NITL

Volume One

Arc Two: Initiation

Chapter Twelve: The First Step


The first thing Jaune saw, when he opened his eyes, was a pair of brown eyes staring at him with mild curiosity and amusement. Immediately, the boy yelped and screamed, jumping into a sitting position while crawling away from the pinkette.

The boy grinned widely. "Heh, you got a funny reaction!" He proclaimed, his grin continuing to look amused about something.

"Wh-wh-wha-wh, what!?" Jaune stammered out, "What!?"

"What's up with the onesies?" The boy, Natsu Dragneel, asked, not even giving Jaune the satisfaction of having his question answered. No, instead the pink head simply laughed out loud and pointed at him.

"Hah, what a wimp! Wearing onesies!?"

"What!? They're comfortable!" Jaune argued.


Negi Springfield ignored the screams of arguments from one corner of the auditorium. Gathering his sleeping materials, the boy yawned before reaching for his spectacles. Once his eyesight was restored, Negi walked towards to the locker room and approached his locker.

Opening his locker once punching in the password, Negi smiled, gazing at the tattered tan cloak that was given to him by his cousin. Last worn by his own father, it is now inherited by Negi, who grabbed it and wrapped it around himself. Inserting his arms into its sleeves, the boy righted his cloak before reaching in to grab his collapsed spear. Twirling it around as he straightened his weapon, Negi smiled in satisfaction. Collapsing his spear again, the spectacles-wearing boy stored his weapon on his lower back before walking off, passing a pair of girls talking about growing up and drinking milk.

"Ugggh, you sound just like Dad! Ok, first of all, what does meeting with new people have to do with growing up!?" Ruby asked exasperatedly. Yang smiled in an amused way while Tsuna lightly shook his head. "And secondly, I don't need people to grow up! I, drink, milk!"

And with that said and done, the red head crossed her arms in pure defiance.

"And when we form teams?" Yang asked.

Ruby blinked, now suddenly nervous and anxious. Looking away, she replied, "Weeeeeell, I, uuhh… I guess I can team up with you… guys…?"

Tsuna chuckled, reaching over to ruffle the girl's hair. "Ruby, if you wanna be a Hunter, then you have to reach out. Meet new people. This isn't about growing up, it's about becoming a Hunter that everyone can look up to."

"What the- uuuuggggghhh! Now you sound like Uncle Qrow!" Ruby whined, ignorant of a girl in a black bikini top and mini shorts walking behind her and to her own locker.

Punching in the numbers of her locker, Stella Winters ignored everything and everyone as she wrapped her black jacket around herself. Making sure that her gloves and mini jeans were fitted correctly, the twin tailed girl reached into her locker and took out a large cannon and fitted it over her left hand. Satisfied that the schematics of her weapon were working properly, having fired an empty trigger, Stella simply moved her weapon behind and into her jacket.

Walking away from her locker, having closed it, Stella walked away from her locker and continued on. Despite how huge her weapon was, her clothes gave no indication that Stella put it anywhere else when she stored it away, giving no signs of bulging.

Behind her, Yang gave a gaze of a nonbeliever, not being able to believe what she just saw. Tsuna was on the same boat as his childhood friend, but Ruby, on the other hand, was rather adamant to find out what the cannon was, rather than how the weapon disappeared into a jacket of that physical height.


"Ooh, that's an interesting book to read," Maka Albarn complimented, her own book, titled The Tales of Finn Mertens, opened in front of her. "I especially like it when the man fought for his own soul, but the other soul already had a gra-…"

"Spoilers," Blake almost mumbled, her book, titled Duality, in her hands.

"Oh, sorry," Maka apologized. Blake simply hummed in acceptance. The two then continued to walk and read, passing a group of three as two held a conversation.

"So, Pyrrha. What do you think will happen when forming teams?" Weiss Schnee asked, looking as prim and proper as she possible could. Eager to make a perfect first impression with a world-wide star, the girl smiled as best she could. "I'm sure that everyone is eager to be in a team with a strong, well-known individual such as yourself!"

Pyrrha smiled back out of habit and humbleness. "Teams… I suppose it all depends. I'd like to think that whatever happens, I'll be able to work well with anyone." Despite what she said, the invincible girl gave nonchalant looks at her orange headed friend behind her.

