"And once he learns of your lack of cooperation, boss will find someone else that will work with him. The next person to speak to me must be one of the people I asked for, otherwise I will consider this meeting moot and voluntarily disappear. You have one chance, don't disappoint him."
The interrogator looked worriedly towards the general for further instructions, while he himself looked to Oz and Glynda for a suggestion. The headmaster looked stoic as ever, and the deputy headmistress only sighed.
"While I was expecting something, can't say I expected something as simple as this," said Ozpin. He didn't even look slightly frustrated, which only amplified James'.
"You're observation aside," James nearly shouted. "We have a terrorist to capture, and only a shadow to not even show for it." Though even that's going to be nothing quite soon. "If you have a suggestion in capturing the real one before this copy vanishes, I'm listening."
Oz only shook his head, James knew it wasn't possible if Uchiha followed through on his word. He could reach out to a council members of Vale, but he doubted the criminal would risk working with someone who could easily stab him in the back.
Vacuo as a hideout was an unknown, he stole from them enough to antagonize them a bit, but it's worrisome he could appeal to their warrior pride. Atlas or Mantle were easily the cities Sasuke needed to avoid. Along with the general, Jacques would do what he could to double down the hunt for him due to all the Dust he stole from his company.
Mistral, however, was a completely different story. They had an underground full of criminals, one that Sasuke could easily hide in with little trouble. If James were to try anything similar to Vale, then that turns into a diplomatic incident.
Menagerie was also a very likely candidate, one that had its own problems if he decided to arrive at Faunus lands with an armada. Old wounds like that wasn't something to be fiddled with.
"Everyone out," James ordered, causing the soldiers in the vicinity to pause at the bizarre command. "Did I stutter?" And before they could hear another word from the highest ranking officer in Atlas, they got up and left the room.
And now all was left was the three and an Uchiha on screen. This was less than ideal. If he was going to run, then they'd hunt him down, but considering his skill set of hiding even in plain sight, it'll be difficult. James considered shooting him in the head right now, but would do little if the very likely chance this was actually a clone.
With an annoyed grunt, James walked to the mic and pressed down on the button. "This is General Ironwood, and I'm here to discuss your situation. Make no mistake, clone, your creator threw away the offer we put on the table, and won't be brought up once more. Is that understood?"
The captive paused for a moment, likely thinking of his boss' predicament. "That's unfortunate, but not devastating." Damn thing didn't even sound bothered.
Ozpin walked up beside James, who gave him the microphone. "This is Ozpin. You said you would answer our questions, so here's the first one. Why does Sasuke want to come back?" Of all the questions he could have asked. . .
Another pause for some deliberation. "Convenience. Boss would rather work with someone he knew rather than strangers. He knows what you're like, what to expect from you, but the other headmasters and politicians are complete unknowns. And if we can nullify Atlas' ire, the better. However, boss will work with unknowns if it came down to it."
The headmasters looked to one another. The clones' reasoning was sound, but it brought up another question. "Why does Sasuke want to work with us in the first place? What's his goal?" Oz said through the mic.
"He wants to find survivors of his village."
And that somehow coincided working with Torchwick in stealing a monumental amount of Dust and Paladins? James would sooner believe Torchwick's hereditary, short-term memory excuse.
But during his fight with the team RWBY, he did tell them about finding his friends who were elsewhere, so that matched with his intentions if he was telling the truth. That, or it's a fake story to help the people sympathize with him.
"And stealing Dust is supposed to help with that?" Oz asked. "Not to mention the Paladins he helped steal."
"Paladins were none of his concern, and neither was the Dust, but rather influence and widespread reputation."
Reputation? James could understand acquiring influence to have people do as he says, but reputation was another matter. "And how does that fit in with finding his lost comrades, especially with a reputation as a man named Gaara?" Ozpin asked, thinking the same as him.
The fake Sasuke let out an annoyed breath. "He would've used his own persona, but the nature of his missions required a cover, and Gaara wasn't only just that, but was also real and a well known soon-to-be village leader before his death. If the iconic name of Gaara and his description spreads wide enough, surely survivors of the village would try finding him."
So this Gaara person was based on a real person whose existence was common knowledge, so it sounded like a very plausible plan. If previous information was true of how his village leaders were famous, then then this Gaara could very well be well known as well, but something sounded wrong with that idea.
"I don't believe you," Oz said to the mic. "Sasuke Uchiha never seemed to be the person who used plans based on faith." That was it, that plan was an indirect way of searching with too many loose cogs where mistakes would happen.
