So something I forgot to add in the AN for chapter one. There is no Salem in this fic, mostly because I have no real idea who or what she is, or even what her plans are. Cinder will be the main force in this, along with her group. Just thought I should say that in case anyone has a problem so they can stop reading now instead of leaving a Flame later about it.

They will still be going after the Four Maidens, but it will be more to cement their power then some secrete plot by Salem. A few things about that too, in this age does not affect whether someone can get the power of a Maiden. If they are female and the last thought before a Maidens death, then they get the power. Also there will be no weird Grimm Bug coming out of a glove.

Since we have only seen one of the Maidens at this point I will be using Oc's for the other three.

Anyway enjoy the chapter and be sure to let me know what you think.

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Disclaimer: I Own Nothing :(

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Chapter 2- The Grimm

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Naruto took another month leaning everything he could about the new world he had found himself in, from its history to Dust and all its seemingly infinite uses. Along with getting himself ready for the life he had decided to live.

It was actually painfully easy to find the information, at least compared to how such things would be in Konoha. Information was dangerous, and could mean the difference between life and death.

As such it was guarded vigorously.

Before even being allowed in the Shinobi Library you needed to have been a gennin for a minimum of 6 months with a clear record, and be escorted at all times by at least a chunin. That was just so you could see the basic information and few low D rank Jutsu that were considered all but common. The more dangerous the information you wanted to see the harsher the security became, up to the point that you could only view certain items and information in the presence of the Hokage themselves.

That was how information was supposed to be kept, at least as far as Naruto was concerned anyway. The ease with which he had been able to get all the information he wanted had actually made him nervous at first, expecting armed guards to swam in at any moment.

Then there was the advanced technology in this world when compared to the Elemental Nations. Bullheads, cars, motorcycles, multi-purpose weapons that switched between different forms. Back in the Elemental Nations the only place that had guns was the Land of Spring, and even then they were basic and cumbersome, needing to be reloaded after a single shot and easy to dodge for anyone above genin.

Hear not only were they faster and able to fire multiple bullets, but some even changed into different weapons. It had been a lot to get his head around and Naruto knew he would need to put a lot of time and effort into learning about the different weapons and mechanics of Remnant if he wanted to survive.

This would have all been so much easier if he was still able to use Shadow Clones. But he didn't, and that was something Naruto needed to get used to quickly.

It was also over the month that he found his mind drifting back to his academy days and Iuka's lessons. Despite how many thought he didn't listen or learn anything, Naruto had taken in every word Iruka had ever lectured them with. The only difference was he never really cared enough to use them or think them important.

He had been young and innocent, seeing the world in rose tinted glasses. Why did he need to worry about the mechanics or methods of hiding in plain sight or blending into the background, why would he need to worry about the best places to strike a human so to either instantly kill or simple paralyze them? Why should he worry about the moral code that any mercenary needed to follow to be successful and bring in more business?

They had been being taught to be human weapons after all, Naruto like most kids at the academy just didn't realise the full impact of what they were being taught at the time. But know he did, now Naruto was taking the time to look back on those days and remember the lessons he had been taught.

And it was because of those lessons that Naruto realised he needed to create an image separate from him, an identity that would distance his face from the things he would be doing. Like the ANBU that wore masked to hide their faces because of the missions they took being more…dark then the public image of a village.

Naruto needed to create something that people would both respect and fear.

That was where the name The Grimm was born, taking the name of this world's greatest threat to the humans.

This line of thinking also led to Naruto realising that he couldn't rely on his Semblance, at least not for the new image he wanted to create. A Semblance was a very personal thing, unique to each person even if some were all but the same as others. But Naruto's Semblance was very unique, something that could be used to identify him with. The only way he would ever be able to use it while working as The Grimm was if he left no witnesses to talk about it, and even then it would be a risk.

No, his Semblance would remain with Naruto while not working, it was just too risky while he would be making a name for himself. But this left him with a new problem, because while he could use Aura to make himself better overall it wouldn't be enough. He needed a weapon, something distinct that would people would be able to recognise him for.

This whole Mercenary thing was already so much trouble and he hadn't even started yet.

This was actually why Naruto had started taking such an interest in Dust and Weapons. From what he had read while many weapons could be mass produced Hunters and Huntresses had a tendency to alter their weapons if not build them from scratch themselves. This was because if gave them a more intermit understanding of their weapon and how it works, making it easier for them to use, maintain and improve. Normally to learn how to make and maintain weapon you would go to one of the Hunter Preparation Schools, where you would be trained and taught the basics until old enough to enter an Academy.

