Chapter Sixteen: Moving Forwards, Kuo Kuana Towards Progress!
"I will go anywhere, as long as it's forward!"
-David Livingstone.
{Kuo Kuana's Beach.}
[Nearly Four Months Later, Late April, 7:30am.]
"To My Dear Friend, Naruto Uzumaki.
I have reports that you are alive, Jiraiya reported it to me on the eve of Sasuke's execution. You saved him, as you have saved many others, time and time again. This letter comes to you after countless hours of thought, and meditation. Knowing me, as you do, also about three cases of fine sake.
You told me that you were never going to die until you became Hokage. It seems that a miracle has transpired, for you to be alive in another world is truly unprecedented. I know this letter will take time to reach you, we're trying to find a way to come there without being at risk of being stuck there ourselves. Your friends worry for you, and one in particular was broken down in tears on the news of your survival.
Those Of Konoha's Eleven, as your friends called themselves, wish you health and happiness during these times.
You are truly missed here, nothing is as bright, and damn those who think you are the monster sealed within you. I should've said these things to you in person, but duty often blinds people to personal matters. I know for a fact that knowing you, the reports given to me that you saved a rather large and advanced village within that world are true.
There are no plans to bring you home, yet, but I have fears that you might be stuck there forever. Such fears do worry me, but they comfort me in some way. You're out of reach of The Akatsuki. Which was Jiraiya's plan for you when you were to go on a three-year training trip with him. In this letter you'll see recent photos of us, know that he has mourned you, so forgive his uglier than usual looks.
I ask that we get correspondence at the very least monthly from you. In our letters of exchange, you'll find a variety of those from your friends as well back here. For me, I have nothing to give you, no mission save to live happily and freely until we find a way to bring you home, or until we see you again.
Find true happiness, for this grandma's sake.
-Tsuande Senju, Fifth Hokage Of Konoha."
He had letters much more recent then this one. Still, this one was always the one that brought tears to his eyes as he read it. To know that Sasuke was saved in time, and that everyone had made it. With his achkan fluttering in the wind as the orange fabric glinted off the rising sun, Naruto tucked the letter back into his pocket.
On the ground behind him was books, books that Blake had recommended to him before leaving out. Amongst them was a book that was heavily booked mark on philosophy. Something Naruto found a very keen interest in, especially the many references to what it truly meant to be a person, what life's meaning was, and what it meant to see the future come into shape.
Naruto even had his journal out, where he had jotted down some of the ones he found the most inspirational.
Adorning his body was several different leaves, all stuck to his skin. A leaf on his forehead, whilst he also made those on his arms, hands, and even bare feet stick. This was an exercises in chakra control, something Jiraiya had suggested to him with the challenge of getting to where he could the rasengan with one hand.
There was progress, and progress was slow. Still, it wasn't only for the benefit of freeing up the rasengan to be used by one hand, but his sensory ability that he told Jiraiya about on their second correspondence. Pervy Sage had been taken by surprise by that news, but it wasn't bad news, it was wonderful news as he stated.
It was a strange mix of emotional sensory, and chakra sensory. That's the way he intrepid it, that Naruto was developing a unique sensory ability that would allow him to pick up on intentions through patterns in someone's chakra. Obviously, it required multiple letters of explanation, but he got the basics of it.
Then came a very valuable gift from a letter, just last week. Naruto was currently admiring as he took it out it's special case. A kunai, unlike any other he had seen save for those books about The Fourth Hokage. It featured a slightly longer blade than a regular kunai, with a metallic sharp guard built into the base of the knife itself.
Minato Namikaze's specially long kunai, it came as a belated birthday gift.
Naruto would often imagine himself, childlike honestly, in the guise of The Fourth Hokage sometimes during training. The Yellow Flash of Konoha, his idol, and hero. It nearly made him weep, and he didn't come out of his apartment all day that day. One of the few times Naruto longed for home, but today, he could stare at it for hours if needed.
He really wanted to know the jutsu Minato Namikaze used to move so fast. Jiraiya, for his benefit, promised Naruto that if he successfully mastered the rasengan with an element he'd dig it up somehow. Which is why he was now at the beach, mastering the first part of his new rasengan training.
Getting up, still making the leaves hold to him via chakra, he placed the kunai back into the case. He extended his right hand out, along with his left, taking deep breaths as two transparent spheres began to form. Focusing, and focusing hard, Naruto watched as the right one took shape first. Swirling quickly, but slightly wobbly in form. The left one was having trouble, stuck somewhere in between stage two, and three.
His right one only maintained the full form for a brief second before dispersing. He groaned as the left one did the same. He still had a long way to go, and this was the hardest thing he'd done to date training wise. Chakra control was never his strong suite, and now it was challenging him to become the best he could be.
If Pervy Sage had faith in him, much like Gamaken did, then Naruto would manage somehow!
He stared out onto the undulating waves, seeing the spring winds lap them against the shore. Coming here in the mornings to avoid most of the crowds, because they would barrage him with millions of questions. Some girls even began to rush over to him, trying to talk to him. It made him feel weird, sort of, but it wasn't exactly always unpleasant.
Still, in the waves, for some reason he felt something call to him. Taking his sandals off, letting the semi-cool wet sand adorn his feet, Naruto let a sigh of relaxation escape his lips. Tomorrow would be his training day to start practicing the Taijutsu stuff that Pervy Sage sent him. Gamakichi, of course, would be summoned in. Next week it would be Gamatatsu, and then if Naruto had completed his letters, Kōsuke.
Naruto had met the toad, which was a dark red in color. He had dark blue markings across his face, and head. Cheerful, dutiful, he also acted as a sort of teacher for Naruto when it came to writing letters. Kōsuke's job in Myōboku was to, in fact, be a messenger.
Gamatatsu just wanted to be summoned, much like Gamakichi, simply because he had lumped Naruto in as his primary summoner. Which was a new concept to Naruto in general because there was a primary familiar for a summoner, and a primary familiar for a summoner. They didn't exactly have to be the same. One could have multiple primary familiars.
Ones where their bond alone, and the chakra needed to evoke them, were at a minimum. Of course, any other familiar could answer a summoning. Gamaken answering Naruto that faithful day was because the boy had been in his mind, and Jiraiya not talking about him, made Gamaken bond with him in extension.
"I wonder what kind of sweets I should get Gamatatsu this time around?" Naruto pondered openly whilst staring off into the ocean. He felt something make him think of his friend, Blake, who was currently helping with a strike going on in Mistral. "You're your own person, ya know. Don't worry though, I'll keep your mom and dad safe until you get back here for the big moment."
"Hehe, I wonder what I'll be to them, the kids? Uncle Naruto, brother Naruto, that strange whiskered guy who keeps coming around? Ha, that one was kind of funny." He chuckled at that thought, letting flow from him much like the waters in the ocean in front of him. "I…never held a baby before, much less one from someone very close to me. Will they be scared of me? Will I be scared of them? What if drop them?!"
A brief look of discomfort settled over his face. Remembering how women in the village with their infants sometimes turned down the opposite way he walked. Many children his own age at the time were forbidden from association with him, he never really got the chance to interact with babies. In a way it scared him because he didn't know how he was going to react.
Sighing, he felt a smile grace his lips, bright and foxlike.
"Just another type of training, ya know."
{Kuo Kuana City Hall.}
[Four Hours Later, 12:00pm.]
"It is with that conclusion that Kuo Kuana has duty to set up expansion by the end of summer." Atlas stated as he walked around the table, a map of Kuo Kuana with Lake Uzumaki displayed next to it. "Efforts have been made to supply freshwater fish, plants, and cultivate areas around the lake by free range volunteer farmers."
"Who are getting a significant amount of benefits for doing, as they should." Saber pointed out whilst sitting on the chair nearest the map. He looks at the map, and then sighs. "This area that we're planning to expand on is in totality roughly Kuo Kuana itself. Though the cultivatable land is around half that, housing can be built along the sandy rock areas. My issue, unlike Kuo Kuana, there really are no natural barriers."
"Save young Uzumaki himself." A man muttered at the table, drawing attention. He straightened up a little bit, and then sighed. "I'm just saying, our hero, is still going to combat regularly. Regardless of his status as such, he's been nothing but boon to this plan. However, I figure that there is a point to where we need to start standing on our own laurels."
"I agree with Chief Argenti of Ino Kai." Ghira agreed whilst looking at the map from the head chair of the table. He sighs before looking over at Sienna Khan. "Sienna, do we have fang forces that can be spared to run combat operations into the areas marked for fortifications."
"Of course, we do, but the issue remains that my forces are currently stretched due to the fact that we've recently had to send them to support worker strikes in Mistral, Atlas, and Argus." Sienna pointed out whilst bitterly thinking about Naruto Uzumaki. "I'm pretty sure that young Uzumaki is capable of maintaining some of the areas himself whilst we prep."