The copy let out an amused huff. "You're correct, perhaps it was out of faith, but it made word spread far very quickly, and most of all, it worked." What? "Just a few hours ago, two survivors found him, and so boss has no intention of letting up on his search if more could be found soon. With or without you." James could imagine a smirk on that clone's face under that bag.
So Uchiha found two new allies, and the general couldn't help but feel anxious about what that might entail. If they were anything like Sasuke, it made things very worrisome. And if he somehow found more of them. . .
'Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself,' James thought as he shook his head. There was always the chance he's lying, and that changes nothing. There's no deal. "And you expect us to help you gather more of them?" The clone nodded. "Oh, and what should we expect in return except a stab in the back?" He's done so before, he'd do so again.
Again, the copy scoffed. "Sasuke Uchiha is a mercenary, general. You pay him the appropriate amount, his loyalty is yours without question. Bar perhaps a few things he wouldn't do, like aiding in the mass slaughter of civilians." He's referencing the breach, of course. "Hopefully, you wouldn't do anything that would warrant him to turn coats like Roman." How 'noble' of him. . .
"Roman was your employer?" Oz asked. "Not anyone else?"
The bag shifted in a way that said the clone tilted its head. "Only once did Roman mention in passing about someone else being his own employer, but boss answered only to Roman. If you want answers about the other, ask him yourself, boss wasn't told anything he didn't need to know."
This actually confirmed what James already knew. Roman wasn't behind these operations, someone else was, which must be why Ozpin asked. He doubted that this Queen character would personally hire Roman. . . would she? No, there had to be someone else. Possibly even the woman by Qrow's account who ambushed Amber.
Or perhaps he should've asked for his response whether Sasuke was her pawn or not. Not that he would say 'yes' to such a thing if he was.
He switched the mic off and turned to his colleagues. "Do any of you believe him?" James asked the two. The clone's answers were. . . rehearsed, to say the least, quick and explained. Although that should've been expected since he was the one who approached them ready for this questioning.
"Almost," Ozpin said. "I don't know about his intentions, but his reasoning to come back to us as his first option seems rehearsed." Good, he noticed as well. "But also could very well be true, particularly the bit about easing up Atlas' animosity towards him. It was his choice to come back here, and he did risk alot for stopping the breach. There's chance we're his only viable option, bar perhaps Mistral, but the hunt would sti-"
The clone interrupted. "Considering the pause, I'm going to assume your deliberating my words, so I've come with something to ease the deal. Boss understands that trust is low, so he's willing to offer you something you people wanted for a long time." Trust was low? That's an understatement.
James switched the mic back on. "I've said this before, there's no deal. Your boss will be hunted all across Remnant, no matter where he hides or where he chooses to side himself with"
"Then boss will give Mountain Glenn to someone else."
That. . . That was unexpected. "What're you talking about?"
"As you must've noticed, boss has a diverse skill set, and among those, he's capable of making the fallen city of Mountain Glenn into a defensible zone for colonization once again. He's willing to turn your failure into something more. If you won't accept, I'm sure the Council of Vale would appreciate the offer."
This was a problem. Ironwood turned to his two friends, both of who looked uneasy at what was said. If Sasuke reached out to the council, he didn't doubt that the Uchiha would get what he wanted. . . but he didn't.
"I know he wouldn't reach out to the council," Ozpin countered. "He knows they'd betray him at the earliest opportunity to help themselves, so he decided to reach out to the people outside of their jurisdiction, someone he can make a deal with little worry from the authorities."
It hit James then and there. It wasn't out of convenience, it was out of protection! If they made a deal with him, then no other form of government can touch him without their. . . No. Without Ozpin's consent. If his story was true, then the Uchiha's people would already be flocking to Vale. So he chose this place because they were already on their way. . .
More of them were coming here.
Sasuke needed Vale.
The clone smothered a growl, but the mic heard it. It was as good as a confession. "Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer." It wasn't James who said it, but rather Ozpin. "However, I want to add a few more details if we should agree." What was he doing!?
He immediately turned off the microphone and looked to Ozpin with more than displeasure. "Are you out of your mind?" Ironwood almost shouted. "Remember what he did not a day ago, you want to work with that?"
Ozpin, in his ever glory with negotiation, nodded. "He needs us, James, not the other way around. I think we can put him to good use." Another form of good use would be dissection, he refrained from adding. "Think about it. If his people were indeed flocking to Vale, he can't just leave or go against the deal in fear of him and his people being hunted."
