Shinobi Amongst Huntsman
Warning: violence but only against Grimm :
A boy walks through the Grimm infested forest with his hands behind his head. Eyes closed and posture completely relaxed as he walked without a care in the world. A clear sign of complete faith in his ability to defend himself from monsters of darkness… or a sign of utter stupidity.
Right next of the questionably intelligent boy and leading him was a man. Or as Naruto had come to know him.
Qrow Branwen.
Qrow stood at just over 6 feet tall with grey clothes covering most of his frame and black pants that covered his legs. A crimson red cape hung off his shoulders that waved behind him whenever the wind picked up.
Now Naruto thought a lot of things about Qrow. Mostly that he was a bit weird. No, that didn't do it justice. Qrow was the weirdest person he'd ever met-
A memory of a man in a green jumpsuit and a blinding smile...
Qrow was the second weirdest person he's ever met. Everything about him was just strange. Even the way he met him was weird!
It had been his ninth day in the forest and wind chakra training had been moving painfully slow. He had managed to make a small cut on the leaf but it still wasn't enough. There was also the problem of monsters constantly attacking him during training. They never came alone, attacking with the ferocity that only an animal could. Uncaring of whatever happened as long as it's meal ended up dead. A mixture of clones, Rasengan and chakra chains held them off but it was getting a bit too close for comfort in the blonds opinion.
It was beginning to become a real problem and Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit worried. No matter how many he killed a wave of them would always come hours later and with more. It was just so unnerving to the blond. He really hoped his mind was playing tricks on him because he was starting to notice they were getting larger.
The Kyuubi had noticed all of this, put a temporarily pause to wind chakra training and 'offered' to teach him some Fūinjutsu instead. Specifically paper bombs.
The process itself was a relatively simple yet had a rather large margin for error. The kanji for 'explode' in the middle with semicircles surrounding and a myriad of other symbols connected to it. If he drew so much as one extra line... at best it just wouldn't do anything, at worst it would blow up in his face. The Kyuubi had told him to use the cloth from his jacket for paper and his own blood for ink. He'd been more than a bit hesitant at first but had eventually gone through with it when he'd been called a coward.
Naruto Uzumaki wasn't a coward dammit!
So with that he made a small cut on the tip of his index finger, tore off a piece of his already ripped jacket and started to write. Letting the smallest amount of chakra he could manage flow towards his fingertips.
Naruto had expected a lot of things when the fox gave him instructions on how to write Fūinjutsu. He knew he wasn't the smartest or most talented by a long shot. He'd failed the academy 3 times before graduating. He hadn't really expected to get Fūinjutsu at all and just go back to wind chakra training.
So imagine his surprise when he'd gotten it prefect first try.
Writing every symbol, line and kanji felt so utterly natural. Like assembling a puzzle he had already done before. The ease at which he'd done it was surprising to the blond. Him, Naruto Uzumaki, the dead last was talented at something! In all his excitement... he accidentally activated the paper bomb in his hand.
After almost dying in the lamest way possible, getting laughed at relentless by the fox and getting his ears to stop ringing he immediately tried again.
Then out of nowhere he saw Qrow. Well more accurately, he heard him.
Being an actual shinobi, one trained under Kakashi freaking Hatake, the first thing he noticed about the man was his sword. Four feet of steel that seemed heavier than he was and memories of a certain demon in wave had immediately put the blond on alert. His hands snapped to the explosive tag just to be safe and he immediately drew on his chakra in preparation for a fight. His history with swordsman wasn't the best and he really didn't expect this to be different.
His eyes had gone upwards to look at the man's forehead in search for a headband but got distracted halfway. Because the man had eyes, blood red eyes that he would never miss or forget. He had immediately asked the man in the most polite way he could muster 'What the fuck are you doing with sasukes freaky eyes, asshole?'. It was then that Naruto learned three very important things about the man in front of him.
His name was Qrow Branwen, he was a damn drunk and couldn't speak.
At first Naruto had thought he was just some kind of moron but Qrow spoke a completely different language. It was so strange and unlike anything he'd ever heard.
It was just so weird, almost alien in a sense.