"That's asking a lot of the hero." Atlas commented.
"He does a lot already, and we've given a lot already. He has a citizenship, practically anywhere in Kuo Kuana he can walk in, pick an item out and chances are he'll get for free." Sienna continued to point out whilst crossing her arms. "Not to mention the apartment costs are covered by our own tax income due to his status as a hero."
"None of which Naruto ever asked for, it was gift by the people Kuo Kuana for his services." Ghira argued whilst shooting a small glare at her. "We've done same for Adam Taurus since he was involved as well, and he also has a status as a hero of Kuo Kuana along with several others."
Sienna just sighs before writing down a few notes. She closes her notepad before looking at the map. "Survey teams from the guard, and The White Fang have already charted the best land to cultivate, and for housing. The issue isn't in the fact that we're lacking space, now we have too much to actual know how to use." She pointed out whilst putting her notes down.
"Just to think, we were talking earlier last year about Kuo Kuana straining under a growing population. Now, we don't enough population to maintain the lands acquired." Saber chuckled slightly before looking toward Ghira. "That boy that fell from the sky, is truly something else."
The room chittered with laughter, but Ghira raises his hand to silence them. "I have a few suggestions, but economically, it could cause strains. It will require a conclave to be held." Ghira forewarned as he got up. "Menagerie is for all faunuskind and our supporters. Intermarriage has become commonplace is some of the countries where our kind take residence. I'm suggesting that we offer incentives to bring them here, to start anew here."
The room suddenly burst into talks, with Saber pinching the bridge of his nose. Sienna Khan was right there with him a little bit, but Atlas was nodding his head. Argenti looked indifferent, but still calculated what Chief Ghira was asking. That's when he brought it up, and the room went silent.
"Are suggesting that the time is for referendums? To change how Menagerie has functioned since our founding nearly eighty years ago. Such a thing is calling on our doorstep, hope is lit anew in my village. They've heard the stories of this young man called Naruto, and they rallied and raved for him when he showed to clear our shorelines of ice. Staying out all hours of the night, coming bi-weekly to make sure that our ships could dock." The Chieftain of Ino Kai just nodded his head whilst he spoke, and then he stood up with arms behind his back. "I think Chief Ghira will find that I, The Chief Of Ino Kai, is ready to suggest to the four other coastal settlements to participate in the conclave."
"Hold, on wait a minute, have we ever held a conclave of our leaders?" Sienna questioned whilst looking inquisitively around the table. She noted the distinct lack of answer before sighing. "So, we are to hold the first conclave in Menagerian history. What would be the mission to do so, what would be the purpose?"
Ghira took a deep breath, and answered. "The gathering of a unified guard force to begin consideration of finally exploring Menagerie fully." He concluded before sitting down. "To begin to make our nation whole."
"You realize that with places discovered that possibly can be settled, you open more seats for other chieftains, other leaders." Saber stated whilst looking at Ghira, who frowned at where he was going with this. "We already struggle to come up with any unified choice, villages sometimes have bad blood between them. For example, Mon Kai and Ino Kai."
"Mon Kai…" Argenti sighed before crossing his arms. "The Chieftainess there is a bullheaded, self-serving- "
"Argenti!" Ghira stopped him with a small yell before shaking his head. "We cannot let personal grudges, or village grievances, stop forward progress. We've been in a deadlock for decades now, our people grow, but our land has not. We need more, traditionally that means going to war, but war isn't an option for us. Expansion has to come from the idea that we must take hold of our own destiny as a nation."
The room fell silent after Ghira's speech, with Atlas taking a deep breath after a few minutes. He looks towards both the maps of Kuo Kuana and Menagerie as a whole. So many unexplored areas, roughly constructed due to the hostile amounts of Grimm, animal life, and environment. The map itself wasn't even made recently, but nearly one hundred years ago.
Back when Menagerie was but a colony of Mistral.
They all heard it, outside of the city hall, the pattering of fresh spring rain. A phenomenon that was rare, up until that huge lake was created seven months ago. They had their hardest snow this year as well, for the first time, snow fell so deep that people had to trudge through it in some parts. Was this the power of change already taking shape, was this something long thought impossible, but the cards were aligning themselves just right?
Have The Brother Gods finally showed favor to their less fortunate creations?
Atlas heard whispers, and hoped they weren't true to some extent. A few people in Menagerie setting up shrines, each with a clipped image of that hero child. Some of the most religious citizens who followed The Animal God, or The Third Brother, believed the child to be a herald of it's coming.
Logic and reason failed in the face of miracles, thusly, not only was he becoming known as "The Hero Of Kuo Kuana." Naruto Uzumaki was also given the moniker "The Child Of Miracles." A fitting title in a way, for in the legends, the very Grimm he defeated took a blow from a sword said to have been forged by a champion of The Light God himself.
A sword, when used, killed it's very wielder as sacrifice to empower it. All of this, and yet, this boy of merely thirteen from another world accomplished a feat that would've taken armies! Hard reason to not find hope, especially with him still here, and still doing things to protect people who knew him from the particular dirt on the ground.
As to say, though they never crossed paths, Atlas had seen him bleed for the very same people he might very well never see again.
There was whispers of fear, however, perhaps the child was an accursed demon cast away from his own world. Playing the guise of this "hero" until he demanded rulership. These fears were mostly baseless, but Atlas knew that those who held no power often feared those vehemently who held power. Even if that same power was used for the sole benefit of the people at large.
These whispers came from the farthest anti-human groups inside and outside of Menagerie.
"Chief Ghira's speech has put upon us that we are to have a conclave of villages. We shall come up with a system to ask our citizens what they wish to have addressed across all of Menagerie. With consensus of what needs addressed the most, we would be wise to hold referendum over it." Atlas supported as he finished his thoughts, breaking the silence that felt eternal. "With this, we must also address that if our citizens really do support the current system of chieftains."
"This is an unprecedented, and very dangerous ground we tread." Argenti then smiled however, and looked toward Ghira. "If this is your will, Chief Ghira, then I as Ino Kai's representative will follow Kuo Kuana's example. I know my citizens will wish for referendum, thusly my vote is already casted into the mold of this land's future."
"We all have our objectives for this week to fulfill." Ghira concluded before standing up. "Ladies and gentlemen of the council of Kuo Kuana, this concludes our business for this week. Be well, get home safely, and be in high spirits. As always, my home is open for those who seek council, or to suggest things to be addressed in next week's meeting."
"Let us be home to our family."
{Kuo Kuana Hospital.}
[Around The Same Time.]
Kali was bopping her head to some music she had playing in an earbud. "Naruto is right, this is pretty good." She commented whilst humming to the beat. "Can't believe that he listens to what could be considered girlish music."
"The young man dresses in a pink apron to cook, wears a hairnet, and basically is growing his hair out more." Dr. Vista pointed out matter-of-factly whilst looking at Kali's chart. He was humming whilst wearing the other earbud. "I do say though, I can see why Cupid is popular, it's catchy…very catchy."
"I know, right?!" Kali nearly shouted whilst before hearing the duo in the song. "As much as Naruto tends to listen to heavy metal here and there, the boy has a completely different tastes that oppose each other."
"It just means that he's well balanced." The good doctor commented before getting some gel out. Watching as Kali shriveled back just a little bit. "I know, this stuff is super cold, but let's seem them babies!"
Kali hisses a little bit as the gel was applied to her stomach, followed by the sonogram. She groans, but then hears the heartbeats of her children. She smiles when they come up on the screen next to her. Two healthy, baby girls, both moving around just a little bit. She then saw them hold hands, and nearly coos loudly before stopping herself.
Then one of the babies sort of knocked the other one in the leg, and the other sort of retaliated with light smack. She, and Dr. Vista laughed whilst looking at them. "I know it seems like they're hitting each other, but you know that they have a thin amniotic sack around them, so they're not directly touching each other." He pointed out whilst jotting dome notes down. "I have this on record by the way, I know Chief Ghira has been incredibly busy given that Lake Uzumaki is slated to begin settlement soon."
"Still some left-over Grimm from the incursion nearly seven months ago." Kali bemoaned before rubbing her belly. She looks down, noting the brief moments of movement in it. Giggling a little bit, she missed this feeling. "Am I still slated as a high risk?"
"Unfortunately, yes, but don't worry. We will make sure that you, and the children are all safely united. Is Blake going to be able to attend, I know you're due in June." He moved the stick over them, checking for any defects. "Hey, look at that, looks like they'll both have feline ears, much like and Blake."
