Hello and Welcome.
This is not Volume IV.
This is the Bridge to get to Volume IV.
With a few changes, Volume IV's plan is still relatively the same, but a few things had to go differently.
The main thing is time, and that is a big factor in how I need to approach this and create new chapters to get to Volume IV.
So essentially, think of these chapters as a time skip to get to Volume IV when I eventually have enough time to fully invest in it.
These chapters will be roughly 4 to 5k in length as will most chapters going forward for future reference.
With work and life, that's simply an easier length to write when I have time.
Don't expect continuous updates of just yet, as I got hit hard with writer's block and then this freed some of it up.
So maybe we'll get to Volume IV soon.
So in the meantime, Hushed Dreams is my main project.
Anyways, onto the show.
"Kid, you sure about this?"
"Blake, I know you aren't feeling well, but," Naruto combed his hand through her long locks, attempting to calm her with his whispering voice. "Eat the food. I'm not going anywhere…"
"Yes, you are…" Blake muttered and smothered herself into Naruto's chest as they sat at a cafeteria table in the hospital, refusing to let her grip on him go. "Don't go. Need you here."
"You will disappear as soon as we let go…" Weiss added as she held onto her left arm, laying her head on his shoulder while shivering. "Can deal with them after. Rest…"
Naruto stopped and stared at the two embracing him, still uncomfortable with Weiss' touch. He hadn't come to terms with what his parents said in the afterlife or even told Weiss about them yet. However, here she was, claiming his shoulder…
And she and Blake held hands and locked him around the chair in their embrace—an interesting development.
He really needed more information about what happened while he was technically dead.
"Am I that predictable?" Naruto sighed as he glanced at them both.
"Yes." They responded in unison, which caused him to sputter in annoyance and glare as Ruby and Yang nodded.
"You two stay out of this!"
"I made this decision when I chose to become a shinobi. Taking the lives of others was a commitment I signed up for, despite not understanding that at the time. It's what is necessary to protect what we love and keep balance and peace in the world. A necessary evil."
"Feeling better?" Naruto quipped, seeing half the meal had been finished for Blake and Weiss, and they were less clingy to him than before.
They were both cradled on his lap practically, so it made it difficult for him to eat, but he managed.
Didn't want to leave the restoration on Kurama despite knowing that would be the case.
"A little." Weiss poked and prodded her dish weakly, finding eating unappetizing in this situation. "But after everything, I feel…"
"Wrong." Blake tipped her head, and her ears lowered as her eyes misted. "With what happened to Pyrrha? Jaune…"
"It is never wrong to take care of yourself. Don't think it isn't." Naruto nearly growled at both of them before drawing a deep breath. "With what has happened, taking a step back is the healthiest thing we can do now. Mourn and give yourself the time…"
With those words, silence fell over. They mulled upon them when silver eyes drew upon Naruto.
"You aren't."
Cerulean eyes met silver unflinchingly. He steeled his nerves as all attention was drawn to him. Naruto took a deep breath. "I plan to, but…"
"I plan on giving us time to mourn first."
"You've matured even more since I've left you, brat. This world has done you wonders. Starting even to sound like a true ninja and even a sage. Father would be proud."
"Not fair!" Ruby shook her head as a few rose petals of both white and red roses around her in anger at Naruto's response. "Want to help? Avenge Jaune! Pyrrha!"
"Ruby," Naruto shifted Blake and Weiss off him as he kept his gaze fixed on Ruby. "You've done more than enough. You've proven you've got what it takes. But this is something only I can do."
"No!" Ruby violently shook her head, jumping out of her chair and holding her hand to her chest. "I can too! Let me!"
"Ruby!" Naruto sternly spoke as he approached her, sliding out from the table and taking a golden glow, surprising the girl. "Make no mistake. I would let you know if this was something you could do. But it is not."
"But I…"
"Do you know who I met when I was in the Pure World?" Naruto whispered before continuing. "She had silver eyes just like yours."
Silver eyes flickered in surprise as everyone gasped before Yang stood up, belligerent and upset upon hearing that. "What? I mean, why would you bring that up?"
"Because there is a point to be made," Naruto replied as he stood directly before Ruby, looking down upon her. "You are trying so hard right now. And I understand it isn't easy. Trying to follow in the shadow of her footsteps…"
"Stop. It is never what she wanted of you." Naruto's golden eyes bore into Ruby's silver eyes.
