A Grimm Light

by Nasha Rei-Kun

Among the darkness that was Salem's island, Summer Rose expected to find one of two things. Victory or... unfortunately, a loss so great she knew her family would never get over it. So, when the weirdest third option showed up, a single piece of light in this land of darkness, she'd been confused... and then she'd been happier than she ever imagined.

12. Potential Comrades and Enemies

~NRK~

Mercury blinked as the Grimm pulled some sort of golden energy out of the ground.

"Is this another 'you' thing?" He asked as Naruto chuckled.

"Yes, it's a whole situation that's a bit complicated," Naruto admitted with a hum. "It's gotten stronger the same way I have," he said curiously to himself before holding out his fist. "Hold fists with me, Merc, my way of awakening your spirit is a bit different."

The gray-haired boy blinked before raising his own fist and pressing it against Naruto's.

The 'transfer' was alarming, warm, and felt embarrassing.

Because it was kind. Because it felt like he was given something 'sacred'.

Because of the 'trust' he felt being passed onto him to not become the monster that his blood might make him.

The glowing gold made Mercury's body glow a soft gray before a flash of a 'network' locked into his mind, a diagram of his body with numerous 'strings' of energy that had points in them.

And the flash quickly ended, leaving him glowing his Aura's color… possibly.

"... Was that Aura? Like, really Aura?" He asked and Naruto smiled.

"You're half-right," the Grimm said softly as Mercury looked more surprised before he looked guilty.

"You'd trust me with that?"

"Merc, there's no reason to not trust you, I told you."

The young man blushed at that, grumbling a bit. "So… w-we, uhh, train, yeah?"

Naruto smirked. "Yep."

He pat his back before they walked to the waterfall, Nicholas and Taiyang nodding as they took their kids through the paces.

"I think Naruto really gets it, dad," Yang said as Taiyang chuckled, ruffling her hair.

"He does. It's not easy but taking care of a child is very fulfilling," the father of four said.

"Hmm, curious," Sarcelle said as Nicholas hummed with a nod.

"... well, I deal with the cards I'm dealt, hun," he said as she tilted her head at her chuckling father, the man patting her head. "Taiyang's right, children are rough," his kids whined much to his amusement, Taiyang snickering with Yang off to the side. "But they come with a sense of understanding and purpose that's hard to top."

"Is that why I keep having more sisters?" Jaune asked with a flat face as his father coughed into his fist. "Because I'd like a brother."

"A-Ahem! Well, Jaune… I don't control that, in fact, I think your mother does."

"I need to ask her for a little brother."

Taiyang started laughing along with Cera and Saphron.

Back with Naruto and Mercury, the two reached Penny and Nora, the latter currently throwing her lightning projectiles at the waterfall with a pitcher's stance.

The holes those made were a bit bigger than the ones from yesterday.

"How's she doing?" Naruto asked Penny who chuckled.

"Well, Nora's trying to copy my hole from yesterday," the orange-haired woman said with a proud smile. "She's trying her best… hmm?" Penny blinked at Mercury, the boy blushing a bit as she grinned. "You got your energy unlocked, didn't you?"

"Y-Yeah, well… I figured not being left out would be alright," the boy said with a huff as Naruto chuckled. "So, uh… where do I start?"

"Throw bombs!" Nora said with a wild look in her eye.

Mercury's face went flat before he looked at Naruto and Penny. "Is she being serious?"

The two looked at one another before chuckling nervously.

"Alright, just wanted to know. Teach me how to throw things, alright."

Getting down to business, the first thing Mercury learned with the three was how to walk on trees.

No, he was not joking as he saw the three on the sides of one big one, much to his disbelief.

"... I-Is this a 'you' thing?"

"Actually, everyone can do this. Everyone, Merc, people just weren't as creative before I got here," Naruto said as Nora sat next to his standing form, Penny nodding. "This is gonna help with your control and Aura tank, this'll be good."

The boy blinked at the bit of excitement swelling inside of him. "Y-Yeah? Alright."

Getting off, Penny giggled as she took Nora back to the waters. "Hm, Nora, we're going to try Water-Walking again, alright?"

"Alright!" The girl grinned.

The group, at large, spent the next four hours just training together, Mercury blinking as he and Naruto went through his fighting style.

"I see, an assassin, huh?" The Grimm said with a hand cupping his chin. "That's rough, Merc."

"Yeah, he was a real bastard!" Mercury said as his foot slashed across a tree's trunk. "He didn't know how to care for a… DAMN THING!"

His other leg shot forward, crushing the middle of the tree as it landed, Mercury frowning before Naruto pat his shoulder.

"You'll get strong enough that even he can't do a damn thing."

"There's actually something you need to know about him," Mercury said with a frown as Naruto raised his brow. "Da… Marcus Black could steal Semblances," he whispered as the man's eyes widened.

"No foolin'?"

"None. He's dangerous, Naruto. He's got more Semblances than a person should be capable of. The only good thing is I've been watching," the young man said with narrowed eyes. "That guy can't use more than one at a time. I've learned every one he could use up to this point. I needed to know the ins and outs of the ones he stole so I could break him down."

"You're smart, Merc. That's going to go a long way in the future," Naruto said with a chuckle before patting him on the back twice. "Come on, time for lunch."

The teen nodded, following Naruto towards the congregation of the others towards the Main Camp.

Getting there, fruit, fish, and vegetables were prepared or passed around, Mercury not hesitating to eat.

"So, we'll be heading back tomorrow," Glynda said with a nod as Naruto reciprocated.

"We'll be here, probably visit Mistral and Vale or be in Atlas. So, well, we'll be around," he chuckled. "Honestly, has anything come up that anyone can tell us?"

"Hmm, nothing I can think of," James said. "Well, maybe about more material. We're creating a better examination room for the Dust Fission experiments. Nothing much, just a few pounds."

"Gotcha."

"Pounds? Of what material?" Mercury asked Penny who hummed.

"Naruto can make excess bones and has excess fur that he donates often," she explained to him and the boy's mouth fell.

"Right, I'd forgotten about that," he winced as Nora nodded.

"He made me a hammer," she grinned with a squeal. "Me and Ren-Ren got weapons from him for my birthday!"

Mercury perked up. "Really?"

"Yup!"

"Hm, hm, anyone else?"

"Nothing to note," Leonardo said with a sigh of relief. "Thankfully."

"Hmm, I've heard a few rumors from the land south of Vacuo," Nicholas said as Jun hummed.

"Oh, right," she said as Naruto raised a brow. "You remember when we first met? The weird gate Nickie spoke of? The people in the town by the Misty Isles? They did say there were a set of odd Grimm attacks near there," Jun frowned. "Said that the people were kidnapped."

"... I'll check it out," Naruto said with a determined nod as Mercury blinked at him. "If that's true, anything weird about Grimm needs to be looked at."

"True," Ozpin said as Glynda nodded. "Gormhen is the name of the city, it's known for its dreary surroundings and mists."

Naruto nodded. "Guys, we're going on a trip to Gormhen."

"Huh, this might be cool," Mercury said as Nora tilted her head.

"B-But we can't bring Oso!" The girl whined as the sloth summon chewed on some cabbage a bit away. "She'll get lonely!"

"Um, debatably, she has Kachi, Oichi, and the birds," Penny said with a chuckle. "It's going to be dangerous, Nora, we've got to be on our guard."

"... Alright," the girl pouted. "Hmmm… N-Naruto? Do you think you could make her a friend? Pleaseeeeeee?" Nora asked him with big plate-sized eyes that wobbled dangerously.

Naruto cupped his chin. "In that case, I wonder what I should bring out," he considered as the others looked on curiously. "Anyone know if sloths have a good relationship with other animals?"

"You're gonna make one?! Right now?!" Sarcelle looked excited by the prospect. "T-Then anything! No, a tortoise! They're animals of similar speed!" She said with a large amount of excitement.

"Oohhh, oohhh, make a cheetah!" Ruby introduced.

"T-Then a dragon!?" Jaune asked with shining eyes.

"Zebra!" Whitley asked with awe.

"T-Tiger!" Blake considered with a blush.

Naruto chuckled as he heard more and more. "Well… I have a bit of an idea," he said before getting up and walking a bit away. "One of two, I guess."

He bit his thumb before making those familiar handsigns, the air around him distorting as the others watched on.

"He's creating another Grimm?" Jacques asked with some concern as James nodded.

"Naruto calls them summons more than just Grimm," the half-metal man said as Willow tilted her head.

"That's eerily familiar," she added as Winter nodded. "Still, Osojiai doesn't disappear and neither does that one you've told us about in Atlas, correct?"

"Yes, the thing is, these Grimm-ish creatures are… different," Pietro said as Nicholas tilted his head. "Consider them more like actual animals. They eat, sleep, and produce energy. They breathe, you all."

They looked alarmed before Naruto slammed his hand down onto the ground, a large black array of circles and symbols forming beneath him.

"Kuchiyose!" The Grimm man called out as black began to spread out and cover the circle, gold, intangible, and diamond-like rings forming over the circle. "Hmph!" Naruto jumped back and waited.

The group did so as well before being rewarded as a head popped out of the portal.

A tortoise's head on a long neck that quickly came out before being followed by a set of stubby legs and a large white crystallized shell covered in glowing gold symbols that was followed by a… b-by another head?

A snake head followed at the end, three blue eyes blinking on its face, the third one centered on its noggin, while its mouth was empty without fangs.

The entire creature was black in color for its skin and scales but the tortoise head had a bony helmet while the snake part's body was covered in beautiful gold patterns that gained Whitley's fascination.

"Genbu," Naruto chuckled as the others gaped at the size on the creature. "God, you are BIG," he said to the nearly bus-sized summon whose head came down and nuzzled him. "Hehehe~ I know, I know. Now, what skill do you have?" The man asked as he placed a hand on the creature's head.

Then the snake head elongated before coming around and bowing to him as well, leaving the former blonde blinking before he nodded.

Placing both his hands on their heads, the summons' eyes closed as Naruto's body flashed with gold marks.

"... whoa, okay," the Grimm man grinned shakily as he let go, the two creatures blinking. "Alright, let's try this, alright?" He said before jumping onto their shell.

"A new ability?" Penny asked Naruto who grinned more nervously.

"Uhhh… s-so, right, well," he chuckled a bit. "So, this guy, Genbu, can make energy crystals and stuff."

James stood up like the robot he wasn't as raised his hand. "What?" He said in awe and interest that was quickly followed by Jacques, Pietro, Ozpin, and Glynda. "C-Can you say that again, Naruto?"

"Well… it'd be better to show you, I guess," the man said before he rested his hands on Genbu's shell. "..."

Gold began to flow out from where his hands laid on its crystal-like shell, the white crystals slowly gaining the color as the turtle-snake's head bobbed up and down, much to the kids' amusement.

The gold soon took over one of the five big crystals on Genbu's back before Naruto let out a whistle, letting go. "Geez, these things are energy-hungry, yikes," he said as the snake head came around to him. "Give me a bit off this one, Genbu."

It nodded before its mouth opened and bit into the crystal, breaking it off with deceptive ease before handing it to its master.

"Thanks," the Grimm man pat his head before he got off and pat the tortoise's head. "Go on, I know."

The creature nodded before the ground beneath its feet trembled.

Kali blinked as it slowly sank into the forest floor, form disappearing bit by until only the heads and shell were left in sight.

