Chapter 19: Culture Shock All Around
A/N: This was supposed to be short. It was either that or I finished the first round. Neither happened.
Basically a 10k word chapter. I hope you enjoy it!
Quick clarification for Beacon's combat class placements from last chapter:
1) Summer
2) Raven
5) Qrow
8) Taiyang
Also, clarification: Aura Slash is known, just that very few people can do it. To a point it's basically unknown. The hair trick, on the other hand, is completely unknown except to Naruto, Glynda, Raven, and a few others that total to the single digits.
The dream for 1k reviews looms ever closer.
That's all. Enjoy!
Chapter START
The Kingdom of Vacuo was known for its lawlessness. The strong ruled, and the strongest ruled absolutely. Anybody worth their salt in the kingdom of the desert made their way to the city of Vacuo, marching through endless hills and dunes if they were born in the outskirts. Because of how many powerful people resided in the city and the fact that Shade Academy, filled with their hopeful next generation of Huntsman, presided in the heart of it all, there had to be a set of rules placed to protect the future of everybody in Vacuo. Despite this, fights broke out all the time, and students of Shade were more than willing to get involved.
The students that were accepted and given entry through the gates of Shade Academy had to apply to the Academy themselves. No kind of requests were made originating from the Huntsman Academy; it wasn't the kind of school where any ordinary person would thrive. If an aspiring Huntsman applied to Shade, they had to know exactly what world they were stepping into. Unlike the other three, Shade, and Vacuo, took great pride in its culture. Might and wit triumphing above all, and everything else bowed down. If a person wasn't strong enough, then they'd break.
Raven had heard of all of this. And now she had seen it first hand before her. In no other Kingdom would it have been acceptable for a student to make the kinds of passes that Kuuma had made to Naruto, a professor at Beacon. However, in Vacuo…who cares? She was an exceptional third year student that represented their desert Academy, full of pride and power. She knew what she wanted and said as much, and nobody from their school made a fuss. In fact, most simply nodded, and when Raven made her counter to battle her to prove that Naruto was hers, the Shade students had nodded agreeably again.
So why was she in this situation again?
"I can't believe you'd do this. I take you to Atlas to try and improve your temperament and attitude so that you can represent Beacon without standing out. And then you pull off this insane stunt the week after the week of the Vytal Festival." Naruto was pacing back and forth behind the dark oak desk in the middle of his assigned room. It was similarly sized to the one in Beacon. A bed sat shoved to the wall and a window directly above it, a humidifier resting on the windowsill. "And your words, Raven!" He flung his hands in the air and slapped them down on the desk. The two sets of eyes matched. One calm, relaxed, and the other befuddled and possibly unhinged.
"What about my words?" She really didn't understand what the issue was.
"You can't just go around declaring I'm yours like I'm some kind of property without my knowledge and say-so!"
"...Can I say that you're mine?" she tried. He shook his head aggressively.
"No!" was the emphatic response. Well, it was worth a shot. The blond gave her the softest glare. She knew he wasn't really upset. More confused and unsure, but it was…interesting to her. Raven had never seen her professor like this before. His hair was slightly disheveled from gripping the ends during his earlier back and forth walk. The light outer layer he had was dismissed, laying abandoned on top of the chair. She had to admit…this unkempt visage he bore naturally before her was also somewhat attractive. "I'm not property and I gave you no permission."
Raven had to give him that. He was better than property. He was the best damn combat professor in Beacon, and most likely the strongest as well. She swung her leg over the other, then leaned forward so her elbows rested against the table and laced her hands together.
"Okay, professor. I'm sorry for creating a…" she let the silence linger like a mist. "Mess. In Vacuo. Away from Beacon."
His shoulders straightened. His expression was conflicted. "I know…that you don't mean it. The apology. But I also know the words you said out there on the dock. What you said can be misconstrued, you know? People can misinterpret that."
Raven shrugged without any weight on her shoulders. "Yeah, but you're not most people. Your Semblance helps you read anybody, and you know exactly what I meant." Naruto winced across from her. "Why? What's that face for?"
His eyes roamed the room, gaze floating everywhere but at her. "I…I do know what you meant. But I don't think you know what you meant when you said it. Which is why I'm saying you don't mean it."
She lifted an eyebrow. She knew exactly what she meant. "That you're my professor? My professor, not hers and any other idiot that thinks challenging for your tutelage. Why would I ever not say that with pride and truthfulness?"
Naruto's eyes finally left the walls and rejoined hers, fixing her with the usual resoluteness and calm she had known him to always have. Then, a soft - was that a hue of disappointment - smile slipped across his face.
An uncomfortable tingling sensation roused her, traveling up her spine. What had she done wrong?
"You shouldn't ever have to, and I'm thankful that you think so highly of me. But I'm going to have to ask from you to just try not to say things that can be easily misunderstood. Especially in public while we're here for the Vytal Festival."
Her expression fell flat. "That's a whole month."
"It is."
Her bloody eyes gleamed with coals. "You're expecting me to not say shit to anybody that can be misunderstood for an entire month? You might as well ask me to not talk to anybody."
Naruto's facial features kept stagnant, even when her irritation started to bleed into her words. "I'm asking you to try. And you can say whatever you want to anybody else. We're in Vacuo, after all. I just don't want you to say it to me."
Raven felt as if Naruto had punched her in the gut without her Aura up. "What?" she all but hissed. She flew to her feet, the chair rattling and falling to the floor behind her when it lost its balance. "I don't see you, my professor, for an entire week, and this is the shit I get when I finally find you?"
Naruto's smile began to turn higher, but it never reached his eyes. "Yes. I'll still individually train you, and I don't mind - "
Raven was already at the door. She didn't want to hear it anymore. The blood inside of her was screaming at her to swing her sword at something. Literally anything. There was a familiar weight in her bag, and a terrible voice whispered to her to swing it at her professor right now.
No.
She may have been a flighty, extremely irritated Raven Brawnen, but she wasn't such an immature student to lack the foresight to see the consequences an action like that would cause her. Naruto would forgive her for getting pissed and walking out in the middle of a talk. Her pulling out a sword against her professor without official consent for combat and in foreign land would get her in all kinds of legal troubles. The kinds that couldn't be simply forgiven by a single individual that was also away from home.
She slammed the door behind her. Raven stood there for a second, baggage in her tightly clenched right hand. She was vibrating with her whole body, the irritation that had escaped from her lips now spreading across all of her in immense intensity.
This wasn't her. She was Raven Branwen. She had better control of her feelings. Emotions didn't help her with shit, and she knew how to handle it.
Slowly, she inhaled deeply, filling her lungs until it couldn't take in any more air. Then she let it all go, eyes closed. Now that she was out of the room, her heart wasn't throbbing with pain and rage as it was half a minute ago. She wanted to open the door and apologize and tell him that she was fine, but she didn't even know why she'd be apologizing. Seriously, what for? And why had what he said frustrated her so much?