Ignoring the redhead's gaze, Ichigo continued to insert bullet rounds into several magazines. Satisfied with his magazines now filled, the orange head reached to his hip to grab his shorter blade. Unsheathing it, he grabbed one of his magazines and clipped it onto where the handle guard would be. Hearing a "click" sound that signified that the magazines is now in place, the swordsman nodded and re-sheathed his weapon, his right hand going over his remaining magazines to store them onto the left side of his hip.

Ichigo suddenly stopped, his third magazine midway onto being stored away. Turning to his left, Ichigo looked at Weiss to see her gazing at her in a calculative way. His scowl now deeper, Ichigo mumbled, "What?"

Now realizing that she was caught staring, Weiss blinked, "Oh! I'm sorry, Ichigo! I didn't mean to stare at you like that!"

"Whatever, doesn't matter," Ichigo rolled his eyes, already bored of Weiss' method of winning him over. "Like I haven't heard that a thousand times before…" He sarcastically thought.

"You know what does matter?" An unfamiliar voice called out. Raising a brow, Ichigo turned to see a blonde boy his age in a black hoodie and white armor. Pointing to himself, the boy continued, "Me. Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you."

"Hello! Nice to meet you, Jaune," Pyrrha greeted.

"Nice to meet you to-…" Jaune began when he was knocked over by Natsu.

"Hiya! Name's Natsu! Natsu Dragneel! You look strong, wanna fight!?"

Pyrrha blinked as Weiss scowled. "Umm…"

"Are you really as dimwitted as you look or is it just your ridiculous hair?" Weiss immediately went for the offensive. Natsu looked almost offended by the comment, faking a gasp as he reached over to clench his heart. "Do you even realize who you're talking to!?"

"Not a slightest."

"Nnnnnnnope."

Jaune and Natsu both responded.

"This is Pyrrha and Ichigo," Weiss introduced.

"Hello again!" Pyrrha waved once more as Ichigo simply nodded his head downward.

"They both graduated at the top of their class year at Sanctum!"

"Sandwich?" Natsu questioned, extracting a small giggle from Pyrrha and a wry smile from Ichigo.

"No, Sanctum."

"Sanctus?"

"Goddammit…" Weiss groaned into her hand while Pyrrha took the time to explain what Sanctum was. "They are both rivals and current co-winners of the Mistral Regional Tournament! They're currently tied two-on-two! There have been many heated discussions over who will win the next possible battle and prove who is stronger! Personally, I'm voting for Pyrrha, no offense."

"All of the offense taken…" Ichigo breathed out sarcastically.

The blonde and pinkette continued to stare at Weiss as if she was the next oddest thing in all of Remnant as the girl groaned once more into her hand. "Pyrrha is in the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box and Ichigo is the current Star Athlete on Subway Seashell Soda bottles!"

Jaune gasped, "That's YOU!?" He pointed at them both. "But, But, but they only do that for star athletes and awesome cartoon characters!"

"Yeah… it was pretty cool…" Pyrrha admitted with uncertainty, "But very unhealthy. Please don't eat anymore."

"I still wonder how the hell they talked me into it…" Ichigo grumbled to himself, not noticing the weird look he was getting from another blonde not too far away.


"I wondered why they looked familiar…" Naruto thought to himself. Let it be known that while Naruto have regularly shopped for his village – usually for foods, clothes, or extra Dust materials – the blonde wasn't known to eat sweets that often. Despite having a liking for the taste, Naruto opted to give them all to the young children of his village, part of the reason why he was so greatly adored.

Reaching into his locker, Naruto grabbed his katana. While a regular looking katana one can find in any weapon store, the katana was mildly modified. Instead of the stereotypical handguard one would find, Naruto's katana was one that looked like a multi-pointed – at least nine-pointed – star. Along with the uniquely made handguard, a similar talisman replica was chained to the bottom of the hilt. Naruto had often wondered where the design came from, but for the life of him, Naruto couldn't figure it out.

Perhaps it connected with his mysterious past.

Or perhaps it was just a random uniquely made katana.

Naruto didn't know, nor did he cared. It was able to cut through steel and Grimm, and Naruto was happy with it.

Sheathing his sword, Naruto reached forward his necklace and headband. Both ere prized possessions; one given to him by his home village as congratulations in becoming a Guardian of their home, the other a memento from a past long forgotten. Gripping them both, Naruto slipped his necklace on before wrapping his headband around his forehead.

"All First-Year Students, report to Beacon Cliff for Initiation immediately. Repeat, all First-Years…"

Naruto idly ignored the woman speaking through the PSA, Glider or something like that, and looked at the old photograph of the four people again. Staring fondly at it, Naruto set it inside his pocket and closed his locker, embedding everything in black.