"He can move around like that, actually," Naruto said with a chuckle.

The group's mouths fell as the heads and shell moved around without much tremors in the ground, like a swimming animal in dirt and stone.

"T-That doesn't even make sense!" Sarcelle pouted as Genbu made it by her, the girl huffing a bit. "Y-You should be walking a-and not driving underground!" She whined as Saphron sweatdropped.

"D-Driving?" She asked as the snake head came around before sniffing her. "H-Hey! I don't sell!" The teen blushed as the reptile head blinked at her. "... No."

It turned its snout on the others, sniffing each child before moving onto Nicholas who huffed as it sniffed his hair, much to his wife's amusement.

"I don't… I can't," he groaned as the reptile blinked. "... just get on with it."

It sniffed him some more before moving on to Jun, Naruto explaining as he came over.

"Hebi-Genbu is a tracker, ya know? Like snakes with heat," Naruto said as Taiyang blinked in interest. "He's 'sniffing' you but he's really getting a whiff of your heat signature. It's the best way of saying it."

Jacques huffed as the snake elongated and sniffed him, too. "Y-Yes, well, he could do so less invasively," he grumbled as the snake blinked. "Don't you dare-"

It got all up in his hairdo, leaving the CEO's eyebrow twitching as his wife smirked before finding the animal doing the same to her.

"I wonder if it likes the shampoo we use," she wondered as the snake blinked before moving onto the squeaking Weiss.

"N-No! Shoo! Shoo!" She squealed as Yang snickered along with Ruby. "Eek!"

The snake moved onto the fumbling Winter who shivered as it sniffed her.

"R-Right, it's just an animal… j-just an animal," she repeated as it moved onto Whitley who grinned before giggling as it sniffed him, rubbing its heat sensory organ on him.

"Heat sensory organs, they're rather delicate," the boy said as he looked at the ones on the snake's snout. "Fascinating."

Pietro chuckled as the snake did the same to him. "Yes, welcome."

As the snake went along the others, none gave more of a reaction than Taiyang who raised a brow at its pleased expression.

"Well, snakes were sometimes considered dragons," he chuckled as it sniffed him a good bit. "Welcome to the world of the living," Taiyang said as it booped his arm. "Yes, well-"

A series of symbols formed over the bicep, much to the group's surprise before they noted the golden crystal on Genbu's back losing a bit of its color.

"... Thank you," he said to the pleased snake. "Naruto? What's this do?"

"Like I said, Genbu can store energy into the crystals on his back," Naruto said before handing James the bit of crystal in his hands, much to the general's, Jacques's, and Pietro's interest. "He can also give it in the form of seals of sorts. That seal has some of the energy in it because he's like you."

"Oh, well thank you again," Taiyang chuckled as Yang pouted.

"H-Hey, come on! Give me something!" She whined but the snake blinked and moved on. "Excuse me?!"

Qrow snorted as the turtle head just kept on vibin'. "You and me? We know what life's like,' he smirked at the blinking, slightly bobbing, tortoise head of Genbu, Summer laughing at that. "Yeah, he's just chillin'."

Once the snake head was done, leaving Mercury feeling weirder than he ever did before, it went back to the shell before slipping underground, not to be seen for a good bit.

"Fascinating," Pietro said from that and the crystal in James's hands. "What does it feel like, James?"

"It's warm," the man said with a chuckle as he rubbed the side of the slightly glowing crystal. "Honestly, this energy is soothing, I don't think I can figure out the proper word for it but it's calm, warm, energy in my hands."

Jacques cupped his chin. "I see…"

"Jacques."

"I'm not doing anything. It's curious, an energy crystal, you'd be better off calling it actual Dust," the CEO said as the group choked. "But knowing the origin? It's not, it's simply very similar. Speaking of, you're not looking to get into the Dust business, are you?" He asked Naruto without missing a breath, Willow chuckling at that.

"Not really. I've got a boat to update."

"Ah, yes, the wood, too. It's been quite some time since I've looked at it."

"We've made a new wine cellar," Willow said with a look of fascination. "It's been some of the best wine we've had in a while, it was so… effective," she noted curiously. "Honestly, the wine there isn't even that old but it's got an amazing vintage to it already."

"Yes, it's been quite curious," Jacques said. "Quite the powerful wood."

"Hmm, it is full of my energy. Maybe that has a part in it," Naruto said with a hum before nodding. "Alright, time for the next one. This guy is definitely going to be more combat-oriented."

Going back over to where he'd summoned Genbu, Naruto performed his previous summoning actions once more, focusing on the energy within this one.

The wind had picked up this time as his body filled with gold symbols once more.

'This guy's gonna be a bit more powerful,' he could tell due to the difference in elemental power. 'This one's gonna be from my most powerful element. So, let's get this right.'

He rolled together those suggestions from the children, tiger, stripes, 'dragon', zebra, and a more curious addition from him.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" He performed the skill as he slammed his hand down into the ground.

A similar display of an array, a circle, a growing black circle, and finally, four rings of 'power' around it.

Wind, Life, 'Strength', and, finally, 'Nature'. That last one was more the man's element than the magic he'd learned.

He jumped back and blinked as a form flew out of the black circle, a van-sized black being whose form flew in the air around them before coming around to the back of the Grimm man, Naruto turning his head to stare at the newest summon he'd brought into existence.

"... That's a cop-out!" Blake declared as the others sweatdropped.

Why'd she say that? Well, because the new 'summon' was clearly not just a tiger, zebra, dragon, or anything.

No, it was something in-between that Kali, Leonardo, and Ozpin found oddly familiar about its design.

It was a four-legged beast, mostly that of a tiger in form, with white skin and black marks/bones around its form… it was different compared to the other summons. The black bone came with golden marks across it in wind-like marks and mostly covered its forehead, paws, forearms, forelegs, and the bits by the tail tip like armors and a tail ring.

Powerful scaled wings shot out of its upper back with more bone plating along the ridge and wing-like armor by its shoulders. Zebra stripes were its main color scheme from its body to its tails, the entire creature being like a swirl of black and white save for its eyes, like all the other summons.

"Hmm," Naruto cupped his chin as this creature observed him. "... Kokyuko."

The creature made a pleased purr, sitting down as it looked at him.

"Yep. You're a strong one," Naruto said as Mercury came up behind him, leaning to the side from behind Naruto to observe the tiger summon. "Yeah, he's probably a bit feisty, I can tell but he's a good protector and ride."

The summon roared and the floor shook as Naruto hummed, the summon stopping as if observing his reaction.

"... Not bad," he said with a thumbs-up as the feline's tail wagged back and forth. "So, you and Genbu over there," Naruto began as his other new summon's tortoise head lifted and observed. "Are gonna be chillin' with Osojiai," the sloth summon lifted her head. "Probably in a couple of days. We've gotta go and look into something-"

The summon lowered its head and pushed against his chest, confusing him.

"I know…" The flash of information got a blink out of the Grimm man. "Hmm?" He tilted his head as Kokyuko's form glowed before it shrank. "... Oh, okay, I see where you're going with this."

Mercury blinked as half the other kids ran over.

Kokyuko had shrunk to the size of a small cat, the summon hopping up onto Naruto's shoulder before curling around his neck with a calm expression, a knowing one.

"Oh, you're the clingy-type," the man said as Yang grinned.

"Let me see 'im!" She commanded.

"Yang," Summer spoke up, the girl flinching as she did. "That's not polite."

"S-Sorry, mom!" The young girl said with a wobbly-eyed look. "Can I see him, please?"

"Hm, what do you think?" Naruto asked the summon who stretched before flapping its tinier wings and floating down into Yang's head, wearing a zen-like expression. "There you go."

"You really just gave her some superpowered Grimm chimera thing," Mercury said with a look of slight disbelief. "That's definitely not safe."

"Well, with a normal animal, yeah," Naruto said as the kids crowded Kokyuko. "The thing is, my summons kinda come pre-packed with common sense if ya get me. They know most normal things and, while they've got personalities, they know how to act around kids and stuff."

With the adults up and about, checking the summons out, Penny came over with Kali, Leonardo, and Ozpin.

"You fashioned them after the Four Cardinals?" The cat woman asked as she noted Kokyuko. "Of course, their names aren't all the same but Genbu's is. What? Are there two more in the future?"

"Hehe. Well, I wouldn't mind giving Gamakuro a direction," Naruto said with a smile. "Honestly, I didn't think about it until I made Genbu. Kokyuko just came next. With Osojiai handling a direction, I've got my Four Cardinals."

"It's curious," Ozpin said as Leonardo nodded. "Though, this island's size is certainly big enough for them to have the space to move around. That said, shouldn't you also make some to try and hide the island?"

"Hmm… I never thought about it, honestly," Naruto said as the old wizard nodded.

"If you can have some that, say, could hide the island from sight, you'd certainly save yourself some hassle," Leonardo said with a hum. "Though, I don't know if you have such a skillset."

Naruto nodded at that, considering the options before he froze, eyes glazing over, much to Kali's concern.

"Naruto?"

Blue marks formed over his eyes and the three balked before the man rubbed his head.

"S-Sorry, that wasn't… normal," the man said with a wince as Penny raised a brow at him, a frown on her face.

Touching his bicep, she shot him a look.

"Just thinking about the situation at hand," Naruto said with a shaky grin. "Maybe get some outside help on the matter, ya know?"

Penny, Leonardo, and Ozpin's reactions had him relaxing as they caught it.

It seemed the Water Spirit wanted to meet.

"Well, for now, we'll just focus on what we can do," Penny said even as Mercury caught their reactions.

'They're not saying something,' of course, not everything had been told to him. 'I guess only certain people know,' Kali hadn't picked up on it but the other three had.

Curious.

~NRK~

Come nighttime, Naruto pecked Penny on the lips as he opened up their room window.

Wearing some orange pants and a similar-colored thigh-length vest, his bandage-covered feet rested on the sill before he jumped out.

Running towards the Crevice, the name granted by the group at large, Naruto jumped down the elevator shaft, ignoring the elevator box and landing without an issue.

'I wonder what he wants to talk about,' the Grimm man thought as he walked into the cavern, holding up a hand and casting Lux to light up the area.

Walking off, he never paid attention to the small signatures coming up to the hole, two familiar children peeking into the hole.

"I wonder where he's going," Mercury thought as Nora nodded.

"Maybe there's a secret down there!" She whispered and screamed in unison.

"Shhh!" Mercury looked around before his eyes locked onto the elevator box. "Should we take it down?"

"Why not?" Nora asked. "We came all this way."

"Yeah, but we don't want to betray Naruto's trust."

"..." Nora pouted a bit before whining. "I just want to see what he's doing…"

"... If we get caught, you're taking the rap."

"Sure!"

Mercury's eyebrow twitched.

~NRK~

Watching Naruto pass the second level, Mercury and Nora watched from across the room, hiding by the staircase.

"Whoa…" Their eyes widened at the sight of the 'second level'. "I-Is this normal?"

"No… at least… I don't know?" Mercury answered nervously. "Water doesn't do this, it's normal."

"... Well, Naru-Pops always said his energy's all over the island," she explained as Mercury scratched his chin. "Maybe it's because of that?"

He considered it. "I guess. I mean, that's all that really makes sense," he shrugged as they began to walk into the space. "Still… man, this place is pretty cool," Mercury observed with some more awe.

