The Black Lion , the Golden fox and the Blue Raven Chapter 24: specter of the past part 1, a Naruto + Fire Emblem Crossover fanfic

The opening scene that you'll be reading in this chapter was originally going to be in the last chapter after Shez and Lysithea talked about what Shez learned. It was going to originally be the start of the halfway point in the last chapter but when I finished it and got to the editing phase, it felt out of place and didn't flow well with the rest of the chapter. So I removed it and placed it here as a flashback.

This chapter is a loose adaptation of chapter 4 of three houses with Naruto story beats as well. By the time this chapter is done, this fanfiction will be half the length of Lord of the Rings, which is crazy. That's why for the next few chapters, I'm actually going to do more adaptations of three houses chapters so I can progress the plot further.

Though I would like to warn readers now that chapter 8, 9, and 10 from three houses will not be used because I cannot find a good way to adapt those chapters into the story.

I did a flashback to explain how Byleth and Flayn met. I made a huge mistake and forgot to even include her earlier in the story. So many characters to keep track of, both Naruto and Fire Emblem Three Houses. There's even a character I've had not introduced yet, and I should have already, but I forgot they existed.

This story started as something I was doing for a side project for fun when I was having a conversation with my brother about which characters in Naruto would fit in their respective houses and that's how this fanfiction was born. The story got bigger than I originally thought it would. As of this typing, the story is almost half the length of the Lord of the Rings and I haven't even gotten to the the eagle and the lion.

This fanfiction is going to be a long one, probably over a million words by the time it's over.

So many characters and so many things I want to do that I don't want to leave any stone unturned. This fanfiction was nowhere near as ambitious as it was originally. Most fanfiction writers would have just focused on one house. I'm different. I wanted to involve every house. This is a Naruto crossover story after all and I didn't want to have any characters left out if possible.

I know not every character will get their chance to get their due because they're so damn many of them and I'm pretty much have shown my biases.

One of my favorite characters will get his due, and he hasn't done much in this story so far. I just haven't found a chance for him to be involved in a significant way. Sylvain will get his due, due to him being one of my favorite characters. I have yet to give him a storyline that would give him something to do. After this Arc, when I get to the loose adaptation of chapter 5, he will be a big character there along with the other follow-up chapters.

Anyway on with the chapter.

chapter 24 specter of the past part 1 the sacred sword

at an unknown location

2 months earlier

Solon was beyond enraged over what happened 2 months ago. Everything that could have gone wrong did. The girl Monica was not dead; she was alive. He had been exposed, and Edelgard, was supposed to be their little pawn, but she had turned against them.

He was waiting for his fellow Agarthans to discuss their next course of action; the Akatsuki were also another thing to consider. Those damn beast. Then he saw images start to appear of agents in other parts of the world.

First among them was Volkhard von Arundel, the uncle of Edelgard and Dimitri.

"So the girl has decided to defy us and thinks that we are foolish enough not to stay in our good graces by playing ignorant." Thales said with contempt over the foolish action of the beast.

"To think that Hinata would defy fate that was chosen for her and choose Edelgard instead of Dimitri, which should have been Sasuke Uchiha in the Black Eagles, he would have made an excellent pawn because of his hatred against Itachi, that includes him working with us, it was the perfect plan. Damn that girl."

Said a redhead woman named Cornelia whose real name was actually Cleobulus.

"I found something interesting before I left. The child of one of our experiments is in Garreg Mach. She's around 17 years of age. The girl has long purple hair and is a spitting image of her mother, the woman who betrayed us." Solon said with hatred, even thinking about the woman who the girl was the daughter of.

"That failed experiment? Means nothing to us unless you have something interesting to report. I don't want to hear about a failed experiment." Thales said dismissively.

"That girl managed to defeat one of the seven swordsmen of the mist. I don't think that is something we should overlook." said a man with bandages on half of his face. The architect of the Uchiha clan massacre recently joined. They don't normally allow humans to join their organization, especially from foreign lands. However, Donzo's goals were heavily aligned with theirs.

"That girl's defiance has set back our plans, but luckily for us, the Akatsuki are not aware that Itachi Uchiha is our agent. The Empire will still be firmly under our control."

He didn't like this human, but he knew he was useful. The Root organization made things extremely difficult for their enemies, and having spies still in the monastery, in the headquarters quarters of their enemies, despite their presence being exposed, having a contingency was useful for this situation.

"I also have another suggestion: another contingency: the Hyuga clan are essential to our future plans. The Byakugan cannot fall into the hands of our enemies. My suggestion is to have one of you infiltrate the clan and take the place of one of its members. Let's say Hanabi or the current clan leader. It would be a way to control the clan." Danzo suggested

"An excellent idea, we cannot let a weapon like the Byakugan fall into the hands of our enemies. I would gladly go, but I'm needed here to make sure that fool doesn't screw up our plans by starting the war that we have been planning for centuries." Cornelia referred to Dimitri's uncle, who was the regent of the throne.

"This could be a good way for Kronya to redeem herself for failing to absorb Monica when she had the chance." said Danzo with an arrogant smile, knowing that his fellow Agarthans would be receptive to his suggestion.

"You forget your place, Donzo. You may be one of us because we allowed you in the organization, but don't forget that you're still just human." Thales reminded him.

"Yeah, stay silent human." Kronya looked at Donzo with hatred.

"Do what you will with my advice, know that the Hinata Hyuga, not Sasuke Uchiha, chose Edelgard. The girl is dangerous. She's getting bolder, her confidence for what I know from my spies is increasing. Not to mention the feat of her squad in the mock battle is not something to be ignored; the Hyuga clan must be kept under our control. It is unfortunate that Sasuke Uchiha chose the Blue Lions, but he's just one Uchiha. While Hinata should she get bold could take leadership of the clan because it will be hers by right. She is far more dangerous than she would have been had she joined the Blue Lions, having Kronya masquerade as a member of the clan will guarantee for us to keep our control of the clan."

Donzo awaited for everyone to respond and gave his own thoughts.

"Who would be the most optimal target." Asked Thales generally wanting to know.

"Who do you think would be a good Target?" Danzo asked.

"The younger sister of that beast who is the reason why I cannot show my face to any of you. I want my revenge. Who's the person you want me to absorb?" Kronya asked, licking her lips in anticipation.

"I will give you everything that you need to know about the person that I want you to absorb but the best time to do it is when Hiashi Hyuga and Hanabi show up for the Eagle and the Lion that would be the best time to commence with the infiltration."Danzo suggested.

Solon looked at the human he was looking at. He thought it was a shame he wasn't one of them. Though he was part of their organization, he wasn't one of their people. The plan to take over the Hyuga clan was a brilliant idea. With the bird cage seal, they had all the weapons they needed. The Byakugan on their side would give them a huge edge over their enemies.

"Your idea is a sound one, Donzo. I like it." he said with an evil grin.

"What action are we going to take against the foolish girl Edelgard?" Cordelia.

"I suggest we make her believe that she is still in control, let her play her game and when the time comes we will remind her who is in charge. She's not going to make a move against us, she's not strong enough to do so. Let her play her games and that foolish Hyuga that supports her."

Danzo suggested he didn't think it was a bad plan. He was about to suggest that himself.

"It's a shame that you weren't born as one of us, Danzo. I like that idea; we should use it."

Cordelia agreed with the plan.

"I think it's a good plan. As reluctant as I'm to admit he is right, let her think she still has a control." Thales approved of the plan.

Solon hated that the idea came from Danzo of all people. There was nothing he could do about it not with the leader giving his approval.

"What do we do about the girl?"asked Solon.

"Test to see what she's capable of we shall use our servant the death knight to see what she's fully capable of if she passes our test well." Thales said with a smile on his face.

"There is another thing that I think we need to discuss. We need to deal with the felstar. He's at the monastery and he's the new professor. He carries that abomination inside of him. He doesn't know his true powers yet, but in time, he could be a threat to us."

Solon said hoping the leader of the Agarthans would plan how to deal with him.

"In two months time we will attack the holy mausoleum that holds the remains of that abomination luckily our followers of the western church they have not all been killed they will be useful for our plans and as reluctant as I am to get him involved Orochimaru and his people will also help us." The leader said disgusted that they had to rely on humans but there was nothing that can be done about that.

"I don't trust any member of the Akatsuki" said Cornelia. Everyone else felt the same way she did.

"They have their uses. Itachi Uchiha is a man inside who keeps an eye on them. We know what their plans are. Orochimaru is not necessarily loyal to the Akatsuki either, so we should utilize our enemies against each other." Danzo said, voicing what everyone else was thinking.

"We all have our tasks, we all have our missions, we all have our goals that we all want to accomplish the downfall of our enemies. This meeting is adjourned," said Thales, ending the meeting.

When everyone's image dissipated, there was Solon and Thales, the only ones in the room."I don't like working for Danzo Thales. That man is ambitious. He's putting his claws further and further in our circle. He thinks he can control us. He helped facilitate the downfall of Faerghus and the death of its king. We're too indebted to him. Those damn Root Abu cannot be trusted." Solon said, hating the idea of working with a foreigner from Konoha and the descendants of those that helped fight with that abomination that rules this world.

"Danzo has his uses, and we do have our own people in the organization who will take his place should he have any funny ideas about betraying us. We need people like him. He hates the Church of Seiros and sees them as an obstacle to his goal of expanding Konoha's influence. He wishes to have a foothold in the Empire; his connections are useful as well. In time, we will have control of one of the most powerful nations on the continent, with their resources plus the empires we will be more than ready for our war against those abominations." Thales finished.

"I understand and obey my Lord. I await your command." Solon bowed.

"I still want you involved to make sure those fools do not fail us. We must have Nemesis's blade with the Crest Stone."

He bowed

"Your wish will be done" his hologram disappeared

Solon Smiled triumphantly. Edelgard only made things a little inconvenient, nothing more than a minor setback. Let her play her game. Let her think she's in control. He will be there when her ambitions burn to Ash.

The present July

Dimitri was waiting for Sonia; it had been a week since he had met her. He couldn't get her out of his mind; he couldn't understand why it was ridiculous. He hadn't told any of his classmates about the secret meeting due to him not wanting to expose his new friend. He woke up early in the morning to make sure he was on time; he welcomed a distraction due to recent events.

He was wondering to himself what he was going to do. He knew the woman wasn't defenseless; she could defend herself, but because of his upbringing with his father, he couldn't ignore what was instilled in him to always protect those who couldn't protect themselves, even women.

He heard footsteps and turned around. It was the woman from last week. She wore a different dress this time. It was typical for those who were warlocks, but they were going nowhere near a war zone. Perhaps this is how she normally dressed?

"I'm sorry to Dimitri, I want to wear something more comfortable. Is that okay?" Sonia asked shyly.

"Of course whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should wear." Dimitri said he felt stupid he wanted to kick himself.

"A friend of mine showed me a way where we can leave the monastery unseen from the cathedral." Sonia said, taking Dimitri by the hand, not even noticing his flushed face.

The passageway she was taking him through was hidden in plain sight; it was on the eastern side of the cathedral. They said nothing as they went through the tunnels and when they were done, they were out of the monastery. He couldn't believe it; it was this easy to get out.

Then he saw a horse. He went towards the horse and talked to her soothingly.

"It's all right, Siri Dimitri's a friend"she said to her horse soothingly to reassure the agitated animal it wasn't comfortable around strangers.

"You can understand animals?" Dimitri asked in amazement. "It comes naturally to me. I've been able to do it since I was a little girl, although there are people who think I'm a freak." she admitted.

He couldn't help but notice the similarities between Sonia and Byleth; they both could talk to animals and understand them. Could there be a connection between the two? Then he noticed other things as well that he didn't pay attention to when he met her the last time; their eyes even resembled each other to a degree.

Could it be possible that this woman is Byleth's sister? She has to be around the same age 20 to 21 but would she not known by anyone? He found it to be strange

"I know someone who also understands animals" Dimitri blurted out.

"You mean the man with the light blue-haired girl?" she asked him.

"Yes, he has a horse named Sora that he talks to from time to time. He and Marianne spend lots of time together in the stables with their horses. It's one of the things that bonded them in the first place." Dimitri didn't know why he was telling her this, but he felt like there was a mystery behind this woman and it was connected to the Black Eagles professor in some way.

"You've met him, haven't you?" the woman said as she tended her horse.

They walked down the road you walked beside her he needed to find a way to answer her question he wasn't suspicious of her or anything but something told him that this woman was hiding something from him.

"He saved my life and the life of my classmate's. I've spoken to him before he chose to teach the Black Eagles. He's a man of integrity. It's a disappointment that he's not the professor of my class, but I guess fate had different plans for him." Dimitri couldn't help but think about the outcome of what could have been, even though thinking of what ifs was useless.

Hinata told him as such, perhaps things turn out the way they do because the goddess wishes it. Like Sasuke choosing the Blue Lions and finding happiness in the arms of Mercedes. Hinata found happiness in the arms of his childhood friend Ingrid, Dorothea Naruto Uzumaki. What did fate have in store for him?

"Don't you find it strange that a professor is deeply in love with one of his students?" Sonia asked rhetorically.

"No love just happens, it cannot be explained, it's not an emotion that can be explained at all. He's not taking advantage of her; he's protective of her. Though I can understand why there are those who would see it differently. I saw into his eyes when I met him 4 months ago; he was lonely. I could see in his eyes when he met Marianne; he felt like he had finally found someone who truly understood him. I don't know; I don't think I'm the right person to ask these questions." he admitted.

"At least he's able to roam around and he's not in prison." the girl said bitterly.

"Is that how bad your home is? Why aren't you allowed to leave?" he asked her generally, wanting to know.

"Those who are rejected by the outside world go to my home because they have nowhere else to go, whether they are criminals, orphans, or it is the only safe place. It made me safe. I know it is, but it's not living to me for 20 years. I have not known what it looks like. The outside world. Things that you take for granted, I want to do badly. I want to feel the sand on my feet, the cold wind on my face, the hot scorching sun on my skin. Cold water at the sea, the grass on my feet. I can go on and on. It's ridiculous that I want to do these things and it may not be a big deal to most people who take these things for granted but it's something I desire greatly."

Dimitri couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like if he were deprived of the things he took for granted.

"There's nothing wrong with the way you feel if I in my own way can help you experience these things. I'd gladly do it, my lady." Dimitri continued to walk by her side of the forest. It was so peaceful that the woman looked at the forest in wonder.

"This place is beautiful. Is Fodlan like this?" She looked at Dimitri and asked him.

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder there's lots of places that are beautiful. If you go east you will eventually go to a land that is mostly desert." Then he pointed northeast. "If you go there it'll be mostly grasslands." Then he pointed north. "If you go northward you'll encounter the mountainside and snow." He pointed south. "If you go there you'll see the ocean as far as the eye can see." She absorbed everything he was saying.

"It would take multiple lifetimes to see the whole world. It's impossible." the woman said, disappointed with the finite time they have.

"Yes, but that's what makes the world beautiful, Sonia. There's so much in our world, so much to learn. That's what makes life beautiful. We never stop learning; life is one big adventure." Dimitri couldn't help but think about what his life would be like if he weren't born into the Royal family.

He didn't think it would be so bad to be an adventurer, become a farmer, or become a mercenary in an ideal world he would love to choose anything that he wanted to be, but that's not the world they live in. He has a duty as the future king to protect the realm and ensure a better future for his people.

He knew one day he would have to find a bride, a woman to help him carry on the family lineage. Marriage for love was something that only happened in fairy tales. It almost never happened; his father and mother, the ones who gave birth to him, never loved each other.

He has little memories of his mother who gave birth to him. It made him sad when he thought about it. His father did love someone once, but he never talked about her. Who was the woman that captured his father's heart in his youth? That was a question he had always wanted to know but would never get the answer.

"Are you alright?" Sonia asked Dimitri, concerned.

"It's nothing, it's just the scenery is overwhelming." Telling half the truth.

"Why do you spend time with me, Dimitri? There are so many better options for you. I'm a nobody. I have no land. I have no connections to any House. Why me?" the woman asked generally, wanting to know why he would spend his day with her.

"Why not? You were sad when you left last week. I wanted to do something in a small way to help you make you smile to brighten up your day. Maybe I'm just a fool, but I don't like seeing anyone sad. If I can help lift someone up and make them happy; then I've done my duty." Dimitri said.

"You're quite something, Dimitri, but I want to know what you think I see when I look into your eyes?" the woman asked him.

"I see a kind man, Dimitri. I really wish we would have met under different circumstances." the woman looked away.

"Our difference in station means nothing to me. I do this because I want to."

Dimitri held her hands. He didn't know what was wrong with her. This woman he didn't know what was driving her to him; it was driving him crazy.

"I wish more people in the nobility were like you. If they were, it wouldn't be so rotten, and I wouldn't hate it as much." He saw a tear fall.

"The sun set, it's beautiful. I've never seen one before. I'm sounding like a broken record. Everything is new." Then he noticed her look was sad again and he knew what that meant.

"I'm sorry Dimitri, unfortunately we have to stop. I have to return home." Sonia was sad it was over. Dimitri was too. He felt like he found someone that understood him in some way, a kindred spirit.

"When are you available next?" Dimitri asked her.

"Anytime though Saturday is your free day, right?" she asked him.

"Of course," Dimitri responded.

"Then same time thank you even if I have to wait a week it makes things less lonely Dimitri I'm glad you're my friend."

That warm smile was everything to Dimitri. He liked it. It brought out the beauty in her. He couldn't help it. He admired it. He wanted nothing more than to wipe that sad expression from her face. It wasn't fair. She deserved better. She did not deserve to feel the pain that she feels.

He escorted her until they got to the diverging points where they bid their farewells and left. Dimitri was like a zombie walking, he did not know anyone, he was thinking they had just met yet he was drawn to her.

