Chapter 14: The Man in the Mask
-fuck". Biju/Talking Beast.
- "because I did it" The character thought.
- "How are you?" Biju/Summon/Beast Thoughts.
- "I fell in love with." , character speaking.
This fanfic is jbigust for fun, I don't own any characters from Naruto or the rwby series. I hope you enjoy reading this story I created
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—"What's that? ,An earthquake?", one student asked, his voice trembling like the vibrations he felt beneath his feet.
—"No, I don't think so. Could it be that he comes from the combat class?" ,replied another, his gaze fixed on the building from which the sounds seemed to emanate.
—"What's going on there?, Is there a team facing each other?". Curiosity mingled with concern in the words of a young student.
—"It's quite possible" ,nodded his companion, —" the sounds are too intense to be just training."
The students of Beacon Academy congregated in small groups, murmuring among themselves as the faint vibrations turned into more noticeable jolts. The rumblings resounded with the force of war drums, and all agreed that the origin was the kind of combat.
Suddenly, as if they were fragile panes of glass in the fury of a gale, the windows shattered into a thousand pieces. The students outside the combat class instinctively recoiled, shielding their faces with their arms, as fear crept into their eyes. Something powerful was happening within, something that surpassed the limits of a simple practice.
—"Hell, Miss Goodwitch must step in, this battle is getting out of hand!" ,one student exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the chaos that was ensuing.
—"Yes, but which teams will be fighting?", asked another, trying to peer through the dust and debris that now hung in the air.
Moments before the chaos, the class was watching Jaune. His transformation was stunning, oscillating between the brutality of a nightmare demon and a cool aura of mystery, depending on the eye of the beholder.
—"Excellent, Jaune!", Neon shouted, aware that General Ironwood's scolding would be severe, but the battle deserved every second of reprimand.
—"Naruto, don't be intimidated by his appearance" Nora encouraged her leader, —"it sure is just a trick to intimidate! Overcome!"
Flynt, less enthusiastic about the conflict, cried out for authority. —"Miss Goodwitch, stop this battle! School is almost over!"
The smile of the fox, Kurama, was wide and genuine, admiring Jaune's dexterity in mastering such a complex technique in a short time.— "He's awesome, this guy is special in so many ways."
—"Yes, Kurama", Naruto replied,— "it looks like you're ready for us to open the chakra channels in your body."
—"With the body training he's done, it would be more than enough", Kurama reflected,—"but you're too excited, Naruto."
—"Of course I am!", exclaimed Naruto, —"It's been a long time since I've faced such a challenge. I've always wanted to fight someone like Rock Lee, and Jaune is the closest thing to that. I won't hold back!"
—"I suggest you hold back a bit," Kurama advised, —"we both know that right now, you're infinitely superior to Jaune."
—"Yes, but I'll allow myself some liberties," Naruto said, preparing for battle. His blood flowed in anticipation of combat.
The tension in the room was palpable, as if the very atmosphere vibrated with the energy of the fighters. The students, torn between worry and excitement, exchanged glances laden with unanswered questions.
Meanwhile, Miss Goodwitch, with her commanding presence and ability to impose order, was approaching the epicenter of the tumult, ready to dispel the storm with the authority that only she could wield. Jaune was not as skilled as Pyrrha, but his dexterity was remarkably high, standing out among many students. Although not as skilled as Naruto, his strength was outscale, far surpassing that of any human being in this world. That power was enough for Naruto to proceed with caution, which, paradoxically, stoked his excitement.
—"I'll let you make the first move... Naruto began, but before he could finish his sentence.
¡PAM!💥
Jaune appeared next to him in an instant and punched him on the cheek. The impact was so powerful that the entire room shook, leaving a large crater where they stood. Naruto was thrown and had to dig his hands into the ground to keep from leaving the ring. The Uzumaki was in an unprecedented position, kneeling on the ground.
—"What the hell?" he murmured, bewildered.
Suddenly, Jaune appeared nearby, passing by him with an arrogant smile.
—"What? "Didn't you see it coming?", said Jaune.
Naruto looked up and smiled back. He disappeared in an instant, as did Jaune, only to reappear elsewhere on the battlefield, fists clashing against each other. The two stared at each other, smiling with glee.
Like two kites streaking across the night sky, their fists were in a dance of strength and dexterity, challenging their souls in a duel of titans. The question hung in the air: Who would emerge victorious in this epic contest?
The battle before them was the climax of long anticipation. With movements so rapid that they defied human perception, they disappeared and reappeared at different points on the battlefield, leaving behind craters of destruction and hurricane-force winds that whipped through the classroom.
Students, seeking shelter, ascended to the upper seats to avoid being hit by collateral damage. Weiss, shielding his face from the rubble, exclaimed,— "What the hell!"
Flynt, with a mixture of fear and frustration, yelled, —"This is getting out of control!
—"Yes! My mistake!", admitted Neon, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
Nora, on the other hand, couldn't contain her excitement: —"Wow! This is awesome! Come on, Naruto, don't let yourself, give him another hook in the jaw!"
Ren, trying to be the voice of reason, replied, —"Don't cheer him up, Nora!"
In the heat of battle, Naruto dodged a kick from Jaune, who, in an unexpected twist, was thrown to the ground by the Uzumaki as if he were a ragdoll. However, Jaune, with colossal strength, responded with a kick that tripped Naruto. Without giving him time to recover, Jaune tackled him to the ground, climbing on top of him and unleashing a series of punches.
Naruto, defending himself as best he could, managed to block the attacks with his hands. But in a swift movement, he stopped Jaune's hands and, drawing him to him, gave him a headbutt that sent him flying into the air.
In a brief moment of calm, Naruto slowly stood up, while Jaune painfully rubbed his neck. Both warriors, scarred by strife, were preparing to continue their epic confrontation.
Naruto inspected his gloves, now reduced to shreds, and his jacket, which had survived with only a few scratches. His shoes, however, had succumbed to the rigors of battle; They would have to be replaced when they returned to their room.
Jaune, on the other hand, looked worse: his armor showed dents, bloodstains adorned his skin, and a bruise emerged on his left cheek as a purple reminder of the fight. Her normally tidy hair now rebelled into messy strands.
The silence that filled the room was dense, full of expectation. The students held their breath, wondering what would come next. But the tension was unexpectedly broken by soft laughter that, like an unexpected melody, grew into resonant and lively laughter. Naruto and Jaune, the protagonists of this odyssey, laughed with abandon.
—"Hahahaha", Naruto wiped a tear of amusement, —"Thank you, Jaune. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a fight so much."
—"The pleasure is mine, Naruto". Jaune replied, his voice vibrating with excitement. —"Now I understand that spark in your eyes during the battle. Before, combat was nothing more than a duty for me, something I would do just to protect. But now... Now I see the delight in challenging your own limits. Of course, always with your head. As they say, brave but not reckless."
—"You know, Jaune, your armor looks like it's been through a blender." Naruto joked, a mischievous grin on his face.
—"And your shoes", replied Jaune with a laugh —"seem to have been the victims of a mad dog."
—"Well, at least now I have a perfect excuse to go shopping", Naruto said with a knowing wink, hinting at an adventure on the commercial horizon. — "Do you have any trending fashion recommendations?"
— "Just one: Avoid stores when there's a feminist march nearby. You don't want your style quest to become a battleground", he advised with a mocking smile.
—"Hey, of course, dude. Of course. We're going to get this over with", Naruto replied, his voice vibrating with a mix of determination and palpable emotion. — "A single blow should be enough to conclude this epic battle."
—"Exactly! I wouldn't expect anything less from you!", exclaimed Jaune, her voice echoing enthusiastically.
With a steady movement, he clenched his fists, and his aura, an intense and vibrant greenness, expanded with a force that seemed to defy the limits of his being. A powerful and almost tangible current of air was unleashed, sweeping the class with its fury. The seats became makeshift projectiles, and the ground cracked under the invisible but overwhelming pressure.
Jaune's veins stood out on his face like rivers of pure strength, his armor peeled off in a show of uncontrolled power, and his muscles tensed to the limit.
—"Fourth door, the door of pain, open!" he cried, and with that last shriek, the pressure of his aura became a storm, blowing out the windows and sending shards of glass dancing in the air.
Glynda Goodwitch, with her telekinesis, stood her ground against the onslaught, her body resisting the force that sought to hurl her against the nearest wall.
Surprise was painted on his face; This fight had exceeded all his expectations. Jaune had proven to be a formidable opponent, yes, but what he was witnessing now was something extraordinary. What had begun as a duel of skills and strategies had morphed into an all-out battle, a fight where only the strongest would prevail.
From the start, Naruto had led the way in combat with a grace that seemed to emanate from his very essence. However, in the blink of an eye, the intensity of the struggle was magnified, defying the very nature of time. Jaune, in particular, had raised his power exponentially, reaching a level of strength and agility that even Glynda, with her vast experience, would find challenging.
Glynda contemplated breaking off the duel several times, aware of the collateral damage piling up and reluctant to allow the risk to escalate. No freshman, in fact, no student in the entire academy, had ever demonstrated such power and speed. It was an unprecedented phenomenon. And yet, he couldn't foresee that Jaune Arc had more surprises up his sleeve, that his strength could rise even higher than he had already seen.
—"It's hard to believe my eyes." Glynda reflected internally.— "When I read about this young man, I thought it was just exaggeration. That a novice, who has not even reached the fullness of a hunter, has survived missions that others would not dare to consider... Naruto Uzumaki and Jaune Arc, these guys could be the key to tipping the scales in this hidden war, and perhaps, achieving a decisive victory."
—"Can he really get even stronger?" ,asked Yang, incredulous at the prospect.
—"It seems so", Ruby responded, her voice rising above the murmur of the other students who watched the battle from the top of the class in amazement.
—"Jaune, the immortal", Weiss Schnee whispered, her voice weaving a mixture of awe and skepticism. —"It seems that the stories circulating about him are not just children's stories."
—"Of course not. Everything that is rumored about Jaune has some truth to it," Penny Polendina said with conviction.
—"Really? Nora asked the question with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. —"Is it true what they say, that he can drink poison as if it were water?"
—"No, that's just a fairy tale. But as for the rest, there's no doubt," Flynt replied, clearing the air of mystery with a nonchalant gesture.
—"The inner doors... interesting. How many are there in total? ", Pyrrha inquired, her interest clearly piqued.
—"There are seven in all", Neon proclaimed with an air of knowledge.
—"Seven? " , The surprise resounded in a unison chorus among those present.
—"That's right, though for now he only dominates up to the fourth. It better be that way, I don't even want to think about the consequences if I were to control the others," Neon warned, his tone carrying an echo of genuine concern.
—"Naruto...", Pyrrha's voice was tinged with anxiety, aware that the confrontation had escalated to an unprecedented level of danger.
—"Interesting, isn't it? I still wonder why we made you believe that there were only seven internal doors," Kurama mused aloud, a mischievous smile creeping into his words.
