AN: Chapter four is finally here. I told you all that it would be here soon after the AN chapter I dropped. I won't bore you with some long author's note here. So let's get this show on the road.

Edited December 22, 2020: Removed a sentence that implied Naruto had never met Amber before. Was accidentally left in from a previous idea. Also made a slight update to Salem's conversation with Momoshiki. Also added the permanent Discord invite link.

XXX

Mighty No Longer

"The winner is Uchiha Sasuke!" Announced Goodwitch. No one needed telling though; there wasn't a single person who couldn't see that for themselves. Sasuke still had a limp Cinder hoisted up by the throat. She had fought so hard. She had been strong. Stronger than any of them. And Sasuke had made her look like a wobbly-legged toddler.

For his part, Sasuke merely loosened his grip on Cinder's neck and almost absently pulled her to rest over his shoulder.

"I do believe you may have gone a tad bit overboard, mister Uchiha. I don't believe you needed to knock her out. Might you do miss Fall the courtesy of taking her to the infirmary?" Goodwitch asked. At her seat, Emerald twitched.

"Fine," Sasuke grunted. With a look to Naruto he headed for the door. Glynda turned back to the class and launched into a small lecture about the fight itself as Sasuke closed the door behind him. What she was saying was utter bullshit, he was sure. Sasuke could guess that she just wanted to give him time to reach Ozpin's office without interruption.

He hadn't even managed to walk for two minutes before he tilted his head off to the side, dodging a sharp blade.

With a sigh, Sasuke turned around only to be greeted by an empty hall. He hummed, blinked, and then thrust his arm out to the right, burying his fist into Emerald's face. Her feet left the ground as her sickles clattered harmlessly to the floor. The force of his blow carried her through the air and into the wall where she impacted with a solid thud before she slumped down to the floor, unconscious. Sasuke merely stared at her, his Sharingan active.

"Great," he sighed, "now I have to carry two of them…" Scowling he hoisted Emerald onto his other shoulder and grabbed her weapons before continuing on his way. When he made it to Ozpin's office, he opened the door to find Ironwood standing stiffly in the center of the office, brows knit together and jaw set into a frown. Once Ironwood set his eyes upon him and his burdens the man seemed to visibly sag with relief.

"You did it." Ironwood breathed.

Sasuke rose a brow. "You thought we wouldn't?"

"Well…" Ironwood didn't know what to say. He'd never thought anyone capable of just outright overpowering a Maiden aside from Ozpin or Salem.

"She was not impressive. I was disappointed… let's just go meet up with Ozpin." Sasuke grumbled. Ironwood nodded and led Sasuke to the elevator within the office. Sasuke absently watched the man go through a number of security measures just to get them where they needed to go. It was mildly tedious, but he could respect the lengths they went to just to keep a secret.

The ride down took little time and once the doors opened the two men stepped out into a dimly lit, green hued, hallway. As they walked along, Sasuke noted an intersecting path, but didn't care enough to try and find out where it led. The two of them continued down the corridor and Sasuke soon laid eyes upon Ozpin standing next to a girl secured within some sort of bed-like mechanical contraption. Sasuke hadn't ever seen anything like it really. Nothing in the Elemental Nations had ever seemed so advanced. He wondered if it was really doing anything for her, as he could at least tell she didn't seem well.

"That's Amber, I assume?"

"Yes." Ozpin answered as he turned to them. He barely spared Sasuke a glance before his eyes fell onto Cinder and Emerald. "You encountered trouble while bringing Cinder Fall?"

"No. Not really. This other woman has some sort of illusionary ability. I assume she used it to sneak out of class and follow us. She was of no consequence." Sasuke replied.

"Good. Let's get them bound so they can't escape or cause any trouble." Said Ozpin. Sasuke grunted and made quick work of that.

"You're sure you want to let us do this?" Sasuke asked he didn't care personally. This was initially Naruto's idea. It was a risky one, however. If this didn't pan out then Cinder would just be all the more powerful and he would just have to kill her. He watched as Ozpin sighed, took off his glasses, and rubbed at his eyes.

"It is better than what we'd planned. Regardless of whether or not we returned the rest of her maiden powers to her, I don't think Amber's body is long for this world. Your plan at least sounds workable."

"I agree with Ozpin. You don't understand the service you're doing us. This is the best outcome we could have hoped for. You and your friend have our thanks." Said James, giving Sasuke a shallow nod.

Sasuke hummed and crossed his arms. "Then I suppose we wait for Naruto."

"And that is all class. You are dismissed," said Glynda. The students began to chatter as they gathered up their things and headed for the door. She followed Mercury and Neopolitan with her eyes as discreetly as she could before letting them drag over to Naruto. He had to be watching them too, she was sure of it, but she was somewhat loath to admit that she couldn't actually tell if he was or not. He seemed engrossed in whatever conversation he was having with the girls of RWBY. He smiled, he laughed, he teased.