It was so shiny and glowed with a sort of ephemeral energy that he was a bit entranced. Nora 'oohed' and 'aaahhed' every which way as well, the two young teens just taken in by the odd water.

So when they heard a small 'meow' they jumped like hell had descended on them.

"?!"

"?!"

The only thing keeping their yells in their throats was the fact that the sound had been familiar, the two turning to find Kokyuko right behind them, a speculative look in the not-currently-a-tiger summon.

"Kokyuko?" They said in unison, holding their hands to their chest in relief. "You scared us."

The summon shot them both a look that had them flinching and feeling nervous.

"... W-We're just wondering where he was going," Mercury said, trying to find an excuse to appease a cat. 'Said cat could rip my throat out,' so he wasn't exactly feeling any shame in this act.

"... Come on, Kokyuko," Nora grinned innocently as she held out her arms to the summon who raised a brow at her, cleaning his paw. "Come on! We can go and follow Naruto and you'll be our bodyguard," she said with a teasing expression as the summon's eyes went flat. "... We're just going to follow him," she said immediately after as the cat-tiger's eyebrows twitched, its wings flapping randomly.

It walked towards them before jumping into her arms, shooting her a look that said it all.

"Why's everyone telling me to take the fall?" She whined as Mercury shot her a flat look.

"I wonder why? Come on, let's go before things get weirder."

Hurrying after Naruto, they hurried down the steps to the next level thirty seconds later, finding this level more shocking than the second.

"It's covered in water?" Mercury blinked as they watched Naruto chat with… was that some kind of woman made of water? "What?" He balked as Nora blinked in confusion, holding onto Kokyuko with a look of shock before her eyes widened.

'It's magic!' She realized a bit late as the wall in front of Naruto quickly became a swirling vortex of water that opened up into a passageway. "... Whoa…" Nora's mouth fell along with Mercury's, the two seeing the craziness before them.

And then their blood ran cold as they felt a presence behind them, a hot sigh telling the two of them they were in so much trouble.

"What are you two doing down here?" Penny asked the pajama-clad kids, wearing a pair of green pajamas with her arms crossed with a frown. "Mercury? Nora?"

"So, I was right," Naruto said as he appeared in front of the two jumping children, Kokyuko meowing as he jumped out of Nora's arms and flew onto Naruto's shoulders, his eyes glowing softly. "Haa, Nora? Why?"

"..." The small ginger looked down as Mercury rubbed the back of his head.

"I-It was my idea," Mercury admitted as he grimaced. "I saw you running out and I was trying to follow but she came out of nowhere," he lied as Nora looked at him in shock and then guilt.

"... Haa," Penny sighed as she crouched to their level, Naruto kneeling. "Please don't just come down here. It's… well, dangerous isn't right but it's not safe. Who knows what the guard would have done to you two if you came alone?"

"... So, that thing is a guard?" Mercury asked as Naruto chuckled.

"Yea, for something important," the Grimm said with a sigh. "... we're annoyed, honestly, but we're not as mad as you think," Naruto said as both kids blinked at him. "... There's a big thing about the world you probably don't know, Mercury," he added as the teen raised a brow.

"What do you mean? I-I mean, this is all you, right?" He asked Naruto who rubbed the back of his neck. "... Right? This is your power. That's a guard for something secret that you don't want to be known."

"It's… well, most of what you said is correct," Penny said as she held the two's shoulders with a stern frown. "But the part where you're wrong, Mercury, is about who set this up. This isn't Naruto's doing."

The two children's eyes widened as their heads snapped to the water-based guard. "H-Huh?! We thought… t-then what made her?!" They shouted in unison as Naruto chuckled a bit.

"... okay, so, there's a bit of stuff to explain to you Merc," Naruto said as the boy shot him a weird look. "... the simplest way of explaining everything is that magic is real," Mercury's eyes slowly began to widen as the man nodded. "And this, you two, is caused by a magical being somewhere deep in the ocean by the island."

Nora's mouth fell as Kokyuko meowed. "H-Huh?! W-What is it?" She asked nervously as she looked around the utterly enormous room full of water and fixtures that were more detailed and positioned in a way that made her realize something. "I-Is it super powerful?" Nora asked as she paled, the two adults nodding.

"Ridiculously so," Penny admitted as she considered her next words. "We almost died fighting it," she said as the two teens paled. "And it wasn't even trying. He was so beyond us, the only reason we even won was because it wasn't a real fight to the death but a test."

"I-I-I…" Mercury just stood there, stumped, as Naruto chuckled while Penny sighed, looking amused. "Magic?"

"Y-Yeah," Nora said before swallowing. "... I'm sorry."

Naruto sighed before nodding. "You two were curious, I know, but there are dangers in this world I'm pretty sure I can't beat," he said as they looked more pale. "Yeah, it's not wrong to say, the world is full of guys I can't beat who'd… I'm gonna be honest, people who'd wipe the continents clean if they were really trying."

The two's eyes shrunk as they trembled, Penny holding them steady.

"So, what do we do now?" Penny asked her significant other who cupped his chin.

"... Well, they're here, might as well come along."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Besides, it's better they're with us now that you're here," Naruto grinned and she huffed but it held no fire, Penny nodding.

"Alright, you two," she said to the teens. "Stay near us, it's not wrong to say, we're going to meet someone bigger than you'll ever know," Penny said before she looked at the two's feet submerged in the water. "... Oh, we'll have to carry you," Penny said with a hum as Mercury blinked.

"Wait, why?" He asked.

"Because over there isn't some small dip, Merc," Naruto said as he pointed near the water guard. "And you can't walk on water yet while Nora doesn't have it down."

"..." The boy looked more shocked as he spoke. "R-Right."

Picking the two up, Naruto with Mercury and Penny with Nora, they walked the distance to the portal before nodding to the guard.

Going into that familiar portal, they set the two young teens down as they marveled at their surroundings.

"When we came through here the first time, we were so shocked," Penny said as they walked. "Honestly, it was easily beyond anything we'd seen up to this point. Well, to me."

"Yeah, this is gonna be a shock to both you guys so prepare yourselves despite how little that'll do," Naruto chuckled. "Honestly, all I can say is just don't offend him, he's an old 'upright' bastard," Penny giggled. "Though, I'm really wondering why he called me like this?"

"This happened during the chat with Kali and Ozpin, right?" Penny asked him and he nodded. "Hmm… I wonder," she considered an idea as they kept walking.

The path had to be maybe half a mile, ridiculously, to Mercury and Nora, the two just wondering where this was all heading.

So, when they arrived in an underwater cavern, they blinked before feeling the charge in the air.

"T-This place? What the hell is up with it?" Mercury asked as Nora nodded, holding onto Penny's hand. "That water…" He leaned down on the sole bit of rock they'd landed on. "..." He leaned forward, looking into its crystal clear and yet impossible-to-see depths.

"Be careful, Merc," Naruto pulled the boy back onto his feet. "He's coming."

And as if summoned by the man's words, the two kids yelped as the area rumbled. Their eyes widened as they went to the water where large bubbles began to erupt only for something to start rising out of them.

Their eyes shrunk again as they latched onto Naruto and Penny, the rather enormous creature that'd just emerged leaving them gasping for air they didn't even know they'd needed.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" They shouted in unison as Naruto and Penny chuckled.

"That's the Water Spirit," they said in unison as the two gaped at them.

"Hmm, there are more whelps here," the tentacle of the Water Spirit said as Naruto chuckled a bit. "No matter, you getting here is all that matters."

"Yeah, what happened? Did you feel something? Something go wrong?"

"Not me but you and that old wizard said something curious," the Spirit said as Naruto and Penny blinked. "More land on that domain of yours is a rather interesting idea, do you not think so?"

"Hmm? You want to help with that?" Penny blinked as the Spirit chuckled. "... Or, really, you want to while getting something out of it yourself."

"The former automaton speaks the truth. Yes, I want something out of this. These caverns are kind, they fit me and most of my form… but that's it. MOST of my form. There's not enough room for my glorious scales to so much as shine and that could be fixed while leaving you all with more space for those Guardians of yours."

Kokyuko jumped off his master's shoulders before transforming into his true mighty form, the flying tiger curling around the four protectively.

"Hmm, a bit impressive but nothing of real worth," the Water Spirit said as Naruto sweatdropped. "What do you say? I get a more true Altar and you get more land?"

"Well, I wouldn't say no but how would we do this?" Naruto asked.

"It's easy in the grand scheme of things," the tentacle said. "You need to find an Earth Spirit in the lands by that odd space you plan to go. Gormhen was it?"

"Wait, there's a Spirit there?" Penny asked as she pat Nora's head. "I-I'm confused, didn't you say there were four… no, wait, a minor Earth Spirit?" She realized as the tentacle chuckled.

"You chose an interesting mate, boy," Naruto chuckled. "Yes. You need to grab that mid-level Earth Spirit and mix it with one of your Guardians so you can make this as seamless as possible with your energy."

"Wait, mix it? I can do that?" Naruto asked.

"You did it with that toad, did you not?"

"O-Oh?" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I did but will it be like with you? Will it grant me a blessing? Or…"

"The wizard told you, did he not? Some Spirits can be subdued or form a contract with you. This rather rambunctious one is causing issues anyway."

"H-How so?" Mercury asked before hiding behind Naruto again. 'It's so damn big!'

Where did such a thing exist?! A-And this wasn't all of it?!

"It's causing an issue I didn't think was possible. It's forming a Black Gate as you all call it and rebelling against its Light-origin. It's going to try and become something it shouldn't. An Earth Spirit of the Dark God."

Their eyes widened. "WHAT?!" Nora looked horrified. "W-We have to stop it!"

"She's right. We can't let that stay," Naruto said with a determined frown. "Still… once I beat it, what'll happen?"

"You'll gain a contract with the Spirit. Once you do, it's yours to command, or build an Altar for it to rest, so it may bless the land. That last one will be what you need before infusing its power into another of your Guardians," the tentacle said as Naruto cupped his chin. "If you need a way to make an Altar, simply let the wizard or I know. It's only a matter of logic."

"Alright, thanks, even if I know you also want something out of this," Naruto chuckled. "So, you know anything else about this Spirit?"

~NRK~

Back in their home, the four sat in Penny and Naruto's room, on the two's king-sized bed.

"So… magic is real…" Mercury said as the group nodded. "Spirits are magical beings, there's magic in the world, a wizard in Ozpin, more Spirits you're going to meet eventually, and I have magic?"

"Essentially," Naruto said as the boy balked while Nora pet a back-to-cat-size Kokyuko. "It's a lot to take in, Merc. This isn't just a not normal situation, it's one that could force a change in the world we couldn't plan for yet."

"How have people not noticed?" The boy asked. "I mean, these things are huge, aren't they? Surely someone found a magical being at some point, right?"

Naruto and Penny looked at one another before smiling nervously. "We simply don't… know," the woman said. "Being honest, this whole situation is still relatively new to us. Right now, we don't have the proper information, the resources, or know-how on how this is all going to go."

"It seems complicated," Nora said with a pout as Naruto chuckled. "S-So you're going to go and fight these Spirit guys?" She asked, looking scared.

"Maybe only for tests, Nora," he said, ruffling her hair. "Right now, getting stronger is important but so is helping people," Naruto added as Mercury huffed a bit. "And you two need to know this is all a secret. This isn't… it's going to be a long time before magic becomes something we can just reveal to people."

Mercury nodded slowly. "... Do you guys honestly think it'll stay secret for that long?"