—"Because I'm pretty sure Jaune wouldn't hesitate to open the eighth door if he knew of its existence. And that's something I'd rather avoid for now," Naruto replied, his voice charged with a wisdom that stretched beyond his years.
—"With this next move, it's all over, Naruto." Jaune was braced, his posture that of a warrior ready for the final blow.
—"Perfect!" , Naruto exclaimed, his excitement palpable in the air.— "This matchup will be legendary in more ways than one."
In an instant, Jaune lunged towards Naruto with devastating force, and everything behind him was reduced to rubble. The wall that had served as the backdrop to their battle was gone, and students watching from outside the classroom gasped at the scale of the destruction.
The action unfolded at breakneck speed. Naruto Uzumaki replicated Jaune's move, extending his fist with the intention of delivering a blow that would echo through the annals of history.
! PIN PIN PIN!
They were about to collide, but the sound of the bell stopped them in their tracks, just inches from impact. The shock wave from the pressure of their auras was enough to create a crater in the place where they were. Glynda protected herself as best she could, but she couldn't stop some debris from reaching her, and several students were thrown out of the classroom.
With a sigh that denoted both relief and resignation, the assistant principal announced, —"Well, class is over. We declared a technical draw."
—"Damn," Naruto couldn't hide his disappointment. He had come so close to sealing victory.
—"Yes," Jaune didn't miss an opportunity to provoke. —"That bell saved you from certain defeat, Naruto."
—"Oh, please keep dreaming," Naruto replied with a mischievous smile, just as Jaune Arc collapsed to the ground, a wince distorting his face.
—"Mr. Arc!" , Glynda's concern was obvious. I wouldn't be a responsible educator if I didn't show her concern.
With a calmness that contrasted with Glynda's concern, came the reassuring reply, —"There is no cause for alarm, Miss Goodwitch. It's just muscle fatigue, a temporary, painful reminder of human limits. A little rest and you'll be as good as new, ready for another round of our endless battles."
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—"Did you see it?!, it was spectacular! First a bang 💥 and then another 💥," Ruby exclaimed, her enthusiasm lighting up her face with contagious joy.
—"Of course, Ruby, we were right next to you... I still have a hard time comprehending the magnitude of Jaune's power. I can't even achieve something like that with my own countenance, and he makes it look so easy," Yang said, his voice mixed with awe and a hint of envy.
—"And because of your demonstration, now our combat room will be out of commission at least until tomorrow," Weiss sighed, his tone carrying a tinge of frustration and resignation.
—"What really baffles me," Blake interjected without taking his eyes off his book, —"is how Naruto was able to keep up. Matching that kind of strength is something I hadn't witnessed before, but Naruto made it seem trivial."
—"Exactly," Ruby nodded, her smile reflecting a mixture of admiration and pride. "Naruto is extraordinary, always has been. There's nothing he can't do."
Yang, placing his hands behind his head with a nonchalant smile, said.— "I wonder if Jaune would be willing to teach me that technique if I asked him nicely."
—"Not in your dreams," Weiss replied, his disapproval was evident.— "I can't imagine you, with your impulsive attitude, handling a technique of such caliber. It would be a disastrous combination."
—"Oh, come on, don't be so dramatic," Ruby interjected, defending her sister in a playful tone. She knew Yang's character better than anyone and knew that her elder sister was just being herself.
Soon, the three were embroiled in a lively argument, one that showed no signs of real conflict, but rather of brotherly amusement, though Blake watched them with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance.
—"It's incomprehensible," Blake mused silently.— "How can they remain so calm after what happened? That masked man is a tangible threat, why do they persist in this carefree attitude?"
—"The technique of the five-point stamp... there's a link between that mysterious individual and Naruto, but I can't figure it out. Naruto is too enigmatic to reveal the secrets of his past, but one thing I'm sure of: he's not the masked man. For a long time I harbored this suspicion, but now I see that it is impossible. Naruto's ability to manipulate his aura at will is one thing, but the masked man has demonstrated capabilities that go beyond what any hunter should be able to do: control fire, seal in the aura, create clones... And that ominous presence, that aura of death that seems to bend the will of those who confront it."
Blake wrapped herself in an instinctive embrace, as if the shadow of that memory still haunted her.
For a time that seemed eternal, he had watched over Naruto with hawk eyes. As he wandered around Valle, she followed him furtively, looking for any clues that would link him to the enigmatic masked man. However, his efforts only revealed a void and certain uncomfortable truths that he would prefer to keep secret. Imagine discovering that your friend is constantly surrounded by mature women, whose ages might rival that of a mother, and that they shamelessly invite him to engage in innocent activities. There's nothing wrong with that, of course. Going to see a football game, being feted in restaurants, receiving expensive gifts; now he understood the origin of Naruto's extravagances. Suspicions led her down a path of discovery about her friend that, frankly, she would have preferred not to travel.
Although, to be fair, it's not like Blake would have found much anyway. Because, even if she didn't know it, Naruto was already aware of her stealth. Bewildered by his motives, he chose to allow her to follow him without confrontation.
Lost in her musings, Blake was abruptly roused from her reverie by a familiar voice. It was Sun Wukong, the ape-like faun, with a smile that lit up his golden face.
—"Hello, Blake. How are you?" he asked with an enthusiasm that overflowed his being.
—"I'm... "Good," she replied, her voice as dry as autumn leaves.
—"You see, I've heard about this dance and I know it may seem silly, but..."
—"But what?", interrupted Blake with a firmness that cut through the air like a sword.
—"I was wondering if you... maybe... You and I could go to that dance together."
Blake's gaze hardened, as if hewn in stone, and in a voice that brooked no reply, he said, —"I have no time for such frivolity."
And with those words, she walked away, leaving behind Sun's pained look and the confusion of her companions.
The situation was getting complicated. Since the battle against the masked man, Blake had fallen into an abyss of isolation, and his well-being hung by a thinning thread.
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—"What about you!?"
The tension in the room was palpable, like a thick haze hanging over the RWBY team. Blake's voice, full of frustration and defiance, echoed against the walls, an echo of his unwavering determination.
Ruby, the youngest of the group, was sitting on Weiss's bed, her rigid posture reflecting the seriousness of the moment. Beside him, Yang and Weiss stood firm, their eyes showing no fear, but an iron resolve. Patience faded like the light of day, and the night brought with it shadows of doubt and worry.
—"We want you to go to the dance," Ruby's voice was barely a whisper, but her request hung in the air, heavy and meaningful.
Blake's response was a look that might have cut diamond, and Ruby shrank like a flower in the intense heat of the sun.
—"I'm not going to that stupid dance," Blake retorted, his arms folded in front of her like a shield, his defiant stance a barrier as real as the walls around them.
—"Blake, we're worried about you, this investigation is consuming you," Yang said, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Weiss chimed in, his tone was stern, but his blue eyes shone with genuine concern.
—"You can't sleep, you barely eat, and, to be frank, your grades have suffered," Weiss listed the facts with surgical precision, but her concern was crystal clear.
—"Do you think I care about grades?", Blake interrupted, his voice a whiplash, sharp and cold.
—"We're trying to help you," Ruby began, but Blake cut her off with a speed that left the air shaking.
—"If you really want to help me, then dive into the investigation with me..."
—"You shouldn't be so cruel to your teammates, they're just trying to help you."
The atmosphere in the room had become icy, as if a winter breeze had entered uninvited. Blake's voice, laden with unspoken pain, faded into thin air, leaving a silence that weighed heavily on everyone's shoulders.
Surprise came over them, their bodies motionless like statues as their eyes stared at the window. The silhouette silhouetted against the glare of the moon seemed to belong to another world, one full of secrets and whispers in the darkness.
The figure moved forward, its presence like that of a ghost, and its eyes swept the room with a curiosity that bordered on the invasive.
—"So this is your room, a pretty picturesque place," he remarked, his voice soft but carrying a edge that couldn't be ignored.
Blake, his heart pounding, barely managed to articulate the words. —"H-How? ,How is your presence here possible?" ,Disbelief tinged every syllable, a mixture of awe and awe.
—"Actually, it was child's play," the figure replied with a smile in his voice, pointing at Weiss with a nonchalant gesture.
—"Your friend's fame is a torch in the night. Following its trail is like following the course of a mighty river. And you, dear Blake, are no less well-known on this chessboard we call the world."
The figure fixed its gaze on Blake, and in his eyes was a glint of recognition and understanding.— "How have you been?"
/-/
—"And who's the next prey on our list?" asked Cinder Fall in a voice that exuded curiosity and power.
—"Last but not least, is Pyrrha Nikos," Emerald replied in a tone of involuntary respect.
—"Ah, the invincible girl," Cinder remarked with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
—"He's strong, no doubt, but far from invincible," Mercury Black interjected, not taking his eyes off the comic book he was reading as he rested peacefully in bed.
—"Interesting, tell me more."
—"His semblance is polarity, a secret he keeps shrewdly," Emerald explained.— "You wouldn't notice it with the naked eye."
—"When he made contact with my boots during combat, he manipulated them as he pleased, albeit subtly," Mercury added, closing his comic to join the conversation.
—"Just enough to give the impression that he could reveal his abilities, thus putting his opponents in a vulnerable position," Emerald said, with a sly look.
—"Fascinating, everyone assumes that her victory is written in the stars, when in reality, she weaves her destiny with invisible threads... All right, include it in our plans," Cinder said with a smile that portended a storm.
—"Of course, you wouldn't have a hard time defeating either of those girls, but now let's focus on the problems that those two guys represent," Mercury said, adopting a seriousness he rarely displayed.
—"What do you mean?" asked Emerald Sustrai, looking up from his scroll with interest.
—"I mean Naruto Uzumaki and Jaune Arc."
—"They don't challenge us," Cinder said with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
—"Do you really believe it? ,Remember, based on what we saw this morning, they just reduced the training arena to rubble. And, as far as I know, only someone of your caliber could accomplish such a feat. If I were to face figures like Jaune Arc or Naruto Uzumaki, I'd be in serious trouble, and you can bet that if Ozpin includes them in his strategies, nothing good will await us."
—"It's not muscle, it's cunning, Mercury," Emerald replied with a wicked smile.
Cinder Fall remained silent, her gaze an enigma, as complex as an unsolvable puzzle. Her minions eagerly awaited her words, but she simply declared.
—"There's no reason to worry about those two. If they don't cross our path, there's no need to intrude."
This revelation perplexed Mercury, as he knew the ruthless nature of Cinder, who would not hesitate to eliminate anyone who got in his way, regardless of whether they were in his way or not. If those two posed a threat, or even a potential threat, she wouldn't hesitate to annihilate them. However, with them, he surprisingly decided that he wouldn't hurt them.
Touch! Touch! Touch!
—"Who could it be at this hour? We don't expect visitors. Have you asked for anything, Mercury?" asked Emerald.
