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[Argus: kingdom of Mistral]
As morning rose through the city of Argus, a plan to get everyone to the kingdom of Atlas was in motion for everyone involved in team RWBY and team JNPR!
Currently Weiss, who was a vital part of the plan was walking towards the the atlas military base in Argus with a large suitcase and a red scarf around her neck. And based on the look on her face she did not look happy as she was currently talking into her scroll.
She was also being accompanied by Saffron and Adrian, who looked around with curiosity as he was sucking his thumb.
"I can't believe I agreed to go along with this stupid plan."said Weiss into her scroll, as she was waiting for the person on the other end to respond.
"Ah come on Weiss, you've been involved in stupider plans before and they always work out."said Ruby on the other end of the scroll.
"Yes, but it usually involves someone getting hurt and that's usually me."said Weiss, who couldn't believe she was acting like fate.
"You know the plan, you want to convince Cordovin that you want to go back to Atlas, specifically your home in Schnee Manor."said Ruby as she repeated the plan to her bestie.
"From there Saffron and Adrian will create a distraction, along Maria to get on the ship which she knows how to fly and knows they're jargon, so she'll be able to get clearance through the blockade. Then you pick us up and we fly the Atlas. It really is a simple plan so I don't see how there's anything that could go wrong with it."said Ruby as she summarized Jaune's plan to everyone who was listening in on the scroll.
Blake who was acting on a lookout at a nearby communication tower.
Yang who was in the forest with her motorcycle bumblebee.
Ren, Nora, Oscar, and Qrow who were waiting near the cliffs.
And Maria who was waiting in the suitcase as it was big enough to hold her...
"I still can't believe the Mastermind is not even a part of his own plan."said Weiss, as neither Jaune nor Cat Viper were involved in this planning any sort of way.
They what you busy planning out of the escape route in case something went wrong or as Jaune called it, the backup plan in case the plan goes horribly wrong and they have to storm the base and create a distraction!
"Those two are in reserves in case something goes wrong."said Ruby, wondering why her bestie was questioning this when everything was already explained that the meeting last night.
"I'm just surprised his sister decided to go along with this."said Weiss, wondering why Saffron and her family were taking part in this when they can get in a lot of trouble if they are caught.
"Cat Viper already said he'll take the blame in case we are accused of something. So there shouldn't be any issues considering how... prejudice the atlas military can be, especially that Commander."said Saffron, as she knew through her wife Terra that Cordovin was extremely prejudice against those with animal features.
"I mean you're going along along with the plan of your brother leaving so soon even after you two have been reunited after so long."said Weiss, wondering why his big sister was agreeing to this when just the other day she was having Jaune sitting on the floor as she chastised him for his choices.
"Jaune is all grown up now and I can't keep babying him forever. Besides you guys need to go to atlas more than anything and I understand is Atlas is where everything is going on and the only way you guys are ever going to get any help with what is going on with the Grimm is by going to Atlas."said Saffron, who got an explanation about what was going on by her brother except the fact about Salem.
As they felt like she wasn't ready for that kind of information, especially the part about the queen of the Grimm being essentially immortal!
"Okay then, well let's do this as we have to do this at just the right time before the Atlas base notices that one of their ships has gone AWOL."said Weiss, before she closed her scroll and went to the front gate of the base.
"Let's just get this over with!"said Weiss, feeling as though something was going to go wrong as Ruby had sort of jinxed the situation by saying that nothing could go wrong and every time Ruby says nothing can go wrong, something does go wrong!
But what that was for her to see and find out later!
Jaune and Cat Viper on the other hand where rustling through the forest as they were looking for something as last night they felt a Haki signature they felt that was familiar to them.
"Jaune, you think it could be him!"said Cat Viper as he and Jaune were running through the forest as fast as their legs could take them.