"We hope so," Penny said. "The thing is… Naruto, it's just a thought I had for some time," she said as Naruto blinked.

"What's up, Penny-chan?"

"Well… Mercury's not wrong in his previous inquiries, I don't think we know it but there's a good chance that magical items and being have been found already," she said as he frowned with a nod. "And with how things are going with the Black Gates, I feel like it's only a matter of time before they do something we can't expect. All these weak ones we've fought in or found, the skills of the Grimm within them, what happens if we find a Grimm that's been around for, say, 20 years? 30 years? One that's got an odd skillset? We don't know how long it'll be until we find a Grimm who can't be contained in one fight."

Naruto considered her words with a hum and a nod. "I get what you mean. We've fought only two, right? Both of them have been around for about the same time and they're generally pretty strong. If I'd fought that second one alone, I think that fight would have been pretty tough," he sighed. "But I can tell there's something else on your mind."

"Yes, well… I don't know yet," Penny said. "But I feel like… Let me show you something," she said as she got up before going to a nearby drawer.

Opening the lower rung and pulling something out, she came back onto the bed and showed the three something.

It was a smooth stone of some sort? It was silvery and so smooth and glossy, they could see a bit of their reflections in it.

"What is this, Penny-chan?" Naruto asked her as the woman nodded.

"This, Naruto-kun, Nora, Mercury, is the result of my magically-enhanced Semblance," Penny said as she turned the stone around and the three saw a glowing green sigil that reminded them of Penny's emblem. "This is something I'd like to call Penny Stone, the materials for it are something that I can only call soul-reinforced material that is harder than steel and yet more malleable than rubber if I allow it."

"You made this?" Mercury asked as she handed it to him. "W-Whoa… it's warm," he said as Nora stared in wonder.

"It looks shiny," she said as he shrugged and passed it to her. "Whoa!" The small ginger turned it around a lot, feeling it out. "It's so different."

Naruto considered it. "So, how'd this give you concerns?" He asked Penny who nodded.

"With that, you know also with my sword… I think we should prepare for the future and create magical items," Penny said the three blinked. "It's like I said, I think it's only a matter of time before something goes out of control and things get revealed."

"So, you mean? Prepare to hold down a siege?" Mercury considered and Penny shook her head.

"I think we should prepare to produce magical items for us, you and Nora, our friends and family, and then the world. If we get caught off guard, we'll be playing catch-up with the Grimm to the point that we'll be kicking ourselves for not doing this earlier."

"... I get you. What kind of things? You can make weapons and stuff, Pens. I make material already so I'm kind of doing it but I think you mean more," Naruto said with a curious look as she nodded.

"Naruto, I want you and I to make machinery," she said as he blinked, eyes wide. "Mercury wasn't off the mark with the siege idea and with the Water Spirit's help, we can make this island a haven for anyone who becomes… well, distanced from society due to events we can't control. I want us to make a haven where we can reach out into the world and help people more than we ever could before."

Naruto looked at her before grinning with a nod. "Alright, I'm down to help no matter what!" He chuckled as Nora grinned.

"I want in!" She said as Penny giggled. "I-I could power stuff up, right?!"

"Well, considering your affinities, I think you could, one day," Penny said with a smile before they looked at the embarrassed Mercury. "Oh, well, sorry, Mercury. This is kind of… you've only been with us for three days."

"Yeah, bud. We don't want you to feel obligated to join us because we're doing it," Naruto said as Mercury gripped his knees. "It's not wrong for you to want to just enjoy life."

"... I want to help," he said as Naruto blinked. "You helped me, I-I don't think I could ever repay you even if you say I shouldn't," Mercury said before Naruto could say anything, the man chuckling nervously. "And… I think you could use some ideas I had. Things I learned from my bastard of an old man," he wanted to help them.

These people who'd accepted him out of nowhere for no other reason than being good people… h-he wanted to be that. Someone who was good and could care for others as Naruto could.

To be as far from a monster as he could be.

"... hehe, well, welcome aboard, Merc," Naruto grinned as the boy smiled a bit. "But… okay, I know how this is going to sound, I really do," he said with a sad smile. "But we can't tell Ozpin-sensei."

"Huh?" Nora blinked. "Why?"

"... Master Ozpin truly does think we've got things going well," Penny said. "He's lived longer than we have and believe he's got everything under consideration. So, when something seems like it's out to break his understanding, he can get offended," she admitted. "We believe in him but he'd dislike this because he believes things will stay fine."

"Oh… he's one of those guys," Mercury said as Nora frowned. "He's one of the people who think things will always go the way where he has a plan for them. He thinks he's got everything under control and won't accept other things as possible because he truly doesn't think they'll go that way due to how small of a chance there is."

"B-But weird things happen all the time!" Nora said in shock as the three nodded. "Why…?"

"Oz isn't a bad guy, he's just been at this for so long," Naruto said kindly. "For now, we just have to do this slowly and without causing issues. Once everyone leaves, we'll focus on you guys and your training. Honestly, after next year, we'll truly get down into it."

"I understand. Right now, we don't have the power necessary to help everyone," Penny said as Nora nodded.

"I'mma get super strong! S-So you guys can have more help!" Nora said as Mercury scratched his cheek.

"Y-Yeah, same," he said in slight embarrassment. "Still, what kind of magic can I use? Or do I need to wait?"

Penny got out the piece of Element Paper and Mercury grinned as he did as instructed.

When they saw the specific glowing words, they hummed.

"Wind, Fire, Spiritual, Life, and Ether," Naruto listed off as Mercury whistled. "Yeah, you've got pretty powerful complementary natures and five of them. I don't think anyone else has that many."

"With wind and fire, I'd be able to make tons of powerful techniques," the young man said as Penny nodded. "Still, how do I practice?"

"You've gotta get the words!" Nora said with a grin as she showed him her sparking hands. "Tonitruum!"

The sparks glowed blue before becoming pink like the girl's Aura, leaving her with glowing eyes and powerfully sparking hands.

Mercury looked on in awe. "W-What are mine?" He asked.

"Ignis," Penny said with a smile.

"And Ventus. I also have a wind element," Naruto said as Mercury nodded. "Qrow's also got a fire element, though he's about as new as you are," he chuckled.

"Ignis," Mercury said as he held up his hands.

Each of his digits began to light with flames, counting down to his thumbs before it swirled into the palm of his hands, forming a ball of white fire.

"Seems like we've got a lot to practice," Naruto said with a nod. "For now, though, we need sleep. It's almost 2 o'clock."

Penny nodded as Nora yawned and Mercury blinked.

"Um… how do I get it to stop?" He asked and Penny chuckled.

"Just will it to. It's your power, Mercury, no one else's," she said kindly and the boy nodded.

'My power… not my old man's, not Naruto's even if only a bit, but mine.'

The flames flickered before going out, the boy grinning at it.

Yep!

~NRK~

The rest of the days for the group to stay had come and gone, meaning it was time for them to leave.

Waving from the shore, Naruto, Mercury, Nora, and Penny said their goodbyes to those in the bullheads and on Naruto's grand boat.

As they watched the groups vanish into the horizon, Naruto considered something as he crossed his arms.

"Ya know?" He began to say to the three, Penny humming. "If we're going to do this… why not make the thing we really need?" Naruto chuckled. "Transport? I think with our materials, Penny, we can make something truly legendary."

Penny considered the idea before grinning.

"Yep!" She agreed. "Still, you know, we've just been riding in 'The Boat'. Maybe it's time you gave it a name?"

"... yeah, I think I've got one," Naruto chuckled. "The Konoha. That's a good name for it."

"What's it mean?" Mercury asked.

"The Leaf," Penny explained and the boy wore a confused expression. "You'll learn one day, I'm sure, why it's important."

"Yeah! Leaf!" Nora cheered as Naruto chuckled.

Whelp, time for some good ol' construction!

~NRK~

Teaching, playing, and training with Mercury and Nora had been oddly special for the two. Naruto had never spent this much in-depth time with a student and Penny was still new to the idea of being a teacher.

They'd enjoyed the hell out of it, though. Nora's energy and Mercury's quick up-take on things made them amazing students and the two seemed very open to their methods.

And, in that time, kisses came and went numerous times without fail. The two adults enjoyed the romantic contact more seemingly every time it happened… and that made things awkward.

Not between them… mostly but between them and the children. They'd never kissed in front of them yet and, sure, that was a big part of the awkwardness but it wasn't that part so much as it was the… increased friskiness their kissing rendezvouses had been causing.

They never did, uhh… ahem, 'relieve stress'.

Add in that Penny was a human woman now, that now came with more exciting, and embarrassing, possibilities. Especially since they were now… livingly compatible.

Oh, that fact hadn't been ignored ever since the beginning but they'd usually be busy even when the others weren't there. They focused on Nora and training, the future being more important than some random carnal desire that he'd not had ever since she'd become human… but kissing changed that ASAP.

Now? They were growing a bit antsy and that never became more apparent than when they slept. With their shared room, Naruto had spent more time asleep with her in his arms than ever before and he loved every second of it.

The issue became that her soft body was always nice to press against and she never stopped nuzzling. What was usually just… bonding now became a tease he'd never realized until the first kiss.

So, at present, the two of them were in their home's living room, planning out the construction of 'The Konoha' over a large table he'd made.

Nora was currently outside with Mercury, the two practicing by the waterfall under the watchful eyes of Naruto's 'Guardians', leaving the two to plan in close proximity.

"So, this thing is gonna be big," he said as he moved a finger from the base of the ship to the very top. "That's gonna be a lot of wood. We'll need so much, it's a good thing I began working on the big trees on the cliffs, we'd never be able to do this if I hadn't," Naruto said as Penny nodded.

"Correct, though, the inside structure still needs to be considered," she said as he nodded. "Let's see… twenty rooms, a large kitchen, storage area, garden area, deck," Penny listed off as she pointed to several areas on the schematic they'd made. "Let's see…"

Her finger trailed around before it touched Naruto's hands, the two blinking at it.

They intertwined their hands with a nod.

"We can solve… that later… maybe in a hotel… or in the forests when the guys are asleep in Vale," Naruto said seriously as Penny nodded. "... but," he blushed a bit as she looked down with a red face. "Y-You know… the beginning of the new year before everything… we can do a bit of exploring and handle this bit of it, y-yeah?"

"A-Alright," Penny blushed harder as their hands tightened a bit before they separated, focusing back onto the boat plans. '... I-I should probably meet with Glynda-nee before the true 'event' takes place,' she hoped the woman had the right amount of help… wait. 'I-I could ask Summer,' she realized in awe.

If anyone knew, and was in on her realness, it'd be Summer!

"Oh, actually, Naruto," he hummed. "Have you gone to see your sensei or father?" Penny grinned teasingly as he chuckled.

"Glynda-nee and I are gonna go see him at the beginning of December. I'm also going to go and see about Pyrrha and what her parents think," he said with a chuckle. "Oh, I should also ask Aster! Maybe Neon wants to be a Huntress. Jiraiya-sensei, meanwhile, I haven't heard anything from the clones I sent, I think he's doing undercover work."

"Sounds like you have a full schedule."

"I've made quite the amazing connections," he chuckled, bumping shoulders with his giggling girlfriend. "Too many, it's hard to remember a lot of them but I'll find a way. Now, for this boat…"

~NRK~

"Hmm?" The familiar form of Petra hummed at the knock on his door at noon, Pyrrha hurrying from their kitchen table to rush towards the entrance.