He raised his hands in a gesture of innocence.— "I assure you, I haven't asked for anything."
—"Then what mystery awaits us behind the door?", asked Emerald as he made his way toward it. When he opened it, he was very surprised. In front of her stood the masked man, known as Sasuke.
—"Hello, how's it going, guys? I hope I don't interrupt anything important."
Without wasting a second, Emerald grabbed him by his robe and dragged him inside forcefully. She closed the door behind her and pushed him against the nearest wall.
—"Oh, Miss Sustrai, your impetuosity is as surprising as it is unexpected. Shouldn't we enjoy the courtship dance before we rush to the end?" said Sasuke with a mocking smile, as he adjusted his mask with a theatrical gesture.
—"Enough nonsense!" exclaimed Emerald, his voice a cocktail of irritation and disdain. The masked man's presence was like a stone in his shoe, exacerbated by Mercury's laughter echoing through the room.
—"Oh, Emerald, temper your ardor," Mercury advised with a mischievous smile. —"Our friend can barely keep up with your unbridled, greedy passion."
Sasuke, ever the gallant one, proposed,— "Miss, how about we explore the possibility of a more formal meeting? Imagine, you and I, tomorrow evening at the Central Restaurant, feasting on the most exquisite chocolate cake that has ever crossed our lips."
Emerald, whose patience was fading like smoke in the wind, drew his weapon, an item that should not have been in his possession, as all weapons had to remain in the lockers. With a fierce look, he threatened, —"You're one step away from getting a bullet in your head, Sasuke."
He replied calmly, —"How do you expect anything to blossom between us if you receive me with threats instead of flowers?"
Mercury interjected, — "Emerald, femininity and tact are virtues that would adorn your warrior spirit with unexpected grace. Our friend is just trying to extend a courtesy bouquet."
Emerald burst out,— "Damn, Mercury, save your sarcasm for another time!"
The tension in the room was cut with a knife until Cinder, in a voice that rang with authority, put an end to the chaos,— "Enough. What matters bring you here, Sasuke?"
With an air of seriousness, Sasuke reported. —"I have come to report that the efforts at Mountain Glenn are progressing smoothly. However, we are facing a shortage of staff; Mr. Adam is reluctant to collaborate, citing differences with Roman."
Cinder frowned, —"And why didn't I get a direct call from Roman?"
Sasuke explained,— "We've tried to contact her. Since we don't possess his direct number, we turned to his subordinates, who, unfortunately, have not responded."
Cinder turned his inquisitive gaze to Mercury and Emerald, who avoided his piercing scrutiny.— "Why didn't I get informed of this?"
Emerald stammered, —"Well... I didn't think it was relevant."
Cinder, in a voice that brooked no reply, said:— "What you think is relevant, Emerald, does not always coincide with reality. I'm the one who dictates the priorities here. Is that clear?"
—"Of course, my lady," Emerald replied, her voice a submissive whisper as she lowered her head in obedience.
Cinder's gaze shifted to the masked man, who waited with a calmness that defied the tension of the moment. "I'll take care to talk to Adam personally. Don't worry."
—"As you wish," the masked man said with a casual shrug, as his eyes swept across the room.— "Awesome. That's how it's like to live in Beacon, huh?
Cinder watched him closely. Despite having studied it for a long time, the masked man remained an enigma. He possessed exceptional ability, that was indisputable, but beyond that, he was a closed book. There were no clues as to his true desires or intentions. He was immune to manipulation, a man of power who, unlike the others, only took specific orders. He refused to serve her directly, and his apparent lack of personal ambition gave him a natural resistance to power games.
—"How did you get in here?" asked Cinder, his tone a mixture of curiosity and caution.
—"It's really quite simple," replied the masked man, turning to face her with a piercing gaze.
—"I don't understand why they complicate things so much. Although I don't fully understand their plans, I can infer certain details. You have the necessary skills. You could have walked in here and just taken what you were looking for, but it seems like your goals go beyond a simple robbery."
Cinder remained silent, sizing up the masked man. This was a facet I hadn't seen before. His insight was alarming.
—"You have a purpose that goes beyond the tangible, it is not merely an object that you crave... You're weaving a more complex plot. Although your intentions escape me, the pieces of the puzzle suggest that you are looking to wreak havoc. But what is the root of your destructive desire? What is it that you so fervently yearn to crumble?"
—"That," Cinder pronounced, his voice a lethal whisper, as flames danced between his fingers like fiery serpents,— "is a mystery you don't need to unravel."
The masked man was silent, contemplating the scene with a calmness that bordered on insolence. With a nonchalant gesture, he shrugged his shoulders. —"Right, it's none of my business. I'm a mere executor of orders... I'll report to the boss right away."
—"And how do you intend to get out of here?" asked Esmeralda, her voice cracking in surprise as the masked man dissolved into a cloud of smoke.
—"Is that his special ability?" asked Mercury, his voice tinged with astonishment and a hint of envy.
—"Whatever he is, he's a master of his craft. It would be a waste not to use it as a distraction for those two."
/-/
—"Really fascinating, don't you think? Although I must admit that those bunk beds don't inspire much confidence. If they want, I can reinforce them to make them safer."
The masked man paused dramatically, as if frozen in time, as the RWBY team watched him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Suddenly, with thunderous applause that made them jump, he broke the silence.
—"But let's digress no further." His jovial, overly animated tone was beginning to unsettle them. He seemed to feel too comfortable, or perhaps he wasn't aware that he was in an academy full of hunters-in-training.
—"How did you get here?" asked Weiss, trying to hide his nervousness.
—"Well, the answer is pretty obvious: I slipped away. It's not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, the safety of this place leaves a lot to be desired."
—"That's not what I mean. How did you find us?"
—"I thought he had been clear about it... Ah, I see what you mean. Do you want to know how I found your room?" she asked, and they all nodded.
—"The truth is that I've always been here. Since this morning I have been discreetly observing them." The girls shuddered as they realized they hadn't noticed his presence.
—"But don't be alarmed, I don't spy on you constantly. I only observe them when it's necessary, you know, for safety reasons and... discretion."
The girls blushed, understanding what he meant: intimate moments like when they showered, changed, or were in the bathroom.
—"I hope you're telling the truth," Yang said firmly, to which the masked man responded by raising his hands in a gesture of innocence.
—"I assure you that I am not lying, I would never invade the privacy of a lady... intentionally. But let's change the subject."
The masked man, with a humble posture that evoked the image of a golden-haired comrade, touched the back of his neck in a gesture of regret. In a soft voice, he addressed the ladies present.
—"My dear young ladies, I have come to great lengths only to present to you my sincerest apologies for past events."
Blake, his eyes blazing with defiance and fury, couldn't contain himself.
—"What the hell?" he exclaimed. — "You..."
—"I understand the gravity of my actions, the pain I caused, and that's why I'm here, to ask for forgiveness. But first...," he said as he rummaged through his robe, revealing a small box of biscuits. —"This is for you, Ruby."
Ruby, with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, couldn't help but ask.
—"How do you know my name?"
—"I'm knowledgeable about a lot of things... moreover, they shouted their names in the heat of battle."
Handing the box of cookies to Ruby, the masked man observed each of the girls.
—"I'm sorry I don't have enough for everyone, my pocket isn't deep."
Sasuke approached Blake, who tensed at his presence. However, to her surprise, he sat quietly next to her. The silence lasted for a few moments, fraught with tension, broken only by the carefree humming of Sasuke, who seemed to enjoy the moment.
—"As I mentioned before, my intention is to apologize. You must understand that I was only doing my duty and the last thing I want is to harbor a grudge between us."
Weiss, trying to hide his uneasiness under a mask of bravery, questioned the masked man.
—"What are you looking for here?"
—"I have come to deliver a threat," he replied, raising the tension among the girls, who were desperately looking for a way out.
—"Don't worry, I have no intention of attacking you. I'm just here to warn you, or threaten you if you prefer. From what I have observed, they have not ceased in their search, and I urge them to stop. It's not beneficial to you, or to me. Like I said, I like them and I don't want to hurt them. So, Miss Belladonna, I beg you to cease your search and you, your companions, please do not support her in this."
With these words, the masked man made it clear that, despite his apparent goodwill, he still posed a latent threat. The atmosphere was filled with palpable uncertainty as the young warriors pondered their next move.
Blake Belladonna, driven by the need to dispel the doubts that had plagued her for some time, dared to ask.
—"Naruto, is that you?"
Blake's companions turned their attention to the masked man, expectant of his response. He, however, fell silent before bursting into thunderous laughter.
—"Haha, well, you should really consider a career in comedy, miss. But no, unfortunately, I am not Naruto Uzumaki. Perhaps my voice and actions resemble his, but I am not him. I don't lie. Naruto Uzumaki is currently on the rooftop, enjoying the company of a charming redhead. Some people are so lucky, while others toil away at work. What an injustice. I suppose beggars can't be choosers."
—"Then who are you?" asked Ruby fearfully, as she reached for her scroll to ask Naruto for help.
—"I'm a ninja," he replied, plunging everyone into confusion. —"Yes, my job is to be a shinobi, a ninja."
—"Listen, girls, I'm glad you care about the community and all that, but you're not achieving your goal. And I know what you're going to say: 'We're going to save Valle, we're heroines, we were trained for this, if no one else acts, we must do it,' and all those illusions. But unfortunately, reality is not that simple. There are cruel beings in this world who won't hesitate to destroy you. So consider yourselves fortunate that it's me advocating for your good side here, because if it were any ordinary criminal, you, Miss Belladonna, and all of you would be dead. Feel lucky. You've been fortunate so far, but that can change at any moment," said the masked figure with a snap of his fingers.
—"I urge you to consider my words seriously. I am not opposed to their noble efforts, but they must recognize the arrogance of believing that they can face this danger alone.
The masked man stood up with a grace that contrasted with the tension of the moment, turning his back on the young warriors. His voice, though containing a tinge of frustration, was calm and thoughtful.
—"Intelligence must prevail where brute force fails. Despite their bravery, they still lack experience. They persist in this solitary pursuit, not seeking the wisdom of those who could guide them. Do they really think they can surpass us?"
he said in a tone that bordered on exasperation. —"They are still apprentices in their first year. What do they hope to achieve? Do they long for a premature end?"
—"Consider more astute alternatives. Instead of breaking into the White Fang's base, why not employ the subtlety of cameras and microphones? They could hand that intelligence over to the director, who would act prudently. Or perhaps they could use Miss Belladonna's information about the White Fang to strangle her resources, or even more audaciously, sabotage her supplies. There are multiple paths they could take."
suggested the masked man, leaving the girls in a sea of doubt as to whether his words were a veiled threat or a cryptic guide to their victory.
—"I reiterate my warning: my patience is running out, and soon your sympathy will not be enough to stop me. I do not wish to destroy them, but if they continue on this path, there will be no escape. Please reconsider your course of action. I would not wish them to suffer an adverse fate," he solemnly warned.