"Aww, I always told Ghira that the trait for ears run strong in my family." She said before rubbing her swollen belly lightly. Wondering if her children could here better because of it, and then thought of their father. He was currently stuck doing bureaucratic work in City Hall. "I wish my husband could be here, but luckily, it's for good reasons. That lake, it's pretty much half the size of Kuo Kuana's entire territory."
"I know, I read the stats on it. It's gonna be a massive undertaking. I heard that survey teams of guards have been planting saplings as they go along." Dr. Vista revealed whilst removing the stick, not noticing the frown on Kali's face when the screen went blank. "That's a beautiful maternity dress, by the way."
"Believe it, or not, this is actually something Naruto, Ghira, and Blake got for me." Kali laughed whilst remembering the duo trying to find something for her before she went off to join The White Fang. Stubborn as ever, their daughter chose to follow what she believed was right. "You outta heard them giggling about it, with Naruto and Ghira figured that it be violet because back where he's from it's a royalty color."
"I never thought Naruto would think in such manners."
"I didn't either, but apparently he had missions where he guarded princesses." Kali holds her face whilst blushing, smiling blissfully. "I never heard two men argue about a maternity dress, young and old, and then gush over said dress. It was adorable."
The dress Kali was wearing was a two piece, a very stretchy long skirt with designs of peonies, violets, and roses embroidered onto it. The top was back zip up, stretchy material, aquamarine in color. It was contrasting, sure, but it took both of them compromising on something that looked beautiful. It had a black sash that went with the skirt, acting as a border divider.
Dr. Vista hands her back the earbud he was wearing. He smiled when she took hers out, putting them into a case. The violet eyed man yawns before stretching. "I need a nice, long nap, I've been on call since ten this morning." He said whilst finishing his stretching. "Castor is doing his best to learn under me, poor lad is running ragged half the time."
"I don't miss hospital work." Kali laughed before getting up slowly from the medical bed. She groans a little, her swollen feet sliding into slippers. "Oh, did Naruto come by earlier to see you, he said that he was having some type of issue."
"Can't disclose that, I'm sorry." Dr. Vista apologized but then smiled. "You know him though, if he said he did something, he usually did. I still can't believe he still constantly goes out into the field, clearing Grimm areas out around the lake." The good doctor then laughed whilst remembering something. "Just last month he escorted a lot of the fish mongers out there to start depositing freshwater fish into it. The machine had gotten stuck, so Naruto had to climb into it and use the rasengan to clear a small blockage."
"Eww."
"Oh yes, eww indeed." Dr. Vista laughs before handing out some prescription notes to her. "I want you to take some of these medications. I checked and made sure they were safe for the babies. It'll help with the swelling in your feet, plus the intense nausea."
"Does Naruto, by chance, know what it means by high-risk pregnancy?" Kali questioned Dr. Vista whilst walking toward the door. "If something were to happen to me, I would want him prepared, and be in the children's lives to help Ghira."
"You're planning on the worse case scenario. However, knowing Naruto, he's already probably hopped into the subject. The fastest way to ever get him motivated is when it involves helping people. I never seen a young man, let alone anyone, so willing to throw themselves into the walls as many times as he does." Dr. Vista got a concerned look on his face, and then stopped Kali from leaving the room. "I do worry about him, not disclosing anything, but he's under incredible pressure and anyone can see that."
"We know, but you know Naruto, he doesn't stop for anything until he crashes."
"That's what I'm afraid of, given his unique status, that crashing part could be disastrous for him." Dr. Vista hinted whilst thinking to himself. "He listens to you more often than not, please tell him to take some time to himself, all last winter almost everyday he was outside working on clearing ice up and down the shorelines of Menagerie as a whole. Nobody has ever managed that simultaneously before."
"I can't make him do anything, but I'll try to get him to slow down just a little bit." Kali offered up before thinking of the young teen in question. "He is currently doing some training in the forests near Kuo Kuana, he said something about his master from the other world giving him some instructions for…um…Taijutsu. It's combat style, really."
"Oh, do you by chance know the name?" Vista asked whilst jotting notes down in the secondary chart he held specifically for Naruto. He always had it just in case. "Is it some type of boxing, karate, or traditional combat art?"
"Um, he told me that Jiraiya, or Pervy Sage he calls him called it…umm…" Kali then remembered before snapping fingers. "Now I remember, it had something to do with the giant toads from that mountain place."
"Hmm, interesting, any baby names by the way?" Dr. Vista wondered before opening the door to let her out. "I'm pretty sure that you, and Chief Ghira have already discussed such things, right?"
"Well, actually, yes. We've came up with the names Sable, and Noir. Nice ring to it, eh? Sable and Noir Belladonna." Kali laughed before nervously rubbing the back of her head.
"Beautiful names."
{City Of Mistral City: Manufacturing District.}
[One Hour Later. 1:32pm]
"We demand equal worker's rights!"
"We demand equal workers' rights!"
"What do you we want?!"
"Equal rights!"
"When do we want it?!"
"NOW!"
A large crowd of picketing Faunus shouted in mantra as they marched across the manufacturing district of Mistral City. Various factories were being guarded by LEO, or Law Enforcement Officers, and warning bells across the district were chiming. Hundreds of Faunus workers, if not thousands, were marching in unison.
Led by a burly man, with deer horns, and auburn hair. They all marched in unison. Amongst the crowd of picketers were White Fang operatives plain clothed, each also holding a sign. Blake Belladonna was amongst the crowd, wearing a lavender colored shirt, with a cloth tied around her arm. She was screaming with them, marching with them, sweating amongst the ambient heat of the crowd with them!
Her faunus trait, her cat ears, fully exposed. Over the last few months of training to be a member of The White Fang, she had grown more expressive with her traits. Taking pride in them, and now marching besides was also Adam Taurus. He too was holding a picket sign, but underneath his clothing was his weapon, on the off-chance things go too violent to be reasonable.
Just in case they needed to defend themselves, or risk death.
"We demand equal worker's rights! We demand to be treated fairly! Mistral's government is failing us!" A faunus woman screamed whilst holding a loudspeaker to her mouth. She took a deep breath, and screamed continually. "What do we want, equal rights! when do we want them, now!"
Bullheads flew overhead, with LEOs in them dispersing out warning to the gathered crowd.
"All citizens please make the streets clear, you're in violation of Civic Code Five-Six-Section A. All Citizens please make the streets clear, and return to your homes." The loudspeakers played from the Bullheads above. They whooshed by, causing some faunus youth who were climbing local trees to fall off, hurting themselves. "This is your final warning, please disperse!"
"Hold fast brothers and sisters!" The auburn-haired deer faunus screamed as crowd of LEOs, backed by firetrucks came into view. "Hold firm, they cannot make us waiver, remember why we're here! Remember Schnee greed killed those workers in that factory fire! We built those drones they're flying overhead of us, we deserve a voice, without us Mistral cannot function!"
"All citizens please return to your homes! This is your final warning!"
"Hell no, we won't go!"
"Hell no, we won't go!"
"Hell no, we won't go!"
LEOs wielding shields, and shock batons began to slowly march forward. Some amongst them were even faunus themselves, but they noticeably took lighter steps forward only to get shoved forward by humans LEOs behind them. Blake was toward the front with Adam, and when the auburn-haired deer faunus leader of the protest shouted at the LEOs marching all hell broke loose.
POOF-POOF-POOF!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The crowd of protesting faunus screams out in fright as tear gas grenades, and flashbangs were thrown toward them. Many of the more sensitive hearing faunus, like Blake, were immediately on their knees in pain. Holding their faunus ears, and nearly puking from the daze. Other faunus, ones with the more claw variety, charged the LEOs.
A large melee began to ensure, with Blake watching as Adam smacked away tear gas grenades with his picket sign whilst reaching for her. He managed to grab her, hoisting her up onto his shoulder whilst screaming at his White Fang to move.
They all did in unison, toward the front, with their picket signs being wielded like bats as they met the LEOs trying to harm them. However, suddenly, a firetruck that had been with the marching LEOs opened up. The force of the spray knocked Adam over, pushing a few feet across the rough asphalt. Blake was groaning whilst getting up, but before she could fully get up, a LEO was already on her.
It didn't matter that she was kid, he hit her once with the baton. It knocked her onto her side, and she was roughly grabbed by her arms, hoisted up. She, however, growled before suddenly throwing the LEO over her shoulder. He didn't get a chance to react before she punched right through his face shield with an aura enhanced punch, knocking him out cold!
Bells chimed again, loudly, constantly. These were old siege bells, and they were chiming because Mistral had the gall to say they were being besieged by the very workers that helped them live! Blake stumbled lightly, a small bruise forming on the left side of her head before watching as Adam knocked two other LEO with his picket sign before reaching for his weapon.