"Hey, she's out! Raven!" Raven forced herself to release the tension in her shoulders and faced her team. Summer was running in the halls, waving at her as she approached. The other two boys followed behind at a more sedate pace. "You good?"
Raven gave a perfect imitation of a nonchalant shrug. "Been better."
Summer looked down, then back to her eyes. "I can tell. Your hand is shaking." Shit. Obvious concern filled Summer's face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"...No," Raven tersely said through tight lips, only speaking after a few moments to calm her arms. "No. I want to go to the dorm."
"...Okay. Let's go."
Qrow had seen her and had looked halfway between rushing to her or kicking down the door to the professor's room and demanding an explanation. Thankfully, it ended up being neither. Taiyang said some unheard words, and her brother shoved his hands into his pockets and turned around in apparent displeasure. She had to admit that she did appreciate the sentiment - why? She could handle and protect herself - but she was sure if he approached her, she'd just lose the semblance of control she had on her bottled anger. And if he went to the professor, they'd see his body fly out of the room the moment after.
This was the best course.
Raven released a faint curse.
Naruto let his legs give out and fell to his butt. His face burned, and his heart thrummed healthily. Breaths came and went far too quickly, and his muscles flexed and released without control.
A healthy cherry red coated his face evenly, reaching even his ears. He threw his arms over his knees and tucked his head underneath them.
"She has no idea what she's saying. How can she not realize…that 'my professor' and 'mine' aren't even remotely the same. Is she lacking in social norms that much?" A few seconds ticked by, and the sound of his heart drumming in his ears was all he heard. "Of course she's lacking."
But it was too late to do anything to fix what he had said at the moment. He knew that she wouldn't want to speak to him. That's just how she was. She would do her best to avoid him when she felt slighted or angered by him. Her pride was…irritating like that. Cute at times. But definitely not ideal for moments like these.
But how was this his fault? He was barely seventeen, and he never had a relationship before! A professor of combat, the youngest of his kind in any of the best Huntsman Academies? Sure! He could do that easily! Naruto Uzumaki could handle teaching kids how to throw fists, kick legs and ass, and how to utilize their deadly weapons for equally deadly purposes. It was all in the memories of his past lives.
Relationships, though? He'd seen the end result of what could only be a happy marriage. He'd seen many families and the strength it provided him, the want to protect the smiles and warm household made of life. He never saw how it reached that point. Any of the buildup. Only the end and the results.
How he loved his children. Took care of them. Raised them. To be patient and dote on them when they were hellions. Being willing to let go and trust that they'd come back to him and his love when they matured.
It's why it was so easy for him to teach a class of combat. He viewed them all as children. And Raven Branwen was just like he was. How fitting. Unwilling to fit into the mold, breaking away from normalcy until people accept their standard of acceptableness. He now understood the pain others felt dealing with him just a little.
The red covering his face turned a shade darker when the extremely recent memory of Raven pressing a finger to his chest saying 'mine' in that wanting tone of hers played in his head. He knew what she meant. He was strongly connected to her emotions. Those words were not the same as 'my professor' at all. That singular word was as possessive as a dragon hoarding its treasures.
"...Kami help me."
Why did the one problem child make herself a woman in his eyes?
"So let me get this straight," Taiyang said, so full of disbelief that any other time, Raven would've let out a smirk. "You thought that you were simply stating that your professor didn't belong to the other girl or Shade Academy, and you were implying Beacon's when you said mine."
"That's what I said. It's not like there were any other Beacon students next to me. When I said 'you're mine', I meant ours."
Taiyang's head fell into his hands in a groan. Summer sat next to him, face red and steaming.
"Raven, ah. That's…that's not what that means," her team leader stammered. "When you say that someone is yours, you're implying possession."
"Exactly," Taiyang agreed, face still down. His voice came in a muffled warble. "It's like you were born in a tribe of bandits with no social connections."
"That's definitely not where we're from," Qrow denied the accusation a bit too strongly. Raven sighed. She needed to steer the conversation away from that topic and back to whatever it was making Taiyang and Summer so embarrassed.
"So what's the problem again?"
Summer looked at Taiyang. Seeing that he was out for this one, she gulped loudly. "Well…you know what relationships are, right?"
Raven held back the look she'd show if someone asked her if the sky was blue. "Yeah. Girl or guy likes the other's strength, and asks to make a baby that will be strong."
"..."
"..."
Taiyang made a sound of deep, deep pain. "Noooooo…I am not having the talk with them. I refuse to do the talk with them!"
"Taiyang, what choice do we have? Qrow was nodding along with his sister! They literally have no clue what's going on! O-Okay! As team leader, I will take responsibility and explain!"
Lorem ipsum lorem ipsum something something about sex and relationships. Taiyang only interjected when he felt it was absolutely necessary.
"Oh…so all those guys that stopped by the table were trying to flirt with me?" Raven asked, slightly out of breath and with a whole new world accessible to her.
"Yeah. So when you were showing them the death glare after your conversation with Professor Naruto, they backed off. Not because they were scared, but because they took it as a rejection."
That would have to be rectified post-haste. She was a deadly Huntsman-in-training. She could absolutely kick their asses. "And let me get this straight. When I was talking to Naruto, he thought I was saying that he was my…significant other? In a relationship?"
"That's what you were saying, Raven," Taiyang clarified, head still in his hands. "It was either you were stating that you were in a relationship with him, and no one could get in between, or you were declaring your intent and that everyone else should back off."
"...Oh." Raven said, red beginning to bloom across her cheeks. The world she discovered seemed to be grayscale.
"...Oh." Qrow said, equally mystified. Why did things have to be so complicated in the cities? Why couldn't they just say…actually, there wasn't much talking done in the bandit camps either. They just started mashing lips and sometimes did the deed in the open.
But this was amusing. For once in his life, his sister was in a bigger funk than he was, with a problem that she couldn't solve. And the world he saw was one full of color. He swore, if there was a rainbow outside, which was absolutely possible in the desert, he'd see nearly ninety vibrant shades. How beautiful the world was.
"Haha, you practically marked him! Like an animal!"
"I will kill you! Fratricide is an amazing word and I can demonstrate it!"
"Woah, sis! Put Omen away!"
"Alright!" Summer clapped her hands, and the Branwens thankfully stopped. "Now that that conversation is over - "
'Oh wow, she just really glossed over it like that ,' Raven thought.
" - let's move on to training and thinking about the next few days! We have three days of classes, and then our two day mini-tourney. After that, the official tournament starts. What do you all want to do?"
"...Can I go talk to the professor real quick? I just wanna clarify to him that I wasn't marking him…kinda."
"No, Raven!"
"Noooooo."
"Hahahahahaha, my sis is - WOAH! UNCLE! UNCLE!"
"FRATRICIDE NEVER LEFT THE TABLE, QROW!"
"CHILDREN!"