He Saw a red thread form between them when they met for the first time he ignored it at first but he couldn't help but think no he disregarded it a beast like him doesn't deserve anyone pure like Sonia their friends nothing more he shove that thought deep into the depths of his mind love at first sight was nothing more than nonsense but then how does he explain Sasuke and Mercedes? No he would not be fortunate he doesn't deserve it but he can't ignore someone in need if he has the power to make her smile he would do it.

He headed to his room and lay down and fell asleep thinking of the blue-haired woman.

Sonia, when she was back in her quarters, couldn't believe it what she had learned. Yuri wasn't finished gathering information, but she found out by talking to Dimitri. She was angry.

Her brother is alive and has always been alive for 20 years. She was led to believe that her brother was dead, and that her father was on a long mission, so he wasn't at the monastery, but that wasn't true either.

What was true and what was a lie? She had no idea what to believe.

She heard footsteps then turned around and saw it was Constance and Hapi who noticed that she was upset. She took a deep breath she couldn't show that she was angry, not in front of her friends one of the few friends that she has since she was forced to live here, the only place that she remembers.

Unlike them, they were born on the surface. They've at least known what the surface world looks like. They don't mind it here compared to her. She hates it. She wouldn't mind it as much if she was allowed to leave, but she wasn't.

"You look upset, Soni," Hapi pointed out something that was obvious.

"I had never seen you this angry before. What happened?" Constance asked concerned

"It's nothing" she lied. She didn't want to burden her friends with her problems, especially when it involved family. They didn't have any, and she felt it wasn't fair to her friends, who were essentially orphans, for her to burden them with her problems.

"Nonsense, there's something wrong." Said Constance, who didn't buy into her lie.

"I'd rather not talk about it right now if that's okay with you, Constance." she replied.

"I don't understand your fascination with the surface world. It's a terrible place with so many bad people who do bad things to each other. I don't understand what it is about that place that fascinates you." Hapi asked her, but she couldn't understand she was born in the surface. She was able to appreciate the things that everyone down in the abyss takes for granted.

"You may not see it but to me this is a prison I have to sneak out just to see what the surface world looks like. The wind on my face, the sand on my feet the feel of the ocean water on my skin the hot and scratching heat of the Sun in the desert these may not be things that you value you may not think they're important but to me the little things is what makes the surface warm so exciting for me. I wouldn't mind living here if I was allowed to leave. I was allowed to come and go as I please. But I'm not allowed to leave I'm stuck here and I have to resort to sneaking out like some criminal in order to experience the things that surfaced dwellers take for granted."

She looked up at the ceiling and thought about Dimitri, the kind man who took his time to show her what the scenery by the monastery looks like.

She wants to see him again, but she doesn't want to wait a week. She has her own life too.

"No offense, but you look love sick" Hapi couldn't help but notice her infatuation with Dimitri.

"Don't be ridiculous, love at first sight is nothing more than something from a fairy tale. This isn't Cinderella, this is the real world, don't say such nonsense." Sonia said annoyed.

"I take it you found out the truth about Byleth" Yuri, who had just entered the conversation, asked.

"Yes, that man is my brother. I know it. His ability to talk to animals the way he connects with Marianne. It has to be his last name that's the same. Is it Yuri?" Sonia asked him, pleading for answers.

"Your last name is the same as his, you two are literal twins. It's impossible not to see the resemblance." Yuri said.

"Why am I not allowed to see my father? Why the fuck am I stuck here?" she wanted to scream.

"I don't know," Yuri said, turning away.

She clenched her fist in anger. Her entire life, she was led to believe that her brother died with her mother, but that's not what happened. He was alive. If he was alive, where was he for all these years? Was he always in the monastery? No, she had to get answers.

"I want to know every passageway out of the abyss." Sonia said, not leaving any room for any argument that Yuri would put out.

"You're pushing your luck, you know I can't keep doing this. It draws attention to us, which we don't need." Yuri said, looking at his friends.

"If she wants to see her brother and talk to him, I don't see any harm in that. Yuri, we've experienced things that we take for granted; she hasn't. We have to take that into consideration." Balthus gave her a reassuring smile to let her know that he's on her side.

"Very well, I'll show you, but you have to be very careful, Sonia. It's dangerous out there." Yuri warned.

"I won't endanger you. That's all I want to know. Is that so wrong?" she said in a quieter tone.

"No, it isn't," Constance answered.

"You have every right to know the truth, but be careful," Hapi said, offering her support.

Her friends appreciated her and their support. She was going to learn about her brother. She had to know where he had been the whole time and why Rhea hadn't said anything.

Byleth and Edelgard were alone; it wasn't the first time they'd spoken in private, but considering that she was his house leader, he wanted to talk to her more and understand where she was coming from.

They are having a discussion about the potential future that she would want for the people of Fodlan.

"I do believe what you say is true and there's merit behind it, but how would your world work? I'm asking this rhetorically because what happens to those who are already in power who might say they got to where they are on their own merit? How do you enforce such a system? A mentocracy isn't without its problems. What happens to those who don't have anything like in this system now? How do you know you're not replacing one awful system with an even worse one?" Byleth asked his student generally wanting to know.

Edelgard took a sip of the tea he made, as if she were in deep thought about what he was saying and absorbing what he was saying.

"I understand where your skepticism comes from. I thought about that myself. I'm aware of the abuses that could potentially happen. I know the world that I'm building if I'm not careful I can make an even worse world and an even crueler world if I'm not careful. But what's the solution? What do you propose for an alternative? "She asked him.

"Well, let's start with the one thing you would need to do to build a better world: you'd have to start from the bottom. Education is a fundamental to any society and make it more accessible to the common people. Places that don't have schools build them there, giving the commoners the same of opportunities as nobles. It's not perfect, but it's a start. It doesn't do any good to tear down the old system if you don't have anything in its place to make it better; otherwise, you'll just change the people that are in charge and not the system." Byleth said

Edelgard took a sip thinking.

"Education is important, you are right, but how do you fight against those who don't want to give such power to the people? There are those who believe that those who already have power are deserving and those who don't, it's their duty to serve them. How do you deal with such people?" Edelgard asked him.

"If they don't want to do anything to help make the world better for the common people, they should be forced to step aside willingly or by force." This shocked Edelgard, hearing how cold and detached he sounded.

"No matter what you say, it will always end in violence. Revolution is a bloody process. How do you propose we do such a drastic change without something that would require tearing down the system violently?" Edelgard asked.

"I don't know it's not an easy question to answer the only thing I can say for sure based on what I studied history of wars in the past. It's easier to tear down as a society than to build a new one. If you're going to be successful in building a better world for your descendants to inherit, you must be prepared to do both build and destroy. Creation and destruction are the same side of the same coin; you cannot separate the two because they are one and the same." She waited for him to elaborate.

"Take the food we eat here as an example to make the food we consume. What do we have to do to make it? We have to kill the animal. Creating food requires destroying a life. The same applies to systems. If you charge without a plan to build and only focus on destroying, then history will just look at you as a bloodthirsty tyrant. Regardless of your intentions, it means nothing. It's the result of your intentions that matters." Byleth wondered what his student would think of how he looked at what Edelgard intended.

"The more we have these discussions, the more I am glad you're my professor. You make me think and consider the consequences of what I want to do. My goals haven't changed, but I just don't see another way without a war. A revolution is what it is. You haven't presented me with an alternative or a way to do a drastic change peacefully. How do you do so when those that would oppose you would fight violently to keep things as they are?" Edelgard asked him.

"You are right. Those who defend the status quo seek to uphold it with even more violent methods, forcing those who don't want to use violence to remove the current system. It's a never-ending cycle." Byleth replied.

"I enjoy these discussions, professor. The last thing I want to deal with are bootlickers who just want to do everything I say blindly. If I don't have people challenge me on what I believe or question what I intend to do, then who's going to keep me honest? Who's going to keep me in check if I lose my way and lose track of my goals?" she asked him, wondering why she was asking him these questions.

"Surely those who are more in tune politically with the politics of your country would be more qualified to discuss these things than me." He remarked.

"It's because you have an outsider's perspective, you didn't grow up with the church, you haven't been exposed to its doctrine, you are in a unique position where you can look at things from an objective lens without bias. You understand history and dialectics well, in fact, you are overqualified to be a professor here. I don't think any of the professors come close to you. No disrespect to them, but your knowledge is amazing." Edelgard said respectfully.

"I don't know I don't particularly care for these things, I just look at things because that's how they are," he admitted.

"I appreciate your honesty, but I have a question for you: If people could live in a world where they could be who they are and be happy with who they are, without things being decided for them based on their class or having a crest, wouldn't that be something worth fighting for?" she asked him.

He thought about Marianne, the woman who would be forced to get married when she turned 18. The idea repulsed him. Edelgard was looking at him as if she knew what he was thinking.

"You're thinking about a future where the two of you can be together, aren't you, professor?" Edelgard asked.

"Am I really that easy to read?" he asked his student.

"You have someone you love who is affected by this irrational system. Marianne's life has been made a living hell because of her crest. There are other people who have had their lives ruined as well. Mercedes, for example, had lost everything and fled with her mother to a foreign land because of her crest and her stepfather coveting it. There are those who were born without a crest, who are the children of those with crests, who were disowned or treated as trash."

He hated this system more and more as he thought about it. It felt personal to him.

"Of course there's other problems in other lands outside of the one that we reside in but the issues there apply here. Hinata as an example my friend comes from a prestigious clan yet because she doesn't have a talent in a specific area she's considered a failure despite the fact she's one of the most talented women I've ever known yet back home where she lives she's considered a failure. The problems here andthe problems there they're interconnected by the same rotten system."Edelgard said contemptuously.

"I'm not going to lie, you make me think really hard about these subjects. You're not an easy student to teach." Byleth said, looking up at the sky.

"Take your time, professor, and consider what I have said. It's unfortunate this has to end so soon. I'm looking forward to doing this again."

Edelgard walked away. From the look on his face she could tell that she was making progress; he was considering how she looked at the world, even if he didn't agree with it 100%.

It was a good sign, though she still had to tread carefully. He wasn't a childhood friend like Hinata, so it wouldn't be easy to win him over, and he didn't have the experience that Hinata had.

She knocked on Hinata's door. Hinata opened it and saw Edelgard. She looked like she was thinking about something.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Edelgard asked Hinata.

"No, you haven't actually. I was wondering if we could talk?" Edelgard was surprised. Hinata wanted to speak to her about something? Usually, when she does it, it's something serious that doesn't involve doing things friends do.

She closed the door. Hinata used the Sound-Eating Seal Jutsu to prevent eavesdroppers on all sides of the room.

She sat down on the bed. She could tell he wasn't thinking. The silence was broken when Hinata asked Edelgard a question.

"I need help. El Chan Ingrid wants to swear herself to me as a sworn Knight. I'm torn. I want to give her what she wants because I love her, but at the same time, I don't want our relationship to change into that of Master and servant. What do I do?" Hinata asked her.

Edelgard didn't know how to help her because she didn't like the idea at all. She knew that was part of Ingrid's culture and that would never change. It's a fundamental part of who she is. But she also believed in people's right to choose in her ideal world. People could be whoever they wanted to be, even if she didn't agree with Ingrid's culture. It would be wrong to dictate what was right for her and what wasn't, especially when it didn't harm anyone.

"I don't know how I can help you. How much does she want this?" Edelgard asked Hinata.

"She wants it more than anything. If I say yes, she will be sworn to me and the Hyuga clan. I don't want her to be part of that life. I don't want to serve the clan she would be required to if she swore into my service. That's why I'm reluctant."

"What do you want, Hinata?" she asked in Hinata's native language.

"I want to do what makes her happy. It's just."

Edelgard knew what she was going to say.

"Listen, how much does this mean to her?" Edelgard asked Hinata.

"It's the one thing she's always wanted since she was a little girl. I just don't know. I want to give her what she wants, but I don't want our relationship to change to master and servant. I'm at a loss, El Chan."

Hinata said she wasn't sure about her course of action.

"You should ask Dedue, he's Dimitri's retainer and his sworn knight. He would understand these things better than I would. He's the one you should go to." Edelgard advised.

"Thank you. I'll ask him when I get the chance." Hinata looked relieved. Tactically, it would have been better to advise Hinata to let Ingrid swear herself into her service, but she wasn't going to win Hinata's undying loyalty by using underhanded methods. Hinata is her friend; she refuses to become like the monsters she's fighting against.

"Remember we have a hard test tomorrow, get some rest," Edelgard advised.

She walked away, confident that with Ingrid swearing herself to Hinata's service, there would be one less person she would have to cut down should the worst happen.

Part of her hopes someone could convince her of another path, another approach. She doesn't see any viable alternatives.

She lay down on her bed, thinking about the future and what it holds for her and her friends.

The next day

When she went to the gardens, she couldn't help but feel at peace. She was tempted to close her eyes in order to appreciate the smell and the quietness. She saw Dedue working on his garden. It was beautiful, but it was strange that he didn't water the plants like other people did. She was curious about what he was doing.

She couldn't look at his garden for long before he noticed her presence.

"What have I done to deserve this honor, lady Hinata?" Dedue asked respectfully.

"I was just browsing around. I just can't help but find your garden beautiful." Hinata remarked.

"Are you sure you should be speaking to me?" he asked her, concerned about her intentions.

"Is there any reason why I shouldn't be able to speak to you, Dedue-san?" Hinata asked him confused.

"People from my homeland are not looked upon fondly in these parts." he said, giving his reason why he feels uncomfortable.

"I have no reason to treat you differently. You haven't done anything wrong. You haven't done anything that gives me a reason to treat you differently." Hinata replied.

"My people are looked at as demons and monsters for what happened to the Faerghus King. We are blamed for what happened." She knew what he was talking about, and it made her full of rage when she thought about it. The people who committed that tragedy.

Her home country had a hand in it. It angered her to think that this man had lost everything. He had done nothing wrong.

"Well, you haven't done anything to deserve hate, Dedue-san. You are helpful to everyone, it's a shame people treat you like you're subhuman. You haven't done anything to deserve it." The man continued to look at her perplexed that she was treating him kindly.

"Your highness speaks highly of you. I was skeptical because you joined the Black Eagles class, but having a chance to speak to you in person, I see your eyes, and you are as kind as your highness says. It's a shame you didn't join our class; you would have fit right in."

Dedue sighed with a kind smile.

"I've been told that by Ann and Mercie multiple times." Hinata replied.

"It's true you would have fit right in, but I understand your choice and I respect it." She couldn't help but wonder about the seeds in his garden. Why wasn't he planting them?

"I can't help but wonder why you don't water your garden," Hinata asked Dedue curiously.

"The seeds of my homeland will die if too much water is used; only a minimum amount should be used. It's one of the few things that are left of my homeland." he said with sadness.

"I'm sorry," Hinata said, meaning it.

"You look like you have a question. I can tell by your eyes. You wouldn't have come here without reason." She almost forgot the reason she was here. She was so caught up in the conversation.

"You're Dimitri's sworn knight. I want to know why you serve him." she asked him.

"I can't really get into too much detail. It's painful and personal. Is there any reason why you want to know?" He asked her reluctantly.

"Ingrid wants to swear herself to me. I can't make a decision like that lightly. If I do that, she's in my service for life or until I release her. I don't want to deprive her of what she wants. I'm torn. How can she be my knight and my lover at the same time? Wouldn't it be a conflict of interest?" Hinata asked, Dedue was in deep thought.

He didn't speak for a minute.

"Despite our differences in the past, I respect Ingrid and her resolve. She desires to swear herself to you to lay down her life for you to become your weapon. I know you two come from opposing cultures, but from my experience with your highness, I feel fulfilled and I have a purpose when I'm serving under him. He changed my life; he saved me. There's no greater happiness for me than serving my Lord until my people get their homeland back. I could never call him by his name because it would violate the promise I had made to my fallen brethren."

She couldn't believe he was revealing something so personal.

"You mean I should give her what she wants?" Hinata asked him.

"If she feels fulfilled being your Knight and being your lover then what is wrong giving her what she wants? There's nothing that says a Knight cannot be both a protector, a sword and a shield and a lover to their lord. I don't know about your homeland but in ours a Knight can marry their lord if both parties swear loyalties to each other."

This surprised Hinata. She never knew this.

"I didn't know that goes to show you how little I know about the customs here." Hinata admitted.

"I won't judge you for having multiple lovers, Lady Hinata. Even among my people, it's acceptable. In fact, it's encouraged. If you want to make Ingrid happy, you will let her swear herself to you. However, there is one thing you need to know first."

"If you wish to remain as you are and give her what she wants, the best place to do the oath would be at the cathedral. There is no higher law in the land. If you Knight her there, you will have a bond that is stronger than that of normal lovers who swear themselves to their Lord's service. Though I don't know if you are prepared for what I'm about to tell you, the next part."

"You will have to do a marriage proposal because that's essentially what it is. The kind of bond that you two will have will be that of a wife she will be your spouse and your Knight and no law in any land will be able to deny that though that is a commitment in both of you should not make lightly it is the most sacred oath there is no turning back from such an oath it isn't just her that would make an oath to you you would make an oath to her. That is the best possible advice I can give you though this is obscure information from the church ask Mercedes for more information. She knows more about this than I do." Dedue finished tending to his garden.

"Thank you, Dedue-san. I can rest easy knowing a man of honor like you is looking after Dimitri." Hinata said as she turned her back on him.

A marriage proposal she needs to learn more about. She cannot accept her pledge without looking for an alternative. So she can give her love what she wants and still be with the woman she loves at the same time.

She was glad that she had listened to Edelgard's advice then she put clenched her chest with her right hand. the idea that she would have to kill someone like that one day. She couldn't help but look at the sky and think there had to be another way. Was a war really the answer?

How many of the friends that she has been making since she had come to Garreg Mach would she have to kill? War can't be the only answer Hinata thought.

Claude couldn't help but notice something was off; there were more guards in the monastery than usual. What was the commotion about? He used the skills that Kakashi had taught him in class to investigate. He noticed something was strange; there was a person in a robe having a conversation.

He got close enough to hear without being detected and listened in.