Blake shook her head looking, pleadingly begging silently that he would only escalate the situation. Despite being her superior, Adam knew she wasn't wrong, and instead looked off to the side as White Fang pulled civilians up from the ground, helping them retreat.
She grabbed onto a woman, who had leopard spots on her face. She had been knocked to the ground by the same LEO that had attacked Blake, with a bleeding headwound. Groaning into Blake's shoulder, the young woman groaned. Blake, for all her worth, began a retreat.
For today marked the first day of The Mistralian Riots.
{Forest Near Kuo Kuana.}
[Five Hours Later, 5:30pm]
Naruto blocked a punch form his clone with his forearm. Deflecting it off, letting it roll away before spun his feet to deliver a backfist into the head of the clone. With the powerful blow his clone dispersed into smoke before two more of them rushed him. Flipping backwards as he avoids their punches and kicks, they got kunai out before throwing them at him.
Flipping onto a tree, and doing one last backflip onto his hands. Naruto Uzumaki spun his feet out to kick the kunai up into the air before straightening himself out. He crouched down, grabbing the blades as they fell eye level. He descends down rapidly, practically spearing the clones with it.
Rolling forward after killing the clones, he springs up to his feet before sliding on his knees just as a naginata passes over his head. Rolling forward, somersaulting into the air, he kicked the scabbard on his back making his wakizashi slide out. Grabbing it without looking, he twirled the blade in his right hand whilst seeing five of his clones coming out and throwing shuriken at him.
Cling-Clang-Cling-Clang!
Naruto rapidly blocks the shuriken as they came at him. He angled the wakizashi on the last one to grab the shuriken midair by stabbing the sword through the hole. He spun around, slinging the metallic start right toward one of the leaping clones.
He smirked whilst dodging two of them, and then using a third one as pivot to then sling himself into a flying kick into the fourth. With their backs to him, Naruto quickly angled himself before reaching behind him to sling four shuriken toward them.
The clones couldn't react fast enough as they were hit, forced to disperse. Landing and rolling backwards, the teenage shinobi quickly stood up. He surveyed the area around him, confused a little bit. "Didn't I make one more, or am I just going- "His eyes widened before quickly leaning back just as the last clone emerged from ground. "Never mind, there you are!"
With a shocked face, the emerging clone shuddered as the original spun on his feet. Sword met clone, and sliced through the neck slightly before the clone was forced to dispel! Continuing the spin, the shinobi smirked before standing tall and sheathing the sword into scabbard. He looked over to the left, the cool spring air flowed over him as winds breached past the forest.
"Yo, Gamakichi, are you ready to head home?" Naruto called out as the tree limb above him bent. A large toad the size of a large dog hopped down from it. "Can't believe how fast you're growing, and that Chief Toad let you get summoned by me, ya know!"
"Hey, I gotta see my buddy at some points!" Gamakichi laughed before fist bumping Naruto. The Jinchuuriki laughs with him before the toad watches him get a device out and click a button. A song began to play. "Still stuck on that song, aren't you?"
"Nah, this is another one, it's by a band called Caressing." Naruto replied before adjusting his newer achkan. The coattails on it were designed in the guise of being foxlike. If he had ever let it bother him, it didn't show, he actually thought it was kind of cool. "It's story about love, and honestly, I love it. I think the song is called I Watch The Moon."
"I watch the moon, can't stop thinking of you~ Let it run my moo-oh-oh-od~"
"See, it's literally in the lyrics. Man, I wish Konoha had this stuff when I was growing up. Between the hundreds of different music genres, and just the crazy amount of tech this world has, sometimes it's hard to keep up!" Naruto declared before laying onto the ground with hands behind his head. "How's your old man? I meant to ask earlier this week."
"Dad's being dad, I mean he's wondering when he's gonna get summoned by you." Gamakichi answered whilst sitting next to Naruto, looking up into the clear with Naruto. He noted the longing look on the face of his summoner. "Is everything okay, buddy?"
"Well, someone I know made a choice to join something I got out of. It's not a gang, or anything, but they led me to believe something that wasn't true. She's currently all the way on another continent, something about a worker's riot there needing support." He replied to his friend whilst seeing the clouds roll over the horizon. He smiles before closing his eyes. "I wouldn't be having this talk with you if she didn't risk her own life to help me."
"Are you in love?"
The question made Naruto shoot straight up, and look over at Gamakichi whilst blushing. "What, no, don't be crazy like that, ya know! She's got a boyfriend already, she's had him for about a year now. Oh crap, I can't believe it's actually almost been a year since I've been here…" Naruto realized before pursed his lips. "I know we gave up trying to summon me back when everyone at Myōboku couldn't do it."
"Sounds like an amazing friend, hopefully I get to meet her!" Gamakichi laughed before watching Naruto lean back onto the ground again. A new song began to play, by a much different band. "Ooh, who is this?!"
"Son Glow, another band that sings about love, and stuff." The young Jinchuuriki giggled a little bit on the word love. He then sighs before seeing the sunshine turn the sky a little bit orange. "I'm not in love with her, just miss my best friend."
"Best friend, heh, better be careful. Sasuke might get a little jealous~" Gamakichi teased before Naruto suddenly grabbed him, and started grinding his knuckle on him to give the hapless toad youngling a hard time. "Ow-ow-ow!"
"Hah, can't get out of my grip just yet, can't ya?" Naruto laughed before Gamakichi smacked him in the face with one of his webbed feet after angling himself. "Mmph!" The young teen grimaced as he felt his grip slip. "That's cheating you jerk!"
"Blah!" Gamakichi stuck his long tongue out, giving Naruto the bird whilst hopping back to avoid a tackle by his summoner. He hopped up on a tree before sticking his tongue out again. "You're too slow!" The toad teased his friend.
"Graah, come down from there, Gamakichi and fight me like a man, ya know!" Naruto yelled out before thinking to himself. He looked at his feet, then at the tree. "You know what, I'll just come up to you!" He sprinted up the tree, making the toad yelp as he leapt to another branch. "Come back here, I got some more knuckle for ya!"
The shinobi stops though as he leapt up onto the branch. His senses blaring to life as he suddenly snapped his head into the direction of a crow. Getting a kunai out, he slung the knife as easily as he could. Not wanting to kill an innocent creature if his senses were wrong. After all, he was learning to master them, and the chakra control regimen Pervy Sage was putting him on was working wonders on that note.
Small surprise, really, when that crow suddenly leapt to the side. It shapeshifts into man with a five o'clock shadow on his face. Jet black hair, face, and all. His tan pants betrayed by his dark charcoal colored coat, and white button up shirt. He wore leather combat boots, he flipped backwards onto the ground whilst looking surprised.
He had a confident smirk across his face. Though Naruto didn't give him the chance to talk when he suddenly fell upon him. The man barely dodged the kick before rolling to the side as he saw the kid get shuriken out before throwing them at him. They thudded on the ground as he shapeshifts back into the crow form, flying up, and landing on a nearby tree.
Only for Naruto to appear in a blur right in front him just as he shapeshifts into human form. A right hook from the shinobi was thrown forcing the man to lean back. When that miss, he never expected the mass of orange to suddenly flip forward with his side facing him into cartwheel which ended in an axe kick directed right onto the man's shoulder.
Grunting, the man grabbed the boy's leg before tossing him across the canopy. Just as he did, however, Naruto suddenly lashed out with several shuriken. This time caught by surprise, the man was forced to flip away onto a higher tree branch before watching the blonde shinobi safely land on all fours on a tree branch before leaping up to start swinging, and flipping on branch like an acrobat.
"Holy shit, kid, hold up!"
Naruto didn't listen before nearly kicking him with a flying kick after launching himself from the tree branch. It forced the man to deflect with his forearm. Instead of just allowing himself to be knocked away, Naruto used chakra to anchor himself to the man's forearm, and twist to deliver a follow up kick! The man moved his head at the last second, wrapping the kid's leg under his left arm before slinging him hard.
He expected him to smash into the tree, but Naruto caught himself on the bark with hands before reversing the throw by wrapping his free leg around the man's left arm. The man went up, and over, forcing him to land roughly onto another tree branch.
The red-eyed man brought his forearms up in the nick of time to block a heavy side kick by Naruto. He himself launched a few straight jabs, but the shinobi weaved through them relatively easily before suddenly going low with a sweeping kick. His eyes widened when he felt the young teenager begin to trip him!
Only, he wasn't going to allow that. He suddenly backflipped, delivering the front of his combat boot right onto Naruto's chin which sent the boy slightly into the air. Easily getting himself righted, Naruto growled before lashing out with two kunai. The man's eyes widened when he saw the tags unfurl from the back, and he quickly dodged back as the trees they stuck into blew up into splinters.