"There's another way for him and his people to live while being hunted, just ask Qrow's sister," he snapped back. "Last thing we need is more of his kind in one spot to. . . Oh."
Oz nodded. "All in one spot where he and they can be observed and kept under watch." He gestured to the screen to the clone. "Or would you rather have them running around Remnant doing goodness knows what. I understand you're angered by what happened back on your ship, but I have no intention of falling to the same trick twice, James, are you?"
James shook his head. "I see your reasoning, Oz, but what makes you think he won't stab us in the back again? Suppose we allow this vagabond reside in Vale once more, this could just be him coming back but now with assistance."
"I'm fully aware of what we have here, James, you don't need to tell me why I should be concerned for letting in Sasuke Uchiha into our midst once more," he said impatiently. "While normally I would agree, there are a few discrepancies I need to clear up."
Ironwood scoffed. "With Uchiha? Assuming he tells the truth." He gestured to the mic. "Go right ahead, but know this, I think it's a mistake to even humor this."
The headmaster nodded and took the mic again. James had to admit that Oz had a few points, but it wasn't worth the risk. If Sasuke and his supposed fellow villagers were given amnesty within Vale, he'd keep them under constant watch, even restrict their movements. It normally wasn't a bad idea, but when it's with someone whose abilities seem unending, that'd be difficult to put control over.
"We'll talk about those conditions at a later time," Oz said through the mic, the clone perked its head to show it was listening. "But first I would like to know a few things. Though I am skeptical if you'll answer truthfully."
"Whether you believe me or not is your problem, but I'll answer to the best of my knowledge," the clone said.
Oz nodded. "Why did Sasuke bring back Pyrrha's arm?" Of all the questions he could've asked, this wasn't one he considered worth it or compromising! However, the clone seemed unusually still at the question.
"So, her memory came back," the prisoner said with a sigh.
"While she wasn't willing to share much in details, she only said as much," Ozpin replied. It was true, the redheaded girl was oddly silent on how her arm came back, but she did say it was Sasuke who healed back her whole arm. It was bizarre form of loyalty. "Though I can't help but say that I already knew."
The clone scoffed. "So you did, but you don't know how." It seemed gloating as he said it. "Do understand, I'm telling you out of goodwill." Yes, yes, very generous. As long as he explained how he-
"I did not ask for how, I asked for why." Damn it, Ozpin!
The clone looked confused, even if he did have a bag over his face. "Does it matter? You could ask about Sasuke Uchiha's myriad of abilities you won't find on anyone else, but you care about his intentions?"
"Would you have told me the truth about them anyway?"
The clone let out an amused breath. "I would've, but carefully. His abilities aren't things you gloat around lest you want someone to shove a knife in your throat while you're asleep. However, as I said, I'd answer to the best of my ability, take that as you will." James thought about what that meant. It could be that he'd answer all lies, but also light truths of it, keeping the truth about it veiled while he gave them crumbs. It seemed like something he'd do.
"Sasuke's intentions on healing Pyrrha's arm was simple. He wanted to, nothing more." Not many go on whims to regenerate an entire arm, and it seemed like Oz believed it even less, but the clone continued. "The people he was around with were a means to an end, and having them mope around for months to come due to a lost teammate wasn't something he-"
"I have to stop you right there," the headmaster interrupted. "Here's what I believe." He leaned in, making the wise stance he'd usually make when lecturing. James guessed it was a reflex from how long he'd done this. "I believe that Sasuke considered Pyrrha as a friend, as he did the rest of team RWBY and JNPR."
The copy stayed quiet for few seconds, as did the general, though he wasn't one to break it first. "What nonsense." James didn't think he'd agree with a criminal, but he did this time.
"You said it yourself," Ozpin said smugly. "Parading with the abilities he has is like shouting for people to kill you in your sleep, so why take the risk of getting discovered for Pyrrha if he didn't think she was worth it?"
The clone scoffed and shook its head. "You heard my answer, you can believe what you will."
James couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose. Ozpin had the clone, but he didn't ask the question that could've answered where his abilities came from, or why people would kill him for them. Instead, he asked. . .
"Why did you decide to stay in Miss Rose's room in the infirmary the day after you stabbed her?"
Again, the clone was taken aback at the nature of the question. "Are these the types of questions you're going to ask?"