"Ughh…"
Shade Academy was alright. There were pros and cons, and they'd only arrived three days ago.
The food was pretty good, if not exotic. Lots of focus on curry, rice, and flatbread that was more delicious than it had any right to be. Despite the fact that the Vytal Festival meant that vendors and supply drops were available, the Academy continued to serve its normal dishes to the students and guests. Summer complained that there weren't any delicacies that contained unobtainable amounts of sugar that could overflow a river. Taiyang somehow managed to coax one of the kitchen staff to let him bake and made some cookies from scratch, which earned him a hug. Whether he was gasping from embarrassment or the powerful bearhug around his waist was yet to be determined. Summer was always stronger than most people expected, and this only became more apparent when sugar was involved.
Technology wise, it fell behind Beacon and far behind Atlas. The classes were generally blackboard and chalk with focus on oral presentation. The combat class, which took place on the lowest and largest tier of the building, held an arena with a sand environment and concrete floor on the other half. No special features were engraved into the building. None of that holographic stuff from Atlas. Simple, and completely fit to function.
The classes themselves were probably the most divisive in terms of opinion. Due to their culture, Shade's professors ignored theory for the most part and focused heavily on the practicality of their lessons. They wanted to impart knowledge that would help you survive if you were dropped in the desert immediately. It was expected of graduates to be able to not only survive, but to become comfortable in almost any natural environment while also filling in the role of exemplary Huntsman.
Most of the visiting students found the survival courses mildly interesting due to its novelty. Most Huntsmen rarely ever left the Kingdom where they became alumni. None of their Academies broached this subject or had any courses on it due to the fact that they didn't have to worry about wildly fluctuating weather and biomes. Vacuo was the only Kingdom where almost every single type of biome could be found, which implied a full range of temperatures and also a fuller ecosystem. The amount of fauna and animal knowledge a graduate had to know was astounding. And for some reason, every single member of team STRQ was fascinated.
Combat course was far more to Raven's liking than to any of the others. Even Qrow was slightly put off by the amount of brutality that was allowed before the professor's stepped in to break apart a spar. Spar was hardly the right word for these battles. Not when the first showcase battle between two fourth year Shade students resulted in one of them fighting through their Aura running out. It was only when they were getting pummeled in the face, their opponent straddling their upper body and laying haymakers over and over as their downed classmate spat out blood from each strike, did the professor intervene.
Everyone was able to see how the defeated student sat up, the winner never proffering a hand to help, and walked away on his own with a bloody trail in his wake. He hardly looked upset. His posture showed pride in his defeat, as if he was glad the professor didn't step in until absolutely necessary. There was a hush that filled the room that reminded Raven the first time she experienced a cemetery visit. Her parents may have been weak, but they deserved to at least know once that she was alive, and that she'd stay alive because she was strong.
Every battle - because these were not spars - came to the same conclusion. Killing was not allowed, but beating another student until their Aura gave way to unprotected skin was perfectly acceptable. The weapon the victor was using was tossed to the side once they were on top of the loser, and they began to wreak havoc. The raucous Shade students jeered and cheered in equal fervor, drowning out the deathly silence of the visitors. Some professors from the other Academies even looked uncomfortable, shifting in their seats but unmoving.
On the second day, Kuuma was called forward to participate, chosen to face off against a no-name Atlas student in the same year. Before the word 'begin' could even reach the spectator zone and light up the screens in the top of the room, Kuuma sprang forward. Her opponent's weapon, a bayonet rifle that was in the middle of mecha-shifting into a spear, lunged at her, threatening to pierce her lower abdomen.
"Holy shit," Taiyang and Qrow whispered. Raven raised an eyebrow and Summer winced.
The crowd let their approval be known with murmurs and hums when Kuuma nearly coiled around the spear horizontally, and then slammed into him with both palms against his chest. Giving him no time to rest from his stagger, she was on him, dual sickles testing her opponent's defense in a flurry of strikes and spinning kicks. The sound of metal clanging against the other in violent clashes resounded. More often than not, however, were the unheard misses of the spear, not even scraping against the cloudy fabric that Kuuma wore on her arms. Ten seconds later, she had worked him out and started poking at the holes she felt, and the shine of red Aura crackled at every advantage she took. It was the most uneven spar that they'd witnessed yet at Shade. Perhaps he was better in team oriented combat, but it would be obvious to a child that this was a one sided slaughter.
The Atlas student took a gamble, realizing that defending would only lead to a delayed defeat, and leapt forward for an all-or-nothing attempt that could turn the fight in his favor.
"Oh dear," Summer whispered under her breath. The fact that Summer even commented anything was a testament to the catastrophe she, and every other person in the room, witnessed.
Blink, and they'd miss it all. Kuuma was the wind herself, becoming a tornado and gale as she ducked and weaved, then slashed seven times before the other student's feet touched the ground. When he finally found purchase on sand, Kuuma was already behind him, sickles raking down his back and tearing a pair of straight lines raggedly through the clothes. Even from where they sat, near the back of the rows and rows of seats, they could hear the cry of pain when his Aura strained.
It was over. Everyone knew it was. You don't let an enemy get to your back without getting punished for such an egregious error, and that's when your Aura is full. When it's below twenty percent, well…it's done.
The Atlesian student was swept off his feet when Kuuma spun on the ground with an outstretched leg. He fumbled in the air, then landed on his back when Kuuma grabbed him midair and crushed his body to the ground. His Aura sparkled and cracked, fully spent.
There was a question in everyone's mind. This was the Vytal Festival they were here for, and it was to show unity between the four Kingdoms. However, the reason it was also done from one Kingdom to the next was to remind each other that other people lived different lives and to respect that. This was to show acceptance of the others.
So when Kuuma straddled on top the student slowly, almost sensually with a lick of her lips, and then started punching heavily on the foreigner, the visitors got the answer to their question. The question being what rules would they be playing? Because surely, a Shade student wouldn't pummel a student from another Academy with the same reckless abandon they did to their own. It was worse. Kuuma continued to strike, hitting his chest and arms, ignoring his face.
They got their answer: there would be no reprieve. They were playing by Shade's rules this year.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Ironwood shouted as he stood from his chair on the ground floor, breaking through the cheers of the Shade students that had been chanting Kuuma's name to the beat of her strikes. "He's clearly beaten and this is far beyond any of the other spars."
"He needs to learn how poorly he performed. She's simply ingraining it as a lesson to his body," the proctor sniffed, his voice rebounding through the speakers in the arena. "This is Shade's way of educating."
"She's beating him to death!"
"And he'd die if he showed his back to any Grimm in the world."
But the proctor did stop Kuuma, who had both fists raised high in the air, ready to bring them down together. The student was shaking uncontrollably under her, but powerless to do anything else but. "Aww…but I'm not sure if he gets it yet." Her voice was quieter, barely discernible due to her distance from the proctor's mic. But everyone could hear the giggle that followed.