Landing on another tree. Bringing up his arms, he barely blocked the first three jabs from the jumping teenager when he followed him. When Naruto landed on the branch though, it cracked. Sensing the breakage in the branch, Naruto leapt backwards before grabbing shuriken out of a pouch and throwing them at the man!
"Oh, c'mon man!" He heard the man yell before watching him grab the shuriken midair. "Seriously, hold the hell up!"
"Why should I?!" Naruto yelled back as he smirked, feeling excited. "It gets boring fighting myself half the time, ya know!"
Gamakichi was staring at the man, but then felt some weird type of energy before suddenly feeling the branch he was on break. He yelps, falling hard onto the ground. The toad groans as he looks toward Naruto. The toad's orange skin was blemished from a small cut from falling. He groans before seeing the energy again.
"Yo, Naruto, he's emitting some type of weirdness!"
"Yeah, I can kind of sense it too, what did just do to my friend? Come on, don't shy, I could really use a good fight!" Naruto confidently demanded before holding his fists up in a boxer's stance. The whiskered shinobi made the man slightly chuckle. "What's so funny?!"
"Well shit kid, you almost had me the last couple of times. I guess what happened to your friend was simple bad luck. You remind me of my niece a little bit with that attitude! Firecracker, aren't ya? I guess my intel was correct, well at least what people said Kuo Kuana. Ahh, hard to believe it, but I'm staring at a kid that is credited with one of the greatest Grimm kills history!" The man praises Naruto from afar, laughing before taking a flask out and dipping his head back. "Ahh, damn this is good stuff, I really need to hit Kuo Kuana during my journeys away from Vale!"
"From…Vale?" Naruto questioned him before rubbing his chin. "Isn't that the continent that looks like someone doing a Kungfu move, or is that the one that's covered in Ice?"
"Hah, you don't know exactly which one's which. Sheesh kid, no you're describing Anima, and Solidas. I'm from Sanus, well specifically, Vale which is the eastern part of the continent! I'm not here alone by the way, my boss is sort of talking to uh, what's their names again, uh…Ghira and Kali Belladon- "The man's words died on his lips as he suddenly felt a knife at his throat, his red eyes widened when the blonde below him smirked before dispersing into a smoke cloud. "When did you…"
"When you dodged my shuriken, I used the brief moment to form a clone to keep you talking whilst I got around you." Naruto explained whilst still holding the knife up to the man's neck, though this was only possible because he had piggybacked on top of the man. "You're not some random person looking for me, I can see your weapon. What are you, HFIL, some other terrorist group? Never mind that, is my friends okay?"
"Don't you mean the people you love, yeah, they're fine." The man brought his hands up, and smirked as he presses himself onto the kunai. "We both know that you aren't going to slit my throat, from I what I heard, you're a good kid. Everyone praises you, not exactly quick to anger, but I get you snapping to judgement given that HFIL has been targeting The Belladonna Family since last year."
"So, are you a part of them?"
"Fuck no, scumbags the lot of them. Word of advice though, Naruto Uzumaki." The man suddenly deflected Naruto's kunai away by flexing his aura, he grabbed the boy's arm before slinging him toward the ground. Naruto couldn't react in time as Qrow landed on top of him, his own kunai against his throat. "People with aura aren't so easily taken by grabs, either commit or don't. Then again, knowing you, this is a clone as well."
The Naruto, who wore a mock shock expression on his face smirked before dispersing into smoke. The other one did as well, leaving the actual Naruto to slowly come from behind a tree. Leaning against the shaggy bark, he twirled a kunai in his hand.
With a sigh, but still a smile, the man stood up. "I gotta say kid, that's one of hell of a parlor trick. There's no way that I'm mistaken, you are him." He stretches a little before looking up at the boy. "So, I heard that you were also very hyperactive. You've known I was here for a good minute, didn't you?"
"Not really, I just happened to sense you when I got up into the trees. You see, Kali has been helping me somewhat slow my mind down. Sure, I still think at a million miles a second, but hey! I've been learning to slow down, enjoy life since I've been here." Naruto admitted before putting the kunai up, looking over toward Gamakichi. "Gamakichi, are you okay?"
"Holy crap, Naruto, when did you become a mini badass!"
"I got reasons to fight, and be at my best constantly." Naruto told Gamakichi before hopping down toward his friend, getting out a bandage from his pouch. He placed on the toad's side, smiling whilst patting him on the head. He held up his pinky finger, to which Gamakichi took. "Do me a favor, tell Pervy Sage that the power button is on the side."
"Yeah-yeah, not gonna let him break this one. Are you sure you want me to go, because this guy doesn't seem like trouble, but he's definitely strong I can feel it!" Gamakichi observed the man, who was currently picking at his teeth. "Hey, you, whatever weirdness you got going with ya, you better not hurt my friend, or I'll come back and clobber ya when I get big!"
"The fact that a talking toad isn't the weirdest thing I've seen is the only reason why I'm not freaking out. Hah, I don't think I'd be capable even if I tried. By the way, nice song choice." The man commented as the speaker began blasting out music. "What's Up Danger, now that's my tune."
"Hey, don't ignore me!"
"Ahh, you're fine Gamakichi. By the way, can you give that one thing to Sasuke? I know it's not something really special, but I remember he likes bitter foods, and those coffee taffies are just crappy to me." Naruto said with closed eyes, and a bright smile. "See ya around, buddy."
"Yeah-Yeah…see you around Naruto!"
The smoke cloud erupts from where Gamakichi dispels himself from the realm. Naruto nods his head, glad that whatever was really affecting him didn't effect his summons. He turned on his heel, facing the man. The man was still picking at his teeth before stopping, flicking off some food that had been the tip of his pinky's nail.
"I really hate lettuce sometimes, get's stuck in the harder places." He says whilst having a slightly annoyed look on his face. He held out his hand. "Don't have any floss by chance, right?" The man inquired before watching Naruto reach into his front pouch, tossing a small pack of floss. "Oh, cool, thanks."
Waiting patiently, Naruto crosses his arms. "I'm not really freaking out about Kali, and Ghira, I kind of figured that you would've killed my clones if you were really hostile. Anyway, yeah, my name is Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet…um…" The shinobi pauses before humming. "I don't think you introduced yourself."
"I didn't, I was never one for social standard. My name is Qrow Branwen. I am an operative for Ozpin, The Headmaster of Beacon Academy in Vale." Qrow introduced himself before continuing on why he was there. "He's come looking for you, we've seen the video clips of your fight with that thing, uh, The Girtablilu. Though from what I saw of the video summoned a much bigger frog, and he did most of the fighting."
"Heh, that's Gamaken, and yeah he's much bigger. I kind of being hearing from the sailors at the docks I've sort of became world famous, I guess?" Naruto replied before leaning against the tree nearest to him. He yawns a little bit before smiling. "I'm not really familiar with Academies, but Beacon sounds familiar. Then again, there's also Haven in Mistral."
"You know Mistral, and Haven?"
"Well, I have a friend there who's helping support worker's rights for Faunuskind. Yeah, I've heard about the continents tendencies to treat my people crappy." The blonde shinobi stated before placing both hands behind his head. He then frowns a little bit. "If this is an offer of me to join you guys, you can go ahead and go home. It's not happening, I know why, and I'm not joining anyone who simply views me as a tool to be used."
"I obey no master."
"Freedom, I love that, truth be told it gets rather troublesome dealing with people who don't get it. It's lot easier to get shit done when you don't have someone breathing down your neck every day. I can respect that, hell, I wish I could have that! Still, that was the primary reason why were coming. Had a very lucrative business package with it." Qrow hinted whilst laughing before looking into the azure eyes of the teen in front of him. "You don't care about that though, no, you do what is right."
"That makes you a true hero."
Naruto's smile came across foxlike as he starts walking toward the man. "So, that was a primary offer, weird it's almost as if your boss knew I was going to say no." He spoke whilst walking toward the fallen kunai around area, picking them. "How much do you actually know about me?"
"Well, truth be told, I have informants inside of a lot of places. White Fang included, you know, covering all bases." The hunter answered before walking over to a kunai, picking it up. He flipped it into the air, catching it. "I have to admit, these are kind of cool."
"They're made with stainless steel, resists rust." Naruto commented before placing them back into the larger pouch on his back. His hair waved down past his ears. He smiled brightly before holding his up. "You can keep that one if you want, consider it as a way of saying I'm sorry for almost kicking your ass for no reason."
"Hah!" Qrow laughed loudly before turning his head toward the teenager. "You, kick my ass, hah! I'm not a little punk, man, I'd make you work it!" He pockets the knife. Yawning before walking up to him. "Truth be told, we wouldn't have went to The Belladonna Estate if we knew you were living on your own. Bit weird for someone your age."