"I don't know if it's definitely possible but you said that he had to be in hiding because Whitebeard's self-proclaimed son was hunting every member of the Whitebeard pirates down."said Jaune, who remembered what Cat Viper told him about the Man known as Edward Weevil, one of the current warlords of the sea.
Through Cat Viper, Jaune learn that a man calling himself Edward Newgate's son was attacking remnants of the Whitebeard pirates, looking for the treasure that him and his mom, Buckingham Strussy claimed was rightfully there's as Weevil is supposedly Whitebeard's son and she was his lover from a long time ago as they were part of the same crew.
"Buckingham Strussy... she was a member of the captain's old crew, the Rocks pirates. She could be telling the truth as I heard she was quite beautiful back in her day and the captain always did have a thing for a beautiful ladies."said Jaune, as the warlord could be telling the truth as from what he heard from Cat Viper, Weevil has similar strength to Whitebeard.
"Yeah, but why wait until now in order to claim what she says is theirs."said Cat Viper, wondering why Buckingham waited so long to claim the treasure of Whitebeard.
"My guess if she's waited until the crew was weak enough to strike as it's only her and her son according to you is too dumb to actually lead and listens to whatever his mother tells him to do. So the only way he could haven able to take down the Whitebeard pirates is by one by one. Plus it would make sense she couldn't go against Whitebeard while he was alive."said Jaune, knowing that Buckingham couldn't really do anything against Whitebeard even in his old age.
So she must have waited a while until he died and his crew was weak enough that she could strike and make her move!
"That's not important right now as I'm wondering what's he doing here when I got here by complete accident."said Cat Viper, wondering why their mutual friend was here in Remnant.
"My guess is the same way you did and that's both a good thing and a bad thing if you think about it."said Jaune, as he waited for his friend to guess what he was meaning.
"Jack."said Cat Viper, remembering that the All-Star appeared at Haven and caused quite a bit of trouble.
"We have to move under the assumption that Kaido already knows about Remnant! We can't feel safe as we don't know where Jack disappeared to so he is either still here and Remnant or..."said Jaune, waiting for his friend to finish his sentence.
"Or he's back in Onigashima telling Kaido everything he learned."said Cat Viper, knowing that the weapons of Remnant would be valuable to that battle craze warmonger.
"Jack is probably back in the New World and he probably thinks it's a dream or something as he didn't appear to know where he was, so... maybe were safer now but we still can't be sure I have something has been bothering me for quite a while now... in fact it's been bothering me for months"said Jaune, as they made a pass through the forest.
"What is it?"questions Cat Viper, wondering what was bothering his old friend.
"How did Kaido know about our first attack? As there was no way he could have found out as we kept it hush hush as much as possible."said Jaune, as he wondered how the Beasts Pirates knew about the attack when no one else was supposed to know about it except Oden and his most loyal followers.
"That has been bothering me too as there's no way he should have known. So how do you think he knew about the attack?"questions Cat Viper, as he knew that his smartest friend probably had a theory that explained why they failed so miserably that day.
"Well we did our best to be hush hush, but there was plenty of spies in Kuri working for both Kaido and the Shogun, that's the theory I like to believe but there's also another one that troubles me..."said Jaune, before he stopped moving and looked Cat Viper in the eye."And that theory is there's a traitor among us!"
Cat Viper stopped moving as soon as he heard that and looked his old friend in the eye."Don't be ridiculous Jaune! How can one of us betray lord Oden after everything he did for us! If there was a traitor among us then they would have to be the most unforgivable bastard that I have ever met!"
"I know you don't want to hear it and I don't like it either but it's the most logical explanation! Kaido himself even said there was a traitor among us and I know he could have been just bluffing but what if he wasn't?! What if he was telling the truth?!"said Jaune, as both friends looked at each other in the eye.
"Jaune, all of us were going to be boiled alive that day and I can't think of anyone working for those two cowards so willing to walk towards their death."said Cat Viper, as it didn't make sense to him.