Unfortunately for Naruto this wasn't an option for several reasons, but the main one was simple. Naruto didn't exist in this world before being sent to it, he had no identity here. For all intent and purpose Naruto was a Ghost, something that would work to his advantage.

While again a little too lax for his liking, his world did have birth and death records. Even for those villages that were set outside the walls of the main kingdoms, they were required to register with whichever one was closest. He had already worked out a cover story for why he didn't officially exist if the needed ever came, taking advantage of the fact that the majority of the world was unexplored because of the Grimm limiting Human movement.

While unlikely, it wasn't impossible that other human settlements might exist outside the knowledge of the Kingdoms. Hopefully it would never come to that though.

But back to his problem Naruto couldn't just a school because he would be required to register, something he wanted to avoid until later if ever at all.

This meant that he needed to learn everything on his own.

It had taken a lot of work, many mistakes and an unknown amount of Pickpocketing to get enough money but Naruto had eventually been able to create a Weapon. Being not overly fond of guns Naruto had decided to go with something that this world would consider a little old fashioned, but felt right to Naruto.

The first thing he did was make himself some new kunai, each with the Konoha Leaf stamped into the blade. He didn't feel himself without them after so many years using them, feeling their weight at his hips in the pouches.

But after that he started experimenting until he found what he wanted.

A bow made of a pitch black metal Naruto had chosen for the simple fact it didn't reflect any light, capable of folding up and attaching to his right wrist brace. While on his wrist the weapon sat on either side of his forearm and came out about two foot on either side of his hand in two metal prongs. It was made more for stabbing then cutting, but that worked fine for Naruto. He just didn't have the…grace…the finesse for something like a sword or cutting/slashing weapon. Naruto also had a mix of normal arrows and others that were infused with Dust, each with a different effect. Naruto had found a way to fit a targeting system into the bow that linked to the eyeholes of his mask to make it easier to aim.

After finishing his work Naruto had decided that there was another tradition about this new world he like, and that was how they named their weapons after finishing them. So, in memory of his old home Naruto named his weapon in such a way to remind him of his old life.

And so Hidden Shadow was created, and with it Naruto was ready to start making a name for himself.

The first thing Naruto needed was a Middle Man, someone that people would be able to contact him through. Back in his world that had been the job of the Hidden Villages as a whole but here he needed to find someone himself. Naruto needed someone who already had a reputation in the Underworld of Remnant, a name he would use until his own was recognised.

It didn't take long to find his man.

A few threats and acts of violence on random thugs had lead him to a man named Junior, who as it turned out was actually the owner of the very same Club he had been sat in the night he had started on his path.

But the Club was just his public job.

In reality Junior was the best information Broker in Vale who had his hand in almost every criminal activity you could think off. From drugs and theft to providing hired thugs for the right price, you name it and Junior probably had a contact in it. The man was quickly becoming the centre of the Vale Underworld, yet had never been caught.

He was exactly who Naruto needed to start getting his name out in the world.

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Like the last time Naruto had come to The Club, it was pack and full of both people and loud music. The flashing lights might have given him another headache, if not for the red tint of his masks lenses blocking most of them out. He ignored the images that appeared before his eyes as they moved over different people, most of little note but any time one was the computer in his mask would alert him and provide information.

It had taken a lot of time, effort and money to upgrade his mask, but Naruto thought it worth the it.

He would have cut an imposing figure as he made his way through the Club if anyone had actually seen him, but Naruto was making sure to stay out of sight so as not to draw attention to himself. Dressed in a black cloak that covered his body from head to toe with a hood up to hide his hair, leaving only his mask and boots uncovered. Under the cloak he wore a dark grey shit and black pants, both covered in light metal armour plating the same colure as his clothes space out so as not to restrict his movement. Black leather gloves covered his hands with metal studs on the knuckles, and on each arm was a bracer with the one on his right holding Hidden Shadow with the prongs pulled back to his elbow. Last was his belt, which had the metal plate from his Leaf headband as a buckle on the front.

Naruto and snuck into the club through widow to avoid the Bouncer at the door, sticking to the shadows before climbing into the rafter and watching. He saw Junior talking to several people throughout the night while bartending, several coming up as being of note according this his mask but none that he was worried about. Mostly low level crime bosses wanting information.