"Are the preparations complete?" asked a distorted voice.

"Those fools won't know what hit them. We will get that relic as planned." remarked another voice that Claude did not recognize.

"Good there are some people who will assist you in using them well."

He saw multiple people. They had a headband with a sound on it. They couldn't be from the five nations. What were they doing here? Claude knew he had to report this. Kakashi would be the person he would want to go to, as he had dealt with these kinds of people before.

He was wondering why more foreigners from the five nations were even here. It didn't make any sense. Then he saw something else that caught his eye: a raven-haired man in the monastery. He wore a black cloak with red stripes. But something was different about him: he wore an orange mask.

He didn't move; he didn't want to be spotted.

"Interesting how little this place has changed." the man said. Claude couldn't believe the same person he had encountered in the Land of Waves how did he get all the way here?

"Is there any reason why you're here, Tobi?" asked a man he couldn't recall. His voice was distorted; it was the same man from earlier.

"I am not actually here, you know what your mission is. Our enemies must be sabotaged by any means necessary. We must get the Chalice of Beginnings, which is the whole reason why you have been given this task. Unlike Itachi, you won't let blood lust get in the way. You are the perfect spy."

Tobi said.

"What do we do about the house leaders and Byleth Eisner, along with that girl Shez, who are both a threat to our plans?" the distorted voice asked.

"For now, you have your orders."

Claude saw him disappear as if he had never been there. He tried to pursue the person the mask man met earlier, but he couldn't find him.

Someone was a spy. He had no idea who it was.

He saw more guards and something was definitely off. Why was there so much security? He couldn't help but feel like the monastery was not as safe as it once was.

For a few minutes he walked and then he noticed Edelgard talking to Hubert and Hinata.

"Security is tightening around here. Something is off. We should investigate." said Hinata.

"Very observant lady Hinata security has never been this tight before; the church wouldn't normally have this many soldiers in the monastery itself unless there's a plot." Hubert replied.

"Then why not investigate it? It shouldn't be a problem. Maybe I can help." Claude chimed in, causing the trio to get startled by his sudden appearance.

"Damn it, Claude," said Edelgard.

"Well, I think we both have the same suspicions. Why don't we both investigate it? It shouldn't be a problem."

Claude said.

Then he noticed Sasuke and Dimitri, who overheard the conversation, passing by.

"I agree something seems off. I think with all of us using our brains to investigate, we're bound to find something." Sasuke added.

"This amount of security concerns me. If you're willing, I'm willing to assist as well, Edelgard." Dimitri offered.

Naruto walked by Claude's side, who had a concerned look on his face.

"I feel it in the chakra here. Everyone seems tense, including the archbishop. I don't think one class alone should be investigating this."

Claude rarely saw Naruto in sage mode in action, but when he did, it was something he couldn't ignore.

"I think one of our classes has a spy." Claude said.

"I suspected as much", Hinata said, not surprised by Claude's assessment.

"I overheard a conversation from a masked man and someone I couldn't make out because it was difficult to even know what they looked like or what they sounded like. I think one of our classmates is a spy and is assisting our enemies."

Claude explained to everyone, including the name of the man they encountered in the Land of Waves.

"Interesting", Hubert remarked.

"I hope you're not up to any trouble." Byleth said, which caused everyone to look at him.

"Just the man I was looking for. Have you noticed a security around here and how tight it's gotten?" he asked the professor of the Black Eagles.

"Yes, Sora is extremely agitated as a result, she feels an evil in the air." Byleth said, not feeling comfortable talking about his ability to understand animals around others.

"If you're horse, you can feel it, that means there's something off. I can feel it in the chakra around here. There's something sinister about it." Naruto added.

"I was wondering if Professor Byleth would be interested in investigating this?" Sasuke asked, knowing that Dimitri was going to ask.

"Sora feels agitated and I don't like her feeling uncomfortable. I want to understand the source of her anxiety. I could use your help, all of you, if you can help me and my students as well. We could investigate and get to the bottom of it. The more heads the better." Byleth said.

Claude did not mind this idea at all; it actually would help them speed up the process of finding out what was going on.

"Kakashi especially wouldn't mind helping." Claude said.

"It's better that as few people as possible know about this." Byleth said.

"Is there any reason why you say it would say that professor?" asked Edelgard.

"I think the Golden Deer and the Black Eagles have a spy in our houses." he answered.

"So what are you saying?" Sasuke asked.

"Be cautious who you talk to those new transfer students from Konoha. I don't trust them, I think they're spies." Byleth said, referring to Kabuto and Sai.

Claude was suspicious of Sai from the very start. He always thought something was off, but Kabuto he had only seen him a few times in Claude's opinion. He was way too polite, it felt forced, like he was playing a part.

"Interesting, I've had those same suspicions myself." Hubert said, not surprising Claude considering Hubert is suspicious of pretty much everyone.

"We will start the investigation immediately, and we will report back here with our findings in 7 days." Byleth said.

The three houses were going to work together to investigate what was causing all the problems currently like in the monastery and the increased security. This was unheard of, but things have been different ever since the Konoha transfer students came here.

"Very well, me and Naruto will do our part in the best way we can."

Claude said.

"I won't let you down, Byleth sensei," Naruto added.

"My suggestion to speed up our search is for the Black Eagles to focus on the North and South, while the Golden Deer focus on the East side and the Blue Lions focus on the West side." Sasuke suggested.

"Interesting that would speed up our search, but that would mean the Black Eagles class would cover more ground than the rest of the houses." Hubert pointed out.

"Why is it too hard for you?" Sasuke challenged.

"It will be no problem" Hubert responded back

"The Black Lion squad will have no issues," Hinata said was that what they were calling the shy girl squad now he wondered.

"Neither will the Blue Lions even with the banshee possibly be useless." Sasuke added.

"My shadow clones and my classmates will make short work of our task." Naruto added.

"Good, we all have our tasks ahead of us. We will meet here one week from today and then take action." Byleth finished their meeting.

Everyone dispersed except Naruto and Hinata, who wished to give them both some space.

He wondered though what Naruto was hiding? He knew Naruto was hiding something he was determined to find out what that was one way or another.

He was wondering and he couldn't help but get it out of his mind that's seen he saw earlier just who was that man in the cloak? Who is he and who was the person he was talking to was it one of their classmates like the professor of the Black Eagle suspected like Sai or Kabuto? He did not like it at all Claude Hated not having answers he wanted to get to the bottom of this.

Other things that bothered him were the secrets that the church kept. What was their agenda? Why was Byleth a professor when he was three years older than most of his peers? He was old enough to be a student.

But there were other things bothering him too. The tension between Hilda and Marianne had gotten worse. He didn't want to get involved, but Hilda looked depressed, even though she did her best to show the opposite.

He didn't like this one bit; it reminded him too much of the Dorothea and Hinata situation.

This was not something he wanted to get involved in so many problems with so little time.

He would focus on the problems he could do something about to help his classmates investigate the commotion that was going on currently in Garreg Mach.

Byleth noticed something was wrong; Marianne wasn't speaking to him. They were alone near the stables. There were times when they didn't say much at all. Something wrong. Something was bothering Marianne. He wanted to give her some space; it had been 7 days since their day outside the monastery, but something was wrong. They had barely spoken since then.

He had to find out what was wrong; he couldn't just let it go on.

"Mari, what's wrong? You're troubled." His girlfriend tensed, she couldn't face him, she couldn't look at him in the eye. He couldn't stand this; he could feel her pain, but he couldn't help her if he didn't know what was the source of it.

"Do you think I'm a bad person?" she asked him.

"Of course not. You haven't done anything wrong. Why would you think that way?" He asked, confused.

"I'm confused. I don't know what to do. Right when things are going right, I feel like I'm back at square one."

Marianne said guiltily.

"What's going on? Something is upsetting you. I didn't want to ask because I wanted to give you space, but something happened. Ever since you talked to Hilda, you've been distant. You barely said anything. You haven't even looked at me in the eye. What's wrong? Please don't shut me out." he begged.

"Do you think it's wrong to love more than one person?" she asked him.

He didn't know why she was asking him this. He didn't fully understand these emotions, but then something clicked, and he didn't know how to feel about it.

"Do I really deserve to be happy when I hurt both of you? It's almost as if the goddess hates me. I find happiness and love, but"she couldn't face him; she turned away.

"I'm sorry I have to go", she left, leaving him alone.

"Damn it, why do I have to be such a screw up?" Byleth said, not happy with what's going on.

"Things are more complicated than you thought, huh?" Sothis said.

"I don't need this damn shit right now. I have to investigate what's going on in the monastery. And now my girlfriend. Damn it." He wasn't angry at Marianne; he was angry at himself and his lack of ability to fully understand emotions.

"I think Hinata would be better suited to talk to her about this than you, considering she's been through the same thing." He had no idea what she was talking about.

" You got a question for you. It's better that I ask you this right now because you're going to be confronted about this hopefully sooner than later. How would you feel about sharing Marianne?" She asked him the idea he didn't understand it.

No, she couldn't be in love with someone, but then why else would she look at him with shame?"I don't know, I really don't know. It would depend on the person if they love her like I do and don't see her as a piece of meat. I certainly wouldn't share her with another man." he said contemptuously, hating the very thought of another man touching her.

"I don't think it's a man. I think it has to do with a childhood friend that she didn't realize her feelings towards her until last week. That's her turmoil. Naruto and Hinata they have four partners. Despite the difficulties they're finding ways to work it out. I don't see any reason why you couldn't." Sothis said the idea of sharing Marianne with another you just couldn't picture it.

On the other hand, if it would make her happy and depending on who the person was, he would be open to the idea, but he couldn't think about this right now; he had to focus on the task at hand.

As painful as it is he has to put it on the back burner whatever issues him and his girlfriend have they would have to sort it out later.

He was welcomed to the distraction of investigating why there is such huge security in the monastery?

"I think giving her space would be the best idea right now," said a voice behind him. He looked around and it was none other than Flayn.

"Flayn, I didn't expect to see you here." Byleth said surprised to see his friend, whom he had met within the first week after he first became the professor of the monastery.

Flashback one week after becoming the professor

Byleth felt overwhelmed, having just become a professor, it was a lot to take in. He had new transfer students, and one transferred before the mock battle the first person to understand him and the woman that he couldn't get out of his mind.

He needed space. It felt overwhelming. He looked at the pond area where everyone fished. He decided he would relax by taking out a fishing rod. His father taught him how to fish. It was a favorite pastime of his.

Someone called this a contradiction, hating to hurt animals, but it wasn't anything like that. He didn't do it to fish; he just did it to relax when he caught a fish. He usually returned it back to where it came from.

He heard footsteps behind him and then turned around to see a girl who looked at him fascinated.

"So the professor likes fishing," the girl said.

"Yeah, it's a good pastime. It helps me relax. It's a little overwhelming right now. Honestly, I'm not used to being a professor. I haven't seen you around before. Who are you?" Byleth asked

"Flayn," the girl answered.

"How come you're not one of the students here? I would know someone like you anywhere" he asked.

"Oh, I just got here, and my brother is protective of me." Flayn answered.

"A shame you're not one of my students." Byleth said.

"I don't think my brother would like that if you said that." she chuckled.

"I do mean it. I mean it must be lonely being by yourself." he said.

"Are you sure you're not talking about yourself more than you're talking about me?" Flayn asked.

"I don't know what you mean." he said, dodging the question.

"You understand animals, don't you?" she asked him.

"Yes, it's natural to me as breathing, though people around me look at me like a freak. Well, there's one person who doesn't." He said, referring to Marianne, who he saw smile as she walked with her friends.

"You and her kindred spirits, I could see why you're drawn to each other." Flayn said.

"I don't know what you mean." he replied

"You'll understand in time it's good to know there's someone who appreciates animals. There's too many people in this world who are cruel and knowing this school has a professor like you who was kind, your students are in good hands." Flayn said.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. I don't feel it myself. Honestly, I mean, I've been a mercenary all my life. Am I really qualified to be a professor?" he asked, voicing his doubts.

"I can't answer that question, though, just because you're the professor doesn't mean you're not going to learn from your students; they're going to learn from you as much as you'll learn from them. If you need any help or any advice, don't hesitate to go to me; if you need anything." the girl said. He felt at ease around her, though not in the same way as Marianne.

"I got to go. It was nice meeting you, Byleth." Flayn left him there.

He will not realize until after the fact that she was one of the first friends he had outside of Marianne and Edelgard.

4 months ago it feels strange how his life has changed rapidly in the past 4 months to him it feels much longer than that.

"I don't know how to help her, but I feel useless." he said, referring to Marianne.

"I understand things aren't so easy when it comes to love. I do have a question for you though: how much do you love her?" Flayn asked him.

"I would give her the whole world. I would do everything to wipe the pain from her past. I would make her smile if letting her go and having her be with someone else would make her happy. I would do that too, even if it would break my heart. Her happiness matters more than my own." he answered.

"I rarely see dedication like yours to a woman, but what if it doesn't have to be that way? Don't be so hasty. I believe things can work out, and you'll just have to be patient with her." Flayn said.

"Thank you, I'll take your advice to heart." he said, thinking of the girl.

He walked away. His first priority right now was to find out what was going on in the monastery and why there was so much security. That would be his focus right now, whatever was going on with Marianne could wait.

Byleth was summoned by the archbishop along with Kakashi and Manuela. He knew this was another mission he hoped this would not interfere with the investigation.

Her attendant was beside her. Seteth, who looked at the three professors with concern, knew what this had to do with the recent rebellions. But there was something more.

"As you all know, there was a rebellion against the church. Even though it's unrealistic at best, all of your classes are being assigned for security for the month to investigate any suspicious activity and report it to the archbishop herself or to me." Seteth finished, crossing his arms, wondering if he would have any questions.

"Does this explain the security in the monastery?" Kakashi, who was thinking the same thing as Byleth, thought.

"Is that all you want us to do for the month?" Byleth wondered, wondering why his class was being assigned to guard duty.

"No, but be wary of any suspicious individuals" Rhea said.

Manuela left, he had to voice his misgivings about the student Kabuto. He had a bad feeling about him and knew Kakashi had similar feelings about Sai. One or both of them were spies, and he felt they couldn't be trusted.

"Do you two have any concerns?" asked Rhea.

"I think Kabuto is suspicious and he shouldn't be trusted. In fact, he should be watched." Byleth said.

"Why would you say that?" Seteth wondered why he was voicing his feelings towards one of the Black Eagle students.

"Something is off about him. Something is dark as well. I don't know why, but I don't trust him. The way he acts is fake, so fake that it unnerves me." He said, shivering, when he first spoke to Kabuto.

He had a dark and sinister feel to him. This was his protectiveness of Marianne or was it something else he didn't know, but Kabuto's presence in the monastery was suspicious, and nothing could convince some otherwise until he was proven to be incorrect.

"I have to agree with the professor. I don't really feel comfortable with Sai. I think they're both spies and should be watched and looked at with suspicion." Kakashi added.

"You think it has to do with the Root organization, don't you?" asked Seteth.

"I'm sorry, I'm lost. What's the root?" Byleth asked.

Kakashi explained in detail what Root was, but he had a feeling he was leaving things out about Root. He couldn't help but believe that Dorothea transferring to the Golden Deer was connected. Why he wanted to know she temporarily went to their class on the Land of Waves, she came back, and then transferred.

Root was connected, but why was it connected? He had to know, and he would find out one way or another.

"Until we have evidence, we cannot take action. Focus on the mission for now. We'll keep an eye on those two individuals, but don't act any differently or they'll catch on." Seteth said.

"We will do what we must to ensure the safety of everyone in the monastery" Kakashi said.

The two professors left, leaving silence between them.

"I take it that you were planning on investigating what was going on the monastery regardless if there was a mission or not, isn't that right, Byleth San?" asked Kakashi.

"Yes, your class is helping mine, though you probably already know because of your experience in these things. Mine is investigating the North and South, while yours is looking into the East side of the monastery." Byleth replied.

"Be very careful there are spies from Root." Kakashi said

"I'll be very careful watching your back" he replied.

7 days is how long they had. He feels like they can do it sooner than 7 days but 7 days was the timetable he didn't know why but he believes something was going to happen in 7 days he couldn't put his finger on it as to why that was.

The three houses are investigating and looking out for any suspicious activity. This will be the first mission the three classes will work together on. Little do they know of the forces at work.

Blue lions

Felix was with his class helping Dimitri find out the source of all the commotion. He couldn't help but find something suspicious about why there were so many Knights of Seiros inside the monastery. The Rite of rebirth is going to happen in a week, but never is there this much security unless there is a plot to assassinate the archbishop. He suspects that they've already dealt with the last of the western church.

Sasuke was by his side, looking around for any suspicious activity. Annette and Mercedes were at their own sections with Ashe.

The idea of the Blue Lions working together with the other classes was something he did not expect to happen, but he supposed there were a lot of unusual things that had been happening ever since the Konoha transfer students arrived.

Felix noticed something else that was suspicious: a man with a mask. He was one of the professors he was an instructor to in sword combat. Not one of Sasuke's mentors he trained with Catherine Felix when he starred with Sasuke was not able to keep up with him anymore due to her training he wanted to seek out Catherine at some point in order to get the same results he liked Sasuke as a sparring partner but he couldn't keep up with him.

"You're not the only one who has a bad feeling about that one." Sasuke said as if he could read my mind.

"So you feel it too", Felix asked him.

"Yes, but for some reason, I get this strange feeling that he looks at me with killing intent, and I don't know why." Sasuke said honestly.

"I'm personally suspicious of him. If I'm being honest, I think he can't be trusted." Felix said.

"Well, you're rarely wrong about anything I know better than the question your judgment, Felix. I do think the Blue Lions should keep an eye on him. I know there are suspicious individuals in the Golden Deer and Black Eagles. I cannot help but have a suspicion that Jeritza was going to replace the incompetent professor who originally taught the Black Eagles. At least until Eisner San came along."

Sasuke said.