"I'm coming!" She said as he snorted in his plaid pajamas. "Who is it?"

"Name's Naruto," he blinked in surprise as Pyrrha gasped.

"Mr. Uzumaki!" She said as she cracked open the door before grinning wider, opening it all the way to see Naruto standing there with a thumbs-up and grin. "It's been so long!"

"Yeah, sorry. Things got away from me," Naruto said as he came in, ducking by the door. "Your parents around? I wanted to ask them something in regards to you, Pyr."

"Really?" She asked, leading the way to the kitchen as Naruto passed a living room filled to the brim with trophies, medals, prizes, or statues. "Can I ask what it is?" Pyrrha asked politely as Naruto chuckled.

"Well, one, hey, Petra," the Beast Mode Grimm said to the large man sitting in a big chair by a table in a warmly-colored kitchen. "And, actually, it's three things I wanted to do. Two, do you want to be a Huntress, Pyrrha?"

"Of course!" The girl squealed in her red shirt and shorts. "My dad has been an amazing one since he went and my mother's an outstanding fighter! I want to be both!" Pyrrha grinned as Naruto chuckled and Petra smirked.

"Then I'd ask him this. We're doing this one-year abroad program at Beacon in January," Naruto told the man who whistled as Pyrrha's eyes nearly bugged out of her sockets. "It'd be a pretty stacked group. You know Jaune, Ren, and Nora, right? They'd be there, my family would be, Jaune's entire pack of siblings will be there, there's going to be, like, about twenty of you little guys running around."

"D-Dad, can I?!" Pyrrha asked with shining eyes as Petra chuckled.

"I don't see why not? What exactly would they be learning?" The man asked as his daughter cheered.

"Well, from a bunch of special teachers," Naruto grinned. "So, first, Glynda-nee will be teaching manners and etiquette, something the Schnees will be happy with," the two's mouths fell. "Yes, it's big. Anyway, then Leo-jiji will be teaching medical stuff, James-ossan will help when he can with strategy, Ozpin's gonna have me help them learn how to fight normal Grimm, and I'll be handling their Aura control while Penny will help with technique."

Petra whistled long and hard. "By the Brothers, you've got them stacked! And all for one year?"

"If things go well, they're considering the program as an every other year thing. It's gonna be amazing, especially since they'd be able to go to different Academies each time. We're gonna make these kids real monsters when they hit Academy age."

"I know I'll agree, Thetis is all we have to wait on, she should be back from the market, soon," Petra said.

And as if summoned, the front door opened to let in the last member of the Nikos family.

The supposed 'Thetis' was a woman of above-average height, green eyes, chin-length crimson-red hair, and glasses. Wearing a brown tunic and black pants, she blinked as she saw him, depositing her slip-on shoes by the door.

"Aren't you that Grimm from the news?" She asked with a chuckle as Pyrrha went over to help her bring in her groceries. "Thank you, dear. Petra? What's going on?"

"Well, this man has a proposition from Beacon," he said with a chuckle as Thetis perked up.

"Beacon?"

"Yep," Naruto chuckled.

He repeated everything about the event and the more she heard, the more the redheaded woman looked excited.

"Wait, you're looking for security?" She asked as Petra snorted.

"Oh, dear," he said with an amused smile as Naruto blinked. "I believe you've just gotten a security guard."

"If they don't mind," Thetis said with a smile as Naruto nodded.

"Nah, this is perfect. Now, we've got a really good set-up so those kids can't possibly be in trouble. I think we'd all feel shame if they were," he said as the three nodded.

With such stacked odds, any failures would be downright sad.

~NRK~

Aster blinked as she moved some wood, Neon's squeals gaining her attention as the girl ran to the dock with a familiar individual in tow.

"Mom! Naruto's here!" Neon grinned as she rode on the Grimm's shoulders, Blake right behind her along with several other kids from the island. "He's got super cool stuff to say!"

Aster blinked again before nodding, finishing up and thanking her coworkers before getting up onto the pier.

"What's up?"

~NRK~

"I see, it'd be a good opportunity, Aster," Kali said as she, Naruto, Blake, Neon, and Aster sat in her living room. "Though, it also depends on if Neon wanted to in the first place."

"W-Well," the girl messed with her fingers. "T-There'd be a ton of kids there, right?"

"Yep," Naruto said as Blake nodded.

"There are so many colors, too! Naruto just helped out a guy with gray hair and he lives with him!" Blake said with awe in her voice as Neon perked up.

"R-Really? That's really nice!" The puma girl said with a look of admiration as Naruto blushed a bit.

"Yeah, I had to help him, no one else could," Naruto said. "Still, what do you think, Aster?"

The bear woman hummed as she ate some bread. "Hmm… glp. She'd be super safe, right?"

"The safest," Kali said with a smile as Aster sighed in relief. "And it's not just Naruto there. We've got quite a few amazing fighters there, Aster, I'd be surprised if things could get bad."

"Don't jinx me, please," the bear huffed. "... Well, baby girl, what do you think? Do you want to be a Huntress?"

"... Y-Yeah!" Neon said with a nod of determination. "A-And I could make more friends and learn to protect you and dad."

"I really should visit Perry," Naruto said. "Man, I need to visit a lot of people, geez," he huffed as Blake giggled. "And you can visit every now and then. I can just rent out some spaces for when you guys visit."

"Really?!" Neon looked ready to explode! "Mom?"

"Alright, alright, I know when I'd lose," Aster said with a chuckle as a head popped into the open front door. "... Sie?" She blinked as Sienna smiled at the group.

Having grown stronger and wiser, Sienna Khan stood there in the Menagerie Guard uniform with Adam Taurus in tow.

"How's it going?" She asked the group as they entered, taking their shoes off at the front. "Everything going great? We heard you were here and Adam had to speak with you."

"No one said that," the bull Faunus huffed at her before rubbing the back of his head as he nodded to Naruto. "It's been some time, Mr. Uzumaki."

"No problem, Adam, how have ya been?" Naruto asked him as the two guards sat down. "And how do you feel about your upcoming assignment?"

"... Not too comfortable but if I'm to protect Ms. Blake, I'll do it," the young man said as Blake tilted her head with a smile.

"Thanks!" She said as Adam nodded. "So, what will you learn while we're there, Adam?"

"Hmm… I haven't considered," the bull teen shrugged.

"You can spar with me, then," Naruto said and the young man looked intrigued. "I really haven't been using my ax a lot as of late. It'd be nice to practice against another weapon-user if ya don't mind."

"I don't, I'd like that," he said.

"Hmm, you can practice with me as well," Kali said as she flexed her now-free arm with a grin. "Thank you, Naruto, I mean it. It's been a while since I could use this arm so well."

"I thought that was weird," Blake said. "You didn't break your arm, right, mom?"

"... Oh, did he do that light thing?" Aster asked as Sienna perked up, Adam looking confused. "Yeah, it was crazy, Adam. I-I had a crazy-wicked wound and he healed me up without a scar!" She said, showing her stomach, dragging a finger all across it much to Adam's horror along with everyone else who wasn't in the know.

"Mom?!" Neon yelped as Aster flinched.

O-Oh, uh, honey, I didn't tell you cause… uh," the bear woman scrambled.

"She's good now, Neon," Naruto said as he drank some tea. "She's good."

Adam, meanwhile, looked from Aster to Naruto, nervous lips trembled a bit. "... N-Naruto?"

"Hm?"

"... Can we talk… in private?" He asked as the Grimm blinked before nodding, putting down his teacup and getting up.

"... Ugh, this is way too big," Naruto said before becoming a ball of black that quickly changed him into his Oni Mode. "Much better," he chuckled as those not in the know choked.

"W-Wait, what?!" Sienna's mouth fell. "H-Huh?! The hell?! W-When could you do this?!"

"You remember that last update on the Gate Site?" Naruto offered as Sienna blinked before looking embarrassed. "You didn't check, did you?"

"I was busy," she complained, bringing out a Scroll and opening it up. "... hmm… mmm… elastic arms?" Sienna asked before Naruto nodded.

Raising his arms, they extended before curling around him to pat Neon and Blake on the heads, much to the shock of the group.

"You could use those arms?" Kali blinked before drinking some tea. "... Oh, now I get it," she realized as Naruto returned his arms to normal. "If this Grimm could compress or evolve in a way, that happened to you."

"Yep."

Adam blinked as he looked up at his fellow horned man. 'I knew he was more Faunus than human,' well, that settled his pride a bit. "Come on, let's go behind the house."

Following him out, they traversed the perimeters of the Belladonna home Naruto had added a small house-edge wooden sidewalk to.

Reaching the back of the house, Naruto nodded to him. "What's up?" He asked patiently as the younger man stopped before letting out a trembling sigh.

"You can… heal people? Is that what Aster really said?" Adam asked and Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, it's a bit of a lucky skill I have. I've got a stronger one, too, so it should be better than before… do you need healing?"

"... If you could," Adam said as he put a hand on his White Fang mask. "... I…"

"It's fine, Adam, just take your time," Naruto said kindly as the young man sighed before removing the mask from its place. 'Fuck, who the hell…?'

Across the young man's left eye and forehead was a branding. One that made Naruto wince in sympathy as he saw the familiar logo on it.

The Schnee logo's snowflake, freaking hell.

"... do you mind if I ask how this happened?" Naruto whispered as he came forward, Adam's eyes closed, the left one basically tinted a salmon-red in its sclera.

"... It was a fight," the young bull said. "Me and one of the 'wardens' of the SDC mines," Adam admitted with clenched and trembling fists. "That son of a bitch. I was right, that human trash was just that, trash. He did this to me, leaving a burning mark that tells me everything I needed to know about him."

"... Adam, you don't honestly think all humans are bad, do you?"

"... Why? Are you on their side? Look at what they've done throughout history!"

"Adam, I'm not on the side of someone who'd brand a child," Naruto said as the bull teen sneered. "I'm on the side of people who'd stand up for that evil deed. There are people in this world who'd have that man put into prison for what he did."

"Then why did they all watch?!" Adam spat back as Naruto winced. "So, they were all scum, right? Those humans who couldn't stand up for what was right, right?"

"Adam."

"If they're supposed to protect me, why didn't they?"

"... you're right," Naruto said with a sad smile as Adam regained his breath. "You were wronged, Adam, that's not wrong. I wish I could go back and stop that from happening but I sadly wasn't there, I wasn't around, I didn't know. You're right, they didn't help you."

"... So why are you defending those humans?" Adam asked him with a frown. "Do you believe in some goodness in them? Those who couldn't protect a child?"

"How can I say this? Hm… I do believe in the good in people, to do otherwise means I'm making myself the judge, jury, and executioner for them no matter what. I can't do that, I know nothing about someone I've just met, who I see on the street, or in a picture. Your situation is very cut and dry, whoever did that to you, deserves a harsh place in hell for never repenting, for never changing their ways. But those people in the same place as you, Adam, I can't support them but I can assume you all weren't exactly well-off."

"So because they're poor?"

"I'm letting you know, I'm not justifying what they did. I'm not saying it was right but I get it. If you're barely securing your family and know that speaking out will ruin your life, as much as I dislike it, would you step out of line for someone else you don't know? Were the Faunus and humans in the mines on the same team?"

Adam grimaced. "That's a poor representation. They're going to be treated the same way, fight for what you want or roll over and die."