"A shame. But it will have to do, since that headmaster wishes for you to stop," was the snide remark. Kuuma glanced over her shoulder at the glaring general, then stuck her tongue out with a wink and a disgustingly friendly wave. Raven saw her spot a familiar blond professor near Ironwood and gave him a little air kiss. Then, she stood up and away.
Raven sat with her fists clenched. Her team sat near the back of the room, and three others had taken this most recent fight poorly, to say the least. Summer had been holding herself back from saying or showing how deeply uncomfortable she was the day before. Now, her eyes furiously shined with something ferrous, white knuckles clasped on her lap. Taiyang set his jaws, staring unblinkingly at the student's raspy gasps echoed in the dead silent chamber. Qrow was silent, for once not quipping or making any smart comments. Her brother sat there, back ramrod stiff and face solemn. The two of them knew violence, but that was the life of bandits. This…this was beyond their life in Anima.
Somehow, Kuuma's eyes found hers in the sea of students and locked on, a sickly smile working its way to her lips. The smirk was crystal and bloodthirsty. A small tremor slid down Raven's back when she slid a thumb across her neck so, so slowly and narrowed her eyes playfully.
Then Kuuma fully turned her back and walked back to her seat, and the noise resumed when Ironwood demanded immediate attention for the boy still laying on the ground, breathing quickly on the ground.
The medics that were stationed near the side of the room got to work, and it was over in a matter of minutes. The bloody sand was all that remained to remind everyone that whatever had happened just minutes prior had truly happened. A bit of Aura injected into the injured student's system and a day off, he'd be mostly recovered. Give him the weekend of rest, pretty much completely back to normal. Physically.
The weight of a hand placed itself on top of her left. Once again, Summer was looking at her in concern, silver eyes reflecting the light of the room.
"Are you okay?" Her voice dripped with something Raven knew a normal mother would have if they saw their child injured. "You're shaking."
So she was. Once again, her body was moving without her control. That single tingle that had started as a seed in the tip of her brain had bloomed and spread.
But they hadn't seen her face, so focused they were on what was below them. The fight, the medics, and the headmaster's screams and their professor's complete silence during the whole thing.
They hadn't seen her smile at Kuuma in retaliation to her thinly veiled, mimed threat. It was an aggressive smile with too much forced glee and far too many teeth. Kuuma saw it and returned it with her own saccharine smile.
They understood each other. Neither would hold back if they matched up.
'I'm coming for you, bitch.'
"Never better."
Let it be known: Naruto hated meetings. This was a fact of life, and of lives. Immediately after the combat class was over, Ironwood demanded an assembly of the combat professors of each school and the headmaster of Shade. Naruto inwardly cursed the man, annoyed that he was going to have a late dinner. He had promised to go over some things with Glynda; it would just have to be pushed back.
Don't even get him started on the fact he had a meeting the day before with HR and Ozpin because of something out of his control. How was he supposed to know what Raven was going to say?
So here he was, walking through the door to the classroom that would host this small gathering. Smaller than the wide lecture halls, it was closer to the office hour rooms that could hold up to thirty students. In the middle was a long, rectangular table with chairs surrounding it. Most of the professors inside were sitting in chairs in twos or threes with their affiliated Academy, bored with a languid expression. Others were sitting silently on their own, Scrolls in hand. A circle of older men, mixed in their Kingdom apparel, were thoroughly engaged in their discourse, standing in the opposite corner of the entrance.
"I'm glad to see you again, Kahli! You look good for someone pushing fifty! How do you not get wrinkles living in the desert and in the sun? My daughter would hate you!"
"I'm glad to see you as well, Gold. Your daughter already hates me because I beat her in cards last time we met." The man named Kahli, back facing Naruto, hesitated. "Where…is Karvat?"
"Ah, don't worry!" Another voice in the circle. "He's just tired of teaching combat so he's doing lessons in a smaller elevator school in Mistral. Still kicking and being the obnoxious shit he always is." A round of laughs, with two of them yelling 'hear-hear' in plain agreement. Kahli shook his head, but Naruto bet that the man was smiling from relief.
Naruto took a seat, ignoring the attention. He was by far the youngest, at least by ten years. Maybe fifteen. But he sat there, eyes half lidded and chin resting against his palm as he waited.
Sure as the day comes and the night follows, the sound of thunderclaps neared from the hallway. Ironwood barged in, slamming the door open and halting all activity in the room as the attention ripped over to him.
"What in Remnant are you teaching your students?! Body mutilation is okay?" Ironwood's shouts echoed, loud to the point that some professors were plugging their ears without hiding it. "I stayed silent yesterday, but I can't turn a blind eye to this! Kahli, answer me!"
The only sound that could be heard was Ironwood's heavy breathing. Slowly, every person took their seat. The man named Kahli took the singular one at the very head of the table, and Ironwood took the other end.
Naruto had seen the headmaster through his Scroll. Glynda had forced him to do research again on the people he'd be potentially meeting. The images did not do the man justice.
"I would, if you'd let me," the headmaster of Shade said, voice deep and steady, rolling like gravel. Dark skinned, thin but not frail. The tall man sat in his large chair, but his upper body revealed that his muscles were wires, and his body lines were sharp like a sketch. Even his hair was rough, thin cut and cropped to the point it was almost shaved. Perhaps for a man that was practically the peak of human physique, Kahli's greatest shame must be the eyes he had hidden behind dark prescription glasses that rested on his large nose, and the fact that he was growing older. Weathered with lines as if his face was eroding, he must have been over fifty.
Ironwood fell into his seat and crossed his arms, waiting impatiently. Kahli held Ironwood's gaze calmly, as if he had been told about a particularly interesting game that he held no investment towards. "First of all, I have to thank everyone for coming here on such short notice. I understand if you have found the spar displeasing."
"Spar, he says."
"Tiny bit displeasing, hah. My foot."
"Is this guy messing with us?"
A few of the professors, mostly the younger - relatively - ones whispered. Naruto remained silent. If he didn't contribute at all, maybe he'd be able to leave sooner?
"More than displeasing. That was a mockery, and your student did no less than beat down on another student, and a foreign one at that. His collarbones and top two ribs were broken, with many others bruised and fractured. He's got more purple skin than his normal skin tone!"
Kahli set his hands on the table, politely laying them on top of the other. "And he will recover when his Aura returns. He is receiving medical attention and a Semblance to boost his recovery and speed the process."
Ironwood scoffed. "Yes, of course. But when he came to, he was screaming at everyone near him to stop and to not approach." The general slammed his a fist against the desk, nearly shattering it when it croaked in protest at the sudden force. "How do you heal that?!"
"I cannot." And wasn't that a bitch. He said it so simply too, the same way one would state the grass was green. "However, I will say that if a beating is all it takes mentally aggravate one of our future Huntsman to the point they are unfit to retain their status as a student, perhaps they were never fit at all for their role."