Tears streamed down Ruby's cheeks at those words, knowing he was speaking the truth. He had no reason to lie. He was in the afterlife. If anyone could meet her mother…
"Hey! Give her a break!" Yang stepped in between once she saw tears and came to her sister's defense. "She's only doing what she thought was best! We could have known…"
"You continue to be exactly who you are." Naruto turned to Yang, stunning the little dragon and causing her to stumble back. "Just keep that rebellious heart burning strong and know she's always been proud of your beautiful ass..."
"Yo, what the fuck?" Yang fell back into her chair, tears building in her eyes before trying to wipe them away furiously. "Summer, I… "
Turning his attention back to Ruby, a shivering and writhing mess, Naruto gently placed his hands on her head, noting she wasn't looking at him. Lifting her head so she looked him in the eye, he smiled softly at her. You were always her hero, Ruby. You never needed anything more. Just be yourself, nothing more. Just be you."
"Just be… Me?" Ruby whispered, lowering her head once more, her eyes shimmering filled as she thought deeply about the meaning of those words and hearing what her mother thought about her.
"Yeah, trust me. That will take some time to come up with that answer." Naruto nodded as his chakra burned around him, focusing his intent on his hands and whispering lightly. "Onmyōton."
Golden light sparked and filled the room, blinding everyone.
"I guess I should take that as a compliment. But they have brought this reckoning upon themselves. Fate may have controlled how this story would unfold, but I will shatter these chains and retell this tale! It's time for a new story to be written!"
"What just happened?" Weiss cried out as she was forced to look away from the scene and rub furiously at her eyes.
"I don't know!" Blake cried, furious at being taken off guard, blinking to regain sight in her vision. "But it reminds me of what happened on your sister's airship!"
"What?" Yang responded, looking in the general direction of Blake's voice with eyes filled with realization. "Wait, do you think…"
"Ow! What did you do to me?" Ruby's voice echoed in the cafeteria, eliciting a gasp from her as she spoke in a complete sentence without a pause or breaking her words into simple sentences causing all three to sputter. "I… I can talk again!"
"I fixed what I started when Fate interrupted me." Naruto released his chakra from around him, dropping his hands from Ruby's head as the shine in the room returned to normal, the very few people other than them were unable to comprehend what was happening besides being blinded by the display. "That should help you on your path to finding yourself with a clear head."
Ruby shivered as tears freely streamed down her cheeks. Without hesitation, she leapt and embraced Naruto, who barely had time to react. "Why?"
"Why?" Naruto tilted his head, gently embracing Ruby and looking down at the young team leader in confusion. "Because you are my friend. Why wouldn't I…"
"Why can't we be more? You already accepted Weiss! Why can't you..."
"Oh…" Naruto winced, and he felt Blake's eyes descend upon the situation, ready to intervene herself, when he sighed. "Ruby, it's not that simple. Even if I got approval from my parents…"
"You what now!" Blake hissed upon hearing that information, and her golden eyes blinked through the blindness to find Naruto. "We will discuss this later!"
"Yes, we are considering the conversations we were having before and what I'm currently witnessing." Naruto turned his attention back momentarily to Blake, his eyes shifted to Weiss carefully so she would notice, causing Blake and Weiss to flush as Naruto returned his attention to Ruby. "Even with that approval, I grew up believing in one true love. So suddenly shifting that philosophy is taking time, and I'm not ready for what I'm already dealing with."
Frowning as she almost refused to relent, Ruby grimaced. She was still rejected. It stung more than ever before, especially as she felt his warmth against her. It felt so right…
So why couldn't she…
"Besides, we have so many other things to think about right now that this shouldn't even be the focus." Naruto placed his hand on Ruby's shoulders, pushing her back slightly and having her eyes look up and meet his gaze. "There are so many things occurring on right now. This should be the last thing any of us need to worry about. So let's come back to them later. Perhaps in a few years, when we're all older and wiser and able to figure this all out. And then, if you still feel the same…"
"Well, maybe my answer will be different."
"Couldn't have said it any better myself! Let's start this rewrite with an epic bang, shall we? I'll lend the chakra, so there will be no feedback! I'm also not sensing anyone else nearby, so it should only be the scum! Let's go wild, kid!"
"Do I have a say in this?" Blake sighed, gingerly cuddling up against Naruto's left shoulder and nuzzling against his jawline, still feeling the need for his warmth.