"It's a different world, obviously it's going to have be weird to us."
A familiar low grumble broke Naruto out of his thoughts while also managing to earn his annoyance. The corners of his mouth sunk into a small scowl.
"I'm not in a different world you dumb fleabag."
The condescending scoff that followed only served to annoy Naruto further.
"If you say so."
A roll of the eyes was made by both fox and unknowing fanuas. Naruto refused to keep continue talking with the idiot, the Kyuubi could have the last word but he would laugh at the dumb fox when he reached Konoha.
Naruto took a glance towards at Qrow, the man he'd been following for the past hour and paused for a second.
'Was Qrow taking him to Konoha?'
He thought for a second before waving the thought away. Following Qrow was better than being all alone in the middle of a forest and lost.
They'd come across a river.
It wasn't long by any means and was better described as a very large stream with rocks littering across the floor. The water was relatively shallow yet the current fierce. There weren't any trees covering the water like on land causing the sun light up the surrounding area creating a beautiful effect.
They had stopped just at the edge of the water confusing Naruto. He took a glance at Qrow and while his face wasn't the most expressive but compared to people like Neji and Sasuke, Qrow was an open book.
Qrow seemed to look at him with slight worry which only served to confuse him further before realization set in. 'He's not sure if I can water walk!'. Naruto couldn't help but feel annoyance, did Qrow really think he was that bad of a ninja? He was gonna be the future Hokage!
Naruto storms up to the stream of rushing water before lifting his right leg over it. His leg hovers over the stream for a moment before he calls on his chakra.
It comes up quickly, bubbling to the surface. Practically begging to be released and dense beyond belief. It's nature not to dissimilar to the stream his leg hovers over. He guides it to the soles of his feet keeping the amount as low as he can mange before letting it fall. His leg doesn't sink in the stream, no it holds firm and sticks on the water. His left leg follows the others example and Naruto doesn't just stand on the water. He walks right over it. Each step Naruto takes causing ripples in the water that quickly swept away by the current. Some water inevitably hit his ankle but throughout it all he remains mostly dry.
Once he reaches the end of the river Naruto turns back to look at Qrow. He can't help the few snickers that slip out at the look of utter confusion and surprise. The sound of laughter seemed to break the man out of his sputter and making him grumble under his breath. Naruto felt the ears at the top of his head twitch minutely and faintly heard Qrow's words-
"Nmad uifnogscn rbta."
yet still didn't understand them. He saw Qrow continue to just stand there on the edge of the stream. Naruto waved him over.
"Hurry up you damn drunk!"
Despite the language barrier the intent was pretty clear and it wasn't lost on the huntsman. Qrow walked to edge of the stream before doing something weird.
He doesn't walk on water.
Qrow just walked through it without the use of any chakra. Like some kind of civilian. Naruto eyebrows furrow as he thinks. Any adult shinobi knew water walking and Qrow appeared to be a ninja... unless he'd been wrong? Kakashi-sensei had taught him a lot of things, one of them being how to spot a shinobi and Qrow fit the description.
So why couldn't he water walk? It just didn't make any sense? Unless... he felt his eyes widen as he came to a stunning conclusion.
Qrow Branwen was samurai!
It all made sense now! That's why he had a giant sword yet no headband or chakra control. He was a samurai! Naruto nodded to himself, feeling proud for being so smart. First Fūinjutsu now this? A smug smile made its way onto his face.
Maybe he was a bit of a genius himself!
Both of Naruto's set of ears heard the sound of water being splashed onto the shore signaling Qrow had reached the other side. The first thing the man did was reach for his flask and take a long swig. Qrow made a half hearted attempt to dry himself before looking at Naruto. A raspy voice filling the air when he spoke.
"Mceo on, etls og."
The blond just looked at Qrow blankly for a moment before nodding. A thought ran though his mind 'I have no idea what he's saying but I'm gonna act like I do'. Qrow made a motion to follow and Naruto did.
Their journey continued and Naruto could only hope that the rest of their journey went off without a hit-
They attack without so much as a warning.
It had been bound to happen eventually. Qrow had known it since he took the brat in on his trip to Vale but it had still taken him completely by suprise.