"I raised myself practically back where I'm from." Naruto told him before looking toward the direction of Kuo Kuana. "By chance can you keep up with me, I have to stop and get some things for Kali, and Ghira."
"I don't see where-! "Qrow's jaw slacked when he saw the boy just sprint up into the trees and become a blur. He pursed his lips, nodding his head. He then still heard music playing, he was about to say something before Naruto suddenly appeared again grabbing the stuff and then dashing back where he came from. "Holy shit that kid is fast!"
"Maybe I should set him up with my niece when their older, nah, Taiyang would kill me!"
{Belladonna Estate.}
[One Hour Later. 6:55pm]
"Simply delightful, this tea is very tasty. You said that this is coming from the newer crop sewn near that lake Mr. Uzumaki formed?" Ozpin questioned her before sipping a little more tea. "It's so full of life, and energy, you can practically taste it."
"Ah yes, we've noticed that anything planted near that lake has grown to have exceptional qualities." Kali confirmed for him whilst sitting on her behind near the table. Her husband was also sitting at the table, observing the conversation. "I hope our home has been treating you fairly well since arrival, given the state of faunuskind and human relations across most of the continents."
"Simply a tragedy." Ozpin commented whilst placing the saucer down onto a coaster. "Racism has no place in the future, we all either work together for a better tomorrow, or there will not be a tomorrow to be had."
"Well said, sir." Ghira agreed whilst looking toward his wife. He noted her grimace just a little bit. "Are you alright, my love?"
"Oh, it's nothing, dear husband. The twins are just kicking." Kali rubs her belly whilst feeling them move inside, smiling warmly. She giggles when one of them makes her burp just a little bit. "Alright, settle down in there, mommy is not in the mood to start upchucking tea in front of guests."
The Headmaster Of Beacon chuckles a little bit, but gains a small distant look on his face. "Ah children, they do make the world worth keeping, don't they? Even in our darkest moments, where we don't think we can continue forward, simply hearing them call to us inspires a will like no other." He refilled his saucer with the teapot. "So, as we were discussing, Mr. Uzumaki is certainly the youngest hero I've known of in this life."
"More like an angel, sir." Ghira stated as he finished his tea, putting the saucer onto the coaster nearest to him. "That boy has been nothing short of a godsend to us all here. You've come at very auspicious time. We're preparing to fully expand Kuo Kuana around the new lake. There's also talks of referendum amongst Menagerie."
"I heard, yes, for the first time you're supposed to hold a conclave of all thirteen villages." Ozpin realized as he crossed his legs, sipping on his fresh tea again before looking at the family portraits in the room. "Such a beautiful family, between all of this, you must be stressed to no ends Chief Ghira."
Ghira laughs a little bit, and then smiles. "I'm the good kind of stress. Last winter he spent all of it clearing ice sheets to allow trade to continue. It was the first winter that Kuo Kuana saw unending trade." He then thinks about what he'll say next. "Naturally, with this unending trade, financially we're growing immensely. Given that racist attempt on our daughter's life last year, I'm surprised that in my anger anyone would trade with us."
"The HFIL attack last year, some say that it came from Mistral. I want to assure that no government in this world would ever fund such heinous crimes." Ozpin assured them as he looked into the man's eyes. "Vale has long upheld the rights of faunuskind, and that will never stop. We stand with you. My hunters and students are chasing leads on HFIL activity within Vale."
"I thank you for your contribution."
"No reason to thank me, Chief Ghira. I think your friend said it best, I listened to one of his interviews. You should only do the right thing to do it for the right reasons. Truly, for such a young man, he has seen much." The Headmaster took a deep drink of the tea before sitting the empty saucer down. "I've come to recruit him, honestly, but I know that will not happen."
"As it shouldn't, Sienna Khan may have twisted narrative a little bit to avoid most of the fallout. Still, he will not be anyone's tool, and I will not allow it." Ghira warned him softly before nodding his head when Ozpin nodded his in understanding. "Naruto is my citizen, and he is family to me even if he doesn't view us as parents."
"That's because you're my most precious friends."
Kali, Ghira, and Ozpin snapped their heads toward the entrance of the dining room. Naruto stood there, wearing newer clothing. His hair was also flattened down just a little bit backwards. He wore golden sash over black pants, and an orange haori that someone had designed with a toad on it that looked like Gamaken.
He calmly walked over to Ghira, patting his shoulder, and then to Kali to which he knelt down presenting a bag of stuff. He smiled at her and then got to take his place between Ghira and Kali, a place normally reserved for Blake. She was on a mission, however, a good cause mission, and all of them were proud of her for it.
Even if Naruto has his reservations about The White Fang given his experience.
"The talk of the hour, I'm sure my agent isn't too far behind you." Ozpin said to Naruto who shrugged at his words. He chuckles just a little bit, and then pours tea into an unused saucer. "I believe in complimenting cultures where I stay, and I pour you tea to greet as an equal, Mr. Uzumaki."
"You know that you're older me, right?" Naruto commented much to Kali and Ghira's chagrin. "No need to act as if we're equals, you've come offering me a place amongst your organization. I am to politely refuse, my place is here, amongst the people I claim as my own."
"I wouldn't take that from you, I kind of figured that offer number one would be shot without question. Qrow's spy in The White Fang told me of the horrible things that were said behind your back, and planned. Though I can assure that wouldn't happen with me, you cannot trust me enough to not think so, and thusly I won't push the matter." Ozpin then reached over to a decorative pebble spot, grabbing four. "You see, imagine these as the offers I've come with. This pebble here, the smallest one, was the offer to join me as personal Hunter."
"Hard pass."
"As I figured, but such are things." Ozpin took a deep beath, and smiled. "You seem to be a very well-traveled young man. I am planning to stay in Kuo Kuana for a few weeks, I have some unused vacation time, and I've needed a reason to use it." He reached behind him, getting out a couple of books. "I heard a rumor that you're very interested in books involving The Last King Of Vale."
Naruto took hold of the book as he passed it. "No way, this is a book about the king's life leading up to The Great War." He smiled as he placed it onto the table. "What do I owe you for this?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing, a gift is a gift to me. No political maneuvering involved, well, there is a hope that even if you reject all my offers that we can come out of this as friends." Ozpin told Naruto before watching as the boy took hold of the second book. "That's a book on Vale as a culture, and Vale City."
"Just in case I decide to leave?"
"Perhaps, but since you're not looking to serve anyone, that wouldn't be a long leave of absence. In fact, you're the first outworlder the world has ever known. You are buzz across continents. I've heard many things that people call you. Some of it good, hero, angel, guardian spirit, things that would note a positive light." Ozpin gained solemn look upon his face. His brown eyes turn hard as he looked right into the azures of Naruto "I've also heard that Menagerie is experimenting on young faunus youths to create you, and that you're a demon, or the fact that you are just simply too dangerous to roam unchecked."
"Geez, sounds like where I'm from all over again in some ways." Naruto bent down to take a sip of the tea, and smiles brightly when the energy washes over him. "Ahh, this is very good tea, ya know."
"Oh, indeed it is, ahh, Qrow. You've finally join us." Ozpin greeted his hunter as he entered the dining room, trudging over to take a seat next to him. The man quickly poured himself a bit of tea before chugging it down. "Took you a while to get here, hmm?"
"The kid moves like lightning. I could barely keep track of him let alone keep up." He laughed before rubbing the back of his head, noting the changed attire the boy had on. "Dressing formal, well, color me impressed."
"Pfft, I can still kick your butt."
"Ooh~ no cussing?" Qrow questioned him. "Seriously, why aren't you cussing like fu-uh-uh…"
A death glare came from Kali as she stared right into Qrow's very soul. Her yellow eyes hid the presence of demon of inside of them. Qrow fidgeted, and then stopped himself before coughing into his hand to then only nervously chuckle.
"Got something in my throat."
"Rule one of The Belladonna household. You talk like your civilized." Naruto stated absently before turning his attention back to Ozpin. He smirked pridefully whilst crossing his arms. "Your guy, and I, got into a small scuffle. You're lucky he cleared the air, because if I thought you were to hurt them, this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation."
"Oh, I most certainly wouldn't dare." Ozpin soothed the boy's ego a little before laughing. "I don't hurt innocent people."
"Okay then, so, you said had four offers. Obviously I'm not taking door number one, so what behind door number two?" Naruto inquired before getting an approving nod from Ghira.
"I knew taking him to meetings with me would help him in his negotiation skills. My daughter will definitely have a great second if she should take the leadership role…then again, part me is starting to think that Naruto himself might actually make an excellent chieftain when he gains more life experience." Ghira thought to himself whilst observing Naruto pick up the second largest stone, pondering it. "He's not wanting to know them in succession, but what is actually being offered, no fancy step ups or downs."