Most of the night Naruto sat silently and without moving an inch as he observed things going on below him, waiting for his change. He needed to make an impression on Junior that would both impress him and leave him slightly afraid, making him less likely to double-cross him later. Though from what he had been able to find out about the man he didn't need to worry about being betrayed. Despite ever Junior was a man that believed in 'honour among criminals', so long as you didn't trey and betray him he wouldn't betray you.

Despite being so well know and high up in the Underworld, Junior was actually not that much older than Naruto. Though he acted old and his size and beard tended to confused people he was only 19, four years older than Naruto himself.

Then finally his moment came at 2:15am when Junior left the bar and started moving through the door to a door that lead to the backroom, his two main Enforcers at his sides.

Militia and Melanie Malachite, also known as the Red and White Twins. 18 years old, both dropped out of Beacon Academy after the other two members of their team died suspiciously on a mission. While nothing was ever proven, it was believed they had killed them for unknown reasons. There main strength came from there flawless teamwork, with Militia focusing on using large claw weapons on her hands while Melanie used bladed high heels. There combo attacks were notoriously hard to counter.

Following above the three as they walked from his position in the rafters, Naruto waited for the perfect moment before forcing Aura through his system and giving himself a boost in speed. In the span of three seconds Naruto had jumped down without a sound, ran the last ten feet to the closing door they had left through and without touching it was through to the other side. Without even looking around Naruto jumped straight up, his hands automatically grabbing a roof support and once again pulling himself into the rafters.

Naruto held his breath for ten seconds as his body went still and waited, only for nothing to attack him. When he was sure he hadn't been notice Naruto let himself breath again and finally looked around the room.

The first thing he noticed was that all the sounds from the club had been cut off, not even the vibrations being able to reach them. The room itself looked like a living room, with two expansive looking leather settees facing each other with in front of a large fireplace with a coffee table between them. A thick blood red carpet also covered the floor, which seemed to go well with the black wallpaper on the walls. The fireplace was the only source of light in the room, it's flickering flames sending shadows dancing on the walls. One wall was taken up with a large glass cabinet filled with expensive bottles of whisky, wine and every other possible form of alcohol. Not surprising considering the room was located inside a club.

To the right of the room was a large ornate wooden desk with a blood red leather top, the wood itself stained so dark it looked almost black. The chair behind it was large and looked comfortable, the black leather while slightly worn was clearly well cared for.

It was behind this desk that Junior sat, looking over a small pile of paperwork with a frown. The man's weapon, a very large bat that could turn into a bazooka was leaning against the desk within reaching distance of his right hand. There was a glass of whisky next to his left hand that he would occasionally take a ship from before focusing back on his work, though sometimes after reading something he would frown deeper and take a large gulp. The Twins had moved to lounge on the settees, each taking their own. The red twin, Militia had even taken out her scroll and was flicking through it with a bored expression while Melanie started to sharpen her bladed heels.

Naruto observed the three for five minute from the rafters, waiting to see if anything else was going to happen while deciding what he was going to do. None of them were paying much attention to the room, the only sound being the ruffling of papers and the sharp scrape of metal on metal.

Finally deciding to make an impression, Naruto slowly reached into a pocket and pulled out a small grey ball half the size of a marble. Waiting for the right moment Naruto quickly threw the ball towards the fireplace, only for the flames to suddenly go dull and the room dark the moment it landed. The lack of light didn't effect Naruto, his mask automatically switching to night vision. Not that he would have needed it with his training.

The three criminals jumped slightly at the sudden loss of light, though didn't seem to suspect anything other than it going out.

With an annoyed look Junior turned to where the twins were still sat, "Militia, get the dame fire going again. I don't have time for this shit." Growled Junior as he took another large gulp from his glass.

Unseen by the other two, Militia stood up with a roll of her eyes and moved over to the fire. "Yeah, yeah Junior. Keep your pants on I'm doing it." She said, reaching for a small vile of red dust before throwing it into the almost dead embers.

Instantly the fire was roaring again, flooding the room with light.

And revealing Naruto stood in front of Junior's desk, the red eyes of his mask seeming to glare down at the man as he choked on his drink. Even before he had recovered Junior had stood up and grabbed his bat, still coughing. Militia and Melanie were quick to get over their shock at his sudden appearance and moved to stand behind him, weapons at the ready though. All three looked very unnerved by his sudden appearance.

Naruto didn't move an inch while he waited for Junior to stop coughing, his training with the Toads coming into effect once again. The fact that he could be perfectly still always seemed to put people off, the unnaturalness of it making them uncomfortable.