"When it comes up again, yes." Naruto gently returned the nuzzle, much to her pleasure, causing her to shudder and purr happily against him. "Just like it should have been for Weiss, but we had far more complicated circumstances…"
"I'm sorry…" Weiss solemnly sat beside Naruto, watching Ruby leave with Yang out of the corner of her eye to find their family. "I've always seemed to cause you both trouble…"
"No, you haven't." Blake shook her head, and Naruto nodded in agreement as they diverted their attention to Weiss. "Far from it. What has happened cannot be blamed on you. If anything, the time spent with you is some of the happiest, even if it wasn't always so initially."
"You were a bit of a pretentious, arrogant bitch to start with," Naruto added, causing Weiss to give him a stink eye and Blake to struggle not to laugh, which she failed miserably. "Not to mention having a weird, change of personality crush on me after, like, the second day. Then there was that kiss…"
"Don't remind me of Christmas again..." Weiss frowned before her eyes shot over to Blake, remembering what happened and how she threw herself in front of her to protect her, and blushed while stroking her earrings. "Although, I do remember something fondly about it…"
"Best not be what I think it is…" Naruto muttered darkly, having a distinctly different memory pop up.
Blake flushed as she had a feeling about what Weiss was thinking. A frown crossed her face as she looked over at Naruto, then Weiss as a thought crossed her mind. "With Jacques leaving for Atlas and the wedding canceled, despite Naruto returning, the wedding's off, isn't it? Now with Naruto being unshackled from Fate…"
"I wouldn't say it is out of the realm of possibility, but…" Weiss started, lowering her head as her train of thought fell on the same path as Blake's, and she could hear the hint of disappointment where she would once be thrilled it wouldn't be happening. "Yes, the wedding most likely won't happen. Nothing is stopping the two of you from making your union official in both cultures, so congratulations!"
Naruto could tell the smile was forced. Something was off, and he could feel the negativity from them. While they both desperately fought this tooth and nail when he was alive, the moment of his death changed something.
What had happened? What caused the sudden change? He needed to know!
"Alright, what gives?" Naruto let out a soft sigh as his eyes shifted between the two. "What's going on between the two of you? What happened while I was in the Pure World?"
Fidgeting at the question, neither immediately answered. Both were uncomfortable and didn't feel like sharing what happened. Naruto frowned at this hesitancy. Blake was bold, and Weiss was headstrong, but to see this out of them was odd.
Finally, Weiss was the first to speak as she gazed into Naruto's ceruleans. "We came to a realization while you were absent, and we were hurting, desperate to cling onto anything. I didn't just love you. I love Blake too. Almost everything of significance that happened to me this last year involved both of you. That's when I realized it wasn't just you. I've fallen for Blake too. You both mean the world to me, and I didn't want to lose the only other thing I cherish, letting her wither away. So I acted."
"And I was ready to run again, fearing the worst. That I was a disaster that brought the worst with me." Blake admitted as her head sank and she looked away. "Weiss brought me hope again, saying she would stay by my side no matter what. Stay with me and take care of the baby. Help me continue this fight against Fate…"
Naruto's face fell into a state of shocked awe as he listened to Weiss and Blake. He expected something dramatic, but a confession of love? For Blake almost to have run again? In the condition, she was in when he returned in? She wouldn't have been able to, much less…
That was a lot to process as his eyes bounced between them.
Then letting out a soft sigh, he ran his hand through his spikey locks and scratched his head. "Well, that adds a whole new dimension to this, doesn't it? I would ask how we make this work, but we're already here, aren't we?"
"So I guess we'd better start working on it?" Naruto forced a chuckle before closing his eyes and titled his head as his ears flicked unintentionally. "I feel this will be a long conversation."
As Blake's heart melted into mush, Weiss softly giggled. "I would love to do nothing more now that we can talk about without restrictions hanging over our heads. Especially hearing your parents approve of multiple wives? Polygamy isn't legal here in Remnant outside in very few places outside of the Kingdoms. But with Blake being your mate, many things are awkward as it is."
"Trust me. Many things were discussed when I was away." Naruto smiled before taking a deep breath. "Where do I even begin?"
It was early in the morning. After the night's events, he felt disturbed and worried about how quiet everything was. He could not help but feel that this was the quiet before the storm.
A powerful storm was building at sea. He could do nothing more than helplessly watch it develop as it swept inland to devastate and destroy everything in its path. The wake was coming. He could see the tide fading and the tsunami coming with it.
Ironwood knew Gold had let the boy bite more than he could chew off.
He feared that the boy would come back similarly as Salem would. Not quite as indestructible as she was until she was annihilated with no recourse of regeneration. But just as immortal. He returned to his body once it had recovered enough.