"Shrewd, calculating, he's certainly matured very fast since that battle with the monster."
"Tell me, I hold in my hand the second largest pebble." Naruto played with a little bit, moving the pebble between his fingers. He smiles before placing it in front of him. "If the offer that is most beneficial to you is rejected, then there is an offer that I should value since it benefits equally. I doubt it's the second largest pebble, because that's dressed up to look good, ya know."
Ozpin and Qrow both were surprised when the boy placed the pebble back into the decorative bowl. Qrow nods his head, looking over at his boss. That was a very shrewd, very direct, challenge to Ozpin in no uncertain terms. Such shrewdness could only come from observing, and practicing it. In that moment, Ozpin knew, Ghira had done very well to prepare a possible successor.
Naruto wasn't a fool, though he was a young teenager. he wasn't without life experience! A mark of remarkable intellect, despite his actions in public opposing it. Yes, boyhood leaked through here and there, that was to be expected. He simply had just eliminated the two offers that would've benefited Ozpin the most.
Meaning that the two left would simply either be equal, or not worth addressing.
"You've certainly a little shrewder than I expected." Ozpin complimented him before picking on the second smaller pebble. He looks at it, and then nods his head. "I offer you a chance to know this world, not just Menagerie."
Kali and Ghira both look toward Naruto, who brought his hand up to his chin.
"To know this world, and not just Menagerie. What, an all expenses paid trip?" Naruto inquired unserious, but calculated before simply taking the pebble from Ozpin's hand. In that brief touch, in that brief moment, he felt a massive well of chakra inside of the man. He wouldn't comment on it, not openly. "You know, I do have a master, I call him Pervy Sage. He sends me scrolls once a week, lesson plans that I read. I've progressed where I am free than would've ever had if I had relied on others to teach me those things."
"Yet, in other fields I'll assume you've had excellent teachers. Namely negotiations, keeping a level head, and obviously you're not lacking in the intelligence department either." Ozpin commented whilst watching the teen move the pebble in his hand. "Is it true that in your world, the way you've talked about it, that you were always forced to fight in life and death battles."
"A fool chooses to go into battle not to kill his opponent. I am a fool, not because I call myself such, but because I don't like fighting to kill. I've seen where people are just suffering, and need to be guided back, heck I was lost once as well." Naruto flicked the pebble into the air, and then let it drop onto the table. "I didn't that pebble, it fell, doesn't that make me someone who doesn't care? Does that make me a person who lets others fall, and only seeks what's best for themselves. To knowingly let someone, fall, without trying to save them. To me, there's no more evil acts than such as that. So, I ask you if I let someone misguided fall…"
"Does it make me a monster?"
Ozpin eyes widen as he heard the passion in the boy's voice. For the briefest moments, when he relocked eyes with the teenager, he saw him wrapped with the sun itself. Bright, warm, life giving. An all-consuming light, that if touches darkness, peels it away. Giving light to wayward flowers so that they may bloom, but also destroying the darkness that will kill it.
Thus, Ozpin knew that this boy was like him. A chosen one, a being who was put in place by powers far beyond his own understanding. He smiles before leaning forward, picking up the pebble up. "You, and I, Mr. Uzumaki are very much alike in that regard. My academy seeks to cause the betterment of people who walk through the doors, Qrow here is a shining example, coming from a criminal tribe as a youngster." The Headmaster exemplified his subordinate sitting next to him. "You are right, to let someone fall into darkness is to be no different than a monster."
Naruto stares at Ozpin, but then he smiles before giving him a foxlike smirk. "If you're offering me a place in Beacon alone, then I will not take it." Ghira and Kali both just stared in disbelief, forgetting personal bodyguard. If Naruto was refusing an offer to the most prestigious school of all Remnant then he surely either aimed too low, or high. "It's not because I wouldn't want to study, or go to new places, but I don't swear allegiance to no one but these two that you see here."
Kali brought her hand up, covering her mouth as she felt tears threaten to fall. Ghira never felt such pride in his chest, save the day his daughter was born. He patted Naruto's back, and then nodded his head. "We love you too, Naruto, but that is an amazing offer you are just throwing." He forewarned the teen next to him,
"Then he's incorrect."
The trio looks right at Ozpin, who chuckles a little bit.
"My offer wasn't Beacon Academy. No, the offer was for you to spend a year in each of The Major Academies across Remnant. It's no secret that you're more than capable of fighting any Grimm known to mankind, and faunuskind. However, perhaps it's more of cultural exploration than anything. Menagerie, and The Belladonna household are obviously people you cherish deeply. They took you in, and I would never downplay such acts of pure kindness." The Headmaster Of Beacon took a moment to place the pebble into the decorative bowl, picking up the last pebble. "Obviously, this comes with the promise that you will be willing to perform missions for each Academy."
"Do I get to come back home at any time?"
"If there something that causes conflict, a holiday week, or a midterm break of course. You get come back here, and this offer doesn't start until you're at least sixteen." Ozpin pointed out whilst smiling, and watching the blonde teen ponder. "I'm not asking you to share your secrets, but perhaps, it's best that an outworlder would know his new home fully."
"That's a long time from now, why must I wait so long?" Naruto inquired, curious as to why the man would even bother coming all this way to make an offer that wouldn't even take effect for nearly two years. "Seems like you're jumping a little too early, ya know?"
"Better earlier than too late. At sixteen, and excuse my bluntness, you should've gone through what Menagerians here call the 'blooming.' You see, typically students at these academies are seventeen years of age. All young, hotblooded, adults. I'm not saying that you cannot control yourself, but it's best that we don't throw into the situation without you at least having time to adjust to…the changes." Ozpin laughed nervously before holding his hand up. "I'm sorry, normally this talk is reserved for child and parent."
"No, I get it, you're talking about puberty." Naruto laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, and then closed his eyes whilst blushing. "I wouldn't want to get thrown around into an academy with a bunch of old people anyways!"
"O-old people?!" Everyone yelled out at the table.
"Well, yeah, duh. I would be at least four years younger than everyone else. It'd just be super creepy, and weird, wouldn't it?" The shinobi reasoned whilst continuing to blush, and then opened his eyes to get serious. "What, are you concerned that I'll just jump at the chance to, you know, have fun?"
Everyone blushes at the table, it was Naruto's turn to be blunt, and when he got blunt it usually was comparable to a club smashing a window. Ozpin laughs nervously, waving his dismissively whilst trying to keep from shriveling up from the turn around. It wasn't the shrewdness! It was the fact the child in front of him was very blunt and direct in his replies. Something, in his countless years springs alive he never had the pleasure of dealing with.
"No one is saying that you're a man whore." Qrow suddenly stated whilst laughing when everyone who had some tea in their mouth spat it out.
"Mr. Branwen!" Ozpin admonished with an embarrassed look on his face, shaking his head. "I deeply apologize for the bluntness of my subordinate."
"Don't be sorry, better to be blunt, than to snake around the facts. Speaking of snakes if you're staying in Menagerie for awhile perhaps we can exchange stories!" Naruto laughed boisterously before declaring out without thinking. "I know certain snake bastard from own home worl-ow-ow-ow!"
Qrow struggles not laugh as Kali grabbed Naruto's ear, tugging on it slightly. She had annoyed expression on her face, a tick mark on her forehead whilst glowering toward him. "Rule Number One, right, Naruto~" She said sickly sweet whilst giving Naruto the same glare she had given Qrow.
"Y-y-yep, sorry-sorry-sorry!" Naruto repeated quickly before feeling Kali let go of his ear, he was blushing in embarrassment before coughing into his hand. "What I meant to say was that I know an exceptionally horrible person from home world."
"I know of some exceptionally horrible people in this world. Some of them, unfortunately, are untouchable." Ozpin bemoaned as he refilled his tea saucer, and smiled softly. "Forgive me for being such a boar with the tea, Lady Kali, it is truly the best I've ever tasted."
"No, go right ahead, I can make plenty of more." Then she looked off to her left, and smiled. "Then again, as an apology, I can have Naruto make some more."
"I don't mind it! Besides, you're getting really big, and I see you struggling to walk sometimes." Naruto stated rather bluntly, earning a blush of embarrassment from Kali, whilst a wry smile from Ghira who had his left eye twitch slightly in irritation. "Oh, crap, I'm sorry! I said something super rude, didn't I?!"
"At least you caught it this time, you're a work in progress yet. However, one day, we'll have you right. Besides, when babies arrive, I might need your help with them whilst Ghira is busy." Kali eased him before patting his shoulder. Ghira was smiling as Naruto seemed rather stunned by suggestion. "Are you okay, Naruto?"