One moment Qrow is walking through a forest, the display of Naruto walking on water at the forefront of his mind. The blond in question appearing oddly proud of himself to his right. The very next moment Qrow fighting for their lives.
A King Taijitu springs at them from the forest with its fangs outstretched and it's a race to see who's faster. Qrow's hands or the Grimms fangs and Qrow just barely wins. Harbinger slices through the head of the snake splitting it in two down the middle between its eyes . Its remains fly harmlessly behind him before beginning to disengage, flecks of black floating into the sky but Qrow doesn't rest. He knows better than to think he's lucky enough for there to just be one Grimm. He's been a huntsman far too long for that to be the case.
His eyes scan the trees for Grimm and what he sees makes him feel a bit worried. Seven Urasas, four King Taijitu and at least a couple dozen Beowolfs all stare back at him with bloody red eyes full of contempt. Normally this wouldn't even be worrying to Qrow but he's not just fighting for himself, he's fighting for him and Naruto. It's too risky to tell the boy to run, he would be attacked by other Grimm and Qrow couldn't let that happen. He thought for a moment before coming to an obvious solution. 'I'll just kill them all before they get the chance.'
He turns to his side to look at Naruto. The boy stares at him wide eyed, appearing frozen in a sense. A citizens typical reaction to seeing a huntsman kill Grimm. He opens his mouth to putting more emphasis on tone than the words spoken.
"Naruto, stay right here and don't move."
No response but before he gets a chance to repeat himself the Ursas seemed to be finished waiting and charge at them, the ground noticeably shaking with each step they took as they approach.
Qrow clicks a button.
Four puffs of steam systematically shoot out from the gaps in the sword. He hears the sound of gears turning rapidly, the sound of machinery plays like music to the huntsman. The blade of the sword curves drastically into a scythe before the handle extends fully completing the weapons transformation.
Qrow stares back at the three rushing Urasas and does what any normal person would do... runs straight at them with his scythe held at his side as claws reach towards him.
The first Ursa to make it within his range gets a slash to the throat, the second loses its head completely and multiple cuts cause the third's stomach become very visible. He doesn't stop at all, he simply moves on to the next target in one fluid motion.
Qrow is the one to attack first this time as he rushes a group of beowolfs. He slices off the head of a Grimm and the hand of another that had been getting to close. But Qrow doesn't just use his weapon, he mixes it in with a myriad of aura enhanced strikes that are strong enough to kill a Grimm at first impact or at the very least stun them.
He's careful to not keep his focus on one Grimm for too long and uses his environment to his advantage. Occasionally using the bark of the trees as cover for attacks that are too hard to dodge.
He ducks, dodges and weaves throughout the fight in a way only achieved through grueling practice. Refusing to let even one of them to land a hit on him. Before long there are tens of Grimm on the ground turning to dust.
An absolutely feral growl alerts him of a boewolf that has gotten too close. It lunges at the huntsman and Qrow uses the inside of his sycthe to hook it around the back of the beast neck. He changes the Beowulf trajectory and slams it straight into the ground. Dirt and grass flies into the air at the impact before the Grimm starts to disintegrate. Another Grimm approaches.
He swings Harbinger upwards right under the jaw of another Ursa, the tip of the scythe pops out the other end, killing it instantly. Qrow pulls the handle to get it back but quickly realizes something.
His weapon is stuck and there are Grimm all around him. He turns his head to the side and realizes something else. There is a King Taijitu heading right towards him.
Very unlucky.
Qrow immediately lets go of the handle before attempting to dodge but it's a lost cause, he knows he's fast but not fast enough for this one.
So he summons his aura to the surface. A dark red layer starts to cover his entire body in a moment and Qrow tenses up as the King Taijutu's fangs get ever closer. He knows his aura will hold but it's still not a pleasant experience. He brings his arms up, crossing them to cover his face while forming an X and braces for the inevitable impact.
Expect there is none.
A sharp and hard sound reaches his ears, like that of two pieces of metal striking each other. Like the sound of chains rattling. He briefly lets his arms lower for a moment and what he sees gives him a pause.