But if the reports were accurate, he didn't return like he was.
He returned with his fabled power. The power he lost in his old world.
He was more than powerful enough to overwhelm Salem without that power. With it, he could very well be a God.
And Gold had to start this war. A war he had no interest in but was drawn into after eliciting national patriotism from the rest of Altas council, outside of Jacques.
Didn't want anyone on the world council to know about a possible war if they were against it. And after seeing how he reacted to the young man, it was safe to assume where Jacq's allegiance would lay...
Vale, after all, was the reason Atlas and Mistral lost the Great War. Bringing up old grudges brought the desired response, even when it wasn't the most intelligent. But when Naruto destroyed Salem, he realized there was a window of opportunity…
And if they could capture Salem as a child and the fool succeeded somehow. Things were on track so he moved forward with the plan.
With the stars aligned, this strange, mysterious world could work if a few things aligned properly. James needed Naruto for it, however. He was a pivotal player, and even with Vale falling to Mistral, he would have the coupe ready and have Gold assassinated at the end for his crimes while keeping Atlas out of it as much as he could. Make it look like they tried to intervene and be the saviors to Vale.
And he would stand on top of three Kingdoms at once, with Vacuo barely able to stand as one.
A bold decision, but one he felt was necessary to keep the world safe when he had Salem in his custody.
Then the fool captured Naruto's mate and friends, and everything fell downhill. He didn't have proof of it, but he had a sense the witch was now working with him, and that was a disturbing feeling. To know that the two most potent forces on Remnant were now united…
It sent chills down his spine.
And he was at fault.
His arrogance. His greed and desire to protect the masses.
The idiot and his friends went and made an enemy of Naruto. Naruto targeted and brought illegal business practices in Vale as he made it a point to sweep the Kingdom clean of shady practices. They designated him priority number one, and now…
Well, this war would only show them why it was a mistake.
Hearing a buzz on the console he was standing before, James responded and saw the last person he wanted to see on the holo screen greeting him in the morning. "Oz. It is quite early in the morning. What is the meaning of this call?"
"It is my friend." Ozpin sat in his office chair, comfortably drinking out of his cup, taking a deep breath. "I am simply doing you the honor by calling to inform you that you have been relieved of your duties. You are no longer responsible for Vale's defense. Withdraw all troops from the city, or it will be seen as an act of war. Only your students and personnel related to the academy may stay for the Vytal Festival, which will go ahead as scheduled."
Grinding his teeth and balling his fists as he sharply gazed at Oz, Ironwood snarled. "So you've told the rest of the council what has happened here?"
"Only what they needed to hear and what you omitted from them." Ozpin sipped his coffee before sighing at James as he placed his cup on his desk. "I could have told them more and made them see how much of a role you played in this. But I am doing you this honor to allow you to walk away from this, James, and what remains of your dignity remains. Please do so, as you do not want what is about to happen to Mistral's army to happen to you."
Scowling at Ozpin, James could see it in Oz's eyes. The man was many things, but he was not one to cross. He knew he was telling the truth about what was about to happen.
Hitting another button on his console, he made the order. "Recall all troops to the ship—a return launch to Atlas at the eighteen-hundredth hour. Only students and academy personnel will remain in Vale for the Vytal Festival. They are to remain kept away from any discussed location where fighting may break out for their safety. Do not tarnish Atlas' reputation."
"I would say it is already tarnished, my friend." Oz waited for James to release the intercom directive before speaking, only to have a nasty glare thrown in his direction. "Anything that tarnishes you does reflect poorly on the school. Do be aware of that. I've already been through that this year, I am afraid, with quite a few incidents."
Ready to terminate the call, James was about to cut it short when Ozpin sighed and gave one last message. "Be warned, James. This will not be the last you will hear from me. Soon he will come."
"And you best be ready to hand the Staff of Creation over. I'm sure you can sense it. The tide is rolling out to sea and is about to come crashing in before the storm hits." Ozpin closed his eyes and grimaced.
As James' eyes snapped open, having thought of this earlier, the airship he stood on vibrated and shake violently. Wobbling and struggling to stay in place as a strong gust surged past and shook the ship.
His eyes narrowed as his ship's beacons and alarms rang, and he saw Oz sigh and hang his head, almost as if he knew what had happened. "I guess it has begun. Half of Mistral's forces should be gone now…"
"What?" Ironwood snapped as he looked at Ozpin, grinding his teeth as he shuffled through his holo screens. "What was that?"