Glynda's lips twitched slowly into a frown. He could lie straight to anyone's face and we'd never know. These boys are too unsettling. No one should be that proficient at hiding their intentions at such a young age, she thought. Walking over to the group of teens, she briefly caught Naruto's eyes. She saw understanding in his gaze for but a moment before he was all smiles again. He hadn't missed a beat in his conversation either, at least it seemed that way to her.

Glynda cleared her throat once she reached them and the gathered students quieted, allowing her to speak undisturbed. "Mister Uzumaki, the headmaster would like to see you. If you would follow me."

"Sure." Naruto replied as he stood. He turned to a pouting Yang and grinned. "I'll see you guys later, yeah? Maybe around dinner. Bit of a shame though, I was looking forward to Greene-sensei's class." He sighed. Privately, Glynda wondered if there was anything Ann could actually teach Naruto about stealth. It seemed unlikely, but she supposed it was nice that the boy was looking forward to some sort of class here. He and his friend hadn't seemed interested this entire time.

"Aw. Alright," whined Ruby, "see you later, Naruto." Glynda stepped toward the door and Naruto fell into step with her. She'd barely felt him get close until he was right next to her. It made her skin crawl.

"Where did miss Sustrai get off to?" Glynda asked.

"Sasuke caught her. She has some sort of illusionary semblance or something. Used it to follow him and keep you unaware." Naruto replied. The two of them passed by some students, staying silent so as not to be overheard. Once they were out of earshot Glynda spoke again.

"And you two noticed her?" Glynda watched Naruto shrug, his eyes forward.

"Illusions don't really work on us. At least not weak ones. And for Sasuke they're especially useless. Just bad luck on her part I guess."

"I see. That is quite something," Glynda responded lamely. She didn't really know what to say. In this case such immunity was greatly to their benefit but wrapping her head around how they could have so many powers at their disposal was still daunting. She was honestly thankful when the two of them reached Ozpin's office. She stepped inside and saw that it was empty.

"They must already be down below."

"Yeah, I can feel Sasuke."

"You can pinpoint his location?" Glynda queried as she led him to the elevator. He watched her go through the security protocols before they stepped on and began to head down.

"Sort of. I'm no sensor-nin really, but I know Sasuke well and he's got so much power that it leaks out. We only recently got this strong you see. We're not quite used to it, so we aren't too good at concealing our strength yet. Until we figure it out, we're basically like beacons for each other." Naruto replied.

Glynda did not know what a sensor-nin was exactly, but it was not hard for her to extract the more important implications of what he'd said. She chewed over what she should say next and finally decided on what she wanted to know most.

"Can you sense any of us?" Glynda asked. She would not be comfortable with beings such as them being able to locate her whenever they pleased. The elevator came to a stop and opened up into the green-lit corridor of Beacon's Vault.

"Not sure… maybe? What Sasuke and I can sense is chakra. The closest thing to it we've felt here comes from Ozpin and those maidens. We can feel something from you, but it's not chakra, you know? I don't know if we'd be able to feel you no matter your location the way we can each other or even other shinobi if they're intentionally flaring their chakra. It's hard to explain."

"Right…"

"Is there any reason you're scared of me?" Naruto asked after a few minutes of silence.

Glynda's eyes widened and she almost came to a stop. "What…?"

"I can't sense chakra that well outside of my immediate proximity. But due to a certain… condition of mine, I can sense negative emotions. Wasn't sure of what you were feeling at first, but now I can kinda decipher it. it's all sorts of apprehension and fear. Only when Sasuke and I are around you."

"Can you blame me?" Glynda whispered after a moment. "you and your friend are so powerful. You're beyond even the headmaster. Even now you just admitted to something outlandish in addition to all your other abilities. How can I protect my students from the likes of you if you turn on us? I will gladly lay down my life for them. I will fight you until my bones break. Until the light leaves my eyes and I breathe my last.

"But how can I die happily knowing that all my efforts are for naught? Knowing that everything I give for the protection of my wards will simply never be enough? It is so frustrating. I've spent years of my life dedicated to the students that pass through these halls. To feel that I cannot protect them fills me with a sense of shame and failure. And I do not want nor intend to fail them."

I like her. Said Kurama. Naruto couldn't help but agree. Outwardly, he looked to Glynda who had stopped walking and offered her a smile. It was nothing wide or boisterous as was usual of him, however. His lips barely curled upwards and Glynda felt almost soothed by the look on his face alone.

"I know it may not mean much to you, but I've never meant anyone here harm. My dream in life has always been to become Hokage. They are the leader of my village back home. My father was the fourth. Their entire job is to protect the people of our village, to their dying breath if need be.