Glowing golden chains wrap around the two headed snake. It struggles and squirms to no avail, the more it did the tighter the chains squeezed keeping it in place. The tips of the chains, sharp as any knife he'd ever seen, starts to dig into Grimm viciously. Tearing through its skin like tissue paper just trying to pierce it as many times as possible. The taijitu moves for a moment more before it went limp. The disintegration process already beginning. A very prominent thought runs through his mind.
'What the hell was that?'
His eyes follow the chains origin and he sees something he doesn't quite expect.
Naruto.
"What the fuck?"
Qrow blinks his eyes several times in rapid succession just to make sure he wasn't seeing things but the scene remained in front of him clear as day. Not far from him stood Naruto with fucking chains sprouted out of his back and ribs. His arms outstretched in front of him in a way that seemed like he was commanding the chains.
Now Qrow has seen a lot of weird things in his time and this doesn't even top his list. Normally he wouldn't bat an eye, assuming that it was just the boy's semblance.
But he knows its not Naruto's semblance. He's seen Naruto's semblance and this isn't it. Setting off small fires/explosives just doesn't relate or grant the ability to sprout chains out of your body. It also didn't grant the ability to just walk on water.
Why was the boy so damn confusing?
Qrow quickly shook his head in an effort to break himself out of his thoughts, thinking about this while fighting Grimm just really wasn't the right time.
He grabs Harbinger's handle while still lodged in the skull of the ursa and pulls with all of his strength. The Grimm's skull offers some resistance but by the end it's no use. With his sycthe back in hand he looks around for any more Grimm. His eyes settle on a group of beowolfs and he sprints right towards them. The rest of his surroundings seem to become nothing more than a blur as he moves.
His scythe cuts through the beowolfs with practiced ease before using one as a springboard to cut the neck of another Ursa.
The fight(read: slaughter) between the duo and Grimm continues for a several minutes. With Qrow cutting down Grimm with an efficiency of a professional with decades of experience and Naruto... just stabbing anything he could reach with his chains. Each leaving rows of cuts and stab wounds wherever they went. One a bit more destructive than the other.
Eventually after a while only one Grimm remains. A very large king taijitu, it's size twice that of the others Qrow's fought so far. Despite its size it's fast, scarily so and it's strong enough to knock over a tree with minimal effort. Qrow tightens his hold on Harbinger and takes a look at Naruto to make sure the boy is okay.
A puff of smoke momentarily obscures his view before he seems something.
Naruto stands there with his right palm open yet not empty. A glowing blue sphere hovers right above it made up of an uncountable number of blue spirals. The rotation much too fast for Qrow to keep up with and he can faintly hear a low drum sound coming from it. Naruto stares straight at the Taijitu, bends his knees and throws himself straight at it.
Qrow rushes behind the blond in an attempt to stop him but it's too late. The giant snake jumps at Naruto mid air with its jaw wide open. Naruto cocks back his right arm before shoving a glowing blue sphere straight into its face. The sphere drilling into the Grimms head for a moment before it happens.
The snakes head exploded.
The sphere seemed just to blow up after making contact, the sheer force of the resulting blast throwing the snakes whole body back. Qrow turns to look at Naruto and the only thing he sees is a massive grin on his face. He comes to a conclusion.
The boy is insane, he has to be insane.
How could he walk on water? Why did he have multiple semblances? What the fuck was that glowing sphere attack?
His right hand moves to a brown satchel. Digging around its contents for only a moment before promptly pulling a flask out. He unscrews the cap before chugging the rest of its contents in effort to deal with the absolute insanity that is Naruto Uzumaki.
Why'd he have to pick the weirdest kid in all of remnant!
A/N
Sorry this took so long, school takes up a lot of my time and I'm just getting used to it. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter or at the very least we're entertained. Still trying to find my writing style but it'd like to think this chapter was better than the last. I GOT PLANS FOR THIS STORY, BIG PLANS. So stay tuned for all of that stuff.
THANKS FOR ALL THIS NICE COMMENTS BTW THEY MEAN A LOT TO ME :)
Bye!