The masked man sat down again next to Blake, placing his hands on his knees and marking a soft rhythm with his fingers, while humming an unfamiliar melody.
—"I'll wait for your decision."
The masked man, with a serenity that contrasted with the palpable tension, concluded his speech, leaving a silence that unfolded like a curtain of fog, dense with the promise of the unknown and the risks that lie in the occult, and sat down
The brave combatants stood on the threshold of uncertainty, pondering the terrain of their future resolutions, while the masked man sat motionless, a mysterious figure shrouded in gloom, an omen of the challenges to come.
In spite of the fear that overwhelmed them and the tension that permeated the air, a fire of indignation was kindled in them, unable to accept that this vile transgressor dared to teach them lessons, and still less with a joviality that belied the seriousness of his threats.
—"Blake," Yang called firmly,— "you'll attend that dance and enjoy yourself as you deserve."
—"Indeed," Weiss agreed, —"and then we shall resume our investigations with renewed vigour."
—"Exactly, just take a deep breath and relax," Ruby advised, —"what do you think?"
—"I think... that it's an excellent plan, a break is necessary, we'll pick up the fight later," Blake said, defiant in the presence of the masked man.
Sasuke watched the scene, his countenance reflecting a mixture of disappointment and resignation; This was precisely what he had sought to avoid. The masked man stood up, and as if on cue, the RWBY team did the same.
—"It seems that, despite my warnings, they are determined to obstruct Roman and the White Fang's plans."
—"That's right," Ruby said with unwavering conviction, staring into Sasuke's eyes, —"we won't give up, no matter your strength, we'll never give up."
—"Exactly!" they all exclaimed in unison.
Sasuke's posture betrayed a lack of impression, but behind his mask was a smile of recognition. I anticipated that answer; The spirit of righteousness of these young women was as unshakable as steel.— "It's comforting to see that they're still the same ones I remember."
—"What do you mean?" asked Ruby, confused.
—"It doesn't matter. Honestly, I was expecting that answer. I'm not disappointed, just worried about what might happen when we meet again."
The masked man stretched out his hand and stroked Ruby Rose's head with unexpected tenderness. —"Continue on this path, but know that the next time we meet, I will not be so lenient."
—"You have to improve your threats, buddy," Yang said with a sly smile.
—"Hehehe, maybe you're right," laughed the masked man, and in an instant, all the girls fell into a deep sleep, as if a cloud of drowsiness had suddenly enveloped them.
/-/
Dawn light filtered through the curtains, tinting the room with golden hues
—"Ruby! It's time to wake up!"
With a sleepy murmur, Ruby pleaded.
—"Just five more minutes..."
—"Classes don't wait! The insistence in Yang's voice was inescapable.
Ruby jumped up, confused and disoriented.
—"What... What happened?"
Yang, with a puzzled expression, shared his perplexity.
—"It's a mystery. We all woke up sprawled across the floor, as if the beds were a distant memory."
Weiss chimed in, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
—"The last thing I remember is our conversation with Blake, and then... A void. It's like a fragment of time has been erased."
Blake, who had been the focus of the previous concern, seemed rejuvenated and serene.
—"Yes, it seems that a good night's sleep was just what I needed. I'm sorry if I've been a burden lately. I appreciate your patience and support."
Yang, with a warm smile, inquired curiously.
—"What's changed? All of a sudden, you feel closer and more open."
Blake replied with a soft smile, a new clarity in his gaze.
—"Maybe it was the break, or maybe now I see more clearly that they just wanted to help me... And I was building walls between us. Thank you for being there. I promise to be more understanding and more present."
Ruby, with a gesture of affection, placed her hand on Blake's shoulder.
—"That's all we hoped for," he said with a smile that spoke of the deep connection between them.
/-/
—"I hope that the whole organization of the dance goes smoothly," he said with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
—"Of course," Weiss replied with a smile that radiated confidence, —"there's no reason to worry."
—"You're amazing, Weiss. Your ability to handle so many aspects is impressive. I knew leaving you in charge was the right decision. You possess an innate knowledge for these events, and it was a relief when you accepted my request for help. Thank you," he said with genuine gratitude.
—"It's nothing," Weiss murmured, looking away, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush from Naruto Uzumaki's praise.
—"You really are an exceptional organizer. It's fortunate that you're here, and even more so that you're accompanied by Yang. Without her, this dance would be lifeless," he said with a knowing smile.
—"Hey!" exclaimed Weiss, feeling slightly aggrieved.
—"I'm sorry, Weiss. I have to be honest. Your planning is impeccable, but sometimes it's too rigid. Yang brings that much-needed spark of spontaneity and freedom. Together they form a perfect team, they balance each other," he explained sincerely.
—"Don't you mean they counteract each other?" Ren interjected curiously.
—"Hahaha, how resourceful you are, friend Ren. I would never say something like that," Naruto replied with a nervous look. He had shared many confidences with his friends, but those words would remain only between him and his team.
—"So, I guess you already have a partner for the dance, don't you, Naruto?" asked Jaune with interest.
—"Actually, I've decided not to attend the event."
—"What!" they all exclaimed in surprise.
—"And why not?" asked Weiss, almost demanding an answer.
—"Well, I don't have a partner, and to be honest, I don't know how to dance... that's it," Naruto said, downplaying the situation.
—"Come on, Naruto. There's no reason to worry. I don't have a partner either and I still plan to go," Cardin said in an encouraging tone.
—"Yes, but you're alone because you rejected the interested ones," Naruto said with a mocking smile.
—"It was just an invitation, Naruto. It's not a big deal," Cardin defended himself.
—"Of course. I bet you wished it was her, didn't you?" hinted Naruto mischievously.
—"What are you talking about?" asked Cardin, confused.
—"Oh, it looks like the bunny has left her burrow. Is that why you're melancholy, for not seeing her again?" continued Naruto, provoking his friend.
—"What are you talking about?!" exclaimed Cardin, his face now completely flushed.
—"Come on, you can't hide it from me. I'm an expert on these things. So when did this curious relationship begin? It sounds like something out of a movie," Naruto said, ratcheting up the tension.
—"Enough is enough, Naruto. Please," Cardin pleaded, visibly embarrassed.
—"Who are they talking about?" , asked Nora, unable to contain her curiosity.
Naruto decided to put an end to his antics, at least in appearance. With a sincere smile, he said, —"Jokes aside, I'm really happy for you, friend."
Nora's curiosity knew no bounds, and in a voice that betrayed her impatience, she asked,— "Really! Who are they talking about?"
Naruto, with a more serious and thoughtful tone, shared, —"You still have a long road ahead of you, and tell me, have you had a chance to talk to your mother and father yet?"
—"No," Cardin replied in a barely audible whisper.— "Not yet," but his countenance lit up with determination. —"Don't worry, it's not because I don't want to. I'll do it once the first year is over. I'll go visit her."
The conversation took a turn to the group's love life. —"Well, gossip aside, it seems like everyone is dating except me. Even Jaune received several invitations, but turned them down for some reason."
Jaune, with a mix of confusion and surprise, admitted,— "Actually… I did accept the proposals, but curiously, they later decided to cancel. It's very strange." He couldn't understand why, after receiving so many offers and accepting them all, they suddenly chose to cancel them the next day.
Penny Polendina and Ciel Soleil looked away, trying to hide their innocence. It was obvious that they had intervened, and Naruto sensed it immediately.
—"Poor devil, I really can't believe it," Naruto lamented, pitying his friend's naivety.
—"I can't believe how unbelievably alike you two are," Kurama mused to himself.
—"Well, I don't have a date either. Maybe I haven't been so lucky," Naruto lamented
—"Have you tried, I don't know, to invite someone?" Ren proposed, offering Naruto an idea.
—"No, I haven't," Naruto admitted honestly.
—"And what are you waiting for here?" asked Ren, encouraging him to act.
Naruto, with a shyly grimace, put his hand to the back of his head and confessed, —"The truth is that I feel lost when starting a chat with a lady, the art of flirting is foreign to me."
The air was charged with a palpable tension, an eloquent silence that echoed beyond words. Everyone laid eyes on Naruto, except Jaune, whose expression was a poem of disbelief.— "What's the matter, folks?"
—"Are you kidding me?" asked Cardin, putting his right hand to his temple in exasperation.
—"No, not at all," Naruto replied, his confusion growing like a shadow in the evening.
—"Naruto, you seduce every woman who crosses your path," Pyrrha reminded him, her voice carrying the weight of truth.
—"That's not true."
—"Of course I do! "It's your nature!" exclaimed Yang, his voice a thunder in the still.
—"No, I'm convinced not. My conversations are just that, nothing more."
—"Naruto, even Lisa Lavender fell under your spell live on TV, the whole kingdom witnessed your gallantry."
Blake smiled half-mockingly and half-incredulously at Naruto's absurd denial.
—"It was nothing more than sincere praise, nothing that could be considered flirtatious."
—"Suppose they're right, and I unintentionally charm every woman who crosses my path," Naruto said, throwing up his hands in a theatrical gesture.— "Then you should notice that it has no effect, that I don't possess such an ability."
—"Oh, but you do," interrupted Thrush, his face a picture of irritation, aware that Naruto was doing it with an enviable naturalness, without even realizing it.
—"Pruuu," Naruto sneered. —"Come on, really, then why am I here, alone and alone?"
—"Maybe it's because—" Ren began, his gaze lost in Pyrrha.— "Perhaps it is the whims of fate, but I am sure that if you invite a lady to the ball, she will not hesitate to accept."
—"Really? Is it that simple?" asked Naruto with a mixture of disbelief and astonishment.
—"I can't imagine having such power. That would be extraordinary. But how should you do it? Do I compliment him, do I serenade him?" His eyes sought advice from his friends.
Ren put his hands to his face, hiding a smile. —"Just be yourself, he's still the buffoon we all know."
—"But who do I invite?" murmured Naruto, more to himself than to the others. —"I can't ask you, everyone has a partner, except Cardin and Jaune, of course. And well, my heart belongs to the ladies, so the gentlemen are left out of the equation."
With a theatrical gesture, Naruto smoothed his hair back.— "I'm convinced that no girl will be available. Why would they be? They're all dazzling."
Pyrrha looked away, hiding her sadness, while Weiss just frowned.
She had agreed to date Neptune just to make Naruto jealous, a plan that has clearly backfired. He seems oblivious to Weiss' affection for him.
—"Isn't that Miss Alexandra Finix?" asked Naruto aloud, as if an idea had just lit up his mind. —"She'll be the first. Wish me luck, friends."
—"Good luck," Cardin replied in an apathetic tone. —"It's not like you need it."
Naruto approached Alexandra with a determined step. She was a young woman of average height, her head barely reaching Naruto's chest. He sported straight blonde hair, glasses that framed his lively green eyes, and wore a smart brown jacket over black pants.