"There's a question I've been meaning to ask. I know you introduce yourself by your first name, but how are things in your country? I'm just curious. How do you introduce yourselves?"

Felix asked.

"We introduced ourselves by our last name first, then our first name. Though I, out of habit, sometimes call people by their last names. It's difficult considering the culture I was raised in." Sasuke said.

"You never once called Mercedes by her last name, even before you talked." Felix pointed out.

"Let's focus on the mission, Felix" Sasuke said, avoiding the question.

He tried to hide it, but his cheeks were pink.

Felix took one last look at Jeritza and followed Sasuke.

Seeing his sister again was hard. She was so close yet so far. He observed his sister smile when she was ever around the Foreigner named Sasuke Uchiha. Jeritza did not dare think of the boy that he once was, the boy that he killed all those years ago. He didn't want to think about the scum that was his father.

He had his orders to test his blade against the purple-haired girl in the golden deer named Shez. He would have other people to work with, more foreigners. They were inconsequential to him. There was only one person he wanted to fight: it wasn't the Uchiha; it was the professor of the Black Eagles. The only one he felt could give him a worthy fight and possibly a worthy death.

He was eager to get this tedious assignment over with. Hopefully he'll have a chance to clash his blades with Byleth Eisner.

Though there is one thing he wants to do first, and he didn't care about the purple-haired girl named Shez. He wanted to see if Sasuke was worthy of his sister and if he could protect her. That was his priority more than anything.

Ashe welcomed the distraction. In the two months since the Lanato incident, he had not had the courage to look at the documents every time he did. He had cold feet. He was glad that his classmates were doing something that could get his mind off that terrible mission. The massacre he won't even call it a battle; it was a massacre. So many Innocents were dead, so many men, women, and children who could barely lift a sword were killed, and for what?

What made it worse was the people who used Lanato cared nothing for his cause; they used him and disregarded him like trash.

Then he remembered Sasuke on the mission telling him about Justice, what was Justice, that was what he wanted to know, he still couldn't answer that question.

Mercedes noticed he was troubled. "What's troubling you?" she asked him.

"It's nothing I want to focus on our mission," he replied.

"It's okay, I understand." Mercedes said, thinking about the mission.

"Sasuke's words I cannot help but replay them over and over again. Were we really fighting for justice? Who was right and who was wrong? Damn it, I shouldn't be questioning everything that we're doing, but I just don't know. Things were so much simpler before that mission." He said, ashamed that he was even voicing his thoughts.

Annette was talking to a priest about any suspicious activity he may have seen. While Mercedes was helping him, he felt useless.

"Sasuke Kun wasn't wrong when he said from his perspective he was fighting for justice, though when I think about it, I think he was speaking from experience."

Ashe was able to pick up on that.

"You know don't you why Sasuke feels the way he does?" he asked Mercedes.

"I'm sorry, I cannot tell you that. It would violate his trust." Mercedes replied.

"I see I'll have to ask him myself then when I ever have the chance, though I doubt he'll tell me." he remarked.

"I don't agree that Dimitri knows I'm positive. You just have to ask him. What's troubling you?" Mercedes asked him generally, wanting to know.

"I'm in a dilemma. I don't know what to do." he said out loud, referring to the documents he was scared of fighting out the truth.

"You should ask him if it wouldn't hurt, would it?" Mercedes asked.

"We should focus on the task at hand. Whatever problems I'm dealing with can wait until we have bigger priorities right now." Ashe said, ending the conversation.

He would focus on the task ahead of him, regardless of his inner turmoil, which he would deal with after the mission was over.

Golden deer

Hilda welcomed a distraction. It was better than the pain that she was dealing with, which was deep into her heart, and she felt even more at pain than ever. She wondered if she truly did the right thing, and she was with Ino and Dorothea, who noticed her mood.

"I think I'll leave you two alone for a bit." Ino said as she went with her team Choji and Shikamaru, who were asking questions throughout their side of the monastery, along with the rest of their classmates.

Nothing was said for a moment until Dorothea spoke.

"Hilda, what's going on? You seem concerned." her friend asked.

"I told Marianne I loved her and she just walked out." She said, barely able to get the words out. She didn't really want to talk about it, but she knew Dorothea wouldn't be convinced to budge on an issue unless she got answers.

"I'm sorry," Dorothea said, meaning it generally.

"You're lucky you get to be with Ingrid and Hinata, they're willing to share you with each other along with Naruto. I will never have that. It's not fair." Hilda said, trying not to cry, even though she had done that multiple times already.

"Are you really just going to give up? How do you know she doesn't feel the same way?" Dorothea asked her.

"You think we're going to have a happy ending just like you?" Hilda said, on the verge of raising her voice.

"Think from her perspective things are not that simple Hilda she loves him you know that. Of course she's going to be conflicted and confused I've seen her face. You know her better than anyone, including the professor. You should be patient with her." Dorothea said defending Marianne's boyfriend.

"It's so easy for you to say that Ingrid loves you, Hinata loves you, Naruto loves you even though he denies it. Don't compare our situation to yours."

She was on the verge of raising her voice.

"You haven't truly spoken to her have you? Do you understand why she loves Byleth so much? Look, you may have been her friend for over 10 years but do you really know her? I've known Naruto for only a few months yet I feel like I know him better than people that I've known much longer. It's not about the time that we've been with someone or we've known someone which causes us to know them truly."

Dorothea stopped waiting for Hilda to absorb the information she was being told.

"I won't pretend to know what it's like to love someone and be in love with them for over 10 years only for that love never to be returned, but there is someone who understands you."

Dorothea stopped knowing what she was referring to.

"Hinata, but their circumstances are hardly the same. She was too shy to approach Naruto, and Naruto was too insecure to approach her." Then she realized what she was saying. Her own insecurities were what led to this drift apart, but she didn't know how to fix it.

"Let's focus on the mission for now. Please drop it for now, Dorothea?" asked Hilda

"Okay, let's just focus on the mission, but take what I said into consideration." Dorothea ended the conversation. For now, she would focus on the mission. Afterwards, she would figure out how she would deal with her relationship problems and try to fix a mistake she had made.

Naruto did not want to be around Sai, one of the insufferable people, luckily his shadow clones were all over the Golden Deer part of the monastery gathering intelligence.

Raphael and his childhood friend Ignatz were walking around looking for any suspicious activity. This was a tedious task in his opinion but the professor of the Black Eagles and Kakashi were all doing their part. His girlfriends Hinata and Ingrid along with the rest of the Black Lion squad were doing their part on a much bigger part of the monastery.

Things have changed ever since Thomas was exposed. Security was tightened." There's a sinister plot here, whatever the intentions of our enemies are. I think they're after something, but what is another question altogether. Think kit: where do you think a potential enemy would go if they wanted to grab something of great value?" Kurama asked him.

Naruto thought about it. The cathedral was so obvious. There was no reason for them to search on both the West and East sides. But he couldn't say that yet. He couldn't be hasty.

His friends were asking questions, he was thinking deeply.

" It seems you are capable of thinking,"remarked Kurama.

"I must send you to where Hinata and Ingrid are." Naruto said.

The fox spirit was cut off guard.

"You want me to go to my physical form and show myself to your mates? I don't know if it's a good idea. Nobody will notice, though I'm fast and think I'm a dog. Humans are too stupid to tell the difference anyway." Kurama said relieved that he was going to be able to walk around for a bit.

His mini fox form materialized, and he left Naruto. He wouldn't be able to maintain that form for more than a few hours, but a few hours was more than enough for doing what he needed to.

Naruto went to assist his friends even though he knew the answer was in the cathedral. He didn't want to leave one stone unturned.

Black Eagles

Benedetta couldn't help but notice Marianne being completely silent; she suspected something. She wished she could help her friend, but she had no idea how she could help her because she had no experience in relationships.

She was at the south side of the monastery, near where the gatekeeper was asking questions about any suspicious individuals. Ingrid was right beside her. "No matter how many people we ask, I feel like we're not getting any closer to our question." Ingrid said aloud.

"I wish Kabuto wasn't in our class." she said aloud.

"Why would you say that?" asked Ingrid, who had stopped doing what she was doing.

"Something about him makes me feel uneasy. I can't explain it. I mean he has a sinister look to him, he's too polite, his personality is fake, I don't trust him." Benedetta voiced her concerns aloud, hoping she wasn't being too much of a bother by voicing her opinions. She was hoping to tell someone else besides Hinata, her friend, about her misgivings.

"Now that you mention it, he is kind of suspicious, but I don't know why you would feel that way. I mean, he's not who he seems, but I doubt he's someone with malicious intent." Ingrid said, voicing her honest thoughts as she saw it.

She couldn't explain it to Ingrid at all; he was liked by most of the Black Eagles; only a few looked at him with suspicion.

Then she noticed something on the ground: it was a fox. She went on her knees and lifted him up, wondering if he was lost. "Are you lost?" Benedetta asked the fox, who was giving her a pleading look. She thought he was cute.

"How did this fox get inside the monastery?" she asked Ingrid, who had a neutral expression.

"We should focus on the mission. Give him whatever food you have and let's move on." Ingrid advised.

She gave the food that she had on her. It was nothing more than bread crumbs. The animal ate it like it had never eaten anything before. She left the animal there.

"Are you going with me?" she asked Ingrid.

"I'm going to investigate this area a little bit more." Ingrid said.

Benedetta couldn't help but feel like she was hiding something from her, but she couldn't get any information out of her. She went ahead. She couldn't help when she looked at the fox's eyes. There was something else about him.

She put that aside for now; her focus was helping her class. She saw Lysithea investigating suspicious activity.

She couldn't help but notice there was an entrance that led to another place. What was important? This was not on their side of the monastery, yet her classmate was looking at that spot. Shez was looking at that spot as well.

"That's not our mission; why are you two here?" The duo looked startled when they heard her.

"Damn it, you scared the shit out of me," Lysithea said annoyed.

"We know this has nothing to do with the mission, but we cannot help but see this spot as suspicious. I think we should investigate it when we have the chance." Shez said, referring to the hidden entrance that looked like a secret passageway.

"Whatever it is, we should focus on our mission." Lysithea said, bringing the focus back on the mission.

But then she looked in the corner of her eye and saw Kabuto heading to that entrance.

"We should investigate," She insisted. Who had similar suspicions of Kabuto as Benedetta did.

"We shouldn't go there without backup." Lysithea said.

"We should report this to professor Byleth," Benedetta said.

Shez looked apprehensive of approaching her professor. What was it about him that made her hate him so much?"I'd rather report it to Kakashi." Shez said, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

"Regardless, we should report our findings. This could be relevant to our mission." Lysithea said insistently, trying to convince her girlfriend to listen to reason.

Reluctantly she agreed and the trio headed to Byleth's quarters.

Ingrid wondered why Kurama was out; he wouldn't do it for no reason, so something was up. He climbed onto her shoulder.

"The kit suspects that our answers lie in the cathedral regarding what our enemies may be planning. The Rite of rebirth I believe has something to do with the security around here. The assassination on the archbishop is likely a cover for something else." Kurama said.

"I must find Hinata immediately and inform her."

Before she could run, she noticed Kurama sniffing. "Hinata is at the entrance of the cathedral alongside Marianne."

Kurama informed her.

She ran as fast as her feet would take her. She saw Hinata and Marianne talking to one of the students about suspicious activities. They shook their heads.

But it wasn't without people nearby. Edelgard was with them. This would be tricky. Only a few people know about Kurama, and the less people that know, the better.

She noticed Ingrid was there, along with Kurama.

"Ingrid, did you find anything?" Edelgard asked curiously.

"Naruto suspects that the cathedral is where we're likely going to find our answers." Ingrid said, reluctant to reveal her source.

"The cathedral? Interesting, let's all go there and investigate." Edelgard suggested.

The group headed there; she wasn't sure how Kurama was going to communicate with Marianne and Edelgard present. She noticed something and in the corner of her eye she saw Sai talking to someone she wished she could get a closer look but it was impossible from where she was standing.

"I'll get closer and investigate myself. You go with your friends and classmates," Kurama said. She let him go. He was small and he would be able to get there unseen. Whatever information he would learn, he would report to them later. She went with her classmates, wishing Kurama good luck.

Danzo was at the other side of the globe. He was waiting for a report from Sai. Out of all spies in Garreg Mach, he was the most dependable. Itachi Uchiha was in the capital, ensuring that the aristocracy is firmly under the control of Those Who Slither in the Dark to ensure that the Akatsuki never gain control of the Adrestia Empire.

He knows his allies don't have the same long-term goals as he does, but that was hardly relevant; he has contingencies to deal with them should the need arise.

He saw an image appear before him; it was who he expected. He was bowing low on the ground like he did when he was in his headquarters.

"Report" he ordered

"I've tried doing everything I could, but I still don't know the reasoning for Dorothea Arnault's transfer to the Golden Deer House. Kakashi Hatake is very secretive. I cannot get any information out of him. I believe they are hiding something about the girl's identity. That's the only thing I can come up with that would make any sense." Sai said in a neutral tone.

"What information have you managed to gather about her background?" he asked Sai authoritatively.

"She's an orphan born of a bastard from a noble father of Adrestia, but nothing more is known other than her obvious background, which is public knowledge. She's a commoner with little knowledge known about her."

There's only one thing he could think of: she has a secret bloodline that has its origins in the land of Fire. There is one possible answer, though: he wants to disregard it, but he cannot eliminate the possibility.

"Has she displayed any unusual talent for someone in the monastery?" he asked Sai.

"She has a strong fire and lightning nature and has the second highest chakra capacity of the Golden Deer house, other than that, I don't know much about the girl. She's very secretive and guarded about her training with Kakashi."

Donzo thought she was clever.

"Enough about her, what about Sasuke Uchiha?" Donzo asked him.

He explained everything in detail about what Sasuke had been doing. His loyalties towards Konoha were shifting. He never thought it a million years ago that he would choose Dimitri over Edelgard. All of his plans that he had made for the past 10 years went down the drain when Sasuke and Hinata completely went against what was intended.

But he was able to make a good thing out of a bad situation, though the Hyuga clan would not have a connection to the Royal family through Hinata, he had something better: the most powerful Empire in the world at his fingertips. Konoha security would be secured, and Edelgard the foolish girl had helped him with his plans.

"Keep doing his ordered do not do anything unless I order you to secrecy is our greatest weapon Sai take this to heart."the image disappeared as he finished.

Whatever delays that occur would only delay the inevitable victory of Danzo, the war that his allies have been planning for almost a century the final and complete destruction of Seiros and her race of abominations that once allied themselves with the Uchiha clan when they defeated Nemesis a thousand years ago.

Patience is a virtue, and revenge is a dish best served cold.

Hinata couldn't help but notice Marianne being distant. Something was obviously wrong, even from her boyfriend. She was being distant. Just what was going on she wanted to know, but she figured the main priority right now should be the mission.

She halted when she overheard a conversation to stop her class.

"An item of great value is down here. We have to keep guard. We cannot allow anyone to enter this holy place." Seteth said to one of the knights. She activated her Byakugan and saw a room beyond the door she was seeing. For what she saw, even though it was faint, was a sword that looked ancient but was a powerful artifact. Even though she couldn't see it up close, she knew it had to be a hero's relic.

Edelgard placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Did you find something?" she asked Hinata. She deactivated her Byakugan in order to conserve chakra and not draw attention.

"I suspect I know what our enemies' plans are. We should report to our professor, but we haven't found anything yet." Hinata informed her group.

A few hours later

All the students from all the houses were in the Black Eagles' classroom, along with Kakashi. She was wary to even include Kabuto and Sai, but considering the circumstances, it would look even more suspicious if she excluded anyone, so she had to act like she was ignorant.

Byleth was looking at the findings that everyone had submitted to him and he looked through them thoroughly with Kakashi alongside him. They shared each other's notes before they looked at Hinata and her group of what they found.

"You're telling me there's a hidden artifact and you believe the enemy will make a move to steal this artifact at the night of the Rite of rebirth. Does anyone here have questions?" he asked everyone.

"Well, what reason would they have to try again to assassinate the archbishop, especially at the most secure place you could possibly be? It doesn't really make any sense unless that's not what their intention is" Claude asked.

"Things don't add up if an assassination was their goal. Then what was the point of the rebellions in the first place?" Dimitri asked with a haunted look on his face.

"Well, I believe I have a theory." said Kabuto.

"What would that be?" Hubert asked with suspicion, trying not to show it.

"I believe the true goal of our enemies is to steal an artifact of great power. What better way to do such a thing than during the Rite of rebirth? It's a perfect opportunity. It's what I would do if I were the enemy. While everyone is distracted they can sneak in undetected and steal a artifact of great power under our very noses. The archbishop assigned us for security. What better way to secure the monastery then to stand guard the night it's supposed to happen at the very place that the perpetrators intend to go."

Kabuto said with confidence.

"He knows way too much." Hinata thought there was nothing that could be done about it. Absolutely nothing. None of the people would believe her because how much of the people in her class trust Kabuto, who has been nice to everyone and helpful.

It disgusted her that she couldn't do anything, even though Naruto was fooled because he treated everyone respectfully. It Frustrated her, but she couldn't help but notice on the corner of her eye that Claude was looking at Kabuto with suspicion.

"But how are we going to get in the guards are not going to allow us just to walk in?" asked Naruto.

"There may be someone I could talk to who can help us get in." Dimitri replied.

"Any way to get there undetected would be extremely helpful. Who is this person that you know, Dimitri?" asked Byleth.

"I can't really say the only thing I could say is they may know their way around." Kurama answered, on Hinata's shoulder. She knew he wanted to say something but couldn't do it due to the amount of people in the room.

"If you could give me one day, professor, I could ask for their help." Dimitri said, hoping he would say yes.

"You have one day after that. I will find another way to go inside. It may not be the best approach, but considering the circumstances and the situation we're in, I'll have no choice. By Sunday, we will make a move." Byleth said, ending the meeting.