"Are they that much of an issue for you?" He knew what Oz was doing, he's trying to show Sasuke that he indeed considered the students of Beacon as his friends, even if he seems to be denying and mocking the idea itself. Though he had an inkling that he was also showing James himself. "We know he has a diverse skill set. Summoning beasts, conjuring a giant ethereal armor, control over the elements without the use of Dust, teleportation, illusions, compulsion, the list goes on and on. Honestly, it's a little frightening."
Wait, was that why Ozpin was considering taking him in again? To turn all those abilities to their side? That was if Sasuke was indeed not involved with Salem, which James still had doubts of. . . damn it.
"Your wordplay is elongating this more than it needs to be. Get to the point, ask your questions, and let me know if we have an agreement." Again, James didn't expect to agree with the criminal, especially his increasing agitation.
Ozpin turned off and leaned away from the microphone, looking at James with that look he has when he thinks he's right or when he showed something that proved his point.
"Have you finished asking for your 'discrepancies'?" James asked unamused. "So the man seemed to have bonded with your students, what does that prove? And why was he so stubborn against admitting it?"
"Because he's proud, incredibly so," Glynda answered instead. "Sasuke was alone if he wasn't with teams JNPR and RWBY. At first I thought he preferred solitude, but now it seemed for different reasons. It seemed like he didn't wish to replace his comrades. It's almost poetic."
The general couldn't help but find it skeptical. "I don't see how that fits in with him denying their friendship, assuming it's true in the first place."
"Because he didn't give up, James," she answered. "If we assume he was honest, then he believed his comrades from home were still alive, and would come search for this Gaara character once they learned of him through some means."
"And he couldn't have told us? Couldn't have asked for our aid, and instead went on this mission to steal resources and Atlas military technology for what? Spreading the word out? Forgive me if I find this too suspicious."
Glynda didn't answer, likely she couldn't. The Uchiha's objectives might've been known, but his explanation to achieve them were far too complicated. If it worked as he said, it was insanity.
"I remember on our first day," Oz began, bringing the eyes back on him. "Sasuke looked very apprehensive when I said that he was to be handed to the council. He does not trust authority, so he took it upon himself to find survivors." Ozpin looked contemplative, deeply so. "He doesn't like authority, but is willing to work with them. I suppose that's a sign of how desperate he is. We can control him to a degree."
"Desperate or not, bringing him here is a mistake," James said. "Unless you intend to ambush him, I've no intention of allowing that vagabond to walk freely in Beacon."
To his surprise, Ozpin nodded. "I've no intention of that either, but we can't have him run amok on Remnant. So what do you purpose?"
Ironwood nodded. "An ambush with the finest Huntsmen," he began. "I'll have my ships nearby and surrounding him at the ambush point to make sure he's tracked, while the Huntsmen and droids take him down."
"Normally a fine plan, but you're forgetting two things." Oz held up one finger. "If he managed to escape, he will no longer approach us. You've seen his abilities, and I'm willing to wager he has even more." He held up a second finger. "Suppose he has two allies with him. They could either be stronger or weaker than him, but they're still two unknowns with possibly similar abilities." He looked back to the display showing the clone. "Your operation needs to be a one-shot victory, or it'll be a damning failure. I don't believe the risk is worth it."
"So what would you have us proceed?" James replied with more heat than even he expected. Ozpin was right, Uchiha was an unknown who he'd bet hadn't even showed all his powers, but to give him a free pass was inexcusable!
Oz looked to him. "I do believe you have a subordinate who isn't fond of Sasuke." James knew who he was talking about. "Suppose we give her the duty of being Sasuke's warden, his moves and life completely watched in case he commits an error."
"And if he did?"
"He'd be residing in Beacon, James, where all its residents would descend upon him if he turned coat again." He had to admit, the idea that hundreds of Huntsmen and Huntresses, augmented by his own forces, had James consider Ozpin's idea. "We are no longer asking where he is or what he's been doing. His ability to catch us off guard has been reduced to near none. We'll be there, watching and waiting if he lied to use once more, and we'd not allow him a third chance."
The idea was tempting to take. Uchiha's abilities had always been stronger with a surprise, or when he fought on his own terms. But in Beacon where everyone's aware of who he was and what to expect? There'd be no a successful surprise attack, but rather a swift response. On top of that, Specialist Schnee was no pushover, especially after Sasuke beat her.
"I won't lie, Oz, that sounds functional, but why?" James asked. "Why risk it in the first place? If he's someone who can't be controlled with abilities like what we've seen, then the safest option would be to eliminate him."
Vale's headmaster nodded. "Because he's powerful, even more than he lets on. Imagine if we have him in our fight against Salem?" He could understand that, but that was if Uchiha wasn't under her influence already. "If we see a hint that he was lying and his allegiance was with her, then we'll do it your way."