"So, what do you think they chose?"

"..."

"... Come on, let's heal your face up first, and then we can chat a bit more, yeah?" The spiky-haired Grimm said with a grin as Adam hesitated before grumbling. "Alright? Just focus on your Aura," Naruto breathed in and out. "Magna-Lux."

Adam closed his eyes as the gold light began to filter into his sight. 'Is this really the power of a Grimm?' Was this how it worked?

Such warm light? From a Grimm?

Could a soul be so warm?

As the light continued, Naruto focused on the pathways within Adam's face, using Nicholas's Semblance's method, the contorted portions around his left brow and around his eye. He let his Light power slip into that portion of his soul before spreading it out around the area, filling it with potent energy.

He kept it going for a minute, his focus on covering every bit of 'contortion' in his soul with his power before he stopped.

Removing his hands from Adam's face, the bull Faunus blinked as he opened his eyes a bit drowsily, rubbing the side of his head as he focused on the smiling Naruto.

"It's pretty good work, me thinks," he said as Adam blinked at him, feeling his left eye before he froze, eyes widening as he kept touching it.

Smooth skin greeted his touch as he checked again and again.

"I couldn't get your eye, I don't know if I'm not good enough or not," Naruto explained. "But I got everything else."

Adam swallowed as he took several calming breaths, removing his hands from his face. "..." He looked embarrassed as Naruto smiled.

"Don't have to say anything, I get it. We were just chatting about something serious," Naruto said with a shrug before patting the teen on the shoulder. "We can talk at another time. For now, enjoy your… face?" He said with a question more than a sentence.

Adam's eyebrows twitched and the Grimm man chuckled nervously.

"To be fair, I didn't know what to say."

~NRK~

Days later, Penny sighed as cucumber slices were laid over her eyes, Glynda chuckling next to her in a similar position.

"This is more relaxing than I imagined," the ginger said as age-resistant cream of some sort was put on her face. "Hmm. How are you enjoying it, Summer?"

"I feel great!" The short woman grinned as she chewed on some cucumber slices she'd gotten for extra. "Mmm, cucumber~"

The other two tended-to women chuckled.

Of course, only Summer could enjoy a full package and then eat some of the 'package'.

~NRK~

Outside, Naruto rested in a nearby park with Nora and Mercury, the two either playing with butterflies and squirrels or reading a book, respectively.

"Hmm…" Naruto hummed as he rested in the sun, Mercury resting against his side as he flipped through his book, his bright pink spiky wig and black contacts working well to keep his identity unknown.

Ignoring the picture-taking of nearby people and joggers, the three just rested without issue until Nora made a weird sound that got the two's attention.

There, at the entrance to the park, they saw a group of people who approached them with stern expressions and rather glum dispositions.

"Awww and I thought this was going too well," Mercury huffed as he closed his book as Nora hurried but over, much to the grimaces of some of that crowd.

"You! Beast of evil!" The woman at front said as Naruto blinked before looking around and then at himself. "Yes, you!"

"Me?"

"Yes! You've wrought your madness to the world for the last time!" The woman said as the people behind her cheered her on. "Turn yourself into the Science Research Society for the betterment of mankind!"

"The who?" Naruto blinked as Mercury kissed his teeth with a huff.

"It's some crazy people who think that we can't trust things outside of human understanding," he said as Nora laid upside-down on Naruto's side, looking at the people curiously. "They're honestly annoying."

"Y-Young man! Do you even know the beast you're laying on?!"

"Of course, I do, he saved my life and gave me a better one," Mercury said as he folded his arms behind his head. "Better question: Who wanted you here? Go jump off a bridge."

"W-What have you done to these children!?" The woman pointed at Naruto who blinked drowsily.

"Uhh… took them to the park? I'm not sure where this is going," Naruto said with a look that told everyone watching he was barely there at the moment. "Seriously, what is your deal?"

"You? An odd Grimm who is kind?! We can't believe that unless we can get true proof of your alignments!" One of the men in the crowd said.

"And that'd be?"

"Donate your body to science!"

"Yeah, how about no?" Naruto said with a snort. "Do you even understand what you're saying? 'Donate my body to science', buddy, I do that damn near every day in Atlas and I don't have them asking to rip my throat open."

"You can't just support one Kingdom!"

"The hell is this conversation?" Mercury sat up, annoyed. "Oooh, I'm one step away from finding out if flaming rubber is your favorite food."

"Mello, don't do it, they're not worth it," Naruto said, using Mercury's codename. "Look, you've literally already got everything there is to know about me in scientific documentation. Honestly, you seem less like scientists who are worried and more like a bunch of people who think they've been had."

"E-Excuse me?!" The leader of this little group squealed. "You dare question the science of Vale!?"

"Honestly, I doubt you're even that."

The way the group fumed had Mercury smirking before he chuckled. "Hey, cover her ears," he said to Naruto who snorted but formed two small bone earplugs.

"Plug these in, I have a feeling Mello's gonna say something you really shouldn't be hearing," Naruto said to Nora who nodded.

And then the roast tirade took place.

~NRK~

"Ahhhh," Penny let out a sigh of joy as they walked out of the salon in upper-Vale. "That was amazing-"

"AND YOU! I THOUGHT YOU WERE ACTUALLY IMPORTANT! YOU'RE JUST LIKE THAT USELESS CLOWN BITCH ON ATV!"

The three choked and mechanically turned their heads to see Mercury raving against a group of people who looked ready to die.

"Oh…" Penny said nervously. "W-Well, it can't be that-"

"YEAH, YOU! WITH THE SHIT-RAG HAIRCUT! I'M SURE THAT WAS YOUR BEST DECISION TODAY!"

"You might want to handle that," Glynda said with a smirk as Penny groaned before hurrying over.

"M-Mello! Stop! That's inappropriate!"

Summer and Glynda chuckled.

Someone was learning about rowdy children, it seemed.

~NRK~

He adjusted his white dress shirt, opening up the top two buttons while tapping his sneaker-covered feet as he enjoyed how nice these black slacks felt.

"Alright, I'm ready," he said to Glynda as she chuckled, standing there in what was basically the female version of his outfit but buttoned up to her collar with her usual broach.

Standing in front of a decently large home in upper-Vale's nicer sector, which was already a nice sector, Naruto chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his head, the people passing by gaping at his Oni Mode as Glynda rang the doorbell.

"Hmm, father isn't a person who's quick to act, Naruto, it'll be fine," she said as she adjusted her glasses, holding her arms behind her back, clasped by her waist.

The door was quickly answered and when it was, Naruto blinked at the sight of a… doll.

An actual male doll with a mannequin-like head as it bowed to the two of them in its tuxedo.

"Hmm, he hasn't changed," Glynda said as Naruto blinked.

"Uhh, nice to meet you," he said to the puppet that tipped its hat before gesturing to the inside of the home. "Ominous."

Glynda smirked as they walked in, the puppet closing the door behind them as they stepped in a rather well-lit front door area, the two of them stepping onto brown marble tiles of a living room with a large black carpet, two large recliners with a couch between them, the entryway to a kitchen at the back and a rather modest TV in front of the chairs.

Sitting in one of those chairs was none other than Glynda's father, 'their' father, Olivier Goodwitch.

The man blinked at them curiously, his blonde hair was paler with age that came with the wrinkles on his cheeks. His face was long and slightly angular with a sharp chin covered in a long smooth beard, his green eyes locking onto the two curiously as his neatly-combed hair parted at his forehead.

Wearing a dress shirt, brown vest, similar-colored slacks, a pair of long black dress shoes, and a bowtie, the man hummed as he got up, the puppet from before coming over after grabbing a cane by the front door to hand to him.

"Hmph, hmph, thank you," he said to his puppet before coming over to the two with solid steps. "It's been quite a bit, Glynda," the woman scratched her cheek as she looked away.

"A bit… a bit too long," she admitted as the old man blinked before chuckling. "So… I sought to rectify that," Glynda admitted as Naruto chuckled, gaining Olivier's attention.

"So, you're the man who's been causing so much ruckus up here," the Puppeteer said as Naruto rubbed the back of his head.

"Honestly, I only found out about that last week. I didn't think people were so up in arms about me," Naruto admitted as the man nodded. "But those guys were crazy! Who literally tells someone to donate their body to science to prove if they're on your side?"

"Hmm, a worrying amount," Olivier said nervously as Glynda's eyes narrowed. "Hmm… how can I put this? Well, for lack of a better word… there's been a small clamor of people who are displeased with your existence."

"I wish I could say I was surprised."

"Actually, you'll be surprised to note, it's not because you're a Grimm," Naruto and Glynda blinked. "No… they believe in a small portion of those crazy ones from last week. You've shown favoritism," their eyes widened as Olivier nodded. "You thought those guys were crazy? The upper-brass are getting odd ideas, young man, Glynda. It's becoming clear that they're not satisfied with the current balance, I suppose. They'll likely want to approach you eventually."

"Oh, that sounds annoying," Naruto said nervously as Olivier nodded.

"It's likely the same with the Mistral officials," Glynda said with a huff. "Honestly, on some level, I understand. Naruto's 'home base', so to speak, is in Atlas where he's donated material and benefits the most. They might see this as unfair treatment."

"Most definitely," Olivier said before clacking his cane. "Come now, let's go and eat and chat then."

Traveling by taxi, thankful that it was big enough for the three, the trio quickly found themselves in a more fancy area, their exiting the taxi gaining more attention than believed as Naruto helped Glynda out.

"... Hmm," the Grimm man adjusted his collar as Glynda nodded, Olivier leading the way into the establishment they'd be eating at.

"Hmm? Good evening, Mr. Goodwi-" The receptionist began to say, the man's wearing a close-eyed smile before said eyes opened and he saw the three. "... U-Um, I-I'm sorry, you are… Mr. Uzumaki, correct?"

"Oh, uh, yeah, it's me," Naruto said with a nod as the man's mouth fell before he coughed into his fist. "I know you were probably expecting a Beowolf… hehe," the Grimm chuckled nervously.

"I-It's fine, sir! If anything, it's easier to accommodate you like this!" How curious, the Grimm had a more humanoid form?! "And, might I say," the man sidled up to him with waggling eyebrows. "Quite fetching."

It took Glynda two seconds to realize what was happening as Naruto chuckled obliviously.

"Thanks, man, you're pretty cool," he said, not noticing the way the man blushed with a pleased grin.

The way her grin nearly split her face had Olivier looking amused.

Youngins these days.

After being seated, the three were still gaining attention as many saw the now humanoid form of the former blonde.

The truth of the matter was, it was time for this to finally be done with. The hiding of his Oni Mode, especially since he'd be taking care of the kids soon and there was no way he was gonna just teach them as only a Beowolf when he had a better range in this form.

So, yes, they were gonna be easing the populace into this idea for now. This was the first time he'd come out here, in public, and showed this form. So, they'd let the public form their opinions.

"So, explain to us again, what is going on with the nobility?" Glynda asked with a frown and raised brow. "It sounds like you're saying they're getting ready to make a move that we won't like."

"Hmm, in the sense of it being annoying? Yes," Olivier said as Naruto groaned. "I'd also suggest you make sure to mind your way back to wherever you usually go. They're likely going to start following you all from this moment on."

"Well, for that, we've already kinda got a plan," Naruto whispered. "So, for now, that's not as big of a problem as you think. But what will they do when they do know I'm in Vale?"