Everyone was dispersing. Hinata was about to leave the room when Byleth put his hand up to prevent her from leaving.

"Do you mind if we can speak privately?" he asked with a controlled voice.

"Of course, sensei" Hinata replied. The rest of her friends left, and it was just her and Byleth alone. She wondered what he was thinking.

"I was hoping for advice since you've been in a similar situation." he asked, pasting around the room. She wondered what he was thinking.

"You're not having relationship troubles with Marianne Chan, are you?" Hinata asked him.

He sighed, "I don't know what to do. I know she's in pain and I feel like I can't do anything. I want to help her but I just don't know how."

He looked lost. Hinata didn't know how to help him. It was a struggle for her.

"I wish I could help you, but I don't know how. Have you talked to her?" Hinata asked.

"I tried to brush it off. I almost feel like she's hiding something from me like she's ashamed of something." He turned away, not wanting to face Hinata.

"You're her friend. I feel like you could talk to her where I cannot. Please help me, Hinata. I don't know what to do and I don't want to screw it up." She can see it in his eyes, but he doesn't know what to do. He's lost.

She wants to help him, but she cannot unless she knows the source of the problem.

"I'll do what I can, sensei, but I can't do more than that." Hinata replied.

"Thank you, it puts my mind at ease knowing that you'll do something unless you have further questions. I need to be alone." He gave a hand motion dismissing her, and she left the classroom.

She couldn't help but think about Hilda, how distant she had been from everyone. Could it be connected? It had to be when they were hanging out with their friends. Hilda was upset, and then a day afterwards, Marianne started to become distant.

She couldn't just talk to Marianne; she had to talk to Hilda as well. She didn't want to get involved in their love lives, but she didn't want her friends to go through what she went through. She'd talk to Marianne first, then Hilda.

"I'm going to go back to my host" Kurama said as he jumped off her shoulder and went to Naruto's quarters. Hinata was going to the stables where Marianne would be; she didn't know if it was a good idea or not, but she didn't like to see her friends in pain or go through what she had gone through.

She'll help in whatever way she can.

Marianne had no idea what to do Hilda confessed her love for her and she doesn't know how to respond to it how to answer her confession."why can't I ever just be happy why does my happiness always have to."she was praying to the goddess for answers.

She was awful. She felt terrible. Hilda probably thinks she hates her. She ran away as soon as she confessed. She felt like a terrible friend and a terrible girlfriend. She wishes she could just bury her face deep underground she feels like she can't do anything right.

She didn't pay attention to the person walking next to her. Hinata said nothing to her friend from Konoha. She wished she could talk to her about it. Could she possibly understand what she's going through?

"You've been distant from your boyfriend and Hilda, what's wrong, Marianne Chan?" Hinata asked her kindly."I don't know what to do." Marianne confessed.

These feelings she's having she couldn't have for two people it was impossible she never thought about her feelings when it came to Hilda the only thing she knew is she was important to her. That's all that she could think of but what was she to her?

"I'm a terrible friend. I can't be honest with Hilda about how I feel. How can I tell Byl that I have feelings for another? Why do I have to have these feelings?" Marianne asked.

"Love isn't easy, it never is, it cannot be explained, it just happens." Hinata explained that she looked upwards towards the sky where the birds were flying.

"You, Naruto, Dorothea, and Ingrid, how do you make it work?" Marianne asked Hinata, generally wanting to know.

"I won't pretend to say it's easy, it's a huge commitment to be committed to one person, but to three? We're figuring it out as we come along. We all love each other, even though Dorothea won't admit it yet, she loves Naruto too, and Naruto loves her. Love is complicated. Marianne, our professor fell in love with you when he first laid his eyes on you. There is no rational explanation behind it; it just happens."

Hinata explained as if she were explaining something obvious.

"I can't love them both, I don't deserve them" Marianne said, tears falling. She wished she could just be happy, but every time she finds happiness, somehow her curse finds a way to take it away. If she has to choose Hilda, her heart will be broken, and if she has to choose Byleth, her heart will be broken, no matter what choice it is, it's wrong.

"Why does it have to hurt so much?" Marianne asked her friend.

"You should talk to both of them about it," Hinata suggested.

"I don't know, do you think I can have what you have, Hinata?" Marianne asked her, hoping that she had the answers. Hinata leaned on the fence, looking up at the sky.

"You should start by talking to them both and then go from there. I can't do anything more than that cuz I don't know. I don't know your situation. Our circumstances are different Marianne Chan. Regardless of how hard my life was in the clan, it doesn't compare to yours talking to her and the professor. You're not going to know one way or the other if you don't talk to them."

Hinata said.

She couldn't do it right now because there were more pressing matters. The mission couldn't wait; she would focus on it after the mission was over.

"I'll do it after the mission's over, Hinata. We have more pressing matters right now." Marianne said, ending the conversation.

"Get some rest, Marianne. You'll need it." Hinata said as she left her alone.

She prayed to the goddess, hoping beyond hope that she wouldn't have to choose between them.

Sonia was in the cathedral waiting for Dimitri; it had been a week since she had come to the revelation of her long lost family. She wanted to confront Rhea about her lies but she had no idea how. It made her so angry that all she had for her entire life was the friends that she knew in abyss and books. That's it: everyone else was able to do things that normal girls took for granted.

The one thing she looked forward to was seeing Dimitri; she felt less alone even though she had friends. It wasn't the same. She felt like she met a kindred spirit. Before she could indulge in any of her thoughts, Dimitri approached her, and she smiled, happy to see him.

"I'm so happy to see you, Dimitri. It feels like an eternity." the man smiled. He took her by the hand and they went the same way as they did last time. They walked quietly until they were out of earshot of anyone, then they were out of the monastery and walking in the forest with her horse, Siri.

She couldn't help but notice something was on Dimitri's mind; he needed her for something and he felt guilty. Yuri had shown her everything: all the routes, all the tunnels, and how to get in and out of the monastery on a moment's notice. She wouldn't mind helping him if that's what he required.

"It's beautiful here."she said looking at the eastern part of the monastery he was showing her all the landmarks in the area on the Eastern side. If only They had more time she could see the entire area but she knew there wasn't enough time, time was something that they did not have.

"Sonia, I know what I'm asking is a lot to ask, but I need your help." Dimitri said, feeling guilty that he needed her for something she was right on the mark.

"What is it that you need? if it is within my power I can help."she asked him generally wanting to know.

"The Rite of rebirth is tomorrow. Me and my class have no way of getting inside the Holy mausoleum. We have no way of getting in without drawing attention. I don't like asking this of you because I don't want to endanger you, but I have no other way of getting in without hurting the guards who are just protecting the holy site. Can you help me with Sonia?" Dimitri asked.

She knew going out again would be risky, but she couldn't do nothing if she had the power to help Dimitri and his friends it worth the risk.

She couldn't do nothing not with everything that has happened. By helping Dimitri she helps her brother as well, even though he is a stranger she doesn't want anything to happen to him before she has a chance to even get to know him.

"What time do you attend to go to the holy mausoleum?" she asked him.

"At night," Dimitri answered

"I can help you, but it's dangerous," she warned.

"It's not a problem, I'll do whatever it takes to help my friends." Dimitri replied

"I'm sorry, but this is the only time I can ask." She silenced him gently with her index finger.

"It's fine, Dimitri. If I can help you. That's enough. I know it's difficult for us to meet because you're busy. I wish I didn't have to sneak out like this."

Sonia wishes she could just be a normal girl.

Of course the sun had to set already. It ended too fast for her liking. They started to head back. She would see him again tomorrow, but it would not be for a casual time where they both relax. It was to help his friends.

When they were at the diverging points, she looked at Dimitri and had to say this now. "Meet me here tomorrow." she told him.

"Okay, but what about my friends?" Dimitri asked.

"Tell them to go to the back of the cathedral at the west side and for the other class to go to the east and wait for us there," she answered.

He knew too many people couldn't go with them; it would draw too much attention; they'd have to choose only a select amount of people to go. But then knowing her brother, she would find a way to get the entire class she had full faith in him. If she knew anything about his reputation, he would find a way.

"I'll see you tomorrow" She turned her back on him and left.

This was the first time she would use her skills to help others. Her friends and family were not approving, but whatever she could do to help her friend, she would do it. Her brother would not stop her; she would do what she could and what was in her power to help.

Her horse asked her question.

"Well, there are things about him that I find intriguing," she answered Siri about what she thought of Dimitri.

"I have no chance, he's a prince, and I'm nobody." she replied in disagreement.

"I don't know", her horse insisted that it was her insecurities that was speaking, but she didn't think she had a chance they were from different worlds.

She disregarded the thought that it was ridiculous that she had only seen him three times up until this point.

It was not a story where the prince would save her from her prison and take her to his castle where they would have a happily ever after that only happens in fairy tales.

Her main focus was helping her friend get into the Holy Mausoleum. That was her focus because it was doable.

Byleth knew they had to have a plan. Dimitri had reported he had to meet his friend alone, and those who would be waiting for them would have to take a limited amount of people. Not too many, but not too few.

He was also told there was another entrance on the Eastern side. In order to draw suspicion away from their enemies, two teams would need to be conducted, but there had to be two leaders.

He is fine leading his own class, the Black Eagles, but there was also the Blue Lions, their class would have to be split in half.

He would go for the west side, while Kakashi would go for the east.

Either way, half of the Blue Lions would be under their command.

He did not want Sakura on his team; he was adamant about it.

The Blue Lions that he would be Commander of would be Sasuke, Mercedes, Ashe, Annette, Felix, and Sylvain. While Kakashi got the rest, everyone was relieved who was on his side that Sakura would not be on their team.

"Thank God," Sylvain said, clearly relieved that he didn't have to deal with what everyone in the monastery calls the banshee.

He knew Kakashi would be able to keep her under control because Kakashi didn't put up with her nonsense. It wasn't time yet; they were waiting.

"I don't think we've had a chance to talk. My name is Sylvain. It's a shame, a beauty like you isn't in our class." he said, hitting on Hinata causing Ingrid to twitch.

"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't do that, Sylvain. I don't think my boyfriend or my girlfriend Ingrid would like that." Hinata said as politely as she possibly could.

"I have no desire to be killed by you, my lady, but I am serious when I say you are a sight to behold. A shame you're not in my class." He said to the lavender-eyed beauty.

"Do you do this to every woman you see?" Hinata asked him, trying not to lose her patience. "Well, is it really a crime to comment on a woman's beauty?" he asked her.

"You're not very good at hiding who you truly are. Why do you do this? Why are you acting like a womanizer when that's not who you are?" Hinata asked him.

"Hasn't Ingrid told you anything about me?" he asked, faking being hurt.

"She has told me multiple things about you. You hit on every woman, no matter her age, even if she's old enough to be your grandmother. She's told me that you two have been friends since you were children. I have a difficult time believing she would be friends with someone like you if that's who you truly are inside. You fall in love with a woman every week, but I have a difficult time believing that. You cannot fool my eyes. There is pain in them. Why do you do this to yourself?"

Hinata asked him more kindly this time than the colder tone from earlier.

"It's not something I like talking about." he replied.

"It's fair there's things I don't like to talk about either." Hinata replied.

He did like this woman, things he had heard about her from Annette and Mercedes and Ingrid as well."You probably have been told this by multiple people, but I have a hard time believing that you are a Black Eagle." he remarked based on her reputation.

"I keep being told that I would have made a great Blue Lion. I would have made a great Blue Lion but you know what I don't agree. Ann Chan and Dimitri San believe that but I don't. I'm where I belong, Sylvain San. Just like you are where you belong, I can still be friends with those I talk to without being in the same house."

Hinata replied in disagreement.

"I don't agree. I think you would have brought much needed calm to Dimitri. In fact, I still think you are a better fit than Sasuke." He meant it sincerely; he didn't mean it to offend her, though he hopes she doesn't take it the wrong way.

"I'm far from a saint, Sylvain San. I have things about my past I haven't told even my significant others. All of us have something dark about ourselves. I am no exception, the closest person to a saint is Mercie Chan. I'm not even close to being one." Hinata replied.

"I have no response to that. I cannot disagree. She is quite a woman to think Sasuke Uchiha the brooding prodigy would fall in love with someone like that and for her to do the same." Hinata looked at Sasuke who was talking to Byleth.

"You know there's far more to you than you give off, why don't you show the side to yourself more often? Why do you always show the side that everyone wants to see?" Hinata asked him seriously.

"You know how everyone sees what they want to see." he replied bitterly when he thought about what all women see him as.

"You're right, they all see what they want to see. I'm glad I had a chance to have this talk with you. My assumptions about you were wrong." Hinata admitted.

"And what were those assumptions exactly?" he was curious.

"Nothing of interest," Hinata replied.

She was definitely easier to talk to than her cousin, who he thought was an insufferable ass. But the question that was on his mind was why they were not in the same class and why Neji was not in the same class as his cousin." These were the questions he wanted to know.

Everyone was conversing while Hinata was going where Ingrid was, then he noticed something on the corner of her eye. There was something dark there. It was visible only for a second.

"So you noticed it too?" he almost jumped, and it was none other than his friend Felix.

"You scared the shit out of me," Sylvain said, annoyed.

"She has the same look as Dimitri, darker even." Felix pointed out. He recalled the look on Dimitril and shivered to think that Hinata was even darker, but how?

"Let's just focus on the mission", Ashe said, cutting the conversation short.

Perhaps they were wrong, even Sasuke, who looked into his eyes, were nowhere near as dark as Hinata, who had a deep darkness just waiting to be unleashed.

He hopes Felix is wrong, but he couldn't ignore his childhood friend's warnings. He would still speak to Hinata, but he had to keep in mind that she had the same potential as Dimitri to snap under the right circumstances.

Sasuke was restless. It was taking forever for Dimitri and his friend to get here. He didn't like this one bit. Inter-mingling with the Black Eagle students wasn't something he was interested in, but he didn't want to be rude because Mercedes is friends with some of them.

He figured this would be the best time to talk to the Black Eagles professor; he would have no other chance. He had even discussed it with his girlfriend, who wouldn't mind as long as it got them away from Sakura for a month.

He approached Byleth, who looked like he was in deep thought about something. "Hey professor, do you have a minute?"Sasuke asked Byleth, who turned around and spoke as quietly as he could muster due to where they were.

"Of course I do, Sasuke. What do you need?" He asked him genuinely wanting to know.

"I've taken your offer that you offered me the other day into heavy consideration. I would like to be assigned to your class for the month. I've spoken to my girlfriend about it. If it isn't too much trouble, when this mission is over, would it be all right if we were part of your class for a month?"

Sasuke asked him, hoping he would say yes. He would give him a chance to get additional training that he couldn't get otherwise. Catherine was the only other person and the Blue Lions compared to Byleth Eisner. He wanted to be trained by him. Even if it was for a month, it would be better than nothing.

"Sasuke, before I answer your question, can you answer mine?" Sasuke wondered what he would ask.

"Almost 3 months ago, I encountered a man with Raven hair and a black cloak with red stripes. I never faced someone so powerful in my life. I almost died."

He could hear the fear in his tone from his reputation. Fear was not something Byleth ever experienced.

"Do you know any counters to his techniques? Do you know how to deal with Itachi Uchiha?" He wanted to know about the Sharingan. Sasuke didn't know what to reveal or what not to reveal.

"I could if you do something for me?" Sasuke said.

He replied, "What would that be?"

"I wish for you to train me in swordsmanship. I know I'm already being trained by Catherine, but I want an additional swordsman to train me to make me stronger. If you can do that, I can help you find ways to resist any techniques that the Sharingan could use against you, including genjutsu."

He felt this was more than fair, but considering he encountered his brother and there was a high likelihood they would encounter him again, it wouldn't hurt to teach him how to counter, especially if Sasuke was ever good at having a chance of avenging his family.

"It seems like a fair deal, but we'll discuss it in further detail when the mission is over. Do you have any other questions, Sasuke?" Byleth asked him.

He replied, "No."

He was dismissed when he was walking and couldn't help but notice something about Kabuto. He felt uncomfortable around him and apprehensive about him from the very start. However, having him so close to his girlfriend made him want to take drastic action. But he couldn't.

"Interesting religion you have in this land, Mercedes San. I would like to study it in detail." he replied politely.

"I'm always willing to educate those who are willing about the goddess Kabuto San" his girlfriend smiled at him warmly. This angered Sasuke Kabuto. He did not trust him. Something was off.

"I don't trust him either." he heard Benedetta say. He looked at the girl who hid behind Hinata, who got really angry at him.

"You have a way to scare people, Sasuke-san," Hinata said with clenched teeth.

"It's not my intention," Sasuke replied defensively.

"Please Hinata, I don't think he meant anything by it." Benedetta said, trying to end any tension between them.

"You feel the same thing I do, don't you?" Sasuke asked the purple-haired girl.

"Yes I don't trust him. I had never trusted him, nothing about him seems real." Benedetta said as calmly as she could. Sasuke's thoughts mirrored Hinata's and Benedetta. He wanted him away from his girlfriend. It wasn't jealousy. He could see it in his eyes. He had nefarious intentions; he couldn't take action because of how much he is liked by the students in all the classes.

"You're not as naive as most of the people here, just what I would expect from the Uchiha prodigy." He turned around and saw it was none other than Hubert, almost chuckling in a way he didn't like this man.

"If he does anything to Mercie, he's dead." Sasuke said in a voice cold as ice.

"A word of warning, Sasuke, your feelings for this woman will be used against you. Better be on your guard." Hubert said in a detached manner.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sasuke demanded.

"I'm not going to repeat myself"

Hubert said dismissively.

He had no idea if it was a threat or if it was a warning or a bit of both. Sasuke knew without being told that that could happen. He had trained for 2 months, the hardest he'd ever trained, so that nobody would ever harm her.

He sat down with his hand on his sword, waiting for Dimitri to show.

Claude did not like waiting. Not like this half of the Blue Lions class was here. He didn't mind most of the members, except one, Neji, who rubbed him the wrong way.