—"Good afternoon, Miss Finix. How's it going?" greeted Naruto with a hearty smile.
—"Hello, Naruto. I am fine thank you. Alexandra asked in a soft voice, her fingers fiddling with a strand of hair falling over her face. His eyes drifted to the ground, a shadow of nervousness crossing his expression.
Naruto studied her silently, his smile was warm and sincere. Despite his calm appearance, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions stirred within him, debating the next step to take.
Realizing that they were alone and near a wall, Naruto decided to emulate a scene he had seen in countless anime. With a smooth but firm movement, he guided Alexandra to the wall, placing his hand just above her head.
Naruto's height allowed him to look down on her, and Alexandra, feeling trapped under his intense gaze, blushed up to her ears. —"Miss Finix, I know you must be tired of hearing this, but your eyes... They're just lovely," he said in a low, emotional voice.
Ren, watching the scene from a distance, put a hand to his forehead, exasperated by his leader's theatrics.
—"That's gold, write it down!" exclaimed Jaune, encouraging Flynt to take note of the moment.
Miss Finix, overwhelmed by the situation, lowered her head, trying to hide the blush that tinged her cheeks. But Naruto gently lifted his chin with his free hand, forcing it to meet his gaze.
—"Please don't look away," he whispered. —"There are few occasions when I have the privilege of admiring them. Fate can be cruel, parting our ways, so let me enjoy this moment a little more."
—"Na-Naruto, that won't work for me," she stammered, her voice trembling. —"I'm not like the other girls you know."
—"Of course it's not. How could it be? You are one of a kind," Naruto replied with a playful smile.
—"Enough is enough, Naruto. If you think you're going to convince me of something...", Alexandra began, trying to maintain a façade of indignation.
—"Hehehe, you found me out," Naruto laughed, his laughter echoing in the space between them.— "Yes, there is something I want to persuade you to do." He leaned into her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin. Alexandra blushed even more, if that was possible.
—"What I want, miss...," Naruto murmured, his hand slowly descending from Alexandra's chin to intertwine his fingers with hers, a gesture full of unexpected tenderness.
—"Well, Naruto, you've got her attention," he said to himself, looking for a way to flatter her without seeming excessive or disinterested.— "Let's start with something subtle."
—"How do we convince her?" he wondered, while the fox inside him sighed with resignation.
—"I should be used to this, but I'm not, Naruto. It starts with their eyes."
—"But I already did it," protested the young man.
—"Then flatter her even more," insisted the fox.
Miss Finix, on the other hand, seemed to be on the verge of hyperventilation, her breathing ragged and her anxiety palpable. Naruto, still close to her ear, began to whisper words to her that gushed out like a calm and safe river.
— "Your eyes... They are so beautiful that when I look at them, they make me smile so deep and genuine that it transcends explanation, it becomes an ineffable feeling."
— "Naruto, that's not going to work with me. I'm not like the others. I won't fall so easily," she replied, trying to stand her ground.
Naruto smiled, his expression softening into a mixture of admiration and defiance.— "Then I'll try a little harder. I've fallen in love with eyes... Of green eyes, as green as the laurels that adorn the fields, so captivating that they rob me of sleep. I've fallen in love with eyes that avoid my gaze. That will be my misfortune: to love them and not be able to possess them."
In the depths of his mind, Naruto was pondering whether he had gone too far, when Kurama, in a tone full of sarcasm, blurted out,— "Maybe you've gone too far this time."
— "Naruto, please don't do it...," Alexandra stammered, her voice a trembling whisper.
— "Do you want me to continue?" asked Naruto, his question hanging in the air like a promise.
—"No, I implore you not."
— "Then shall I stop here?" his voice was soft, but firm.
—"No, don't stop." Alexandra's response was a contradictory murmur.
—"Decide, what do you want?" Naruto shouted internally.
Nora watched the scene with eyes shining with excitement. It was true that Naruto, when undertaking any action, tended to be somewhat excessive, or rather, fascinatingly meticulous in his methods, no matter the triviality of the task. This always provoked a suppressed laugh in her. —"What words are you whispering to him?"
—"I have no idea, but judging by her expression, she is completely in his hands. How does he achieve such an effect?" Dove tossed the question into the air, genuinely perplexed.— "Is he aware of his own magnetism, or is it something innate in him?"
Flynt was also amazed. Naruto's ability to maneuver situations was truly impressive. —"How come he always gets what he wants?"
Ren heaved a sigh and continued with his meal, indifferent to the unfolding drama. To him, it was a common sight, whether intentional or not. —"Naruto possesses a natural charm. It sucks."
Surprise was drawn on everyone's faces. No one expected Ren to let go of a curse, let alone at the time.
—"Even the teachers, with their sharp gaze and experience, couldn't help but be captivated by his charm. He's the favorite, the darling of the class, the one who, with a smile or a well-timed gesture, always finds a way to bend the rules in his favor."
Ren, with a sigh of frustration, shared his thoughts, and although his words resounded with a shocked tone, they also brought a strange sense of relief among those present.
Naruto, with a calmness that defied the storm of emotions around him, fixed his gaze on Miss Alexandra's eyes. For a few moments that seemed eternal, silence took over the space between them. She, consumed by the anxiety of anticipating his words, and he, immersed in a sea of calculations and strategies, but it was then that he noticed something small but significant: a vestige of food adorned Miss Alexandra's lip. He imagined his embarrassment if anyone else noticed it and decided, with a gesture as bold as it was tender, to wipe it with his thumb.
—"Na-Naruto, what are you...?" Alexandra tried to articulate, but her words faded before the predatory smile of Naruto, who watched her as if he were a hunter contemplating his prey.
—"How careless you are, miss. You should exercise more caution around you, or else someone like me might take advantage of your carelessness."
His words, loaded with double meaning and unexpected audacity, took her breath away. In an instant, impure and forbidden thoughts flooded his mind, scenes that had no place in the halls of an educational institution. The overwhelming mixture of excitement and confusion was too much for her, and with a barely audible sigh, she vanished into Naruto's arms.
Naruto's friends, witnesses to the scene, let out a collective sigh. It wasn't the first time they'd witnessed such an outcome, so the surprise was minimal. Some, however, could not hide their astonishment.
—"Well, at least Naruto has the decency to take her to the infirmary," Jaune remarked with a mixture of admiration and reproach.
/-/
—"Wow, that was a total disaster. I shouldn't have listened to your advice, Ren. Okay, do any of you have a helpful suggestion? Please, something that actually works."
Naruto looked around, waiting for an answer, but found only puzzled looks. His friends looked at him as if he were an otherworldly being, unable to comprehend his dilemma.
—"Wait a minute," Cardin interjected with a smirk. —"You say you don't know how to flirt, but I assure you you that you do it constantly, especially with them." With a gesture, he gestured towards the RWBY team, Pyrrha and Nora.
Naruto replied with a mischievous, almost diabolical smile. —"More than flirting, I'd say I enjoy teasing them. I'm fascinated to see their reactions. But there's a big difference between that and flirting... As you've seen, I'm not exactly an expert in the art of seduction. I need a new strategy. Otherwise, I'll end up alone... It seems that I am not to the liking of the ladies."
—"Enough of the jokes, Naruto!" exclaimed Sky, clearly frustrated.— "What's wrong with you?"
—"Naruto...," Yan called out to him with an inquisitive look.—"I think you're fully aware of your actions, only you prefer to play the clueless. So, be honest, do you really have no idea what you're doing?"
—"No, I swear," Naruto said sincerely. This time I wasn't pretending. He was genuinely confused by the words of his friends. —"When I lived in my village, I was never particularly popular. If I was trying to get a girl's attention... Well, they just ignored me. I guess some things never change." He sighed deeply.
Understanding was reflected on the faces of his friends. Naruto had never had good experiences with women in his youth, so he assumed that people didn't like him.
—"Naruto," Pyrrha sighed with an expression of empathy.— "I think you're misinterpreting the situation."
—"Exactly, and spectacularly. You have a reputation for being a womanizer," Ren added with a wry smile.
—"Wow, wow, wow!" exclaimed Naruto, genuinely surprised.— "What are you talking about, folks?"
—"Watch, Naruto," Blake began, closing his book with a sigh and directing a piercing glance at him. —"You must be well aware of the murmurs that follow you like shadows."
—"What are they whispering about me?" asked Naruto, a spark of interest flashing in his eyes.
—"Oh, tongues are generous in their praises: the wisest of students, the undisputed champion of the fighting class, the swiftest, the mightiest, the favorite of teachers," Blake recited, enumerating each title with a wave of his hand.
—"Unbelievable, I really am exceptional," Naruto boasted, a playful smile poking across his lips.
—"There are, however, less flattering murmurs that are also woven into your story," Blake continued, his tone turning serious. "They say you're a seducer, an inveterate night owl, and secrets are whispered in the gloom of your room, regardless of the presence of your companions," he concluded with an inquisitive look.
—"Can you be a little clearer? ".
—"that you uses your room to attract women and have sex with them even when your team is there"
—"That was too clear,... Is that really what they think of me?" exclaimed Naruto, his genuine surprise.
—"That's right," Ren interjected, his voice a haven of calm. —"Many stories are woven, all of them born from the fertile imaginations of others. For a long time, even I thought that the fame of a conqueror was your truth, but now, looking at you, I see that you are nothing but a carefree soul."
—"Careless about what?" asked Naruto, his curiosity piqued.
—"Let it be, it's nothing," Ren averted, avoiding his gaze.
—"That's impossible. I've never had a girlfriend," Naruto said firmly.
—"Don't fool us, Naruto," Nora interjected, her smirk lighting up her face.— "What about the young lady you were arguing with the other time?"
—"That... well, a girlfriend," Naruto stammered, the word weighing him down like a stone. The misunderstanding about the bride was a knot he had tried to undo, but perhaps it was better to leave things as they were.— "She doesn't count, okay? Now I understand a lot of things. But how did we get here?"
—"I assure you, Naruto, that my perplexity equals yours to the blindness of your perception," Ren replied, his countenance as serene as the calm lake.
Naruto frowned, a shadow of irritation crossing his face. He had not foreseen that his reputation would take such a distant turn from his intentions. Yes, it was true that he was hailed as an exemplary and efficient student, but this gossip... These were thorns in Naruto Uzumaki's side.
—"It seems that those who weave these tales about me are merely envious. Do they want to provoke me? "Very well, if you think I'm an incorrigible donjuan, I'll show you what you can expect. Jaune, do you have your guitar handy?"
—"I always carry it with me," replied the blond man, materializing a guitar out of thin air.
—"Then there's no time to lose in finding a company for tonight."
—"And what's the plan?" asked Jaune curiously.
—"To conquer hearts, those fools who have spread rumors have awakened a monster that they will not know how to appease."
With that resolution, they both got up and headed for the door.