Oz only shook his head and kept his head lowered, glancing through his holo screens. "This is what happens when you anger a God."
"And I fear this is only a fraction of what he's capable of now."
The room was darkly lit in a cramped space. The lights seemed to flicker in and out as if the power wasn't sufficient, the lighting needed changing, or there was a shortage in the wiring. A figure was sitting on a cot as a silver-haired young woman cleaned the wound on his collarbone before shouting in agony. "Fuck, Flora! That hurts! Where the hell are the medics to close these damn wounds?"
"We can get this show on the road and take over Vale already! We have won this with the vermin down!"
"I don't know." Flora tried to keep her friend's voice calm as she tried to soothe him and take care of the wound the best she could. "They sectioned us off here once we arrived at the base and…"
'It's the only care you get, boy." A voice spoke as a door opened in the front of the room, and a middle-aged man walked into the room, deep brown eyes staring into silver eyes as they shifted onto him. "As of right now, the only reason I am not handing you over to the authorities is because Gold likes you and sees something in you…"
"I do not, and you nearly cost Mistral everything with your actions." The voice spoke with calm fury. "I am one for forgiveness and mercy, but you should not be given any quarter for your idiotic choice…"
"I was simply doing what Gold asked me to do and silence as many of those that knew what we were doing and sending a message in the process! Demoralize and break them so they would no longer stand in our way!" Vi retorted as his eyes glimmered as he stared straight into the man's eyes. "So, General Leo, if you wish to stay in Gold's grace, I would suggest you give me a goddamn medic and get me some treatment down here…"
"So this is your base?" A voice that sent a shiver down Leo's back and caused him to freeze and had Flora and Vi petrified as they remembered hearing it recently. "What a pathetic creature you are! Why hide down here like vermin? Guess it is poetic, given what is about to happen to you and all your troops here, Leo."
"Salem," Leo turned to see the small child inhabited by the witch and would have felt confident in the situation if it wasn't for the massive man in black armor and a massive sword he had ever seen strapped to his back behind her. "I didn't expect you to come for me so soon…"
"Oh, really now?" Salem wickedly grinned as she stepped forward, black hands emerging around Tealle's lithe body. "You didn't expect I'd come for a loyal follower of mine to do my bidding, my dear cowardly lion? You should have known better, as I always return."
Growling in his throat at the name, Leonardo wisely knew better than to make a move. Even in this form, the witch was powerful, and he wasn't even sure if he could take her, let alone the man behind her. He screamed danger, and if he could swing that sword with any velocity, it would be a death sentence in such a small space.
So bowing before the witch, he winced at the shock of the two behind him. "I should have. Forgive me, my lady. I will continue to obey. Just please…"
"Oh please, let's not mince words. Your life is meaningless to me. It always was, Leo." Salem's eyes twinkled as she haughtily laughed in the man's face. "But, alas, you were willing and useful, so I let you be. Do as you are told now, and I will save you from the fate all your troops will suffer at the hands of the God your pissant has enraged. These very walls will crumble in a matter of moments! I can feel the pressure building above!"
"What?" Vi snapped out of his fear-induced petrification, pain still filling his body as he stumbled off the bed he was sitting on to confront the witch. "There is no way. And a God? Bitch, you don't know a God when you see… Gah!"
Vi was slammed into the back wall with a single backhand. Guts swatted him away for even remotely trying to get close to his daughter's body. Even if the witch possessed her at the moment, he took a threat aimed at her seriously.
He didn't see Vi as a threat and knew he would meet his fate momentarily—no need to hasten his demise.
"Full of himself, isn't he?" Salem raised an eyebrow before turning her attention to Leonardo with a wicked smirk. "So, pledge your allegiance to me once more, my dear Leo. Prepare to open the door. We shall take the Relic of Knowledge and hand it to our new God."
"A new battle with Fate awaits! And we need every hand we are given!"
The skies were beautiful.
They always were.
But here and now…
As he floated in the sky.
With what he was about to do…
Naruto took a deep breath.
This was not a time to admire the sky.
Focusing his intent on the construction site below, where he felt so many emotions lay beneath, he took a deep breath.
This was more difficult than he imagined. This feeling welled up inside him.
Was this what it felt like to do this?
It was awful.
But he must.
Letting his eyes shift to the gray rings as he held out his hand in his golden state, Naruto took another deep breath.
It was time.
"SHINRA TENSEI!"