Was Oz seriously willing to meet him halfway? He was either that confident that he could bring Sasuke to their side, or terrified of the notion that he'd join Salem's. Perhaps that could even be why he had such abilities in the first place.
Which was why he needed to be eliminated, where even he, and Ozpin for that matter, would surely involve themselves to subdue or kill Sasuke Uchiha. His abilities weren't to be mocked, which was also why it was tempting to have him on their side. But was it worth the risk?
No, it wasn't, but Ozpin must've known that more than James did.
"Fine," the general finally responded with a sigh. "For now we'll do it your way." He looked to the Uchiha on screen. "However, I want more out of this deal. As he said, he's a mercenary, let's make good use of it." It also gave room for mistakes he could utilize.
"What did you have in mind?" Glynda asked. "I assume it'll have to be inside Beacon grounds or Vale at least, to keep him in sight." She was right, just to make sure he doesn't escape, Beacon would be the criminal's prison and its occupants his wardens.
And it looked like Oz knew that as well. "Worry not," he said. "I have just the thing in mind. First thing, I do believe we have a clone we need to inform." The two nodded and let Ozpin back on the mic. "We've deliberated with what to do with you, and we have some conditions before moving any further."
The captor nodded, showing that it was listening. "First, you are not allowed to harm any of my students or teachers unless there's special conditions." It nodded again. "Second, you will be followed by a handler, you and your two com-"
"Three," it interrupted. "I have three comrades. The woman, Neopolitan, is part of my group now, and should be treated as such." James remembered her, the diminutive woman he thought was a little girl when she was arrested.
Ozpin looked to the general for any comment, but he didn't have much to show except suspicion. Her abilities during the previous escape were troublesome, but it shouldn't be difficult with the students in Beacon. He was told one of Oz's students were already able to keep up with her, so it shouldn't be a problem. Reluctantly, James nodded.
"That's fine, but the three of them are his responsibility, which brings us to the third condition," Vale's headmaster said. "Sasuke and his group are not to leave Beacon." The clone took a second, but nodded regardless. "Condition four, if any of his group showed any kind of hostility to Beacon or the kingdoms, the deal's off and will consider this agreement moot and warrant his immediate arrest."
It didn't respond, in fact it looked like it was suspicious of this condition. "So that's why you provided the third condition. At any error, all students and teachers would pounce on boss."
"Do you have a problem with the fourth condition?" James asked authoritatively, almost hoping he'd reject the deal altogether.
"Not at all," the clone said with a shake of the head. "Merely acknowledging that you understand what it would take to bring the boss down. Regardless, he has no intention of breaking this agreement, and accepts this condition."
Ozpin hummed. "The fifth condition is that if we accept him back in Beacon, we have to let Vale and the world know Sasuke's new allegiance, and repair most of what he'd done with his reign of terror."
"What do you have in mind?" the clone asked, cautious of what that might entail. Again, James found himself agreeing with the criminal.
"We'll make a speech for one, and an announcement of what he'll do to show solidarity with the kingdoms." What he said next had the general slap his own face. "Fortunately Sasuke already has three teammates to join."
How could Suigetsu have his sword when he never had it when the fourth war ended? I just wanted him to have his sword, so I used that blank moment where he was never seen to give him a brief story on what he was doing while 'not on camera'. You can't deny that he had the sword or not because there's no solid evidence he didn't! LOOPHOLE!
But the real reason is simply the 'I just wanted him to have his sword' part, so my exposition to 'why' doesn't matter to me. Though I have two simple rules when I use creative liberties: 1) No bullshit, 2) No convolution.
Trivia:
1-The reason I don't want Naruto to be in my fic besides in passing is because he would ruin what I want Sasuke to do. You want a hero story where the MC just comes in, saves the day and befriends anything with a pulse? 95% of the fics on FF is that exact unimaginative Disney trash (salt, anyone?).
2-One of the mistake that I absolutely hated which made me begin rewriting was the lack of visible interaction between Sasuke and the RWBY crew. It made the impact in chapter 5, 7 and 10 duller than I wanted. I need them to show their emotional bond before I claw it with vicious personal ambition. . . I swear I'm sane.
3-The biggest excuse why I wasn't working on this as much as I should is because of my new PS4. Combined with Overwatch, Titanfall 2, and MGSV. . . anyone wanna team up?
On the plus side I've made three other stories while rewriting, if you're interested.