Ironwood's eyes narrowed, undoubtedly sending heat-homing lasers that could cut through the entirety of Remnant. "How dare you…"
"I dare, because this world is cruel and we must show our students the truth of the world. And I see a lot of new faces here. Ones that weren't here eight years ago when the Vytal Festival was last held in Vacuo." Many of the professors' muted whispers were silenced. Kahli took this moment to lock eyes with every single person sitting at the table. It lingered on Naruto for a moment longer than the others, then continued. Finally, it rested back at Ironwood's. "I would rather be the one to teach the students the reality of this world than to have them be shown it only once and never again because their eyes are then shut forevermore, their ears closed, and mind gone."
Naruto had sat up in his chair, now intently listening. An unsettling quiet had taken hold, and in that rusty, dimly lit room where the evening sun and winter desert chill entered through filtered silkscreens, Ironwood actually remained silent.
"Tell me, headmaster and general," Kahli said, expression still stone. "Would you prefer if a human taught the lesson, or the Grimm?"
"The human. But that girl," Ironwood snapped, "was feral. It's as if you can't even control your own students and have no leashes!"
Kahli didn't even blink at the outburst. "We have leashes. Trust me, headmaster of Atlas, we do. There is a very thin, almost invisible leash connecting to every Vacuan, and there is only one that holds them all. It is death." Kahli let it sink, digging deep down until it struck the marrow of bones. "Unlike your laws and lives of comfort, we Vacuans respect and expect death. We anticipate it. The moment that leash is let go and we lack respect to death, we as a people fail and will fall to the desert. To return to the sands and dunes. All of our laws are to provide a means for us as a people to survive in our Kingdom. So I will not apologize for Ms. Velt's actions today against your student. She may have harmed him, but she did not kill him. The law says to not kill others, and she will follow if she wishes that leash to remain loosely on her neck."
Ironwood seemed unconvinced. "A lesson that teaches your students through beating through Aura is acceptable if it's only done on your own students. Leave mine, and leave every other school out of it. I asked for the attendance of other professors for their witness and opinion."
"And you'd think they'd disagree?"
"I think you're old, and out of touch with the times. Also, your refusal to tell anybody from the other Kingdoms of your decision to allow this to even happen is, frankly, decidedly insane. I don't know if I'd even do that with my Semblance activated."
Kahli straightened further in his seat. Kahli took a long stare at Ironwood, who glared straight back. Naruto still wished he wasn't there.
"Alright. Now I've told you." Everyone waited, expecting more. And then when none come, Ironwood's complexion turned murderous.
Ironwood did smash the desk this time on his corner. "That's it?" he seethed. "So you're just going to double down then?"
"It's not just me." Kahli expression remained neutral. "The other headmasters would agree. You're the only one that refused."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. Ozpin would agree to this? That didn't sound right. He may be odd, and the young headmaster may say strange things, but Naruto doubted that Ozpin would ever be one-hundred percent on board with this. The only plausible explanation was ten too many cups of coffee.
"Ozpin would agreed?" Naruto asked, interjecting. Because if that was the case...he needed to have a separate discussion with Ozpin. He noticed the looks all pointed in his direction and coughed into his hand. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I'm the combat instructor for first years at Beacon Academy, the combat school where Ozpin presides."
Ironwood looked ready to fire another retort at Kahli but paused when Naruto spoke. After a moment, he crossed his arms and waited, allowing the ball to roll into Kahli's court. The Shade headmaster now fully focused his attention on Naruto.
"Hello, Naruto. Congratulations on your position." Naruto gave a curt nod, indication of his acknowledgement but also his want to move on. "Ozpin, good man that he is, would probably chide me and tell me to consider a more rational way to go about this. However, at the end of the day, he cares for his students and would let this happen as long as Shade took the brunt of the backlash. He would never allow a Beacon professor to take this kind of lesson into their curriculum."
That sounded...reasonable. But. "If this is something that's going to be allowed at the Vytal Festival, I'd like an explanation for why we're showing civilians this kind of scene. It's not necessary. Kids are watching."
"Tell me, Professor Uzumaki. Why are you a Huntsman? Why are you a professor?"
Naruto frowned, but allowed it. Kahli wouldn't ask for no reason. "Because I can fight and therefore protect others. I'm a professor because I'm stronger than expected and am able to teach and get my thoughts across rather well."
Kahli nodded. "Ah. Did you ever have to question yourself on why you fight? Or influenced by others?" Naruto shook his head. "A rare case. See, I think that there's this romanticized idea that Huntsmen and Huntresses are protectors of the realm. They are, and the world needs them. But regular people forget that just because they are made of sterner stuff, doesn't mean they aren't infallible. That they die doing their duty."
"..."
"If we show the world that students are capable on taking a punch or two after their Aura is out and be completely fine, I state two things. One, that this is why Huntsmen are Huntsmen. They not only want to protect, but they have the mentality that is capable of sacrifice no matter the pain. Two, I give a reminder that the romanticized idea is nothing but folly. It's a beautiful job, like a particularly thorny rose. People only see the flower but fail to see the danger."
That all made sense. It really did. But that wouldn't stop Naruto from having his conversation with Ozpin. "I'm not saying I disagree with you," he started, which Kahli's neutrality broke into a slight smile, "but I don't think beating a student until they turn purple is necessary. A punch or two to get the message across? I can live with that. Not...not what happened today. I was very close to getting into the ring to stop the fight myself." Naruto paused, and he felt Ironwood's gaze on him. "If that was one of my students, I think we'd be having a different discussion. One in which you would be asking why one of your students was hospitalized."
Kahli kept the small smile. "A romantic protector. A knight for his students, are you?"
Naruto's eyes became slits. Arguing against this man wasn't going anywhere. "That's right. I am. And I'm going to convince Ozpin that if he won't budge on allowing this, that one or punches is all the students will receive at most."
"Good luck. Ironwood, you look like you wish to speak? What is it?"
"No hits for Atlas. We will not hit after, and Atlas will not get hit when the Aura is reduced to zero. I accept your reasoning as sound and will try to be open-minded for Vacuo. I do not presume to know the other Kingdoms and will not say a thing for thing. But as headmaster and general, I will strongly disagree." That was as close to an apology as Naruto had ever heard from the man.
"Fair. I will tell you now, however, that the Shade students are expecting the hits. This is how they've been trained. I'll still allow it." Naruto was certain, then and there, perhaps a new headmaster for Shade was necessary. This man may have meant well - not really - but he was behind the times. The Great War was a long, long time ago. These methods weren't a necessity now.
"Atlas knows how to be soldiers. We won't strike a downed colleague. I ask for any combat instructors to state their opinions now." When no one else spoke, Ironwood sighed. "That's your decision, and not mine to make," Ironwood allowed to Kahli, seeming done with the conversation. "Not that I'm satisfied, but can we please discuss your city's arrangements? There is nothing different about the city to tell any visitors than the Vytal Festival is happening. Atlas would be happy to provide any decorative assistance as well as food to enrich the Vytal cheer."