He looked at Naruto and couldn't help but notice that he was in a meditative stance. He was curious and had nothing else to do to kill some time for Dimitri and his friend to open the entrance on the east side.

Naruto was looking at Claude when he stopped.

"I was wondering, Naruto, what is the sage mode? I've seen you do it on the mission but I haven't seen you use it in combat. Is there any reason?" Claude asked, since he was able to sense chakra, he was able to sense powerful chakra energy coming from him. Potentially, he has a lot of power in his arsenal with sage chakra. Why doesn't he use it?

"Sage mode is an empowered state that bends your natural energy with one's chakra to create Senjutsu," Naruto answered.

"What is senjutsu?" Claude asked Naruto, wanting to know more.

"Short version, it's your natural energy. It's a very difficult form of training to master. I haven't fully mastered it. It's dangerous if you use it carelessly and if you're not a master of senjutsu. Too little senjutsu cannot be used. If you use too much, your body will turn to stone." Naruto explained.

Claude knew there was more, but there wasn't much time.

"It takes years to completely master senjutsu. If my training hadn't been prematurely ended, I would have stayed at Mount Myōboku until I fully mastered sage mode. I've been able to use it, but not to its full capacity, as I am now. It's too dangerous for me to use sage mode."

Naruto explained he was interested in learning more. He wanted to know if he could learn sage mode himself.

"Is it possible for me to learn it?" asked Claude.

"Considering you have the chakra capacity, yes, but right now I would worry about learning how to properly control chakra first. As it stands now, it's too dangerous to teach you this technique if I haven't fully mastered it. I can't expect you to either." Naruto replied.

"Well, if you just give me a few lessons, I'm pretty sure I could figure the rest out on my own." Naruto shook his head.

"It's too dangerous, Claude. There are many things I haven't told you. There aren't that many people who are sages, and there aren't that many for a reason. It is difficult to master the technique that I have been practicing for years. If you use too much natural chakra, you could turn to stone. If you're not careful in the training process, you could permanently transform into a toad. Trust me on this, Claude. I know what I'm talking about."

Naruto replied, leaving no room for argument.

"Whatever you say Naruto, but I still want you to teach me when you have the chance, or I'll ask Jiraiya, considering I assume he was the one that taught you."Naruto shook his head.

"I wasn't taught by him. He does know the technique himself, but he didn't teach me it, and I doubt you'll be able to convince him." Naruto said, which Claude took as a challenge.

"You know what I'll try to get him to teach me." Claude said, Naruto rolled his eyes.

"Good luck with that." Naruto said sarcastically.

Their conversation was cut short when the entrance to the holy mausoleum opened. What they saw was a woman with blue hair who looked like she was the woman from the other day, the one named Sonia.

"Follow me," the woman said.

Everyone got into formation and followed her. This was it Claude thought they were going on their mission; he wondered what the archbishop would think? So many secrets would he find what he was looking for the sword of the creator, the hero's relic that was used by the king of liberation? One way or another he would find out. He went with his group, putting any thoughts of his earlier conversation with Naruto in the back of his mind.

Right now, what was important was the mission.

Hinata was restless; she didn't like sitting around; she wondered what was taking Dimitri so long. Mercedes didn't need to read her mind to know that he couldn't stand standing around doing nothing. She had faith that Dimitri would be here at any moment.

"I don't like this." Hinata said with agitation.

"I don't either," Mercedes replied.

"I really hope Dimitri's friend can help us. I just don't like it." Before she could say anything else, as if the goddess had answered Hinata's prayers, Dimitri opened the entrance.

"Follow me," he said, and everyone followed Dimitri in single file. The entrance was narrow, no wonder it was recommended for the Blue Lions to split into two teams. It was difficult for her to move considering the little amount of space. When they were done, she saw a light that looked like a tomb.

If the circumstances weren't so dire, she would admire the architecture. It looked like it had not been touched by time. It would be blasphemy if anyone desecrated this holy place.

She hoped everyone wouldn't get in trouble for nothing, but then she noticed something over 60 people suddenly surrounding both classes.

"Interesting apparently my spies didn't anticipate the professor of the Black Eagles to show themselves."said an arrogant man who had his face covered in bandages. He had some strange looking armor on his arms from what it looked like to her; it had been some kind of weapon.

"Look what we have here, a bunch of kids." The cocky man, who looked like he had weapons on his palms, just like the one with the bandages, had a cocky look on his face.

"Well, it looks like we have some capable-looking fighters here, especially the ones from Konoha." said a woman with long black hair.

"I have no interest in such small fry. If you want to live, do not approach me," said a man in black armor with a skull helmet and red eyes. He held a scythe, his weapon.

She looked at him and couldn't help but feel as if something was familiar.

Then she saw Shez, who picked up a broken sword that she had behind her back, and got into a fighting stance. It was a strange-looking blade; she had heard about her taking such a weapon on the Golden Deer Land of Waves mission.

"I could finally test this baby in combat." Shez said eagerly. It looked like a heavy weapon, not something she believed she could ever wield, even if she trained for 20 years.

"Remember your mission, fools," said a pale man wearing a black cloak and red stripes, his hair black, his skin white, and his eyes looking like a snake.

Mercedes had no idea why, but she was scared. Her legs felt weak.

"Of course, Orochimaru-sama, we will not fail you," said the leader of the three foreigners with a sound symbol on their headband.

"See that you don't" he said with a sinister chuckle.

Before she could do anything, Sasuke put his hand on her shoulder.

"I won't let anyone harm you. Stay behind me." Sasuke ordered. She did exactly as he instructed.

"Do you have any plans, professor?" asked Edelgard. No matter how much she wants to deny it, the man with the stripes scares her in a different way than Itachi.

"None of you are to approach the man with the black cloak and red stripes; he's beyond any of you. Edelgard, you and the Black Lion squad will go to the right. Kakashi, you will go to the left with your class. The Blue Lions, you're with me." Byleth said, not leaving any room for disagreement."

She would like nothing more than to have the Blue Lions in Black Eagles place, but she couldn't disobey her professor's orders.

After all, the Blue Lions did not have a leader like the Black Eagles. Giving her command ensured that he had full faith in her abilities and she wouldn't disappoint him.

"Black Eagles roll out" Edelgard ordered her team scattered along with the others she had to play the part as much as it pained her to be ignorant of this plan she knew what was inside but she would be damned if she would let her enemies get it.

The man that stood before Claude was some strange man with bandages it was foreign even from the inhabitants of konoha he had people of similar attire they look like to be an enemy of Konoha from the looks of that Naruto and Gaara would were giving them.

"A bunch of kids from a foreign land. This should be interesting." said Dosu with an amused expression.

Claude was more than prepared. His training for the past two months had been intense. He wanted to make full use of everything Jiraiya taught him. He wanted to make all that hard training worth the grueling hours he had spent in his class.

Dorothea got in formation with Naruto and Raphael. Claude was in formation with Lorenz and Hilda.

Shez was in formation with Choji and Lee. The other teams got in their formations as well. Claude knew that this would be a tough fight, but nothing that his training over the past four months couldn't handle.

"Don't underestimate them, you fool, especially that one." Dosu said, referring to Claude.

"Most of these fools haven't been trained in any jitsu." Said one of the random grunts for what Claude could tell he looked like he was average in height and there was nothing but spectacular about him that stood out.

Claude wasted no time no words he did the hand signs for his jitsu and a green chakra aura surrounded tip of the bow which engulfed the arrow.

"Wind Style wind arrow jitsu" Claude shouted instead of one arrow like before; it was six arrows. The grunts had no idea what was coming before they could react; they were all killed.

Along with a few western soldiers that were with them, Claude made a note that this technique was dangerous and would not use it again in close quarters. About eight people were killed instantly, a powerful jitsu but dangerous if not used properly.

He would have to thank Naruto later for teaching him how to control his wind nature chakra.

Hesitantly they charge at claude's team Hilda despite having the appearance of being slow due to her being a heavy hitter, she was fast. Her Axe, as fast as lightning, cut two of the soldiers in half. Lorenz, who had done terribly up until this point in combat, was doing well. Western soldiers went at him, and he blocked every one of their blows. He was getting better all the time.

His lightning-powered Lance killed the first soldier almost instantly. The second half of their body was fried. The third didn't even bother; they surrendered.

Like Claude's jiu-jitsu, Lorenz's technique was dangerous." I must admit Kakashi sensei is definitely a good teacher I will take what he says to heart in the future a dangerous technique this is."Lorenz said as a form of respect to Kakashi who he had many disagreements with before.

Hilda didn't use her techniques, which wasn't necessary, the sound. Shinobi looked at her with amusement as if he thought what she was doing was amusing.

"Interesting so you have bite in you. You've been taught our techniques. I'm impressed." Dosu said, truly meaning it.

"To think that I would be using my training that Kakashi Sensei has been teaching me for the past 2 months so soon in combat. It's too bad."

She couldn't reveal her Sharingan despite Dorothea's training, and with Kakashi's assistance, she was forbidden to use it.

"The former diva of Mittelfrank Opera Company to think that I would have the pleasure of meeting you in person." she turned around and saw the pale skin man. "How amusing, so you're the girl he has told me about, such a fascinating specimen." Orochimaru said with amusement.

"Stay away from her" Naruto said, enraged. He jumped in front of her and got into his fighting stance.

"Amusing the fox boy thinks he's going to protect you from me." The snake man said with amusement.

Dorothea saw all of her friends being killed brutally. She wanted to scream, "Blood everywhere!" but then nothing happened.

She was shaking. Was this a genjutsu?" The only thing I'm interested in is seeing your Sharingan. Show me what you can do." She looked in horror. How did he learn her secret?

Before he could do anything, Naruto's eyes turned orange, and he got between them.

"I'll take care of this support everyone." Naruto said she couldn't move, feeling like her legs were made of stone, and they wouldn't move.

"Fear you've never faced such fear have you, girl?" he asked her with a sadistic tone.

Naruto created Shadow clones. Orochimaru dodged like it was nothing. Raphael along with Claude came to Naruto's aid. Claude fired arrows he dodged. Raphael tried to attack him with a chakra charged fist. He did not get far. He was knocked back.

Hilda, with a downward motion, tried to cleave Orochimaru, but he blocked her axe with his index finger and shattered it into pieces.

Hilda had a shocked look on her face. Dorothea didn't need to see her face to know that she was afraid.

"It seems like your Sensei has taught you all the techniques from my village. That won't do you any good. I'm only interested in one person here, my dear Uchiha."

Orochimaru said with sadistic pleasure in his voice.

She couldn't move her legs, they were hardest stone she had ever felt. She had never felt such fear in her life, even at the time when she defended herself for the first time, when she was out in the streets and starving.

That was nothing compared to what she was facing. The man in front of her wasn't human; he was a demon. She wanted to run, but she couldn't move.

He slowly walked towards her, a predator playing with his prey.

Shez after killing multiple Western soldiers along with their sound ninja accomplices, accomplishes the blade that was shattered in the Land of Waves and has it back to its original form.

This amazed her. She was glad she had listened to Arval's advice. This weapon was powerful. Then she looked at her struggling teammates.

There was no way they could get through unless she used her power.

"This opponent is extremely powerful. Shez use caution." he advised when Orochimaru was about to do a killing blow to Hilda. With lightning fast speed and assistance from Arval, she managed to block what would have been a killing blow with the sword that Zabaza gave her.

She knew the big blade would be a liability, so she knocked him back to give everyone space and relied on how she usually fights.

"He commented, "Interesting experiment."

"What are you talking about?" Shez asked confused.

Naruto jumping ahead of everyone else was not giving Orochimaru a chance to form any counter moves. He dodged in a smooth motion, moving like a snake. It was almost as if he had no limbs; his body had little to no weight.

She knew he was far above them. She heard cackling as if everything Naruto was doing was pointless. She joined in to help her classmate give him a fighting chance.

"Naruto, let's use that technique that Jiraiya Sensei taught us." Shez suggested.

"That's dangerous," Naruto said.

"Do we look like we have a choice?" Shez argued.

This was not something she would normally try, but it was a technique that required a user of fire and wind to use. It was a risky technique, but she knew it would only work with Naruto or Claude.

She did hand signs as she was instructed a few months ago instead of ending with the tiger she ended it with the snake. It was a different kind of fireball technique. She infused the power she had from Arval with the fire technique from Jiraiya.

She covered both of her blades with fire.

Naruto did his own hand signs and ended them with a dragon which formed a wind jutsu that was used to enhance the weapons of allies.

It was a risky technique and a double-edged sword, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Naruto, through his wind enhancements, could use Shez's both blades, which combined wind and Fire, in a technique that couldn't be used for long.

She charged at Orochimaru with lightning speed. Naruto, alongside her, did another technique. She didn't recognize it, a sphere formed around Naruto's hands. His shadow clones were creating it with the speed of light. It formed a spear, and then another did even faster. It formed a gigantic shuriken, which was white.

"Rasenshuriken" Naruto yelled as he threw the energy-based technique at his enemy. She charged straight out of Orochimaru and unleashed all of the energy that was embedded in her weapons.

"Fire Style: Wind Typhoon" she yelled, both techniques hitting their mark, causing an explosion that knocked both Naruto and her back. For a second, she believed they had done it, but that sense of victory was short-lived when they saw Orochimaru was unharmed and looked at them as if he found what they did amusing.

"It is 100 years too soon for any of you to fight me," he said tauntingly.

He ran fast; it was difficult, if not almost impossible, to keep up. He was everywhere and nowhere at the same time; he moved like a snake every time Shez tried to strike at him. He was able to dodge slightly, almost as if giving her the illusion that she had a chance to land a blow on him.

Naruto created hundreds of Shadow Clones, trying to attack him, but none of them managed to land a hit. He seemed to toy with both of them, treating them both like children.

"I have no interest in either of you." He knocked Shaz and Naruto back. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Dorothea with the same terrified expression.

While the golden deer were fighting Orochimaru the Black Eagles were struggling against their own enemies.

Hubert didn't find anything special about the sound ninja that he was encountering they were weak and useless. The Black lion squad was making short work of them. It was almost not fair Hinata for what he had noticed was ruthless she killed without mercy and without remorse. A complete departure from the scared girl that she was months ago.

She was surrounded by four enemies of the Western Church. She said nothing as she approached the first among them. He didn't get a chance to speak before she snapped his neck. Any trouble to the ground. His neck wasn't snapped in a regular way; it was snapped where it went completely around. It was a miracle; his head didn't fall off.

The second one, a woman, before she could scream or do anything, had her head slammed hard against the wall, smashing it, blood splattered on Hinata's face.

The other two tried to run, but she didn't give him enough time. Her technique from her clan, with her two fingers on her upper fingers, blew a hole through her chest. She didn't register as the woman fell face down dead. The last among them of the four, the man begged for mercy, but she didn't give him any. She crushed his skull with her feet.

Part of him unnerved him seeing the undetached look on her face gone was the girl that was reluctant to take lives. She killed her enemies brutally and did it without hesitation and without Mercy. She had changed in the past few months. He should be happy, but the last thing he wanted was another person like himself to serve Edelgard.

Just what was going on through her head was no concern to Hubert right now his main concern was making sure Edelgard got out of this battle alive.

It unnerved Monica as well as the look of horror.

"She would never do this, what's going on?" Monica asked.

"We have no time for this discussion. Focus on the battle." Hubert said, cutting off the conversation. The person in front of him was none other than an arrogant Shinobi from The Sound Village who relies on sound as a weapon. The strange tools on the palm of his hands seemed to be using his entire body as a weapon. It was almost as if he was using chakra to create sound from his hands.

It would be an effective weapon, but it wasn't without its flaws. It could easily get clogged, and if it got clogged, the technique could be turned on its user. He noticed that Shino noticed the same thing.

"If it isn't a bunch of little pit squeaks, your magic in your pathetic jitsu's will do nothing. Sound jutsus are the future." He said with arrogant confidence that he had no way of backing up.

"How amusing to be so proud of such a jitsu yet you're so arrogant to think that I wouldn't have any countermeasures." Hubert said with no ounce of respect for this arrogant Shinobi who thinks he's stronger than he actually is. The kind of fool who would get himself killed if there ever was a war.

Hubert cast a spell he tried to counter it with his sound jitsu. It was a basic fire spell nothing more he absorbed it then he cast a more powerful Spell a Banshee Θ absorbed his spell and he was laughing as if he thought it was amusing.

"You think it's amusing, have you been taught how to counter magic or how to deal with it? It's not the same as aikido." he said with an amused chuckle.

He tried to attack him again, but the jitsu was less powerful than before. Hubert casted another spell, a weaker one this time, and he absorbed it.

"If you don't wish to die, I suggest you stop using that jutsu." Shino warned.

"I'm invincible. None of you can stop me." He didn't get a chance to finish his arms exploded, blood gushing everywhere. His men, who he was commanding, were freaking out.

"Fool, damn that Zaku", said one of his subordinates.

He noticed Kabuto had a particular look on his face disgusted at the foolishness of the man named Zaku. It was only noticeable for a second.

But it was not proof that he was a spy; far from it, but his suspicions have been proven to be correct. The pale-skinned man with snake-like eyes and Kabuto; they were connected somehow; the looks they gave to each other before the battle began without any words said everything.

He would get answers one way or another, even if he had to do so underhanded.

It unnerved Benedetta to see Hinata being so ruthless with a cold indifferent look on her face. Her personality was different than it was normally. She slammed a western church member's face against the wall, smashing it.

Another tried to charge, avenge their fallen comrade, but it was useless. Hinata, with her gentle fist, snapped the man's spine, not paying attention as he tumbled to the ground.

She didn't get a chance to even look as she dispatched her own enemies. The sound ninja that tried to attack Ingrid were killed by her arrows. The first arrow entered straight into a woman's skull. She was reaching for her right eye where the arrow was trying to get it out, but it was no use; she collapsed to the ground face down.