When Junior did finally recover he stood up straight and sent a heated glare at Naruto, clearly trying to look intimidating. "Who the hell are you and how did you get in here!?" He once again growled. Naruto could feel even without looking as the twins tensed behind him, ready to strike the moment they were given the order.

Still not appearing to move, Naruto spoke in an emotionless voice that made the man in front of him flinch. "I am The Grimm." He answered, ignoring the second question and waited for the man to speak again.

His choice of name got a snort from Junior, the man seeming to think it either odd or arrogant to use such a name. Clearly the man had completely recovered from his sudden appearance and felt confidant now that he was surrounded three to one, not that it would help them.

The average Hunter or Huntress in this world would be considered low to mid chunin by Naruto's standards, with the few exceptional being jounin level. Even without chakra Naruto now had Aura to replace it and while not as versatile as chakra he was able to use it to increase his body's ability the same making it so he could still move as fast and was as strong as when he had chakra.

Now smirking Junior put his bat down and sat back in his chair, leaning back with an air of indifference. Naruto knew that Militia and Melanie were still prepared to attack at the man signal, but showed no sign of knowing or caring as Junior spoke. "The Grimm huh? Bit tacky if you asked me but whatever. I've never heard of you which means either your very good and I need to have a word with a few people about missing you, or your new to the scene. I'm going to guess the later seeing as you didn't try and kill me when you had the element of surprise on your side. That just leaves me to wonder why you're here in the first place." Spoke Junior, the growl in his voice being replaced with a gentler tone.

Naruto was impressed with the man's deductive skills, showing his experience and why he was considered such a dangerous and high ranked man in the Underworld. While not the strongest of fighters Junior more than made up for it with his mind and experience, something Naruto could respect.

Naruto stayed silent as the man seemed to study him for a moment, eyes slightly narrowed as he took in his appearance and tried to guess what he was before the smirk returned. "Assassin or Mercenary?" Junior finally asked.

"Both." replied Naruto without a moments pause after the question was asked, getting a slow nod in return.

After thinking for a moment Junior reached into his desk and pulled out a blank piece of paper and started writing things down, not looking up as he asked Naruto questions. "Specialities, you working for me or am I your middle man, Job preference and Limits on said jobs?" asked Junior.

"Whatever needs to be done, middle man, most jobs are expectable but nothing long term I get in and out, I also don't kill or torture children." Said Naruto, again without pause and in the same emotionless tone.

Junior continued to nod along as he wrote things down, before pausing and frowning slightly before looking up and asking, "What about kidnapping children? For ransom for extortion? I need to know what I am working with so we don't have any misunderstandings." His voice was level and the pen waited for his answer.

"I have little issue with kidnapping, but any child I did kidnap would be under my protection and care while the mission is in progress." Answered Naruto, the pen once again moving.

Junior stopped again after a moment t considered this after writing it down before making another note and talking more to himself then Naruto. "Probably best to avoid those sort of requests then, just to be on the safe side. I assume you know that all I can give you is small stuff until you get a name for yourself?" Junior asked.

Naruto just gave a slight nod of his head in reply.

"Good," said Junior, "the fact you were able to sneak in here without being noticed is a good sign, so I have a feeling it will not be long before I can trust you with some bigger jobs. Now all that's left is to iron out my take. For the first few jobs I take 50%, none negotiable. If I'm putting my neck out for you I get a nice big cut while I'm putting my reputation at risk. Once you've done five jobs, and provided I am happy with your work, my cut goes down to 25%. You have any problems with that?" explained Junior, before looking up again to level him with a hard stare as if to dare him to argue.

"That will not be a problem." Naruto finally excepted, noticing the slight tenseness in Junior's shoulders drop.

The man was good, if Naruto wasn't looking for it he would have believed the man was completely at ease instead of nervous. The fact he had still yet to have the Twins back off and stay positioned behind him really to attack gave it away even more though.

XXX

Despite the calm front he was putting on, Junior was very nervous at the moment. He had never heard of this guy before that called himself The Grimm, no whispers of tall tales, not even some random drunk spouting nonsense after a few too many making his lips loose. There was a reason he operated out of a nightclub while working as the Barman, you get to hear a lot of interesting stories if you know what to listen for.

All things considered The Grimm could only be a new player in the game, which would explain why he had come to Junior to be his middle man. The problem was that he could already tell The Grimm's skills were far higher than any beginning Mercenary with no reputation could possibly be.