"O-oh yeah, I'm fine, I've never been around babies before." Naruto answered before imagining them climbing all around him. Giggling, laughing, and then throwing up on him when they got upset stomachs. "I wouldn't know what to do, I mean, am I just gonna watch them…or…"
"Well, considering that you're going to be around a while, I would figure that you get some experience just in case you decide to have children in the future." Kali then felt the children kick, and groaned a little bit. "Welp, got to talking about them, and there they go!"
Naruto looks down, seeing her stomach move slightly, and then faces back toward Ozpin. He didn't know it, but he had the brightest smile on his face. "Hey, Mr. Ozpin, another question for you? Don't you have any kids, you seem to talk about them like you had some." He asked him, it was innocent question, but Naruto's eyes widened when Ozpin got a longing look on his face.
"I…had four many springs ago, it was lifetimes ago for me. Unfortunately, sadly, fate had other plans for my life. Though, in a way, I suppose they're still with me. Sometimes when I'm at my lowest, as I said, I think of children as a way to build back up that willpower. What is the point of fighting, training, and staving off the demons of the night if we're not willing to protect the next generation." The Headmaster smiles softly, and then unknown them, on the inside he was in pain slightly. "Well, I have to say that this has been very productive evening. Still, I need answer, Mr. Uzumaki."
"Are to take my offer, and come in about three years to explore Remnant?"
Naruto closes his eyes, and then smiles. "Sorry, but I won't just be asked to perform missions to better areas that are already well off without some type of tradeoff towards my home. This is an excellent offer, but I'm more than capable of exploring the world my own way." The teenager reached over, offering his hand out. "I hope there is no hard feelings, ya know."
Ghira, and Kali were beside themselves as they stared at him. An excellent offer, it was an unheard-of offer! They watch as Ozpin slightly deflates, but then smiles himself. He took the boy's hand, shaking it before standing up. Naruto then stopped him, and stood up.
"You haven't heard what I have as a counteroffer."
Everyone snaps their head toward Naruto, who was standing there with a smile. He was rubbing the back of his head, nonchalantly walking away from the table before getting into the other bag he had that he had left in the doorway when entering. He pulls out a small bit of paper from a folder, and begins walking over toward Ozpin.
"I'll gladly take up the last offer, to do missions in these academies and stay the year in each. Just, on the condition that you make it where Menagerie is given the chance to host this Vytal Festival I've heard so much about." Naruto offered up as he put the documents about The Vytal Festival down onto the table. "If this is supposed to celebrate the entire world coming together, why is it that Menagerie has never hosted it?"
Ghira, and Kali's eyes bugged out whilst they looked toward him. "Naruto, do you know what you're demanding, right?" Ghira asked whilst looking on as the teenager didn't even flinch. "Naruto, even if a Headmaster wanted that to happen, every council has to vote across all nations for it to happen."
"Indeed, Chief Ghira is correct, that is an almost impossible task." Ozpin concluded before looking at the determination on Naruto's face, and he flinched! He was unmoving, unbothered by the difficulty of the term he offered up. "Still, almost means there's a chance, but Menagerie as a whole would be subject to scrutiny. Obviously, Mistral and Atlas don't view The White Fang positively."
"And that's my problem how?" Naruto questioned with crossed arms. "One organization doesn't represent everyone. If The White Fang is becoming violent overseas, and people say that reflects on all Faunuskind, then does that mean HFIL represents all of humanity?"
"I thought you were very shrewd earlier. I see now, on top of that, you're idealistic." Ozpin commented as he saw Naruto smirk with a foxlike grin. "Very idealistic."
"Idealism is just another word for hope." Naruto stated proudly before handing Ozpin his papers on The Vytal Festival. "This wasn't a guide I was presenting that all of Vytal Festivals have had. This was something I've had on my mind for a while now, and I figured what better time than now, ya know?"
"Menagerie deserves to be treated equal amongst nations."
"Menagerie doesn't even have all of its territory conquered from the Grimm. You also don't have a centralized government, you're still a collection of chieftains and chieftainesses." Ozpin argued whilst crossing his own arms, and smiled when Naruto challenged him. "Yet, you seem defiant on that part, because who are we to tell you people about how to run your country?"
"You're not, and like you said, this thing called referendum is coming right? So, what if people choose to make Menagerie whole, does that help this case?" Naruto asked hopefully, whilst Ghira and Kali looked between the two debaters. "Am I aiming too high still, Mr. Ozpin?"
"I think you're full of hope, and that's a beautiful thing to see." Ozpin concluded before extending his hand out. "You help Menagerie unite together, and maybe beef up it's looks internationally…I might be able to pull it off."
"You got yourself deal, I promise, and I never go back on my word ya know!"
"Ah, yes, well it is high time that I retire to my lodgings." Ozpin bowed his head to Ghira and Kali. "It was a pleasure to have tea, and sit with you both. This young man is something special, and I hope that he keeps his promises, like he says."
"You have no idea." Ghira laughed before getting up, patting Naruto's back. "If he says he's gonna do something, I have full faith in him."
Kali gets up slowly, being help up by Naruto. She nods her head in agreement with her husband. "The Hero of Kuo Kuana has spoken, Mr. Ozpin, and he has made a vow that he will keep. Safe journey to your lodgings, come by tomorrow, and we will have discussion over lunch in the gardens." She offered up whilst looking toward her husband. "For I fear that I may be lacking company for a quite a bit after this."
"Now that Naruto is got me inspired a little bit, perhaps you will my lovely wife." Ghira smiled before looking toward the teenager with pride. "So, how are we going to do this?"
"I might have already came up with a very risky suggestion. Though, I'll need help putting it together, and it's not gonna be an easy suggestion either." Naruto commented whilst Ozpin and Qrow were walking away. "Remember how I was talking about Menagerie not being explored?"
"Yeah, at least most of our country lands isn't." Ghira confirmed whilst trying to figure out what the boy was hinting at. "Wait a minute, are you saying that you're going to explore Menagerie?"
The only confirmation was the beaming foxlike smile Naruto gave him!
Chapter End.
Trivia. *Minor plot explanations too. *
Menagerie here is getting ready to go through massive changes. As hinted in this chapter, a referendum is coming, and with it a new realities!
Kali having twins wasn't originally planned, but now that I have it in my head it's happening!
Blake's part in Menagerie covers her little canon flashback in mainstay RWBY.
Naruto growing shrewd might not be so out of character. Remember, this Naruto is still hyperactive, but with Kali and Ghira guiding him on things that don't involve conflict, Naruto is getting his mind tempered and focused. Naruto, as a whole, was never truly book smart, but philosophical and battle wise he is a genius.
Jiraiya's definition of the previous chapter of training him to be a man wasn't meant to say he wasn't going to train him. It was meant so that Naruto could temper that hyperactivity, something he realizes is already happened/happening due to Kali, and Ghira. This has allowed him to start experimenting with different training exercises. This is presented in canon because despite still having some boyhood traits, Naruto overall is vastly more mature than he was, and without Jiraiya he might've not found ways past hatred.
This also means, without Jiraiya there, Naruto has to get stronger on his own because he can't always rely on The Nine Tails to carry his fights when they go south.
The symbolism behind the pebbles is meant to represent choices. Obviously there are choices that seem too good to be true, but there's choices that are valuable, but do require some give and take.
Argenti being related to Aurum is a tongue and cheek call. Argenti being silver, and Aurum being gold.
In total, from start to finish, Naruto has been on Remnant for nearly nine months now.
The reason why the plants are growing so well near Uzumaki Lake is because the soil churned out with the water was loam. Loam is a very efficient soil, and full of powerful nutrients for plants.
Gamakichi marks his first appearance in the story in this chapter.
Ghira and Naruto are powerhouses in terms of inspiration.
This marks the theme of Act II.
I think Menagerie's Theme for music is Wisps Of Nibel, an Orchestration by Rush Garcia. (if you go there, and like it, comment Blazeraptor54 Sent Me Here.)
Gamakichi and Naruto share a brotherly bond much like Jiraiya does share a familial bond with the toads.
Kosuke being a true messenger for Naruto fits with his actual role in Naruto, and yes, he was the frog that Danzo stabbed to death.
Qrow keeping up with Naruto isn't out of the realm of possibility. Qrow himself, unarmed, pretty much knocked around Tyrion during their first fight, and that little three-piece combo was nasty too. Tyrion, in canon lore, had as multiple hunter escort when being transferred, and was so valuable that Salem risked exposure to recruit him personally. Hey, crazy attracts batshit insane.
Menagerie not getting viewed like any other Kingdom is very overlooked, and should've been a point of contention presented in canon RWBY.
Vote Of Opinion.
Should Naruto's hair color eventually change to red? Click my name, poll is up.