And didn't that change give Naruto whiplash harsh enough to give him a sore neck. The tension in the room lifted, and Naruto groaned. Seriously, why was he here? If they were actually going to discuss this, then none of the combat teachers were necessary.
"You want me to convince a city full of people who base their lives on culture and survival to toss up string, lines, confetti, and foreign food?" The amusement lining the question was palpable.
Ironwood didn't budge. "I'm simply saying that …"
Naruto felt himself die a little.
This was one more reason to tack on why he hated meetings. Why any of the combat instructors were necessary when all Ironwood had done was talk directly to Kahli, he had no clue. Possibly for witness or for a power trip, or maybe that's just how they did it in Atlas.
Either way, Naruto despised every second of the next two hours he sat there, doing his absolute best to not flip the table as the two headmasters discussed logistics.
"Thank you."
Naruto turned when a hand grasped his shoulder, revealing Ironwood in the empty hall. The meeting had ended and the room emptied itself of its inhabitants.
"You're welcome?"
"For speaking your mind. Also, despite how I may have acted during your visit, do not misunderstand. I respect you, more so now since you were the only one to say anything in that meeting."
Naruto faced Ironwood fully. "It just needed to be said. I'm sure many of the other professors agreed that their school didn't need it, but it's a good lesson. I bet a few of them will be discussing this tonight with their headmasters. Well, I'll be. And probably Mistral's." Since Atlas' and Shade's stance on this whole thing was clear already.
Ironwood held his silent, looking at Naruto. "I hope they do." And then he walked away.
Naruto later realized that it was the first time Ironwood had genuinely thanked him.
Summer woke up on Saturday well before the sun would break over the city's walls. She shuffled in her bed, relishing in the warmth. Eventually, though, she got out of her single sheet, feet carefully padding on the carpeted floor. Vacuo did quite well in insulating the entire building, preventing the cold from seeping through its walls and windows.
Raven roused from her sleep in the bed over, yawning with a mouth over her hand and stretching with the other. "Good morning, Raven."
"Morning." Raven tucked her hair back and tucked it all into a half updo. "Breakfast?"
One more yawn before, "Absolutely."
Breakfast was a silent affair. Raven usually didn't initiate conversation, and Summer was still starting her day. Her drowsiness was slow to escape her, and she poked at the oats and dried fruits lethargically. Looking around, she noticed many of the Faunus in the room were sitting comfortably with the human students. They were dressed in Shade attire; white clothes that billowed at the arms and legs, and an insignia of the Shade crest. Summer wondered to herself if Vacuans cared about racism in their Kingdom. It seems that the way they viewed it, a strong person, regardless of race and creed, was strong and that was that. Maybe that was the one thing she liked about Vacuo more than Vale: the lack of dirty looks. Curious. Aggressive. But they were always pointed and intentional with power and conquest in mind, and not at all about how she looked or what she wore.
"Hey, Raven?" The girl hummed to let her know she was listening. "Why didn't you apply to Shade?" She would've thought her ideology matched more with this Academy's than with Beacon's.
"They don't offer scholarships," Raven said simply in between bites.
"Ah." There was another lull in the conversation. Soon, the sun rose, and students trickled into the food court. When her bowl of oats were finished, Summer finally felt awake enough to have this conversation. "Are you going to talk to the professor?" Summer was used to the glares that Raven gave her. This one was easy to ignore. "This is the first time this event's ever happened, and you know how good he is at one-on-one combat. I was going to ask him for last second advice before going to the waiting room. I think you should come with me."
Raven appeared thoughtful for a second. Summer patiently sat, watching her teammate finish her meal. "Fine."
Summer nodded, satisfied. "Good. Because I already told him that we were coming." The next glare was a bit more withering, but Summer tanked it easily.
They made their way through the halls, having memorized the layout of most of the Academy. Summer knocked on professor Naruto's door and waited, stifling a giggle when she heard a yelp and curse inside and the sound of uneven, unbalanced footsteps. The door cracked open to reveal an eye.
"Hey, good morning! Just let me get some clothes on real quick and I'll let you in." The door shut before Summer could respond, which she was silently thankful for. She was halfway making a high pitched startled sound.
"A…Ahaha…that's, uh, that's our professor for ya, I guess."
"...R-right." Summer started. Raven never stuttered. She turned so quickly, the cape nearly whipped her face when it caught up. Raven was blushing.
'By the brothers, holy crap!'
This time when Raven narrowed her eyes, Summer just thought it was cute. "By Remnant, you're embarrassed because of the talk!" Summer whispered.
"Shut up! I will hate you two forever!"
"This is amazing! Are you actually thinking of our professor like that?"
"By far the worst day I've ever had…And no."
That pause was a bit too long. "...Hehehehe, suuuuure."
The door opened, and a very smug Summer entered, followed by an annoyed Raven who was twitching for her sword. They sat across the desk in Naruto's office in the pair of chairs before it. Naruto sat himself down and stared at Raven oddly for a moment, then pointedly directed his attention to Summer.
"So."
"So."
"You wanted tips? Advice?"
"Yup!"
"Okay, well." Naruto slipped on a pair of glasses and pulled up his Scroll. "The one and only thing I'm going to say is save as much energy as you can. You'll have three fights today. That energy has to be carefully utilized so that you aren't running empty in any of the fights, especially against Shade students." The two nodded. "Also, just as a reminder, you also have the actual tournament starting on Monday after this whole mini-pre-tourney thing. If you need to back out of this so that you can perform with your team, then that's also fine. There'll be doubles and singles in that tournament as well."
"Thank you, Professor Naruto!" Summer chimed. She stood, and Raven followed her guide. "I was hoping for a bit more pointed directions, though."
The blond chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Ah…I mean…there's only so much I can say. Just look at the released bracket and try to gauge your opponent. Summer, you should really just utilize your speed. You'd have most fourth years struggling to follow you."
"But these are the best of each year," she quipped. Naruto shrugged.
"I can't tell you everything. Some things, you gotta figure it out yourself. Even if it's just a tournament that's livestream all over the world." And didn't that make her want to hurl up her breakfast. Summer suddenly felt the queasiness of pressure, her stomach doing gymnastics.
"And me?" Raven asked, speaking for the first time. Naruto looked at her, and the two stared at each other far longer than what Summer thought was normal. Right before it reached the point of awkwardness, Naruto coughed and spoke.
"Go ahead and use your Aura. Especially in the second fight."
What? Did she miss something? How was that advice? Everyone used Aura when they fought.
Raven seemed to understand whatever the professor was saying, because she gave a curt nod and even let the tiniest of smiles grace their presence.
"Thanks," Raven said, a strange amount of honest glee inflecting her tone. It was scaring Summer.
Naruto turned his head away and waved his hand. "Okay, go kick names and take ass or whatever. I'll be in the booth watching from above."