"For years, you have all come here, prepared, trained, and qualified to become Hunters. Today, all of that will be evaluated at Emerald Forest," Ozpin said, looking at his soon-to-be students. "Now, I'm sure that most of you have heard rumors of forming teams. Allow me to place that rumor to rest and say that your teammates will be given to you… today."

"Oohh…" Ruby whined.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with will be your partner."

"Awww…"

"For the next, four, years."

"Whaaat!?" Ruby screeched.

"Hmm, sounds tough…" Naruto thought to himself.

"After you have partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest," Ozpin took a sip of his coffee mug. "There, you'll find an abandoned temple containing relics. Take one for each of you and guard it carefully. You will then return to the top of the cliffs. The relic, as well as how you combat this forest, will be used to grade you."

"Relics, huh…?" Tsuna thought, his gloved hands forming a thinking pose to see how he shall make his move during the initiation.

"Do not forget, however, that the forest is brimmed with opposition. Do NOT hesitate to destroy everything in your path. Or you will die."

"YES!" Luffy and Nora both yelled. Ren groaned into his hand between the two.

"Any questions?"

"Umm, y-yes… sir…!" Jaune raised his hands.

"Good! Now take your positions."

Ichigo almost chuckled at how the headmaster was nonchalantly ignoring the blonde teenager in front of him. It almost seemed like the man was doing it on purpose.

"Um, sir? I, uhh, I have a question," Jaune continued, ignorant of his fellow students-to-be getting ready. "So, uhh… when you said 'land'… wh-what exactly did you mean by that?"

"Exactly as I said. You shall be landing."

"Right! So… does that mean that you'll be dropping us off?"

"No. You will be falling."

"Fro- from a Bullhead?"

"You're under the assumption that we will be providing transport," Ozpin said, gazing at his watch. Right on schedule, a Bullhead pulled up from behind. Jaune almost looked relieved as the door opened to show an orange-headed young man – most likely in his third or final year – who called out,

"Yo, Prof Ozzy!"

"Mr. Takamagahara."

"These the greenhorns!?"

Most of the students looked offended or surprised at how the male called out to the headmaster as if they were old friends. Glynda in particular looked frustrated at the fact while Ozpin smiled.

"Yes, yes they are," The man answered. "And you seem to be late with your mission, Mr. Takamagahara."

"Aw, c'mon, Prof!"

Ozpin chuckled as the orange head turned to argue with someone inside. The boy turned back to his teacher when Ozpin called out, "Mr. Takamagahara."

"Sup!?"

"You and your team were part of the Initiation four years ago."

"Yep!"

"Would you care to give some advice to your fellow Hunters-in-training?"

The boy was silent as he stared at each and every one of his soon-to-be schoolmates. Immediately, his smile grew conniving.

"Don't die."

Was the only hint he gave before he called into the Bullhead, "Yo, Connie! Let's go! We're already late as it is!"

From within the Bullhead, an angry female voice screamed, "For the last goddamn time, it's C.T., not Connie, you shithead!"

"Love you too, Connie!"

"I WILL drop you!"

Ozpin chuckled as the Bullhead left the vicinity, turning back to answer Jaune, "As you can see, Mr. Arc. We will not be providing transportation."

"R-r-right…"

"Any more questions?" Ozpin once again asked. Once receiving none, though mostly because a majority of the students were still awestruck by the sudden Bullhead appearance, the man smiled. "None? Very well then. The Initiation shall begin in three-…"

And with an explosion, all students were flung into the air as the catapult beneath them triggered and fired. Many of the students screamed and/or yelled in fear and surprise, but none more so than-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!?"

"Hmm, he screams like a girl," Ozpin observed to himself, watching Jaune scream at the top of his lungs, as Glynda deadpanned at him.

"Honestly, Professor Ozpin. Did you really leave the launch pad to Mr. Takamagahara again?" She asked as Ozpin stirred his coffee mug. It wasn't that she was annoyed with her student using his Semblance to launch the greenhorn students. It was more of the fact that Ozpin once again allowed a student to lend a hand at testing the soon-to-be students.

"I haven't the slightest idea what you mean, Glynda."


A/N:

So updates will be slow due to school and classes.