"I know... but we can never be too sure as there was no way our attack should have been known in this less someone leaked it! That's what bothers me and I still can't figure out why anyone would betrayed lord Oden of all people."said Jaune, before they heard a nearby brach brake.
This made the two Red Scabbards quickly turn around, before they happily saw who was in front of them.
As it was a face they had not seen in over twenty years.
"Well, well, well...I thought I recognized that Haki signature I was feeling."said a man who looked otherwise the same except for a huge scar on his face.
"Izo!"said Jaune, happy to see his old friend who stuck with Whitebeard!
"You look the same like the day I saw you last, Jaune Arc!"said Izo, one of the captains of Whitebeard's crew.
That is when the three friends ran towards each other and began hugging each other as they had not heard a peep from one another in a very long time and knew that under different circumstances they would probably have gotten that drink of sake or something, but for now they had business to attend to!
"Izo..."said Jaune, but before he could say anything else he got a distress call on his scroll.
"Is anyone out here! I need help as I'm being chased by Adam!"said Blake frantically on the other end of the scroll, before it was caught off by the sound of a gunshot!
"Adam!"said Jaune and Cat Viper, quickly recognizing the name of Blake's stalker ex-boyfriend who is obsessed with her
"Blake's in trouble! Izo, I know it's been a while and we have a lot of catching up to do but we need to save my friend!"said Jaune, as he cannot forgive himself of anything happened to Blake because he chose not to act.
"Tell me about it on the way as we need to save that girl!"said Izo, as he could tell from his friends faces that this Blake individual meant a lot to them.
Blake on the other hand was running through the forest trying to escape Adam as he continued to run after her with everything he had as it was clear he was not going to let her go like last time! Blake fired several shots from gambol shroud, but Adam simply deflected them with his sword as he continued running after Blake with all of his might!
"Just leave me alone!"said Blake who unlike her usual calm sed was panicking as it was clear she was very afraid of Adam.
"Not until I make you pay for leaving me behind and acting like you're better than me, Blake!"said Adam as he swung his sword at Blake, causing the girl to use her semblance to avoid getting hit.
"There you go again leaving a shadow clone in your place in order to take the damage for you. As big a coward as always."said Adam, as he looked for the real Blake.
The real Blake meanwhile was hiding behind a nearby tree as she was trying to catch her breath. It was clear she did not expect Adam of all people to come in and ruin the plan that Jaune so carefully thought of as right now her friends must be wondering where she is as she was a vital part to the plan, and now because of Adam it was all ruined!
But before Blake could ponder on this anymore she felt a sword cut through the tree, causing it to fall down as Adam was revealed to have been standing on the other side of the tree!
"There you are!"said Adam with a cocky smile on his face as he went after Blake.
"Just go away!"shouted Blake as she created another clone to take the strike for her, but this time she had to leave her coat behind as it was clear Adam had slashed at her with more speed, meaning she couldn't leave all successful Shadow clone behind in the nick of time.
"Looks like you're running out of Aura!"said Adam as it look like he was a predator playing with his food as Blake continued to run with everything she had to avoid getting catch by her crazy ex!
"You will not escape this time, my beloved!"saidd Adam as he fired his shotgun at her, striking Blake in the back and knocking her to the ground.
Adam then casually began walking towards Blake as she struggled to get up as it was clear she had taken a lot of damage from her run with Adam. But before she could run again Adam had reached her and kicked her in the stomach where it was revealed she had a scar from the last time he had stabbed her! Blake was knocked several feet into the air before landing hard on the hard surface, depleting what was left of her aura!
"Now you can't run away anymore as the next attack will finish you off for good!"said Adam, before he noticed that they had company.
And big company at that as whoever was there stood at least 3.2 m in height.