When the two girls were walking towards their room to grab their combat clothes and weapons, Summer leaned forward, hands clasped behind her back, and tilted her head at Raven.
"Okay. What was that about?"
Raven had returned to her normal, stoic look. "What was what about?"
"That." Raven rolled her eyes so hard, Summer worried she'd never see the pupils again. "You looked so happy when he told you to use Aura. You made him blush with your cute little smile!" And wasn't that a sight to see for team captain Summer. It almost brought a tear to her eye, how much Raven grew in the past two days, just after learning about how relationships worked. And its consequences. Making their professor, a grown man…younger than they were…blush.
'Wait a minute.'
Raven's mask of calm broke, then returned so quickly it may have been a trick of the morning light. "You'll see in the second fight."
Summer pouted, huffing without any heat to it. "By the way, did you hear him say how we'd make it through the three fights today?"
"I did." A faint smile. "I look forward to all three of them."
Summer giggled. Of course Raven would be, being the battle fanatic that she was. "Okay, okay. Let's go get dressed and take a look at the brackets. Professor said you'd need it in the second fight, which means it's out."
Summer was chipper. Raven was chatting amicably with her. Well, as much as Raven ever did, whereas Summer did most of the talking. And it seemed like she and Naruto were on better terms than before, considering how Raven chose to not speak to him at all for the past three days.
Team captain duty complete!
When they opened the door to the room, spirits high and genuinely excited for the day, they didn't expect the two boys to be awake and sitting on the same bed, Scroll in Taiyang's hand and consternation equally apparent on their faces.
"What?" Summer asked. She felt the tug of something eerily wrong, but she had to ask.
What Taiyang said next made her feel like she had just been doused in freezing water. Her veins froze over, and she stood still.
"Raven's second opponent is Kuuma Velt."
Kuuma Velt. The same girl that beat down that Atlas student when he was downed and Aura long, long, long gone. The one that had winked at the Atlas headmaster without a care, and licked her lips after that joke of a spar.
The very same one that Raven threatened to beat the shit out of on their first day on the docks.
"Well, looks like you're taking it better than we all are, sis," Qrow said. Summer slowly turned her head and saw -
Raven with the most bloodthirsty, vicious smile threatening to split skin.
It didn't calm Summer's nerves one bit.
Amity Arena floated high in the sky, capable of hosting nearly fifty thousand people and hundreds of vendors and shops, and tens of hotels. The fact it could hold all of this weight and remain stationless was nothing short of a miracle. And that was before the entire shapeshift battlefield and the huge circular stands were taken into consideration. It was a technical marvel that teetered close to magic.
Naruto looked through the window in his appointed room, staring down at the arena where his students would be fighting in just a few minutes. He saw the thousands of people, sitting harmoniously in their rows, as if they were a multicolored wave that moved and breathed as one. "It's his first Vytal Festival. And he's young, just let him."
"Can't believe that kid's a professor. Has he ever competed?"
"Naw. So might as well let him enjoy it vicariously. It's his kids fighting, and they're older than him. Imagine that."
The combat teachers from the four Academies lounged around, and none of them gave a spark about his spot. So he stayed seated in the centermost, front row chair, with a Mistralian to his left and a Vacuan to his right.
The Mistralian was close to thirty, maybe thirty five. Brown hair the color of mud hung loosely in a ponytail down the length of his large back. Smile lines creased his face beside a few scars, one running vertically down his right cheek, and another near his left eyebrow that ended above his coal colored eyes. His proportions were massive, and he sat comfortably in his puffy chair with his collar shirt completely unbuttoned, revealing pectorals that would make girls jealous.
The Vacuan was actually the same professor that proctored the fights on Thursday. Much like others in the Kingdom, he was dark and tall, with taut muscles that showed a use for endurance rather than brute strength. His sharp, golden eyes peered over the glass. He dressed in the same soft fabric that most Vacuans wore, exposing his chest and stomach. His legs were covered up until the ankles, where the cloth loosened and tapered away, leading to his sandals.
Naruto felt slightly underdressed at the moment. Not that he cared. But perhaps he should've worn more than the tracksuits he normally wore to his classes. Every other person in the room was dressed at least semi-casually.
"So you're Naruto Uzumaki, huh?" The Mistralian to his left said. "Kid wonder. Genius of combat and youngest professor of all time?"
Naruto chuckled shyly. "Ah, yeah. That's me. And you are?"
The large man let out a strong laugh that reminded him of Nicholas Arc. "Viero Vitas! And you didn't deny any of the things I said. Confidence, I like it!"
"Well, I'm not really a kid, but I do wonder. Perhaps more of a teen wonder, since I'm seventeen."
Another laugh that towered over every other conversation. "And a comedian, too! I have a feeling we're going to have a great time watching the events together, Naruto."
Naruto grinned. "Same to you, Viero!" If the older man was offended at the use of the first name, he didn't show it. Naruto prevented himself from launching forward when Viero clapped his back, another burst of amusement bubbling out.
Naruto glanced to his right, where the Vacuan professor sat calmly. He made no move to introduce himself.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, combat professor at Beacon Academy." The Vacuan professor broke away from looking at the arena and stared unimpressed at him.
"I only speak to the strong, and give my name to the strong. Otherwise, it is a waste of time." The voice was just as annoying as he remembered, but it was the kind of self-assured confidence that came from knowing that they earned their position. And he had done it in Vacuo, so there was another point to him.
But Naruto was Naruto, so he said, "Right. So what's your name?"
This time, the Vacuan raised an eyebrow, and the slightest bit of amusement twinkled in his eyes.
"Aren't you a curious one," he finally said, before refocusing his gaze on the arena. The exhibition students were starting to file in, and the crowd was roaring as each one was named, a speaker in their room tuned to the hosts of the Vytal Festival today. Filled to the max, the arena was deafening, even through the glass that was meant to dampen sounds. As each student walked in, their name and face came up on a display that faced four directions.
When Summer walked up the stairs and onto the arena next to the line of contestants, Naruto felt the urge to cheer and yell alongside the crowd. Instead, he leaned forward in his seat and grinned. The girl seemed nervous, from what Naruto could see this far away. She was clutching her chest and awkwardly waving with her other hand to the crowd. She was looking for something - ah.
Naruto flared his Aura hard, and every single occupant in the room flinched. Some rose to their feet, weapons pulled out but not fully shifted for combat yet. Naruto ignored them and smiled. Summer - and possibly every other competitor - jolted like she felt a sudden wave of energy. But only the Beacon students knew what it meant. The Rose of the first years, reassured, began waving with both hands, and then gave a grateful smile in his general direction. Far above the crowd and seats, where it was obvious where she intended to give her thanks.
"How curious, indeed," Viero muttered in a way he must have thought was quiet, but the whole room still heard in the silence Naruto had imposed on them all. One by one, the others in the room sat and relaxed again, but Naruto could feel their eyes on the back of his head.