—"Shouldn't we stop them?" asked Ruby, her voice barely a whisper.
—"Leave them," Ren said calmly.— "He's just a little upset, that's all. It will calm down, or so I hope," he said, though concern was evident in his tone.
—"If you want to be with him, you just have to tell him," Nora murmured to the redhead. She simply frowned in response.
—"I don't want to take the risk. It's very likely that he'll reject me and... I'm not willing to risk our friendship for something so uncertain."
Nora sighed and shook her head, her expression reflecting her regret.
/-/
With the last load in place, Sasuke wiped his hands and sighed heavily.— "Why the hell isn't anyone giving me a hand? Oh right, Adam Taurus. It seems that Mr. Adam didn't like my suggestion."
Looking around, Sasuke noticed that there was still a lot to be done. "Well, I still need to move those explosives, damn," Suddenly, a figure approached one of the devices and carefully lifted it; he was a member of the White Fang.
—"What do you think you're doing?" asked Sasuke, with a mixture of surprise and relief.
—"Sir, I have come to help you," replied the man with a gentle smile.
Sasuke shook his head.— "No, you shouldn't. You'll get in trouble. Adam said I had to do it."
The man winked at him. —"He doesn't have to know."
Sasuke frowned, doubtful.— "Are you sure?"
—"Absolutely. In fact, there are more people coming to help." Sasuke turned to see a group of thirty people approaching, each determined to offer their support.
—"Friends," Sasuke began, his voice trembling with feigned emotion, —"thank you. I owe them a beer."
—"No need," replied one of them, —"you have been very supportive," and so they set to work.
As they worked, Sasuke pondered.— "This is going better than expected. Although I don't know all the details of that woman's plan, it won't interfere with mine. I just need a little more time and the White Fang will be mine." Sasuke had no real affection for these people; His kindness was a façade for his own ends. He couldn't just overthrow Adam; He needed to earn the trust and absolute loyalty of the group in order to achieve his goals. First, he had to sow discord.
—"I don't understand why Mr. Adam assigned this to him alone," commented another member of the White Fang.
—"Sasuke smiled with a heavy dose of sarcasm. — 'Well, it seems my comment about the work environment didn't sit well with Mr. Adam. He's a man… let's say, short-tempered. But are you truly willing to endure this treatment? Do you find pleasure in pain?'"
The White Fang member let out a bitter laugh.— "No, of course not. Although, with my wife maybe it's another story," he said with a smile. —"Adam is the leader of this faction, and his word is law here. We don't have a choice."
—"Then you're afraid of him?" Sasuke intuited, watching the man's downcast gaze.
—"That's right," the member admitted with a sigh of resignation. "The slightest disobedience, and he... it does not tolerate insubordination."
Sasuke placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.— "Don't worry, buddy. Maybe Adam has his reasons, although I don't know the paths he has traveled in his life..."
—"No, I'm sick of this, I can't take it anymore," the White Fang member's voice cracked, and his eyes filled with palpable despair. "I joined them because they treated me badly in other places, but here it's the same. I don't understand why I'm still here."
—"You're here to make a difference," Sasuke replied firmly. —"Stay calm, friend. Change is on the way, and these are the moments that will test your will. I'll be here to support you."
The man nodded gratefully.—"Thank you, Mr. Sasuke."
—"And I thank you. They're helping me a lot with this. Let's move on, shall we?"
The jingle of electronic scroll cut through the tension-laden air, drawing Sasuke's gaze to the luminous screen. With a determined gesture, he activated the speaker, and a girl's vibrating voice filled the space, dispersing the gravity of the moment.
—"《Mr. Sasuke! Mr. Sasuke! You don't know how much we thank you!》"
—"Marta, dear, how are you feeling? Did you like what I sent you?"
—"《It was wonderful!》"
Satisfaction was drawn on Sasuke's face as he heard the happiness in the girl's voice. —"I am very pleased that it was to your liking. I trust everyone is enjoying the giveaways. Tell me, is Keily nearby? I'd like to talk to her."
—"《Yes, here I am, Mr. Sasuke》," another voice replied, this time more mature, but equally warm.
—"Excellent. Martha, we'll talk later, okay?"
—"《Of course!》"
Marta's effusiveness gave way to Keily's serenity, who took over the conversation. —"《Sasuke, you really didn't have to send all those things, we are very grateful to you.》"
—"Nonsense, Keily. It was the least I could do for you."
—"《But it must have been a considerable sum...》"
—"There's nothing to worry about," Sasuke interrupted, his voice echoing with unwavering sincerity.
—"《We know, and your help has been more than enough》," Keily insisted, her voice tinged with concern.
—"It will never be enough," Sasuke murmured, his voice becoming soft and melancholy. —"But let's put that aside for now. Has everything arrived in order?"
—"《Yes, everything has arrived: food, money, clothes, toys... Everything you've sent us is here.》
—"I'm glad to hear it," Sasuke said, and his happiness was palpable even across the distance.
—"《However, this place is still dangerous for children," Keily expressed, his tone turned gloomy.
—"Don't worry. There are people in charge of their protection. Nothing bad will happen to them."
—"《Even so, I can't help but worry... But tell me, Sasuke, are you okay?》"
—There's no reason to worry about me. I'm fine, and I've found good comrades here. I'm not alone," Sasuke said, offering comfort through his words.
Worry faded in Keily's voice as she heard Sasuke's reassuring words.— 《"That's a relief, Sasuke-kun》," he said, his tone reflecting the newfound calm.
Sasuke stared at the horizon, thoughtful. —"I wish I could take them to a safer place, perhaps to other realms, but none seem suitable, maybe Menagerie..."
Keily frowned slightly. —"《I'm not sure it's the best idea. That place is mostly inhabited by fauns, and we have human children here, myself included. I don't think we'll be well received.》"
—"I understand," Sasuke replied with a sigh.— "How I wish you were a faun so I could take you there, where I know you'd be safe."
—"《You don't have to worry so much about us》," Keily tried to comfort him. —"《You've already done more than anyone could ever hope for...》"
Sasuke interrupted her, his voice steady. "What did I promise, Keily?"
—"《I know what you promised》," she replied softly.
—"I promised they'd be all right, that they'd have all the luxuries the world has to offer. Have I broken my word?"
—"《No, you haven't》," Keily admitted, her voice full of gratitude.
—"Then rest assured, no matter how much you insist that I have done enough, it never will be. I promised, remember?"
—"《Yes, you promised to take care of us... but...》"
—"It doesn't matter what I have to sacrifice." Sasuke declared, his voice heavy with determination. —"That won't change."
Keily nodded, grief evident in her voice. She appreciated Sasuke and didn't want him to try harder than he needed to.
Although Sasuke's face was hidden, his voice betrayed his happiness at knowing that everyone was okay.— "I'll see you soon. Say hello to the children on my behalf. I'll go visit you very soon, okay?"
—"《Of course, Sasuke-kun. Take care》," Keily said before hanging up.
A member of the White Fang approached Sasuke curiously.— "Who were they, Mr. Sasuke?"
Sasuke looked at the group that had gathered around him.— "It's an orphanage I've been helping."
—"That's very noble of you," another member commented, admiration in his voice.
—"Yes, I owe them a lot," Sasuke confessed as he grabbed an explosive and began to walk, the group following close behind.— "I was once seriously wounded, and that orphanage took me in. They healed my wounds, they fed me. I am indebted to them, and the only way to repay their kindness is to help them. The place they are in is dangerous, and I do my best to protect them."
Admiration echoed in the White Fang member's words, and the group nodded unanimously, willing to follow Sasuke into any challenge that came his way.
Sasuke, with an unconscious gesture, scratched the back of his neck, a sign of his internal conflict. —"What I really want is to get them out of that place. Taking them to Menagerie would be ideal, but there are human children in the orphanage, and I can't leave anyone behind."
A member of the White Fang frowned, his expression complicated. —"I'm afraid that would be quite difficult, Mr. Sasuke. I'm not sure they're welcome there."
—"It's a real pity," Sasuke replied regretfully. "Even among our kind, prejudice darkens the heart. They are innocent children, free from malice."
—"Mr. Sasuke." Another member of the White Fang interjected, —"What if we intercede for you? I am convinced that Chief Belladonna will listen if we speak on his behalf."
Sasuke looked at the group, uncertainty in his voice. —"Are you sure? I don't want to cause them trouble."
—"Don't worry," the member assured. —"Although our relations with Mr. Belladonna have been strained, I am sure he will support his noble cause."
—"But others may not agree," Sasuke warned, concern weighing heavily on his words.
—"And what does that matter?" ,replied another member firmly. —"We'll have your back. We will not allow those ignoramuses to disrespect you. We will help you as you have helped us."
Sasuke was flooded with gratitude, a tide of emotions that threatened to overwhelm even the mask that hid his face. —"Thank you, folks. If I could take off this disguise, you would see the gleam of tears of gratitude in my eyes."
—"Come on, Mr. Sasuke, it's no big deal. But let me ask you a question, may I?" the white-fanged member asked with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
—"Of course, what do you want to know?" replied the masked man, his voice an echo of mystery.
—"I think he's done more than enough. Maybe it's time to stop, to think about yourself. I'm sure they'll understand. So why does it continue?" he asked, his tone soft but firm.
Sasuke sank into his thoughts, his gaze becoming distant, lost somewhere beyond the walls of this cave. Although no one could see him behind the mask, he knew why. He had a clear and firm answer: he had made a promise, and he never broke a promise. That was the reason for his dedication, the reason he helped the orphanage.
—"For love," he whispered to himself.
—"What did he say?" asked the member of the White Fang, leaning forward slightly to catch the barely audible words.
Memories flooded Sasuke's mind like a wave: moments of fleeting happiness, images of an orphanage full of children whose laughter echoed off the bare walls, the vision of a woman with intense red eyes like shooting stars and hair white as alabaster, who always offered a smile despite adversity, who had helped him when no one else did. Memories of a time when he... was happy.—
—"For love, one does things that seem impossible, solely out of love… even the impossible," she finally said aloud, her statement echoing in the ensuing silence.
/-/
Evening had fallen over the academy, and with it, a gentle breeze that seemed to whisper between the walls. Naruto, with a smile that lit up his tired face, couldn't help but feel satisfied. "Wow, that went better than I expected, it didn't take us that long," he said, his voice echoing with a hint of pride. Their search was finally over.
Jaune, on the other hand, did not share the same enthusiasm. —"Naruto, it took us almost a whole day," he replied in a tone of weariness that slurred every word.
Ever since Naruto came up with the brilliant idea of looking for a date in an angry outburst, they had spent the entire day on an urban odyssey, looking for a girl who would want to accompany them to the dance. They had attempted serenades and romantic gestures, but fear of scrutiny from their friends had paralyzed them, and in the end, they decided to abandon the plan.