On the other hand, much feels we had the last couple of weeks. RT is pulling all the stops and giving us all the sad feels as they framed Yang of poor sportsmanship, force Pyrrha into two important decisions, gave us hope for Arkos before forcing us back into despair, and finally, they gave us a half-Penny.

I dunno 'bout you guys, but the feels is strong with this Volume.

Can't wait to see what Qrow can really do. And will Taiyang finally show himself rendered other than a 2D cutout? And what of Ozpin? I know for sure that he would rather his reputation 6 feet under than his people and students in danger.

Let the Initiation BEGIN!


{{Play Kaze by Yamazaru}}

[Dondengaeshi detatokoshōbu nerau wa ittō shō]

[I Can Feel It donna toki datte hikari o shinjiteru]

The opening begins within the clouds, moving forward before it breaks out and reveals the school of Beacon Academy. Closing to the prestigious Hunter School, the scene soon pauses directly in front of Beacon Tower before suddenly moving up into the sky and towards the sun.

The glare from the sun beats in rhythm before the glare momentarily flashes the scene and shows the title soon after.

NITL

Team NITL then begins to fall from the sky. The first is Naruto, falling headfirst as he grins like no tomorrow. Next is Ichigo with his stoic face and his hands in his pockets, smiling as he falls feet first. The third to follow is Tsuna, yelping as he tried to flap his wings in a failed attempt to stay afloat. The last is Luffy, whooping as he cannonballs from the sky.

[Nigirishime ta yume ga koboreochi sō na toki ni kagitte omoidasu no]

The scene then changes to a depiction of Luffy. Behind him is a transparent slideshow of clips of Luffy and his interactions to other characters as well as his fighting style.

[Aitsu no ano yasashii kao mune no oku ga mata tsuyoku nareru no]

The next shows a depiction of Tsuna. A similar slideshow is shown behind him, also transparent.

The slideshow ends with Luffy's emblem, a skull wearing a straw hat and crossbones.

[Bukkirabou no kokoro ni Fire gutto kuru ashita o tsukami tain da]

A depiction of Ichigo is next. The same slideshow featuring Ichigo is shown translucent behind him.

[Mada mi nu sekai wa kowaku nai shinji ta mirai desho hora Let's Try!]

The final depiction is Naruto, a slideshow of him and his interactions with other characters and fighting styles before ending with him eating a bowl of ramen.

The slideshow ends with Tsuna's emblem, a circle with a bold "x" over it with a clam within it.

[Kazoekire nai ano namida wa sō sa niji ni kawaru darō]

[Osaekire nai kanashimi mo]

[Itsuka wa dakishimerarerukana]

The scene now changes to the landscape of Beacon Academy, showing the Beacon Tower, the cliff, Emerald Forest as well as Forever Fall Forest. In front of the tapestry of the terrain were the members of Team RWBY, JNPR and various teachers of the academy. The slide ends with Ozpin, the camera panning in as the headmaster's glasses glistens in the light.

Ichigo's emblem now shows itself, a pentagon with an "x" connecting the far corners, finished with a pentagon shaped cartoonish skull.

[Yawa na Heart ga uzukidashi tara]

[Arittake asu ni kisu shite ageyō]

The scene changes to Ichigo fighting a horde of Grimm. As the camera passes one of the Grimm, Luffy replaces Ichigo as he uses his weapons to shoot down the horde.

Naruto's emblem reveals itself as a spiral with nine segments ending it.

[Furue ta mama no chiisana kobushi o tsuyoku mata nigitte]

The fighting scene soon changes to Tsuna flying before charging his Aura into his right gauntlet. He then punches the Grimm below him as the scene changes to Naruto cutting through the Grimm horde.

A hand reaches out from the bottom, trying to reach for something that glows within the darkness.

[Dondengaeshi detatokoshoubu nerau wa ittō shō]

A raven haired woman is now shown, in front of two teenagers with green hair and silverfish-gray hair respectively. Behind them is an army of men and women in black hoodies and white masks. The raven headed woman then blinks as fire sparks from her eyes. Opaque images of two men soon moves to cover the woman, before revealing a red headed man with a customized white mask and an orange haired man with a bowler hat.

The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Vale is shown. A wreath of wheat with twin axes crossing each other.

[I Can Feel It donna toki datte hikari o shinjiteru]

Naruto soon enters the scene, smiling and grinning as the rest of his team follows suite. All four young men reached for their weapons or activated it before they all crouched to charge. As one, the team rushed towards the light as it illuminated the four, ending the scene.