The second arrow went right past Ingrid's left ear, while the second arrow went straight into a man's throat, not instantly killing him, as she could gather, but it didn't matter; the battle was chaotic.

Marianne unlike the previous times had a cold look on her face. She took three needles from each hand and was at multiple places at once. She saw ice mirrors form with lightning speed. She cut one man's head off whose body stood there for a moment before it fell on its back.

The second attempt to flee for her life had her throat sliced open; she fell face to the ground, unnerved by the brutality of her friends.

Ingrid unlike Hinata and Marianne was not as brutal when she dispatched her enemies. She knocked one woman down to the ground. She was severely injured, but not an injury she couldn't survive from if she got treated in time. A second tried to hit her with an arrow. But she dodged in the nick of time and hit the man that tried to kill her with the tip of her blade. It didn't kill him, it cut his chest. He fell back to the ground. He could still survive if he got proper treatment.

What disturbed her the most was that Benedetta was becoming desensitized. The amount of violence she was seeing was nothing compared to the mission she went on two months ago. This was nothing. A man was about to charge at her, kill her in close combat. Thanks to the training Kurenai taught her, she took out a kunai and stabbed the man who was about to do a killing blow to her in a state of shock. He dropped his sword and fell to the ground on his back, dead.

Everything was happening so fast that the Black Lion Squad was doing the bulk of the work on their side. This wasn't a battle; it was a massacre.

She had to stay focused. If she didn't, she would die, and so would her friends. Whatever her personal feelings were, she would have to put them aside as much as she wanted to vomit at what she was seeing.

This was what the Black Lion squad was for when the missions required it the most elite team in the Black Eagles had to be the most ruthless, as much as it unnerved her, she would do what was necessary to protect the people she cares about.

Hinata, Marianne, along with the rest of the Black Eagles, were her precious people, and she would protect them by any means necessary. It's scary what she's going through, what she's doing, and what she's seeing, but that's what was required if you were to be trained by the church.

The look on Hinata's face disturbed Felix; she was reveling in the violence almost as if she was enjoying it. What was going on with her? And neither Mercedes nor he noticed.

The look Dimitri had when he finally put down a rebellion is the same look Hinata has this girl's darkness deeper than even Dimitri's. What the hell happened? He had to focus on the battle; that's all that mattered; the Black Eagles Professor was right behind them this was the closest the blue Lions class would ever get to having Byleth Eisner as their professor.

The person in front of them was a woman. She had a sinister smile on her face. She had strange-looking weapons, the kind he had never seen before.

"Interesting. So, I guess the Blue Lions are the strongest class, or should I say the second strongest, because of the Black Lion Squad." The woman said with amusement. He wasn't going to take the bait.

"Careful," Sasuke warned.

"What do you mean?" he asked him why Sasuke was telling him to be careful." Her jutsu is based on sound. Whatever kind of sound it's based on, it's dangerous. It will attack your senses." The girl looked at Sasuke with amusement.

"It seems you know your homework, Uchiha." Annette was by his side, ready to attack her at any moment, along with Mercedes.

Then he heard a sound. It was so loud that he wanted to scream his eardrums.

"Damn you," Felix said, unable to move. The woman was about to attack when she was not back by Annette, who cast a wind spell.

"So you have resistance against my jitsu." she said to his girlfriend friend with amusement.

"Annette, be careful." Sasuke warned.

"Maybe you should have prioritized training instead of your appearance." the woman sneered.

"I assure you she is more than a match for you," Sasuke said in support.

She laughed as if he had said it was amusing.

"That's stupid. Bimbo has no chance of beating me." She was about to charge straight at Annette. She quickly casted another spell which caused her to jump back. It was far more powerful.

The spell that was normally used to attack enemies though there was a new twist to it there was a bunch of blades slashing it was as if 10 swords were slashing at once the woman was barely able to dodge she couldn't believe what she was dealing with.

"I was eager to try that jiu-jitsu" Annette said with pride.

"You call that a jitsu?" she laughed, but she didn't laugh for long when she felt cuts all over her thighs and arms.

She collapsed on the ground, looking at Annette in disbelief.

"Your first mistake was underestimating her and your second was not killing her when you had your first opportunity. The church will decide your fate." Sasuke said as he walked past her alongside the rest of the Blue Lions.

He felt pathetic that he had been brought to his knees by a pathetic weakling. He would work on his resistance against genjutsu in the future. It messed with his senses. He would not be this vulnerable again.

Sasuke and his classmates were cutting down anyone that stood in their way. The woman who was with Dimitri was fighting beside him. She was a capable fighter.

She cast a spell that was a light beam that incinerated at least two of the sound ninja in front of her. She was a powerful spell caster quite experienced; she was more powerful than even trained veterans from what he had seen.

Then he saw what was in front of him: a man in black armor who looked like a death knight. Sasuke instantly drew his sword. He was not going to lose his nerve; the professor of the Black Eagles put his hand on his shoulder, but Sasuke brushed it aside.

"This opponent is beyond you" Byleth said to him as if he were speaking to a child.

He saw a man going to the tomb. It was a holy relic. The whole point of this mission was to protect the tomb of the Dead.

"Professor, you may not want to hear this, but whatever they're trying to steal is right in front of us. There's no way we'll be able to get there in time if we take the long way. We'll have to fight our way through. We are strong. The Blue Lions can take him. There are more of us than there are of him. Go ahead of us." Sasuke said.

Byleth was hesitant, "Whatever you do, don't do anything reckless. If you must retreat, do it, but your priority is to get out alive. If things go south, report to the archbishop. That's my order to all of you." They all shook their heads in agreement.

Sonia went with him, and the Black Eagles professor was wondering why she was going with him.

He couldn't focus on that right now; his main focus was the opponent right in front of him.

"Are you strong enough to protect her?" the death knight asked Sasuke, who grabbed his sword tighter than normal.

"What is that supposed to mean, and why are you asking such a question?" Sasuke said with a deadly calm than he felt inside he was terrified for Mercedes is safety.

"Surely there's a way we could solve this without violence." Mercedes said, and the death knight looked at her in particular. This did not suit well with Sasuke, who got in front of her as if to shield her from his glare.

"Must fate torture me so" the death knight said, confusing Sasuke as to what the hell he was talking about.

" Perhaps you can give me a good fight or perhaps you have a death wish, either way, you better be prepared; I won't hold back." the death knight said as he aimed his scythe at his entire class.

A bolt of lightning came out of his hand so fast that Sasuke barely managed to dodge, along with Dimitri and Ashe. Dedue shielded Dimitri with his body, and Sasuke looked concerned. Then, barely a second later, he dodged what could have been a killing blow.

He was serious, their blades clashed. He was a lot stronger and faster than anyone he had fought before. The Itachi clone he fought did not compare to him. He was barely keeping up to think someone could be this powerful and they're not even someone from Konoha.

A wind spell hit his armor. He looked at Annette and was about to strike until Felix slashed behind the death knight who backhanded him before he could do any lasting damage causing Felix to be knocked against the wall dropping his blade.

He was about to do a killing blow, but Sasuke used his fireball jutsu to prevent him from having the time or the ability to strike at Felix. Felix rolled sideways back to where his classmates were.

Neji, with his Byakugan activated, was looking for any weaknesses. Meanwhile, Tenten took out two scrolls and summoned thousands of weapons, throwing one after another at him. She was controlling them like a puppet, but it was no avail. What the hell was this thing?

Their new transfer, Temari, used a whirlwind jitsu on the death knight, who only blocked it with his bare hand. He was a monster. What was he made of? What was the armor made of?

Dimitri tried to help Sasuke try to strike at him from the side while Sasuke tried to strike at him from the opposite side of Dimitri. Sasuke was to his left and Dimitri was to his right. They managed to land a blow, but he knocked them both back.

Then Sasuke saw him approach Mercedes

"Everything you love will turn to ash", said the dream Itachi. Sasuke screamed like an animal and activated his Sharingan. He pierced the knight's armor with his blade, and he screamed in agony. He threw Sasuke to the ground. He took out his blade and tossed it to him.

" Interesting with enough time and training you might be able to kill me" the death knight said, interested he pointed the scythe at Mercedes. Sasuke in he horror got up and did his hand signs and quickly did the chidori caught off guard by Sasuke's fast speed he didn't get a chance to dodge Sasuke pierced his armor with his lightning jitsu.

Blood was on the floor and he was bleeding uncontrollably. Despite that, he still wouldn't relent, looking at Sasuke and then at Mercedes.

"You have a long way to go if you are to protect her. I'll leave you for now, Sasuke Uchiha, but know this: I will not be caught off guard again. If you're going to protect her, you must get much stronger, otherwise, you'll continue to be weak." He vanished.

Sasuke thought it was a miracle that his class managed to win, but was it really a victory? It was hard to tell, so he went to Mercedes to check if she was okay. "Are you all right?" Sasuke asked concerned.

"I'm fine" Mercedes said, clearly frightened by the ordeal earlier, but also had another look on her face; he saw what was on the ground and picked it up.

It looked exactly like the necklace Mercedes wears on her neck. He gave it to her wondering if this was hers, but then he saw the same necklace. "It can't be. It can't be. It can't be," he had noticed she was crying. "What's wrong?" asked Annette.

"We should focus on the battle for now" Mercedes said, changing the subject. She put the necklace in her pocket and they resumed focusing on the battle ahead of them.

Something was familiar about that person that Sasuke had just fought. It had to be her look on her face. Then he saw his hand, which was covered in blood. Then he thought about it, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he may have hurt Mercedes somehow.

He couldn't focus on that because it would be a distraction. It would endanger him and all his classmates. He would focus on that later. For now, what was important was making sure his class completed their mission.

Dorothea couldn't move. Orochimaru was slowly approaching her like a predator. Naruto was knocked out. Same thing with Shez. Kakashi told her not to use her Sharingan, but how was she going to defend herself against someone like that?

"Entertain me, Dorothea San" Orochimaru said with a hungry look.

She had to move. She took out a Kanai and did the one thing that could help her get out of the situation. She stabbed herself in the thigh, which finally caused her to get out of her situation. She moved.

She heard laughter.

"Such foolishness, girl. Show me what you can do." Orochimaru said as he went behind her. She felt a tongue at her right ear, and she shivered.

She pushed him away as hard as she could, but he held her tightly.

"You will have to make me move, girl," Orochimaru said like a predator.

There was no other way, so she activated her Sharingan and kicked him in the stomach, knocking him back. She took out two more kunai, and she was going to use a technique that she had been taught by Kakashi.

She kicked Orochimaru in the air and quickly did hand signs, combining the jutsu's that Kakashi taught her with her own techniques that she had come up with herself.

Unlike in the Land of Waves, where she had learned the jutsus on the spot because of her Sharingan when she awakened it, she had a chance to refine her techniques more.

"Fire style meteor storm jitsu" Orochimaru dodged multiple meteors like it was nothing.

But she wasn't done; she did another jitsu, which combined her thorn spell with a lightning jitsu that she had learned a few weeks ago.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Spear" a spear-shaped jutsu appeared, piercing Orochimaru's chest and pinning him against the wall.

But she didn't stop; she did another jitsu. She threw shurikens, provided to her, and added lightning and fire elements.

"Lightning style lightning dragon" a dragon appeared, which with lightning speed went straight to Orochimaru. He wasn't able to dodge. But she wasn't going to waste any time on an opponent like this. She casted one final spell, which was a spell that she had refined for a long time.

"Meteor storm" a bunch of meteors appeared striking at Orochimaru. She was exhausted. What she saw in front of her was the damage her spells did, which was negligible at best. She collapsed on her knees. It took everything.

Orochimaru approached her like a predator. She tried to force herself to move again, but she couldn't. She was too exhausted.

"Interesting, your eyes are strong for someone who barely knows how to use them. So interesting, when I was told you had one tomoe, I didn't expect to see you already have a second one. Powerful indeed, you definitely are the descendant of Tsukiyomi Uchiha." he said with fascination.

He was looking at her like he was looking at an object.

He can do anything he wants with her there's nothing she can do. He was about to get even closer when an arrow flew past him.

"I'm sorry, but I won't let you do anything to my friend." said Claude, firing another arrow at Orochimaru, who hissed in annoyance.

"I'm not here to play with you, begone" Orochimaru said. Claude was slammed hard against the wall. Dorothea was helpless; she was exhausted; she used a lot of chakra, but it didn't do anything to him.

He walked slowly to her like a predator she couldn't move. He was close to her. He lifted her chin up and licked his lips. "I shall give you a parting gift, my dear." Orochimaru said as he stretched his neck and his upper teeth extended in length. Like a predator, he bit deep down into her neck, and Dorothea screamed in agony.

She nearly collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily and sweating. Orochimaru looked at her with a sinister smile.

"Should you survive, my dear, you will gain great power in time. You will want to go to me. Farewell, my dear, Uchiha." Orochimaru said as he disappeared, as if he had never been there. She couldn't keep her eyes open; the exhaustion from the battle and the pain on her neck made Claude run to her. She would have fallen to the ground if Claude hadn't caught her. The last thing she saw before everything went black was Byleth fighting a man near a tomb.

Byleth was running as fast as his legs would take him while his students were taking care of the enemies on the right while the golden deer were on the left.

The Blue Lions were fighting the death knight. He hoped they would be all right. He couldn't focus on that. Sonia was by his side. The woman from the other day had a look of determination on her face as she got into her fighting stance. The man about to rob a tomb, someone's resting place.

"I suggest you surrender now" he said, implying a threat. He took out his sword, ready to use it. He wasn't going to hesitate if he didn't surrender. He would cut him down. He ignored him, making a mistake. He moved as fast as he could and, when the man opened the tomb, he had a shocked look on his face. It wasn't what he was looking for, Byleth thought. It was like something was calling to him to grab it.

He looked at his sore that he was carrying and dropped it to the floor while he lifted up the mysterious blade that he saw only in his dreams. He felt a surge of power that he had never felt before in his life the blade glowed shocking everyone in the room who was watching.

"I was told they would be a Crest here, not a blade without a crest." The man said in disbelief, not paying attention as he cut him down to size.

The power he was feeling was nothing like he imagined. Then he saw a figure appear before him. The black-cloaked figure was laughing, with a sinister smile.

"So apparently a hero's relic was in that tomb. Oh well, I have a better price than some worthless relic that I have no use for." Orochimaru said he got into his stance. He wasn't going to let him escape.

Then out of nowhere he saw individuals appear. They all had headbands with the sound sigil on it. One of them was a big man with orange hair. Another was a man that had four arms. Another was a man with what looked like to be two heads and a whitish purplish hair. And the last one of them was a redhead girl.

Then another appeared a man who looked like the leader. He had short silver hair and a physique exposed. He took out a blade from what looked like a part of his own body and aimed it at him.

"I'll take care of this, Orochimaru-sama" said the silver-haired man. As he took out another blade from his shoulder, it creeped him out; it was as if he was dual-wielding.

Sonia looked apprehensive at Orochimaru escaping, but she couldn't do anything.

"Stay back this opponent is far beyond you thank you for helping my friends go back home I'll take care of this." Byleth said as he held his new sword with a firm grip.

"He is a lot stronger than he appears. Byleth be careful." Sonia ran past him when the man was about to attack. Quickly, he blocked his pursuit.

"I don't think so" Byleth said as the two blades clashed. Something felt strange about this new weapon he was holding. It was not like anything he had ever imagined.

"Kimimaro, your goal is to buy me and my team time to escape, not to fight everyone. retreat when I'm far enough away where your diversion will not be necessary." Orochimaru said.

"I will do as you command" Kimimaro said with enthusiasm.

He tried to do a quick job to try to end the fight quickly, but it was no avail. He blocked each of his quick attacks with his new blade, noticing something different about this sword. It was able to stretch; it was almost as if the entire sword was able to move.

Then he noticed projectiles being shot at from his opponent. He dodged as quickly as he possibly could, avoiding any bone bullets he wasn't able to dodge. He blocked with his new sword, slashing everywhere and anywhere at once.

Knowing that fighting him from a distance would be futile, Kimimaro instead resorted to doing hand signs and summoning a tsunami of bones. This was not what he had expected to face today.

Thanks to his training in the past two months, he managed to dodge almost everything, but he couldn't do it indefinitely. No, he had to land a blow. Then he realized his sword could stretch. He experimented by using his new weapon like a chain whip. It was much faster than it looked, despite the sword being larger than an average blade.

His opponent was not able to get close to him, Byleth and Kimimaro were an even match. He will not be able to do this with a regular sword, whatever power resides in this blade gave him abilities he never knew he had.

He felt faster, stronger, and his reflexes were greater than before. He charged as a way to end the fight, but it was useless. He knew what he was going to do before he did it. It wasn't that he was able to read into the future; it was because of his movements that his reflexes almost seemed to enhance his actions.

He was like water and the blade of his opponent was nothing more than a weapon wielded by a clumsy child who was inexperienced. He was frustrated at his lack of progress. He was going to tire himself out; it was only a matter of time.

"Looks like I underestimated you. Byleth Eisner you are fortunate that I was only here to buy time for Orochimaru Sama. If this were a serious battle, you would already be dead at my feet." he said with arrogance, knowing that was false, as it stood now, the blade he was wielding gave him a huge edge. If this were a regular blade, he may be correct, but that is not how things worked.

He ran as fast as his legs could take him before he could give chase. He heard footsteps. It was Catherine and her subordinates. They were surprised to see Byleth and his students at the mausoleum.

"Is there any reason you're here?" Catherine asked, putting her blade away.

The knights were apprehended the surviving western church soldiers along with the severely injured girl who was part of Orochimaru's group.

"I was investigating and I came to the conclusion with help for my students and their classmates that our enemy was going to come here at the rite of rebirth in order to steal this relic that I'm holding in my hand. It's a strange looking thing I believe they were trying to steal this.

"He" said as he was about to hand the blade to Catherine, but she pushed the blade away.

"As it stands, it's dangerous for me to touch that weapon. It's safer in your hands for now. It's best that you see the archbishop immediately so she can discuss what needs to be done about the sword that you currently hold in your hand."