"Generation to Generation a Hokage is chosen, inheriting the will of fire that is passed down to each person who wears the Hokage's hat. I do not think I would ever be able to live with myself or look my dad in the eyes when my time comes if I were to betray the trust you or old man Oz has put in me by allowing us to stay here while we find a way home. I swear I won't ever try and harm your students, Glynda. That's a promise. And I never break those."

Glynda just stared at him as they walked on. Naruto wondered if she didn't believe him and if he'd ever be able to make her feel more comfortable around him as their time here went on.

"I will hold you to that, mister Uzumaki."

He smiled. "Call me Naruto."

Sasuke hated just standing around. It's why he was abundantly pleased when Naruto and Goodwitch stepped into the room. The former of them was sporting a small smile and Goodwitch looked more relaxed than he'd seen her since they arrived. It was a curious thing to behold. Yet he was not surprised. Naruto had a disgustingly effective way of getting under people's skin and on their good side.

"Took you long enough, Naruto." Sasuke grunted.

"Had to finish the class as believable as possible. Their accomplices are probably looking all over the place for them."

"Hn. Should we kill the green one?"

"Why bother? You made sure to do your research before we even had this plan fully hashed out. You know Emerald is only loyal to Cinder. She'll fall in line with whatever she wants. We just need to make sure Emerald doesn't wake up before we're finished." Naruto replied, shrugging. He looked away from Sasuke and laid his eyes on Amber. His smile dropped. She didn't look any healthier than when he'd first seen her. His eyes fell to Cinder and he shook his head. He just couldn't understand people like her.

"Shall we begin?" asked Ozpin. Sasuke grunted and Naruto gave a nod. With a few quick hand signs, Naruto performed a low-level water jutsu that he'd recently learned and splashed Cinder good. She woke up flailing and gasping for air, her eyes wide and wild for all of a second before they fell upon Sasuke. He looked back at her impassively, but she visibly flinched and scooted away from him the best she could, what with her being tied up on the floor.

"Good morning, miss Fall," Ozpin greeted. Cinder did not respond, her eyes still locked on Sasuke. "I see that mister Uchiha has you quite captivated. But that's alright. I'm sure you wouldn't care to hear how we're prepared to surrender the rest of Amber's maiden power to you."

That got Cinder's attention. Her head jerked to Ozpin. "What?"

"Yes. You've gone through so much trouble to acquire them. We've decided that it would indeed be in all of our best interest to simply give them to you," Ozpin replied. He sipped from his cup and kept his eyes on her.

"You must be lying." Cinder growled.

"Certainly not." Ozpin responded.

"Then there is a catch. You must know I would never work for you."

Ozpin smiled and Cinder suddenly felt sick to her stomach. "Indeed. You certainly would not. But Amber? I do believe she feels differently."

"You're not making any sense, fossil." She snapped. She was doing her best to sound confident and angry, but tied up as she was, with the most powerful forces against Salem standing all around her as well as literal death—for she was convinced he could be nothing else—staring her down, Cinder felt much, much smaller than she was attempting to project.

"You grievously injured Amber, as I'm sure you know. Even if we took the maiden powers from you, I doubt her body would hold up long enough for the transfer to be a success. So instead we will give them to you. Along with Amber's very soul." Ozpin replied. Cinder just blinked.

"What?"

"Know that you will soon find your own soul suppressed beneath her own. Your body will become hers and she will use it to do more good in this world than you ever have."

"No." spat Cinder, eyes narrowed.

"You will cease to be."

"No."

"And all the power you've cultivated and craved will live on in someone else."

"No. No!"

"If you would, mister Uchiha?" asked Ozpin as he turned away from her. Cinder's eyes flicked back towards Death, wide and frightened. Her skin was pale, and she was sweating cold. She locked eyes with him and the despair finally, ruthlessly set in.

Sasuke's eyes were blood red.

"No!"

Her own desperate scream was the last thing Cinder heard.

Weiss frowned. Team RWBY had just been released from their last class before dinner. The four girls were walking toward the cafeteria with team JNPR. Much like themselves, students were chatting excitedly all around them, happy to be out of the last class for the day. Usually Weiss would be participating, even if only to give haughty replies or to turn down yet another attempt to court her from Jaune. Today, however, that was not the case.

Weiss couldn't stop thinking about Naruto. To be more precise, she couldn't stop thinking about how he'd been acting. Today's combat class had been so weird. From the moment professor Goodwitch had selected Cinder as a participant for a spar, she felt the shift that occurred in their two acquaintances. Weiss felt that she was decent at reading other people. And there had definitely been something—sharper about Naruto since that moment.

Their group of eight walked into the cafeteria and got their food. It wasn't until they'd sat down and made it half way through their meal that Yang of all people interrupted her train of thought.