"Propositions. They'll want you to provide material for their companies and/or affiliates. They're very big on gaining your favor."

"Hmph, then things should be fine," Glynda said with a shrug before Olivier grinned nervously. "... Father?" She didn't like the way he was looking.

What could it be?

"... One of them is a Councilman," the two froze as Olivier sighed. "And let me tell you, many are not pleased with Naruto's current affiliation as an 'Only Atlas' material supplier."

That changed things. "How bad?"

"Councilwoman Roselin is seeking to expand our scientific sector and wants him at the center of it all," the old man said as Naruto crossed his arms with a thoughtful frown. "And I'm of the mind you do your best and don't accept any offers she'll have."

"You know something?" Naruto asked quietly. "She's got a rep?"

"She's a known racist, for one. And in that same vein, she's likely not going to take well to your current form's appendages," he keyed them in and both frowned. "Even if you're not an actual Faunus, she detests them with fervor, and will likely make rather insane commands against you."

"Yeah, she sounds like a gem," Naruto said sarcastically.

"What else? Surely there's more to this," Glynda said.

"Of course, do you honestly think she's some saint? She's got more rumors about her than any Councilmen in history and none of them are good. There's a big chance she'll try something nefarious and you all need to be wary."

"Tsk, of course, things couldn't be simple," she sighed. "We have an upcoming event, father. Something that's going to be… very public, with children of both races at Beacon."

Olivier looked horrified as Naruto nodded. "T-That's not good. All I can tell you is that, for the sake of the Brothers, do not leave the children alone with her in any capacity, much less let them react. She's a devious devil with wordplay and politics."

Not good.

"... I'll handle it," Naruto said with a knowing look as Olivier raised a brow. "I've got other skills, Olivier-jiji. I can ensure things in ways she'll never know," he grinned viciously and the old Hunter saw the Grimm in that smile. "And if she touches a single hair on their heads, I'm bringing her down. No ifs, ands, or buts. She won't be able to worm her way out of this."

"... Hmm, well, aren't you confident?" Olivier hummed before chuckling as Glynda smiled. "Very well. I trust in you if Glynda does and, speaking of close individuals-"

"No! We're not!" They denied in unison as the man looked confused.

"Um, we've got separate things going on," Naruto whispered as Glynda facepalmed. "Hehe, so, we're not this," he twisted his fingers together.

But the way Olivier's eyes gleamed told Naruto he might be in for it when Glynda had him alone.

"Oh? My little Glynda has someone in her mitts?"

Glynda groaned as Naruto chuckled nervously at her sideways glare.

Yeah, he was in for it.

~NRK~

And that brings us to the end of the current year in the fic. All things considered, we're prepared for one more event before the Abroad Arc.

We're heading to Gormhen and that's gonna be a fun trip for this 'family' of four.

Give your input, I'm glad to read it.

~NRK~

~Omake: Grimm Light Academy Part II~

Blake blushed as the group snickered save for the huffing Penny.

"I'm… gonna head that way," the Faunus girl said as she slunk out of the area, Adam shaking his head.

"I wonder where I am in this place?" He considered, Jaune humming next to him.

"I'm glad the me here doesn't seem like he's all that changed. Though… it is a year behind, I think," the blonde said. "Still, Salem's rough," he grimaced as the group nodded.

Pyrrha folded her arms across her chest, a familiar ax sitting across her back while her weapons sat on her waist. "Hmm… how do we handle this? Naruto's giving us info but we need more than this."

"Well, we just need to bring him his ax, right?" Ruby suggested as Nora hummed.

"I mean, Naru-Pops had to go through so much to get into that place, can we even make it there?" She asked the others who hummed. "Well, Ren-Ren is right there and with Jaune's buffs and Pyrrha and Rubes's gravity and rose powers, we could just zoom on in, right?"

"Well, it'd also depend on what the defenses are like," Ren said. "Mini-Gama has can show us the way but we'll need to travel quite the distance to get there. All things considered, we've got to plan for this trip well. We can't just barge in through the front doors."

"Hmm," Neptune hummed as Sun chased after Blake. "Honestly, what choices do we have right now? Like, as options. Weiss?"

The heiress huffed as she came through the treeline with a huff and a fanny pack likely full of Regen Fruit. "Hmph, I hid the boat," she said, shoulder-length locks being combed through with her hand. "Anything new?"

"Well, besides Grimm Blake being a homewrecker?" Yang snickered as Weiss smirked, Penny pouting at these teens who decided to tease her.

"Hmm, it's not actually Blake," the ginger woman said with a huff as Nora grinned.

"It's not, Ma! It's just a different dimension Grimm Blake!" She said, helpfully, as Penny sweatdropped. "... Ya know, Merc would be better at this, hehe."

"Your brother should currently be babysitting."

"Yep! Wait?! Pops hasn't seen Merc, me, Renny, or Pyrrha yet, right? I wonder where we are in this place."

~NRK~

Naruto, an hour later after placating Grimm Blake, Grimm Weiss, Grimm Yang, and the embarrassed Jaune, huffed as he rested on the side of the roof.

"Tell me again, what exactly do you guys do here?" He asked the others, Neon resting on his stomach while Grimm Blake coiled around his right side as if he'd asked for it. "Dammit, Blake."

"Mmmm," the Grimm cat Faunus cooed as he rolled his eyes.

"Answers to my question, please."

"W-Well… it's basically a four-class curriculum," Jaune explained as Grimm Ruby rested her head on his stomach, Grimm Weiss laying next to him and twirling a glowing finger in the air above her. "Combat, how to slip into human society of the Light Alliance," he said with a shaky grin as Naruto nodded. "A-And, well, the next one's led by Professor Tyrian."

"Destruction!" Grimm Ruby said as Jaune chuckled nervously, messing with one of her bangs. "Hehehehe. We get to destroy Grimm after mindless Grimm! It's the best class!"

"Damn right it is," Grimm Yang said with a smirk. "As a matter of fact, you're looking at the best at Horde Destruction, the class name," she explained to him, Naruto raising a brow in total confusion. "Following that, the last bit is Terrain Passage, gotta know all the nooks and crannies of our land and shit."

'Well, they're certainly learning,' Naruto considered with a huff. "So, I just get here and get tossed into lessons? Talk about I hate the idea."

Grimm Blake snickered. "Hmm, classes can be ignored," she whispered to him as Neon blinked beneath her 'Naruto' Mask. "Suggestions, not mandatory."

"Yeah, that's kind of the best part," Jaune said with a sigh. "Ignoring that, as long as you're… doing something, I guess?" He looked as confused as Naruto did. "Things just happen."

"Well, I mean, you do have to go to combat class," Yang said with a shrug. "Not the worst thing we could do. Honestly, I like to eat and then work it all off. Ain't a bad way and Pyrs is the most real, wickedest, opponent."

'Pyrrha?' Well, it's not like he didn't know she was here. "When is combat-"

There was a ring of a bell and Yang smirked as he rolled his eyes.

"Right, right now, gotcha."

~NRK~

Getting to the so-called 'combat class', Naruto blinked before, as they reached the door in question, he found a familiar set of faces.

Tyrian Callows's eyes narrowed even as he smiled and tapped each of his fingers against one another.

"Oh? Welcome, problem child. I hope we can all play nice," he said with a sort of confidence Naruto knew came from his sheer insanity.

Cinder Fall, meanwhile, found her eyes narrowing as she looked at the former blonde. 'How had he killed her so easily?' With one sweep of an arm, he'd destroyed Salem's body without so much as a hint of effort in the act. "Hmph, I suppose even one as unwilling as you couldn't… what did you do to that girl?"

Neon flinched before hiding behind the former blonde, like always, the last member of this trio of evil-doers cupping his chin curiously as he saw them.

Marcus Black cracked a grin as he saw the 'new hybrid'. "Well, you're curious, ain'tcha?" He said to Naruto who looked back at him with a gaze that was quickly chilling the air. "Why-"

"Talk to me again and I'll choke you with your intestines."

The hallway was silent as Naruto brushed past the still grinning assassin, even as the man re-holstered the knife in his lower back.

"Well, well, well," Marcus said as he stalked after the new student, Grimm Blake, and Neon. "Now, I'm just interested."

"... well, damn, that was kind of hot," Grimm Yang said with a long whistle. "Holy crap, Jauney. You sure you never-"

"No, by the gods," Jaune looked green and blushed all in the same breath, hurrying in with Grimm Ruby and Weiss gliding in behind him, looks of excitement on their faces. "... H-He's really strong," he whispered in shock as he saw it.

That flaring aura like he saw around all the other hybrids and beings like Salem.

A seemingly expanding circular flame that seemed passive, at best, and could be pushed to something greater at their owner's command.

Cinder and Tyrian, meanwhile, narrowed their eyes.

'Another disobedient child?' Well, it seemed that procuring the man's will was in order. 'Still, I may need to gather the more fearsome Grimm for it.'

And the man had a little Faunus weakness right by his side.

Cinder, meanwhile, felt her body throb as she gripped her chest. 'How?! The only ones who should be capable of making it react are Salem's descendants!' Was that it?

Like Jaune, he was also a descendent with a great power that allowed him to break Salem's grip? Now that she thought about it, he had been blonde with blue eyes and the same skin tone as her Mistress in the murals…

Following the group, they found the students of interest packed at the front of one of the six large bleachers in the Combat Room.

Marcus seemed pretty pleased with himself in the middle of the area as they reached him.

"You seem rather taken with the man," Tyrian said with a curious raise of the brow as Cinder crossed her arms. "Curious?"

"I ain't into that," Marcus rolled his eyes but he cupped his chin. "But his power is off the charts, we're talking, he's clearly a diamond amongst all these crude-ass pebbles. Like that Pyrrha girl."

"Hmm, then let's put them to the test," Tyrian noted with his hand rubbing his chin. "... And not just her. You say he's got amazing strength? Then we'll make it a little bit of a team fight," he grinned with a small chuckle.

Cinder raised a brow at that, frowning as she considered their words. 'If Marcus thinks he's so special then he has more power within him than we could imagine,' her body throbbed as the sound of constant 'clicking' rang in her mind. 'Yes, that sounds like a perfect drain candidate.'

If she could grab his power, it'd mean she'd have more leverage. To become a Queen instead of the Knight she'd made herself.

"Alright, you pieces of shit!" Marcus spoke up as the murmuring students stopped talking. "I'm sure you all know already but we got a new bastard among you guys and since he's been acting like he's the top dog already," the crowd of students grew rowdy. "Let's see what he's made of, yeah?!"

They roared in agreement as Naruto huffed, Neon next to him with Jaune next to her, just in case.

Still, Blake had seemingly become the former blonde's side-piece no matter where they went and since she was so clingy, he made her a deal.

"I don't say a thing to you about whatever if you make sure no one tries anything with Neon," Naruto said to her as she perked up, Jaune chuckling nervously at the gleam in the Grimm Faunus's eyes. "... I know I'm going to regret that," he knew but wanted Other-Neon to be as safe as possible.

"M-Most likely," Jaune said with a nervous grin.

"New bastard! Come on down! Your opponents will be… Pyrrha Nikos!"

There was a rumble in the crowd as an individual stood up across from them, Jaune coughing into his fist as he looked as far away from her as he could.

Naruto, meanwhile, raised a brow at Grimm Pyrrha, the hybrid champion's form jumping up from the crowd before crashing in the center of the Combat Room. "Someone's got some jitters," Naruto said as he got up.