He had appeared in a room without windows, with only one entrance or exit. The door had been close since they came in and he knew for a fact that no one else had been in since he and the twins were last, seeing as only they had a key to the room. He had appeared silently, standing only a few feet away from him without anyone in the room noticing.

If The Grimm wanted to kill him, Junior knew he would be dead and there was nothing he could do about it. The unnatural stillness of the guy also put him on edge, not even his chest moving to indicate his breath under the cloak that covered his entire body from view. There could be a gun pointed at him right now under the cloak and he would never know.

But he wasn't dead, and that gave him the confidence to realise that at the moment he was more valuable to the Grimm alive then dead. He would just have to be careful to make sure that didn't change anytime soon.

Junior had met many different people in the years since he became the go between to almost every criminal in Vale, if not over half of Remnant by this point. He had a good eye and was able to read people, which was why he had risen to his position so quickly despite his age. He had met backstabbers, suck up, sweet talkers, cold blooded kills and just plan nut jobs and was able to keep himself alive.

In the few short moments since The Grimm had appeared, Junior new that there was one word he could use to describe him.

Professional

This guy was the real deal, and despite his unease Junior knew that working with him would be good business for him. The Grimm would be a big name, and his would be right next to it as the guy that could contact him.

Finished writing down he basics he would use to make a profile for client to see later, Junior looked back up at the Grimm with a confident smirk he didn't feel. "All looks good, now I just need your Scroll Number to get a hold of you when I have a job lined up." Said Junior.

There was a moment of silence and the tension in the room suddenly shot up. For the first time since appearing before his desk Junior saw the Grimm move, a hand appearing from under his cloak and placing a card on the desk between them before it disappeared back inside and the man was once again motionless.

Slowly reaching over and taking the card, Junior kept his eyes on the Grimm for a second before letting them move down to the card. It was black, with a white swirl leaf like design on one side. On the other was address and number, though he wasn't sure why.

Before he could ask The Grimm Spoke, his emotionless voice sending a chill down his spine that was hard to suppress. "The address and umber are for a letterbox I have rented, paid for with cash and no name connect to it. If you need to get a hold of me leave that card in the letterbox and I will come to you within 24 hours and you can give me the details. You will also leave my cut in the locker after each mission, where another card will be waiting for you to collect to use for the next mission. Only you yourself or one of these girls will ever drop this card in thee Dropbox, and one of you will leave my cut and collect another card." Explained the Grimm.

Junior was forced to surprise a sigh. Another point to The Grimm. No matter how advance any technology could be hacked, including Scrolls. The guy knew what he was doing, a Drop Box paid with cash and no name would be impossible to trace.

Instead he gave a nod, not trust his disappointment not to show through at missing his chance.

They fell quiet for a full minute after that, until without warning the Grimm once again moved and throw something small into the fire. Both Militia and Melanie moving in response thinking he was attacking, only for them to lose sight of him when the fire once again went out and the room went dark.

There was a few moment of muffled cursing before Junior moved to relight the fire himself this time, only to sigh when he looked to see The Grimm gone. Though he did raise an eyebrow when he looked to the spot the man had been standing to see the twins on the floor in a tangle of limbs, a white clad arse pointing towards him as they tried to get back up before he moved to sit back at his desk.

He ignored them while they fixed themselves up, trying not to laugh as he looked over the sheet of paper he had to work with until finally with a huff Melanie move to lean on his desk with a frown. "You sure we can trust this Grimm guy? He did just beak into your office, seems a bit distrustful to me." She said with an air of indifference, though he knew her pride had been hurt by both his appearance and disappearance.

Junior could only sigh at her comment, she really didn't understand what had really happened or who they were now dealing with. "He didn't just break in Melanie. He got into a room without windows, only one way in or out and three trained, if unqualified, Hunters/Huntresses without us even knowing. It wasn't disrespect, it was a demonstration." Answered Junior with a slight annoyed tone, making the red themed Twin frown slightly at not realising it.

As an afterthought Junior also added, "though it is probably more impressive that he disappeared right in front of us, when we were aware of him…" he trailed off at the end in thought before turning back to paper in front of him and started adding in other things he had noticed about the mysterious Grimm.

XXX

Once again in the rafters above Junior and the Twins, Naruto could only sweatdrop when he realised he was now stuck waiting for either someone to come into the room or the three to leave make his escape.

Even worse, he really needed to pee.

Maybe he should have thought his getaway through a little more carefully…

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So another chapter down, hope you like it. Let me know what you think ^_^