Based on his build he was clearly male and was wearing a distinct blend of traditional Mistralian and a military/dictator's style of attire. On his head is a military cap with a black, low-set visor and a white crown that is extra-wide, puffy, dented breadthwise with the front raised, and split by a lengthwise seam. Above the black bottom edge runs a black band lined with a row of gold studs, holding in the front a golden badge depicting a double-cross shape. Set below, front and center, is a pair of slender, golden horns that curve upward, lending the man a rather demonic look. Otherwise, the man wears a cloak akin to a seaman's, slung on his shoulders with the sleeves hanging back, that has a folded standup collar bearing on each side a simpler version of the hat's badge. The coat has a solid-white coloration over its upper half, which ends around waist level with a downward-facing flame motif, contrasting against the orange-colored rest of the coat. Below, Sasaki's torso is bare, partly showing off the aforesaid tattoo. For lower wear, Sasaki dons a hakama-like article resembling the bottom half of a double-breasted trench coat, which is flame-patterned the same as the cloak, closed by eight gray buttons, and held up by a golden, buckled belt. Finally, he sports a pair of brown gloves and grayish-brown, double-toothed geta sandals.
"Where am I? Last I remember I was happening that idiot Queen with that rock that the idiot Jack found."said Sasasi of the Topirobbo, one of Kaido's top men!
"Who are you?!"asked Adam as he pointed his sword at Sasaki.
"Huh?"said Sasaki as he looked at Adam with interest before pulling out his sword which was strangely shaped.
"Looks like you want to fight kid! Now let's see what you got!"said Sasaki, before his sword started to act strange as it started opening like some kind of mechanism was inside of it.
"Trick mechanism: screw sword!"said Sasaki, before his sword began spinning around like a drill!
"Let's see how you handle my Moon slice!"said Adam as he lungs towards Sasaki.
"Not bad, let's see what you're made of kid!"said Sasaki as he lunged towards Adam.
Both swordsman collided with one another and it look like it was a draw for one second before it was revealed that Adam sword had been broken in a bunch of places and he had been cut with deep gases all over his body, including his face where his bandana fell off to reveal that he had a mark of the SDC on the left side of his face!
"That was disappointing!"said Sasaki, while Blake was shocked that Adam had been defeated so easily as she had never seen him defeated by someone with only one blow!
It was practically impossible for her to believe this as Adam was one of the strongest people she knew and that was the one of the reasons she was so afraid of him! But now he laid there bleeding as his Aura had been destroyed with one strike by this mysterious individual she did not recognize other than the fact that he looked like some kind of fish demon faunus!
"Huh."said Sasaki as he noticed Blake, causing the poor girl to tremble upon realizing she had been noticed.
"Maybe you'll give me more of a challenge. after all I need to warm up before I prepare to take on that idiot King, Queen, or Jack and take their role as an All-Star!"said Sasaki as he began walking towards Blake.
"Stay back!"shouted Blake as she fired her gun at Sasaki, but to her surprise her bullets just bounced off his hard belly like they were rocks being thrown by a kid.
"Let's hear you scream!"said Sasaki, as Blake looked on with fear as he raised his mechanized sword up in the air.
"No..."said lake Whittier until someone intercepted the blade.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, Sasaki!"said Jaune, as he, Cat Viper, Izo, and Yang came to Blake's aid!
"Blake, are you okay?!"said Yang is she ran over and hugged her partner.
That is when Blake pointed over to Adam to show that he was on the floor bleeding to death... before she pointed to the man who had struck her ex-boyfriend down with only one strike!
"Well, well, well, I never thought I would face one of the Roger Pirates!"said Sasaki with a toothy grin on his face, as he recognized Jaune as being a member of the Roger pirates and of the Ten Red Scabbards
"Might as well cut you down that way there is one less headache to deal with in Onigashima!"said Jaune Arc, knowing that things would go smoother without Sasaki there during the attack!
As one less of Kaido's meant a greater chance of victory for the alliance against the emperor of the sea!
So Jaune plans to strike him down here and now before he can tell Kaido what is going on!
[To Be Continued]