"Next, we have Fox Alistar!"

Naruto's eyebrows rose as a slinking shadow moved out the corner of his vision, a spiked cloak individual with a Grimm mask that had no defining features, a blank slate that covered his ears and eyes, leaving only his growing grin as his facial features.

"And, finally, come in, Yang Xiao-Long!"

Naruto blinked at that as he turned to see Grimm Yang getting pumped up before rolling his eyes and walking ahead, the hybrid right behind him.

As soon as he got to the center, Grimm Yang moved to stand by the Grimm Pyrrha and Fox. Now that he was looking at her, Naruto raised a brow at the champion's mask.

It was some kind of helmet with wing-like extensions that covered her pointed ears, the rest of her long hair flowing out the back of it.

Then Naruto blinked as Grimm Yang's left arm began to enlarge, bones cracking and clicking as it began to form knuckles, spikes, and then larger claws.

Grimm Fox, meanwhile, chuckled in a sort of multi-voiced chatter that allowed him to hear two voices within one, his arms vibrating as spikes formed over them into three-bladed spikes that he held out at his sides.

Finally, Grimm Pyrrha… raised her hands and the air rumbled as the skin on her palms split.

Naruto's eyes narrowed at the blood that spilled before two long bone-white shafts came out of them. When they were almost five feet long, her open wound closed before she gripped the two, the ends becoming barbed and gaining a powerful blade-like tip.

The Grimm champion's eyes glowed as she grinned viciously at him.

"It'll be your honor to lose your life," she told him like it was a pleasant compliment.

"Right,"Naruto said as he stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "So, when-"

"START!" Cinder called out as Naruto quickly wore a half-lidded expression.

He tilted to the side as the Grimm champion stabbed the space where his head had just been, their eyes meeting for a mere moment before he kicked at her other spear, sending it off-target as he backflipped away from Grimm Yang's spiked gauntlet.

The ground where it landed ruptured the area, covering his vision with dust and bits of white stone…

Naruto leaned back as a trio of bladed spikes sliced through the space above him, Grimm Fox vanishing from sight once again.

The clouds of dust hid his opponents from view, leaning the man to cross his arms as he closed his eyes.

He rotated around a slashing spear before leaning back on one foot, dodging the follow-up by its twin. Naruto pushed off the ground and dodged Grimm Pyrrha's pincer-like cross-slash only for two presences to leave the dust.

Breathing out he twisted out the way of Grimm Yang's fist and Grimm Fox's bladed gauntlets.

'Even though they're bloodthirsty beasts, basically, they're pretty aligned,' he thought as he landed without issue. 'Now, what should I do?' Naruto cupped his chin in thought even as he stepped into Grimm Pyrrha's guard only to rotate low around her lunge. 'Hmm.'

He leaned back a bit to dodge another hidden slice from Grimm Fox before raising his foot slammed it into Grimm Yang's swinging fist.

The floor crumbled beneath the two but the younger hybrid's eyes widened as the still-thinking man kept her attack at bay with just his foot?

"The hell?!" She balked before moving around his body and swinging out with her clawed normal hand. "Fight me, seriously!"

The two erupted into another burst of dust and stones, Grimm Yang's form coming out of it with a frown on her face, raising her normal fists together into a faux boxing stance…?

She blinked as Grimm Pyrrha blinked at her left arm.

The normal left arm.

"You forgot this," Naruto said as the dust cleared, the man's chin still cupped even as his foot rested on a familiar gauntlet of flesh and bone. "It was a good thing I was able to heal you as I took it off," he added with a hum even as Grimm Yang blinked before her eyes widened, sweat beginning to form over her forehead as she realized what had just happened.

The area was silent as Marcus began to laugh, Tyrian looking curious at the event.

"When did he take it? Did he slip it off?" The scorpion Faunus wondered as Marcus smirked, all the while, Cinder's body throbbed again.

'I want it,' her body said before her mind could think it. 'It's wasted on him. A man who still thinks about his opponent even now,' healing powers, huh? That could be very useful. "Did you see this, Marcus?"

The man's eyes flashed gold for a moment before he chuckled. "Among other things? He's not some simple beast like most of them are, his will exerts itself over the pools' erosion."

Tyrian's eyes narrowed at that. "A treasonous act."

"To have will?"

"To not obey our Goddess."

Marcus huffed. "You need to enjoy the potential of your students more. Why, this guy is probably the best Salem will ever have," he whispered ominously as Tyrian's eyes slowly narrowed, the edges of his lips slowly dipping. "Imagine if he had sucked up to her from the beginning? Why I doubt she'd have hesitated! She might have even made sure he stood by her side."

The Faunus's eyes narrowed as the three students circled their newest addition.

Back with Naruto, he'd come to realize that just beating the three would save him the headache.

"Alright, I'll take you guys seriously," he said to the three whose eyes narrowed but only Grimm Yang looked a bit apprehensive.

'How did he do it?' He'd taken her arm and put a new one back, right? How? 'H-He just took it! I didn't feel a thing… How?!' She swallowed as something slowly etched itself into her heart. 'No! Dammit! Okay, he's strong, sure but… b-but…'

The words of reassurance that should have come after didn't form, what was she…

She shook her head, eyes back on Naruto as he allowed his clawed hands to rest at his sides-

And one quickly found her face, gripping it as her eyes widened, looking to the side to see the older, relaxed, hybrid.

One moment she was on the ground, the next she was crashing into the opposite wall, the dust that kicked up hiding her vision.

Grimm Pyrrha's eyes widened before Grimm Fox's form slipped past her, his weapons raised as he jumped the older male.

His arms crossed before the spikes burned with dark power, one only she and he could comfortably use amongst their fellow students, and slashed out at the older hybrid.

"Kaugh!" He spat out blood as Naruto's foot found his sternum, sending the young man crashing into the wall opposite their blonde teammate.

"You're all that's left," Naruto said as he turned to her, only to blink at Grimm Pyrrha's look of growing excitement.

Darkness burst from her being and he considered the increase in energy.

'Oh, someone's holding back,' he guessed Grimm Yang had a point.

This hybrid was quite the step ahead of the others as her weapons began to darken, the bony material growing black as her helmet did the same before she began to gain more wicked features.

An elongated mouth, almost like a feline with a Cheshire grin, a pair of bug-like wings, and a set of thicker muscles that all let out wisps of dark haze.

She then came flying at him, form vanishing before she reappeared behind him.

'Good speed,' he jumped up over the swing of her spear, the groove in the ground she'd dug up rather impressive. "You're not bad," Naruto said as he landed behind her only for the enhanced hybrid to turn on a dime, her other spear's speed no joke. "Hmph!" He leaned back and balked as the shockwave tossed her classmates into the air or… well, left them with fewer numbers than they started with. "Whoa now! Chill! Those are your-!" He tried to remind her of the lives around her but Grimm Pyrrha simply grinned before rushing him again.

He frowned as they vanished from sight, leaving Jaune blinking as he looked around.

"H-Huh? Where'd they go?" He asked the girls with only Grimm Ruby answering his question, her eyes moving around with a focus that told them she could still follow.

"Hehehehe, they're moving around," she said with a grin as all eyes went to a series of cracks and grooves in the room.

Randomly, they appeared without a pattern or routine, the slashes in the area random in size and depth but one thing was sure.

They were being made by a weapon, a spear to be specific.

There were numerous other carves in the ground before the two reappeared on the ceiling, Grimm Ruby's eyes locking onto Grimm Pyrrha's haggard breathing.

"She's not going to last like this," she said as the others followed her line of sight. "I don't think Pyrrha's ever had to go all-out like this," the youngest of the group said as Neon swallowed.

"N-Naruto can beat her!" She said as Jaune sighed in relief, Grimm Blake looking at the two curiously. "He's super-tough."

"Y-Yeah, he's kind of ridiculous," Jaune said to his fellow human… maybe. 'Still, Naruto's more than ridiculous,' how was he keeping up with Grimm Pyrrha so easily? "Pyrs currently, like, on a whole other level and he looks like he's not even trying."

"Considering what he did to Yang and Fox?" Grimm Weiss threw out. "He's most likely got an outrageous amount of potential. Our Goddess's pools bring out that latent potential, Jaune," he balked as she nodded. "You, who has her sacred blood in your veins, were given the power that makes you a master of them but for others, we become true beings of our Mistress."

Grimm Pyrrha let out a harsh breath before lunging at the upside-down standing Naruto.

He vanished, surprising her before a harsh kick to her spine sent her spiraling into the floor below, the Grimm man jumping down and landing next to the crater she'd ended up in.

"Ya done? You've clearly got some talent, I bet you'd be more of a threat if you knew how to handle that power you've got," Naruto said as Grimm Pyrrha struggled to her feet, less black vapor coming out from her body.

She lunged with a slash and he grabbed her weapon before spinning, the younger hybrid grimacing before she yelled as she was brought down into the ground, again, the spider web of cracks more numerous this time around.

She jumped to her feet before hissing and hitting a knee as Naruto walked up to her, arms crossed.

"Ya done?" He asked her as she hissed out a breath, eyes flickering randomly. "Alright, good."

He walked back to Neon, hands in his pockets before Naruto sighed at the shocked look on Jaune and Neon's faces.

"Look out!" The blonde boy said as Naruto raised a brow, looking behind him at the lunging, and swinging, Grimm Pyrrha.

The young woman's spear came down onto the older hybrid's neck, much to the wince, cheers, or laughs of some of the students… before they all paled.

Jaune's mouth fell as Neon let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding.

The floor beneath the man's feet had cratered but all the attack had done, to him, was… tilt his neck.

Grimm Pyrrha's eyes widened as she stared at the nonchalant Naruto, her spear cracked and struggling against his skin.

"Now are you done?" He asked her as she landed, looking reserved.

Then she bowed kneeled to him, features going back to normal. "Yes, sir," she said as Naruto huffed before nodding.

"Alright, head back to your seat-okay then?" Naruto sweatdropped as she quickly followed him with a look of admiration in her eyes. "... whatever, I've started not caring at this point," he said as they went back to the gobsmacked group he'd started with. "Sup. Uh, should I do something about Yang?" He asked him, Jaune's expression shifting to one of nervousness.

"Uhh… w-we'll take her to the medical wing?" The young man said unsurely as he and the girls got up, Neon standing by Naruto's side in an instant. "... Y-You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"Yep," he chuckled. "Alright, lead the way," Naruto said as he vanished from sight before reappearing with Grimm Fox and Yang over his shoulders. "Can't leave him, I guess," he shrugged even as Jaune swallowed.

"You tryin' race?!" Grimm Ruby asked with a look of excitement in her eyes. "Come on! Use that speed for something cool!"

"Eh," Naruto shrugged again. "I don't mind beating you in a race," he said with a lazy smirk as she grinned competitively.

Grimm Blake, meanwhile, slithered up to his side, locking eyes with Grimm Pyrrha.

Lightning flew and Neon looked between them with a nervous giggle.

'What the hell is going on?' Her life had gone from 0 to 100 to weird in a matter of 24 hours!

As they left, leaving the other shocked students in their wake, Marcus Black chuckled.

Tyrian Callows huffed.

And Cinder schemed. Her eyes locked onto the back of the Grimm man who'd made a muck of things with the power she deserved.

~NRK~

I hope this was amusing.

Ciao.

Words: 18.9k

~NRK Out~