"Was that your student?" the Vacuan asked. Naruto nodded.
"Summer Rose. Top of the first year class."
"Seems weak if she's that unconfident," he drawled. Naruto burst out laughing before he knew what even happened. It was just so ludicrous, he instinctively found the statement hilarious. "You seem to disagree."
Naruto wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "I think…haha…I think you're a person that cares more about seeing things for yourself than what others have to say. Would I be correct?"
"You are correct."
"Then I'll let her do the talking for me."
"...Very well."
Viero leaned conspiratorially over. "So what about the second best student?"
As if life had a cue for her, Raven's name came up on the board and the host's belted her name, making it resound through the arena. The arena roared to life, cheering and booing with such fervor that the floor shook. And out walked Raven, taking her time down the walkway towards the arena, both hands in the air.
With only her middle fingers up.
Naruto couldn't help it.
He laughed again, even harder this time. Viero joined in, just as amused. Most of the room chuckled, and the Vacuan professor allowed a supremely amused smile to grace his lips. Strength mattered most. Mental fortitude and not giving a shit counted. And her lack of fucks during the Vytal Festival, the most publicized event of humanity, made it all the more humorous.
Summer looked absolutely aghast, both hands raised to her face.
When Kuuma took to the stage, the crowd cheered about as loud as it did for Summer. But there was a chant that started. The Shade students and Vacuans all started repeating it as well, as if cast in a spell.
"Kuuma. Kuuma. Kuuma."
"Kuuma!"
"Kuuma!"
"Did you know," the Vacuan professor said, eyes crinkled in amusement, "that Kuuma is stronger than the fourth year students representing Shade? She took her loss to Glynda two years exceedingly hard and trained these past two years to become the best warrior she could be."
Naruto watched when Kuuma Velt waved to the crowd, movement graceful and smooth as an assassin, hiding the ability to pounce in an instant. The girl made clear eye contact with Raven when she crossed her, and it was clear she said something, but then she went on her way to her spot in the line as she continued her interactions with the fifty-thousand strong in the arena.
"I didn't know that," Naruto said. That was certainly interesting. "So if my student beats her in the second round, that means she's stronger than all of the students from Shade, correct?"
"...You really are a curious case of arrogance and naivety, Naruto Uzumaki. I pray for your student to make it past the first round, only so that she could be beaten in front of your eyes and the millions who watch."
"It's not arrogance if she wins. Besides, I've got four students, and you'll know every one of their names after today. After all, I also taught the second semester for the third years last year, and you know who the favorite to win it all is."
It wasn't a question. Everyone knew. Not just the professors. He meant everyone.
When Glynda Goodwitch stepped through the double doors and took her first step on the walkway leading to the arena, thousands upon thousands rose to their feet, arms high in the air as they shouted her name.
The Vacuan frowned, but said nothing.
And when Keith Cold (Naruto personally submitted Crystal Chartreuse as his second rec, but Keith was third, so good enough) made his presence known by leaving a trail of ice behind him, walking as if he was royalty, the arena almost silenced itself in regal respect to the second best fourth year Beacon student.
The frown only increased in intensity.
He felt a feral grin cross his face and did nothing to stop its appearance. "How about we get into the festival mood and make some bets. I propose that the finals for this little mini tourney will have two Beacon students, and it'll be a first year and a fourth year. What do you say?"
The room hushed. Even Viero was quiet, waiting for the response. The crowd outside rumbled, but they couldn't hear that. Every combat instructor waited with bated breath.
"Let's give one more warm, loud, RESOUNDING WELCOME TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOUR ACADEMIES!"
The floor shook and vibrated once more.
"And with all our contestants introduced to the stage, we announce the start of the 29th Vytal Festival!"
Vibrant yells. Exceedingly, excessively loud cheers. The most people Naruto had ever seen crammed into one area in his life, and all of them hyped out of their minds for the first event of the festival, one that was making its debut this year.
And even through that, when the man to his right spoke his words, his voice was crystal clear as the sky on a sunny day.
"You have a deal, Naruto Uzumaki. Half a year's salary, and my name."
Naruto's grin, which was only feral before, turned positively deadly.
"Deal."
Chapter End.
A/N: Holy shit. I just got so invested and then wrote this all out in basically a day. RIP my Genshin story. I still have yet to start.
As always, comments, critiques, loves, whatever, I always enjoy reading it in the reviews! It gives me life and energy to write more!
An emphatic thank you to everyone that leaves a review.
Review Responses:
Monster King: Thank you!
Asmodeus666: Haha yeah the Raven part was probably the best. And I think it's about to get a lot more fun.
David Ezequiel: Haha, I'm also team NarutoxRaven! Uh…don't know about Summer. But I'm glad you enjoyed the last part and I hope you enjoyed this chapter's last section too! As for epilogue…what I have in mind, technically no.
ObeRun: Yeah! The ship is being built! Hasn't sailed yet, but it's construction time!
Cyber dragonarmy: Thank you thank you!
Samuel Santillan: Haha thanks. I saw your PM, I appreciate it.
R-King93: Arigatou
Afro1ninja8: Thank you! Here's to hoping the next one doesn't take too long, either~!
RibaNyabom: It's reaching the hype point!
Mahouka9: Haha I do hope you enjoy this chapter then. It'll be a good time!
TheSlySage: Kinda! Progression nonetheless! And hey, maybe you woke up to this chapter as well!
ApolloDog: Love you for reading!
Tr1vium: Lol she's a walking meme at this point. Her interaction with the world is honestly hilarious when I imagine this version of her.
YeTianshi: Yeah, had to change the pace. Agree with you on the wink wink…you saw it this chapter. It's about to get fun next chapter.
The Faceless Wordsmith: Glynda + Naruto chaos with anybody in team STRQ is equivalent to unhinged drunken madness. And agree with targeting Naruto. Rip the Vacuan professor's money. Or Naruto's. Who knows?
CrimsonRiot01: Thank you! I considered it, but decided Glynda's opinion wasn't too important for the progression of the story right now.
Gilgamesh50: Thank you! Here's more.
Currumpaw: This is…perfect. I'll need to use this later.
SolSparda369: The festival just began and it's already wild.
Rick12: Yeah, those two are nuts. Also, it's about to get nuttier. Ahem.
Lonty Arbalest: Thank you! I think I made good time for this chapter!
Guest: You're correct and that is what I meant. It's 1. Summer. 2. Raven 5. Qrow 8. Taiyang in combat class.
Nia-tan: I think…you might be right!
Surya25addanki: Thank you! Also holy crap, you read a lot. Appreciate you reading and reviewing for both stories. Really, really do.
Demissedwaifu: Haha I'm glad you enjoy this version of Raven. It's just insanity and wildness right now. You too! Take care!
Aingularity: Woahhh…that's a huge compliment! I hope that you keep enjoying this story, then!
Chicalloreda: ty ty, here.