"Whatcha brooding about there, Ice princess?"

Weiss rolled her eyes. "I am not brooding, Yang. Merely thinking about something."

"Is it serious?" asked Pyrrha. "You've been awfully silent since class ended."

"It might be… I think—I think something is going on. Something dangerous." Weiss replied. Blake closed her book and set it down.

"Why do you think that?" Blake inquired.

"Today was weird. Well, weirder than normal. Didn't you guys notice how eager Naruto and Sasuke were to fight that student? Cinder I believe her name was." Weiss replied.

Yang frowned as she let her spoon clatter into her now empty bowl. "Yeah. You think she really is his type? I hope not. If he just wants someone with sex appeal then I'm literally right here."

"This has nothing to do with your crush on him Yang," Weiss huffed.

"Or yours?" Yang responded.

"I do not have a crush on Naruto, Xiao Long." Weiss snapped back. Yang smirked at her. "Look, this isn't about anything like that, okay? They were just acting funny. It's like their whole demeanor changed when she stepped down to the arena below. Naruto was following her every move and his eyes just seemed… so much sharper and dangerous than anything I've ever noticed until today."

"You notice his eyes often, Ice princess?" Yang chuckled with a large smile. Weiss glared at her nastily even as her cheeks pinked.

"I'm trying to be serious here, Yang!" she all but yelled. Someone from one of the tables to their right looked over to them, but when Weiss turned her glare on them they wisely looked away.

"Geez. Fine, fine. I get it. What's bothering you?" Yang asked, her hands up in surrender.

"They've been visiting Ozpin constantly the past few days. They said Cindr has been staring at them and professor Goodwitch's lecture following Sasuke's fight with Cinder was entirely unnecessary. She didn't say anything we didn't already know. And then immediately after it's over she spirits Naruto away to Ozpin? This is all so suspicious. Cinder definitely should have been back in class by now too. I think something serious is going on."

The rest of her friends lapsed into silence.

"It is… odd." Ren agreed.

"They hadn't ever been interested in fighting before today." Blake admitted.

"And even if they had, I don't think professor Goodwitch would have allowed it, knowing what she does. There was no reason to let Sasuke fight Cinder. It was a forgone conclusion as to who the victor would be from the beginning." Pyrrha added.

"So the question here… is who is Cinder? And why is she so important?" asked Ruby. None of them had any worthwhile answer and silence found them once more. It was while this silence still had dominion over them minutes later that they were caught unaware by the voice of one of the very people they'd been discussing.

"Hey guys, what's up?" said Naruto. The group looked to him, but the bright smile on his face could not distract them from the true surprise he brought them. Next to Naruto stood Sasuke. But next to him?

Cinder Fall.

Salem lie on her back, gasping for air as her vision swam. All of her grimm had been slain, Arthur was busy elsewhere as per her orders, and Tyrian and Hazel lie unconscious off in separate corners of the room. With a groan she rolled over and tried to get her feet under her but could only manage to rise to her hands and knees.

"Now that is the proper position one should take before us. Your fealty would have served you well a moment ago, woman."

Salem looked up at her assailants, but she was smart enough not to glare. They merely stared back at her, wide smirks stretching across their pale faces. They looked almost similar to her. Deathly white skin and white hair. But their eyes were nothing like her own. No. they were pale white.

"What is it you've sought me out for? I know Ozpin could not have sent you. He would have harnessed your strength long ago if he'd had you under his thumb." Salem's face crumbled the floor and she yelled out. Above her, her assailants glared.

"No one commands us. You would do well to remember that." For what felt like an eternity, Salem could not even raise her head. When she was finally able, she slowly lifted her eyes up to meet theirs again. "We did not come here for you. You just happened to be the closest powerful source of energy to us when we arrived. We need some information. And you will provide it."

"And if I choose not to?" Salem said, less a question and more of declaration.

"You told us earlier before you so foolishly decided to sick your creatures and your cretins on us that you were incapable of death… well, let me tell you that you may not be able to die physically… but your soul is still easily killed."

Salem stilled. She took a deep breath, looked to the downed forms of her servants and locked eyes with her attackers once more.

"Who are you? A god? What more does your kind want from me?" She asked. Her assailants smiled again.

"I am Momoshiki. Momoshiki Otsutsuki. I am a god. And I want your everything."

XXX

That's the chapter. I thank all of you for your patience. The next chapter will come as soon as I finish up some other works. Until then, please do leave a review. I'd love to hear from everyone.

On another note, I did decide to make that discord server for all of us to chat. To be clear, this isn't for reviews. I still very much want to see those on my stories so I'd like it if you all still left them. But, if you all just want to chat with me or each other then feel free to join the discord. I'd love to have a community extend from you guys simply being my readers into something a tad closer.

discord dot gg/kSvA5vftJ9