Despite everything, only Naruto had managed to find a date. Jaune didn't even try; Actually, it seemed like he didn't want any. Resigned, they made their way to their rooms, but as they passed through the corridors, a figure caught their attention. A girl with night-black hair and eyes burning like embers was leaning against a wall, her arms folded in a defiant gesture. Jaune stopped, captivated by his presence, and Naruto, noticing his friend's gaze, smiled mischievously.
—"So she caught your eye," Naruto hinted, watching as a slight blush colored Jaune's cheeks. The latter, with a mixture of nervousness and decisiveness, nodded his head.
—"I don't know, I feel a kind of familiarity with her, as if I've seen her somewhere before."
—"And what are you waiting for?" urged Naruto.
—"What?" asked Jaune, confused.
—"Go and talk to him," Naruto encouraged with a knowing smile.
—"I don't think it's a good idea, the last time I tried to talk to her, she avoided me and didn't seem to like me," Jaune sighed, her voice heavy with resignation.
—"Nonsense," Naruto exclaimed, giving him a slight shove on the back that caused Jaune to stumble forward, slowly approaching the girl.
Jaune leaned against the same wall as the girl, his hands in his pockets, trying to look casual. —"Good evening, what are you doing here, miss?"
He asked in a soft voice, trying to break the ice. The young woman looked at him with a frown, without saying a word. —"Oh, I'm sorry, it was very rude of me to just come like that. Let me introduce myself, my name is..."
—"Jaune Arc," she said, her voice tinged with a curiosity bordering on disdain. —"Or 'the immortal,' whatever you like to be called."
Jaune, with an expression of complicity, let out a theatrical sigh. —"I didn't choose that nickname; I preferred 'The Watchman', but it seems that my opinion doesn't count for anything," he lamented, drawing a wicked smile from the girl.
—"Tired of being pigeonholed, great hero of Atlas?" she asked, her smile widening even more.
—"I'm not a hero, at least not yet. I have a lot to learn," Jaune replied humbly.
—"Some people already see you as such. Why not take advantage of it and make a profit?" she suggested, with a sly twinkle in her eye.
—"That's not in my nature. I just wanted to help," Jaune said, her voice firm and sincere.
The girl, at the nobility of his words, frowned in disgust, though Jaune seemed oblivious to her reaction. Suddenly, his tone changed, becoming solemn and soft.— "Maybe you will. After all, you're strong, you're smart, and you're very insightful," she said, looking at him in a new light.
Jaune fell silent, and then, without warning, burst out laughing. —"Hahaha! By Oum, no, of course not. I am neither strong nor insightful. Maybe the world thinks that of me, but the truth is that I'm clumsy, too clumsy, and I'm very aware of that."
—"Really?" she asked, skeptically. —"According to the stories, you are incredibly powerful, so skilled that you anticipate the enemy's moves before they happen."
—"It's just rumors, hehe. It's frustrating when people talk about you without really knowing you."
The girl relaxed her expression, and for a moment, she seemed to find comfort in his words.— "I get you, it's frustrating," he admitted, and something in his tone suggested an unexpected connection between them.
—"But I don't believe you. You're lying just to get a date with me," she joked, her smile now genuine and warm.
—"Oh no, no, no, that's not true. I'm not lying to you. My teammates know what I'm really like, and even I'm surprised to be the leader of the team. I have no idea what General Ironwood was thinking when he appointed me," Jaune reflected, his voice heavy with disbelief and humor.
—"Well, he must have seen something in you that no one else has," she remarked, her voice echoing like a distant echo.
—"I don't even see it, so it must be something great, dammit!" exclaimed Jaune, her sigh mingling with a laugh that reflected both surprise and amusement.
—"Of course, the missions you've completed speak to your dedication and willingness to do the right thing, no matter the circumstances," the girl assured him.
—"Well, it's a little embarrassing, actually," Jaune admitted, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile. —"The reasons I came to these missions were not completely altruistic."
—"Oh yes?" she asked, her curiosity clearly aroused by the confession.
—"Yes," Jaune said, relaxing his arms and dropping the barriers he used to hold in front of others. —"It's not how the media portrays it."
The girl bowed her head, intrigued.— "So, you did it expecting something in return?"
—"No, I didn't really want anything from them. It was an accident," Jaune confessed, her honesty shining in her tired but uplifted eyes.
—"Tell me more," she asked, her smile wide and sincere.
—"You see, there's a lot of rumors about me and why I was on those missions when I shouldn't be. Many are absurd, but among them, one has to be true, right? So here goes: on my first mission, it all started unexpectedly. I had finished my training and was exhausted, crawling back to my room... or so I thought. I walked in, collapsed on the bed, and fell asleep. The next day, I was woken up by a platoon of soldiers."
Jaune struggled to contain her laughter as she recalled the story.— "It turns out that I fell asleep in a container of supplies that were supposed to be delivered to a military base the next day. I couldn't go back to Atlas Academy because transportation only came at certain periods of time. So the only way to get back was to complete the mission. You have no idea what trouble I got myself into after that."
The girl stared at him wide-eyed, surprised, unable to process the story she had just heard. And then, unable to contain himself, he burst out laughing. —"Hahaha! Really?"
—"Of course, I'm not lying. It was a complete accident. I didn't do it out of some sense of absurd patriotism, that's for sure."
—"Hahaha, so the rumor that you walked into the principal's office and begged him to send you on that mission is false? They say that when he refused, you disobeyed the order and snuck in with the soldiers."
Jaune scoffed at the idea. —"From Oum, I didn't even know about that mission. If they had wanted to send me there, I would have hidden in the deepest hole I could find."
The girl's laugh was contagious, and Jaune couldn't help but be captivated by her. —"And to be completely honest, of the four missions I did, three were a complete accident."
Cinder's laughter echoed in the hallway, an infectious melody that mingled with the echo of her own thoughts. Jaune, unable to resist, joined the chorus of laughter, finding in that instant unexpected relief and genuine joy.
—"What are you doing here so alone?" he asked, his curiosity aroused by her presence in this desolate place.
—"I'm waiting for my team... they're busy with their own ...missions," she replied, her voice revealing a tinge of loneliness that didn't go unnoticed by Jaune.
Naruto, from a distance, beckoned to Jaune, a silent reminder that it was time to leave.
Jaune, reluctant to leave the conversation, sighed ruefully. —"Looks like I have to go. I'll see you later, then," he said, extending his hand in a farewell gesture.
She gazed at his hand, a bridge between two worlds that rarely crossed.— "Cinder Fall," he said at last, accepting the gesture.— "A pleasure."
The name resonated in Jaune's heart, an echo of something familiar, a glimmer of recognition he chose to ignore for the moment.
As Jaune walked away, Cinder watched his every step, every movement that took him further away from her. In the silence that followed, she found herself enveloped in a loneliness that was all too familiar, an echo of a past that seemed to want to resurface. — "Fool," she muttered to herself,
—"You don't seem to remember me anymore."
/-/
—"Jaune, I'm going to give you something that could be your salvation in missions when you find yourself unarmed and exhausted to the limit of your strength. This could be the thing that saves your life," he said in a voice that carried the weight of experience and wisdom from countless battles.
Naruto opened the door to his room, hoping to find the lonely refuge of his thoughts, but to his surprise, the room was filled with familiar faces. —"What are you all doing here?" he asked with a mixture of astonishment and annoyance, he should be used to such intrusions by now.
No one immediately responded; His eyes were fixed on the screen, engrossed in the plot of a movie that filled the room with its dramatic soundtrack. The flickering light of the television painted dancing shadows on their faces, revealing a range of emotions that reflected the tension of the scene.
Cardin broke the silence with a voice full of sarcasm,— "And how's your date search going, hunk?" His tone was playful, but behind his words was a sharp edge of mockery.
Yang joined the game, his voice was like the crackling of a living fire,— "Naruto, what happened to that guitar, weren't you going to serenade the first girl who crossed your path?", his laughter was contagious, and soon others joined in, filling the room with a chorus of friendly taunts.
Naruto replied with a forced smile, — "Ha... ha... Laugh all you want. Obviously, I wasn't going to do something so ridiculous with you guys stalking me every moment."
Everyone fell silent at his reply. —"yes, I know, guys. I know I've been watched. Why do you think I didn't?" Although his words were firm, deep inside, Naruto writhed in embarrassment every time he remembered his failed attempts.
Ren appeared at the door, interrupting the tension with a tray full of soft drinks and snacks. —"Guys, here's something to cool off," he announced with a quiet smile. She opened a thermos and started drinking her own creation, a vibrantly colored vegetable smoothie that reflected her passion for healthy cooking, oh that's what it looks like.
Ren couldn't resist joining in the joke, —"So, heartthrob, how many ladies have you conquered?" His tone was light, but his eyes shone with a hint of genuine curiosity. Naruto just looked at him, his expression was a blank canvas, unfazed.
To everyone's surprise, Naruto broke the silence with an unexpected statement, — "Just so you know, guys, I did get a date. It wasn't as hard as they thought."
His voice carried a tinge of pride that had not been present before.
Cardin, with an expression of astonishment painted on his face, threw the question into the air, full of incredulity and a hint of admiration:— "Really? Who is the lady who has captured your attention?"
Naruto, with a smile that bordered on arrogance, began to dance with unexpected grace. His feet drew patterns on the ground, as if he were writing verses with each step. With a final twist, he stopped, his left hand pointing to the sky and his right over his heart, before opening his arms in a theatrical gesture.
—"Bow down to me, mere mortals, for your lord, your god, has descended from the infinite bed of heaven to tread this earthly soil, allowing your sinful eyes to witness my glory. I bring you news that defies the eternity of the cosmos: I have invited Professor Goodwitch to the ball, and she, in her infinite grace, has accepted."
He proclaimed in a voice that resounded with the pomposity of a king of ancient times.
At that instant, Ren, shocked by the revelation, spat out his drink and began coughing violently. The vegetable smoothie had taken a wrong turn, and now he was struggling to breathe, his body convulsing on the floor in a dance of survival.
Silence fell over the room, a silence so dense that it seemed to stifle any attempt at breathing. No one moved to help Ren, still paralyzed by the news.
Finally, Cardin broke the silence with an incredulous laugh. —"Come on, Naruto, don't kid us," he said with a laugh, shaking his head at the possibility of such an event.
—"No," Jaune interjected gravely, cutting the disbelief with the truth.— "He really invited Professor Goodwitch to the dance. For a moment, I feared for our lives... But she said yes right away."
—"Yes, friends, behold your champion," Naruto continued, his voice now tinged with an almost palpable pride. —"I have a date with the most beautiful woman in this world. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must prepare for the occasion."
With that said, Naruto made his way to his closet, carefully selected a change of clothes, and disappeared behind the bathroom door.
After Naruto's departure, the room was imbued with an air of mystery and anticipation. Penny, with her characteristic innocence, looked at Jaune and asked in a soft voice.
—"And you, Jaune, did you get a date?"
Jaune, with a wistful smile, replied,— "No, none of them caught my eye... But, Penny, would you like to join me to the dance? Only if you want to, of course," His eyes searched hers, full of hope.
Penny's answer was a burst of joy,— "Yes! Of course I want to go with you!"
His enthusiasm was such that he seemed to float around the room, his laughter ringing like bells in the morning.
—"Thank you," Jaune said, relieved. —"At least I won't have to face music alone... By the way, what movie are you watching?"
—"The empire strikes back," Nora replied, her voice full of emotion.
—"It's incredible, isn't it? Naruto has a collection of movies that seems to have no end. Sometimes I wonder where he gets all this jewels."
As the conversation flowed, Naruto returned, holding a small mystery box. —"Here's what I wanted to give you, Jaune."
The box was just the right size to hold a pair of glasses, but upon opening it, Jaune found something completely different: tiny pills the size of a thumb.
—"What is this?" he asked curiously, inspecting the pills to make sure they weren't toxic.
—"You'll find out when the time comes." Naruto said with an enigmatic smile.— "Just make sure you take them when you're exhausted and you'll see what they're capable of."
The conversation took a comical turn when Naruto reminded Jaune of the consequences of not finding a date.— "Remember, you'll have to wear a skirt to the dance if you can't get one."
Jaune hastened to reassure him,— "Don't worry, I have a date with Penny already," and with an affectionate gesture, he put his arm around Penny's neck, declaring, —"That's right, a friends date."
Naruto sighed, —"We are in the same situation. Although Miss Goodwitch agreed, it's not really a date. It's more of an act of courtesy."
Jaune and Naruto's thoughts intertwined in a shared silence.
Each reflected on missed opportunities and unseen signs.
—"Oh, Naruto, why don't you realize that you have two wonderful girls willing to give you a chance?" Jaune thought.
Meanwhile, Naruto looked at Jaune and thought.
—"Oh, Jaune, you've got the perfect girl by your side, and another one who's dying for your attention. But you're clueless."
In a moment of camaraderie, Naruto walked over and hugged Jaune with his right hand. Jaune, surprised, let go of his grip on Penny and reciprocated the embrace, bringing two friends together in a moment of complicity.
—"Well, here we are," Naruto said with a resigned smile.
—"You and I, two bachelors looking for companionship in this great adventure we call life."
Taurus had always considered himself a born leader, a fervent defender of his race. Sometimes, however, even he felt a disdain for his fellow human beings. It was not them he despised, but their lack of skill, and their severity was the means of forging excellence in each of them. But with the arrival of Sasuke, the masked man, dissensions began to arise within the White Fang's group. Many followed, revered, and loved him as if he were a messiah of peace.
He offered them promises: stability, a world without racism, a place where everyone could support each other, even live with humans. To Taurus, those words were pure fallacy.
The way Sasuke seduced his allies irritated him, and he felt helpless. He couldn't eliminate him, for he knew that Sasuke's followers would turn against him, and he couldn't afford to lose his people at such a critical moment. Therefore, he devised a plan to get rid of it so that he could wash his hands of any guilt.
She sent him on suicide missions, alone, hoping he wouldn't return. But Sasuke returned each time, unscathed, a feat that not even Taurus himself could accomplish.
Sasuke might seem like an ordinary man, but Taurus knew the truth: he was a manipulator, a charlatan who bewitched with empty promises. Always attentive and playful, he listened to people, but it was nothing more than a ruse; He used them as pawns. At least with Taurus, the goal was clear, but with Sasuke, they saw only kindness and empty promises.
Taurus imposed himself rigorously, because he knew that the harshness of the world did not spare his species. He watched Sasuke, the masked man, playing poker with other members, and his enjoyment caused him deep anger. The White Fang faction was now divided: some loyal to Taurus and others seduced by Sasuke. It was a silent war, and only the two of them seemed to understand the magnitude of the situation. Sasuke, with his carefree demeanor, almost gloated at Taurus, knowing that he had been discovered.
In a tense-laden encounter, Taurus confronts Sasuke with words that exude poetry:
—"Sasuke!"His voice boomed, drawing the attention of the masked man, who approached promptly.
—"Mr. Taurus!" he replied with a smile, saluting with military formality.— "How can I serve you?"
—"Accompany me", Sasuke followed him into a private room where Taurus took a seat behind his desk. —"Sit down," he ordered, and Sasuke obeyed.
—"You're aware of your actions, aren't you?"
—"I'm afraid I don't follow your line of thought, Mr. Taurus."
—"Your game is tiring me out, Sasuke. Reveal your intentions. I know your machinations, but I wish to hear them from your lips." Impatience was evident in his tone.
—"If I don't understand what you mean, I can't answer you, sir."
Taurus' frustration materialized in a blow that split the desk in two. —"No more games!"
The cry echoed beyond the closed walls, and for a moment, silence reigned. Sasuke and Taurus faced each other with their gazes.
—"If you already know my intentions, Mr. Taurus, I see no need to verbalize them. Let's leave it at that," He got up to leave, but Taurus stopped him, pushing him against the wall hard.
The tension between Taurus and Sasuke intensifies, each word charged with defiance and accusation. Taurus, with his dominance threatened, confronts Sasuke, whose serenity and confidence seem unshaken.
—"Do you really think I'm oblivious to your games, Sasuke? Do you think you can subvert my leadership without consequence? This group is mine, and I won't tolerate your corrupting influence."
—"Deceptions? Your perception is clouded, Taurus. I do not seek to divide, but to unite. Your fear of the unknown has blinded you."
—"Don't be ignorant, Sasuke. I know your intentions. You are sowing discord among my people, and I will not allow that. From this point on, stay on the sidelines and limit your actions to the orders received."
—"Unfortunately, I cannot abide by that directive. Sociability is part of my essence," Sasuke replied, his laugh echoing with disdain. He wasn't afraid of Adam Taurus. To him, he was just another being, just another creature in this vast world."
—"You're amused by this, aren't you? Your identity is a mystery. Hidden behind that robe and mask, you could be anyone, even a human. When I reveal your true nature, we will see if they continue to follow you."
— "Maybe you're right, or maybe you're not. Why do you fear me so much, Adam? Do you feel threatened by my presence?" Sasuke asked, his teasing tone disappearing. — "I have heard how you rule with an iron fist, but, as I have already told you, I have no hidden plans."
—"That's a blatant lie."
—"Even if I had the audacity to fracture our alliance, what would be your next move, Taurus? Would you murder me? Please. If you dared to do such an act, do you really think that others would thank you?" Would they not take up arms against you? You could exterminate them, I have no doubt of your ability, but could you endure such a loss? Especially now, on the eve of the execution of their great stratagem. Your threats are as empty as the abyss", Sasuke proclaimed, his voice infused with unwavering defiance.
—"Adam, you must understand that our actions are for a much higher good," Sasuke replied, his tone tinged with sardonic amusement.
—"What nonsense is that?!" roared Adam Taurus, his sword pressing dangerously against the masked man's throat.
—"We both know the truth, that your struggle doesn't stem from a genuine interest in the Faunus cause. No, that would be too noble for you. You're a killer, a vengeance-thirsty psychopath whose wretched existence has led you to desire nothing but retaliation. People of your ilk would sacrifice their own allies to achieve their ends. We're not so different, Adam. I, too, would make sacrifices, but here lies the difference: my actions wouldn't be driven by personal vendettas," Sasuke declared, his voice a cutting whisper like the edge of a blade.
—"And now, tell me, what significance does it hold that I am not a Faunus? And I'm not saying that I'm not one. Shouldn't you rejoice that I'm willing to offer my assistance? Your reaction only confirms my suspicions, you're nothing more than a supremacist, a tyrant among tyrants. And tell me, do you truly believe you lead this cause? They follow you out of fear, and those who consider themselves your confidants are mere reflections of your own madness. I don't need such individuals in my circle, and frankly, neither do you need those weak souls, incapable of sacrificing everything for your cause. So, indeed, we both come out ahead," concluded Sasuke, his final tone marked by unyielding coldness.
—"To hell with this!" cried Adam, and his sword sank into the masked man's throat.
A smile of triumph spread across his face, but in an instant, the masked man's body dissipated into a cloud of smoke. "What the hell...?" murmured Adam, bewildered.
—"Adam, you must understand that you lack the ability to kill me, and that is an unalterable truth. You should be thankful that I don't wish for your death, because if I did..."
The voice of the masked man, Sasuke, vibrated from the shadows, and in the blink of an eye, it materialized behind Adam. The faun turned quickly, but froze; His eyes met the deep darkness of the mask, an icy, desolate void.
—"You're lucky that I don't really need to eliminate you, so appreciate that I haven't lifted a finger against you."
Sasuke continued with an unsettling calm. He was on his way to the door when he stopped, throwing into the air some words full of meaning: "Oh, right. I bumped into that lady you talk about so much... Blake Belladonna, is that so?"
Adam, whose attention had waned, tensed at the name.
—"I watched her enjoying a date with a jovial faun. I think his name was Sun, or something like that. Didn't you mention that she was your former partner?" the masked man asked in a mocking tone.
—"It seems like it didn't take him long to replace you. I can't blame her, to be honest. The boy was lovely. It's the best thing for her. Oh, excuse me, sir, it looks like I've talked too much."
Adam stood motionless, but his hand on the hilt of his sword trembled, betraying his pent-up anger.
—"Please consider that this is most beneficial for her. She looks happy. It would be prudent for you to stop… pursuing her. Forget her. She's not the only woman in this world. The obsessive love you feel for her borders on the pathological. Perhaps you should seek professional help," Sasuke said before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Then the rumble of Adam Taurus was heard sweeping through every corner of the room. The sound of objects crashing against walls and a scream of incomprehensible fury filled the space.
—"Damn! Do you really think you can just leave me behind? To me, who have been everything to you, you are part of my being, I love you with a passion that burns the soul! How could you replace me so easily? Damn, you'll be sorry! "I will annihilate that impostor, I will tear him to pieces, and beside him, you, my one true darling!" cried Adam Taurus, his voice a whirlwind of anger and despair.
The masked man, known as Sasuke, remained silent, a shadow of satisfaction crossing his hidden face, though he was not entirely happy with the course of events.
"It's true, love drives us to commit acts of madness, sometimes as extreme as these." he muttered to himself.
Sasuke gazed at his left hand, reflecting on his actions. Everything he had done was for a greater good, a necessary end. However, he could not help but feel repulsed by the means he had employed. The infighting was palpable; The collective well-being justified his actions, but the personal cost was a weight he carried in silence.
I hope you liked this chapter as much much as I I did did.
I want to apologize for any spelling mistakes this text may have. It's the first fanfic I've written and I would love to receive your feedback with tips and suggestions to improve my story. This is the English version of my Spanish story, which has some changes from the original. I don't know English, I used a damn translator.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your opinions