Catherine said as she ordered all the students to leave.

Then he noticed Dorothea, one of his former students, who looked like she was in pain. He wanted to go there, but he couldn't do anything because he was required to see the archbishop immediately.

He did not know why, but this blade gave him the creeps. Something about it felt wrong. Without it, he would have been powerless against Kimimaro. That was what was most frustrating.

Rhea couldn't believe what she had just heard: the sword of the creator was in the hands of Byleth. She had mixed feelings about it; the truth about the hero's relics was something she didn't reveal to the world. The blade, essentially being her mother's remains, made her sick to this day. The fact that her brethren had their bodies looted, destroyed, and made into weapons of mass destruction made her sick to her stomach.

She saw the hero's relics as abominations, but she wasn't able to do anything about them due to the image of them being holy. The lies that she had built for the past millennia were accepted as universal truth if she were to reveal now that they weren't holy, but she had come too far. The only thing that mattered was her mother returning.

She saw her assistant Seteth, who didn't look happy about the prospect of Byleth welding the remains of one of their people, especially Sothis.

"I don't support this course of action. Rhea, this abomination is the remains of Sothis, the mother of our people. I don't like it to be in the hands of anyone." He said with disdain.

"Do you trust me?" she asked him.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Rhea. I just don't like the idea of anyone touching her remains, especially after Nemesis defiled them and used Sothis' remains to destroy our people." Seteth said, putting his hand to his forehead.

"I believe he won't betray us. I believe in him." Rhea said, trying to defend her actions without revealing Byleth's origins.

"That's not the only thing that concerns me, Sonia, his twin sister. We have kept a huge secret from both of them. The longer we keep such a secret, the worse it will get. I keep telling you we need to come clean enough of the lies. Sonia doesn't believe us anymore. She wants to see the outside world. We can't keep her here caged like an animal." Seteth said, trying to get her to change her mind.

"It's for her own protection I keep telling you this, why do you continue to bring this up?" she asked him, trying not to snap at him.

"Because" before he can say anything grateful for the interruption, Byleth entered the room with the blade in hand. It took everything she had not to recoil in revulsion at the sight of her mother's remains in his hand. It disgusted her to see it; she didn't want to see it, but she knew one day it would be necessary due to her long-term plans.

"You have successfully stopped a sinister plot to steal a sacred relic from us. Thank you, Byleth. You have my gratitude." Rhea said.

"I don't know what to do with this sacred relic, Lady Rhea. I don't think I should have it in my possession." he said with reluctance.

She signaled for Seteth to fetch the sheath that she had made for the sword of the creator. It wasn't far from where they were at. After a minute, he was out and handed Byleth the scabbard. He put it inside the sheath, which had dragon markings that symbolized the form her people took when they were not in their humanoid form. It was silver with gold markings on the center. She never thought this blade would ever be used again, but if it could be used by someone like Siri's son, she would feel more at peace. if it was in his hands.

"I'm giving you this blade, it is a sacred sword that was once used by the king of liberation. You've been given a great honor use this sword responsibly." Rhea said to Byleth who reluctantly took the sword.

"I'm not worthy of this honor,"he said.

"That is why Lady Rhea trusts you with it; do not abuse her trust." Seteth said with an implied threat.

"I will not use it to protect my students and those I care about." Byleth said as he bowed respectfully to both of them. Before he left, she couldn't help but notice Siri in him: his demeanor, his eyes.

He was the spitting image of his mother while Sonia was more like her father.

She pushed those thoughts aside. She couldn't let them distract her from her goal. She was too close. She would like to speak to her one more time, even if it was for just one minute.

"What was it that you were about to say before Byleth interrupted?" Rhea asked Seteth.

"It was nothing. I have to go. I have to make sure the people we captured are questioned and punished for their actions." Seteth said, avoiding the question.

He got out of the room she couldn't help but think if she was really doing the right thing. She was trying to protect Sonia but she was trying to bring back her mother. Was it really the right thing to do? The price to bring her back was high.

The chalice of beginnings failed to bring her back. What would her plan that she had been trying for a thousand years what if that failed too? No, she shoved those thoughts to the depths of her mind. She was going to succeed. She had to. She couldn't let a thousand years of failures go to waste.

Seteth was looking at the prisoners in their cells. He didn't take any pleasure in doing what he was about to do, but he had to do what was necessary to ensure the safety of his daughter, who everyone in the outside world believes to be his sister.

Shamir was alongside him. She had just come back from her latest mission. The man named Haku was by her side. Shamir had short purple hair and wore clothing expected of mercenaries. She was a knight, but she didn't wear the traditional attire of the church.

A man with bandages on his face named Dosu and a woman named Kin.

Seteth didn't like this part of his duties, but he had no choice; otherwise, dangerous people like this could cause harm to the church in the future.

"You can make this easy on yourself. Who sent you? Why?" asked Seteth in a neutral town.

"we were set up" a woman was about to say before she was interrupted by Shamir. who backhanded her.

"Don't lie. We've interrogated your other comrades who survived and they confirmed that there was a plot to assassinate the archbishop after you stole a relic of the church. You're only making things worse for yourself." Shamir said coldly.

"I'll tell you what I know if you guarantee that me and my comrade will live."said Dosu in a tone that left no room for argument. he had no intention of keeping his promise but he had to get information and he would do it by whatever means that were necessary even if it was underhanded.

He would not allow anyone or anything to harm Flayn."The person who sent us was."Before Dosu could say anything, blood came out of his eyes, and he was having a seizure. The girl next to him, Kin, was doing the same. The people alongside them were freaking out as they were spasming on the ground.

He rushed to them in order to try to save their lives, but it was useless. The girl's face was turning purple, and she was coughing blood. Her eyes were bloodshot, and blood was dripping. Then he saw purple veins. Whatever was put into these individual systems was to ensure they wouldn't talk.

They tried to speak, but they couldn't. They couldn't breathe; they were suffocating. Foam came out of their mouths. After two agonizing minutes, both Dosu and Kin were dead. He had seen gruesome deaths in his day, but not many compared to this. Even if he intended to execute them, he would have made their deaths quick. However, whoever did this to them wanted them to suffer.

"This is definitely Orochimaru's handiwork"he turned around and saw it was none other than Yuri Rhea's inside Man in the Abyss in order to keep an eye on the unusual happenings down in the Abyss.

"That sadistic bastard is here?"Seteth said disgusted, remembering him from his youth as a disturbed individual obsessed with immortality. To think he was here as a member of the Akatsuki.

"Damn" he said, any information he could have gotten out of the people who had died was useless.

"What do we do about the other prisoners?" his subordinate asked.

"May the goddess have mercy on your souls" he said coldly to the prisoners that were still alive.

He walked away and ignored the agonizing screams as they begged for mercy.

Sonia went out again, he knew, unless they came clean and did it soon, disaster would strike. They couldn't hide it anymore; she didn't believe them anymore. The last thing he wanted was for the Eisner family to turn against the church because they kept secrets from them.

He knew the dangers of having them as enemies and it's not something he would want to deal with. He would do what is necessary even if he has to go against Rhea's orders to make sure the worst doesn't happen.

The Flame Emperor appeared before Volkhard Arundel, whose true identity is Thales. The Flame Emperor, known to everyone else as Edelgard von Hresvelg, disgusted her by having to wear this disguise, but it was the only way to hide her appearance in case anyone eavesdropped.

She wore a mask that covered her face. The mask looked like something straight out of the Phantom of the Opera, a movie she watched as a child. It terrified her, but she adopted the appearance because she felt it conveyed strength.

She wore a black helmet that had the appearance of a warrior emperor from a bygone era. She wore black armor with a blood-red robe. It was fortunate that she was able to disguise her voice so that no one suspected it was Edelgard behind the armor.

"The sword of Creator being in the hands of Byleth Eisner will cause us problems. This sets back our plans." said the man in the form of her uncle, concerned about recent developments.

"It matters not; it doesn't change anything. Let him keep the sword for now; it's of no consequence." She said in a rude manner.

"He is a dangerous enemy. He must be dealt with, and whatever means necessary." Volkhard was not happy with the developments that had been happening as of late, with the rescue of Monica and now the sword of career being completely out of their grasp.

Edelgard, how is the ability to wield it due to her matching crest, the crust of flame she highly suspects the professor has it, but how is a question she would have to investigate on her own.

"Do not forget your place. Our plans have been set back thanks to that girl, Monica, being rescued. Whether it was your intention or not, it doesn't matter. Just know we can burn everything you care about to ash. Don't push your luck." Thales warned as he disappeared as if he was never there.

Before she could take off her mask, she saw Hinata, who was in her own attire. It was a black clad armor, her face covered with a lion mask, it was fierce, it was hard to tell if it was even a human being. She was looking at, not a monster from a different dimension.

"I don't know how you can deal with scum like that"she heard the distorted voice, it was difficult to notice if it was even a woman speaking due to how distorted her voice was.

"It's how things are. Are you sure you wanted to do this, my black lion?" Edelgard.

"I've told you multiple times I am your Black Lion. Your enemies are my enemies. I will destroy every enemy that gets in our way."

"Would you even kill Naruto?" Edelgard asked her, wanting to know how far her loyalties lied.

"She" heard hesitation Naruto was one of the few people she couldn't bring herself to kill.

"I would do what is necessary"Hinata answered, dodging the question.

"we should return before people suspect something my Black Lion"Edelgard said in authoritative voice they both left Edelgard can help and ask at the back of her mind was there another way?

this wasn't like her to question her actions but the friends that she has been making the childhood friend that she had reconnected with could she really kill Hinata's soul for her dream? Hinata is a kind and loving person and loyal.

she didn't know what to think anymore what was right what was wrong things had changed ever since she met Byleth Eisner and reconnected with her childhood friend Hinata Hyuga.

things weren't so cut and dry anymore and she did not feel comfortable having these thoughts she headed back and took off the armor that she wore and got back to her regular attire.

she put her doubts aside she had come too far to turn back now if she were to stop it would dishonor the memories of her brothers and sisters that died. she couldn't let anyone go through what she had went through and the institutions that reinforce the crest had to be torn down by whatever means necessary.

she had to steal her heart no matter how much it pained her of the inevitable.

Hinata, Naruto, and Ingrid were looking over Dorothea, who was in the infirmary. She was breathing heavily and sweating. Kurama was looking at her.

"That damn bastard gave her a curse mark." Kurama said in disgust.

"Wait what?" Naruto asked.

"A curse mark, what is that?" Ingrid asked, confused.

"A curse mark is something that, depending on what it is, could be nasty. There are different kinds of curse marks; some are used as a form of torture or control, while others are used for other purposes. People who have them are not the same after they get them." Hinata answered.

"She is correct. The curse mark she has is not one I'm familiar with. I know many people who have been given this particular curse mark have died from it, and those who survive are changed." Kurama answered.

"Damn that bastard," Naruto said as he slammed his fist against the wall.

"If only I were there, I could have stopped it," Hinata said.

"No, there was nothing that could have been done," Ingrid said in disagreement.

"We have to do something about it. Is there any way we can remove it, Kurama?" Naruto asked.

"The process to remove it is dangerous and isn't without risk. It would require part of my chakra to be integrated with her, but for that to happen, you will not be able to use my chakra until it's finished." Kurama answered.

"Wait, you can remove it?" Hinata asked with hope.

"Yes, but that would make her a pseudo-Jinchuriki, which means she could use my chakra, although it would only be a quarter of it. There's another thing you'd have to do." Kurama looked at Hinata and Ingrid.

"What would it be, Lord Kurama?" Ingrid asked, concerned.

"It would require him to mark her as his mate," Kurama answered in human terms, "which means he would claim Dorothea as his wife."

"Why can't we just remove the curse mark?" Hinata asked.

"Because he will try to claim her again and next time he will be more forceful; this curse mark, if not removed, will irreversibly alter her personality. She will go mad, and there is no other way to protect her than to mark her." Kurama answered.

Hinata did not know how to feel. Dorothea knew about Kurama first, but the fact that she'll be marked by Naruto first made her think that way. This is for her own protection. Naruto would do it to any of them if they were in her place.

"I'll do it, what do I need to do, Kurama?" Naruto asked.

"You will have to bite her neck and infuse my chakra. I warned you this will potentially harm you. After this, you will be unconscious for an untold period of time. Both you and Dorothea will be linked. This is the only way to free her from the curse mark, which means you will be out of commission until the curse mark is completely cleansed from her system."Kurama answered.

Hinata did not like this at all, but there was no choice. She hated the idea of somebody harming her precious people and controlling them in any way.

"You can do this to your other mates as well to protect them, but for now, let's focus on Dorothea, as she is the one who needs it the most. It will take the longest anyway to infuse my chakra with hers." Kurama said.

Before Naruto could do anything, Claude, along with Dimitri and Edelgard, entered the room. How was Naruto and I going to explain this one?

Earlier with Claude, Dimitri, and Edelgard

Edelgard was concerned about Dorothea, as she was told by Claude after the battle that she had been bitten by a pale-skinned man with a black cloak and red stripes. This made her angry, knowing that one of her friends was in pain because of scum like that.

Dimitri was by her side along with Claude. They were going to pay her a visit. She knew that Naruto and Hinata were with her. The conversation she had earlier with Hinata was still disturbing. And how she acted in battle was almost as if she was a different person.

The Black Lion was it an ultra ego? She had to put that thought aside. She couldn't show what she was feeling inside in front of Claude and Dimitri.

They opened the door and then they saw Naruto, Hinata, and Ingrid, who were surprised to see them. She couldn't help but notice a fox with an annoyed look on his face.

"We were here to check on Dorothea and well, what's that?" asked Edelgard.

"Oh well" Naruto was trying to come up with anything from what Claude could gather.

"Did that thing just talk?" Dimitri asked in disbelief.

"Great Kit looks like more people know about me." the fox said with annoyance.

"I'm sorry, but who are you and how are you able to talk?" asked Claude.

"Surely you know who I am, Claude. I am your professor, Kakashi Hatake, told you the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha."

Kurama said annoyed as if he'd pulled this story so many times that it got annoying repeating it.

"I've heard of the nine-tailed fox but never thought you could speak." said Edelgard respectfully.

"Of course I can speak. I'm not some mindless animal." Kurama said with annoyance.

"I don't mean any disrespect, I'm sorry, but what do we call you?" asked Edelgard.

"Yeah, I'm curious. It's not everyday we get to meet the nine-tailed fox," Claude added.

"I only tell you this because you are friends Naruto and Hinata. My name is Kurama. I am the fox spirit sealed inside Naruto." Kurama answered.

Claude suspected there was something inside of Naruto the day they first met. It also explained why Naruto felt like an outsider.

"Well, that explains everything," said Claude.

"It makes sense why the village you're from treats you like a demon incarnate." Edelgard said as she looked Hinata in the eye.

"Well, I don't care whether a demon is inside you, Naruto. It doesn't change who you are. The fact that you didn't give in to your anger and hate, despite the treatment your village gave you all these years, speaks volumes about your character." Dimitri added.

"Thank you. It means a lot. Until now, it was only a few months ago when my girlfriend's that knew about it." Naruto said.

"Well, I have no intention of telling your secret to anyone. It's safe with me," said Edelgard, smiling genuinely.

"Well, I'm at a loss. Maybe sometime when we're alone, I might tell you a big secret of my own. It's only fair." Claude said with his trademark grin.

" You three are probably one of the few humans I like most humans I just want to wipe from the face of the Earth." Claude didn't know what to think of that.

"We came here to check on our friend. I've heard from Professor Manuela and Lady Tsunade that they couldn't do anything about the mark on her neck. She's sweating to the point where she's shivering. What's going on?" Edelgard asked concerned about her friend's well-being.

Kurama explained everything to the trio about the curse mark, what it is, and how to remove it, and the fastest and safest way to ensure she would be protected from getting one in the future.

"You have an interesting companion inside of you, Naruto." said Claude, now even more curious, what more secrets did Naruto have?

"I don't know how to feel about this mating thing, but if it protects Dorothea from future attacks by that sick bastard, then so be it." Edelgard said disgusted about what the white-skinned man did to her friend.

"So you're saying once this process begins, you'll be out of commission until the chakra is completely cleansed from her body?" Dimitri asked.

"Yes, if anyone asks why I'm not in class, it's because I'm sick," Naruto said.

Claude knew what Naruto was about to do was something nobody should see.

"Well, we'll take our leave and keep what we learned between us," said Dimitri.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Kurama. I hope we have another chance to talk under different circumstances," said Edelgard respectfully.

The trio left without realizing the implications of the house leaders' meeting with Kurama and how that would affect their friendship with Naruto Uzumaki.

Ingrid did not think that her house leader along with her childhood friend and Claude would learn about or to keep it a secret. How many people would find out about Dorothea's Sharingan? She was not ashamed of her boyfriend having a demon Fox sealed inside of him. She was worried about him. How others would perceive him because of how that is tied to his self image.

"I'll make sure the idiot doesn't do something stupid", Kurama said to reassure Ingrid and Hinata.

"Please be careful." Hinata said

"He's in good hands", Kurama said to try to relieve Hinata's worries.

"Don't worry my Hime I'll be alright I will save Dorothea from that bastard's curse mark, I promise." Naruto said with conviction.

Naruto kissed Hinata on the lips for good luck, along with Ingrid, and then went to the ritual as Kurama instructed.

Hinata and Ingrid put Naruto in his bed in the infirmary next to Dorothea, and Naruto closed his eyes and held Dorothea's left hand. The ritual had begun; it was up to Naruto and Kurama to free Dorothea from Orochimaru's curse mark.

They took one last look at Naruto and Dorothea and left the room,

Byleth looked at the sword in his hand; he wasn't like anything he had wielded before; its power was immense. He had felt a lot stronger; he felt like he was a one-man army with the blade.

"Something about that sword makes me feel uneasy. I don't know why when I look at it I feel like I'm looking at my own remains. I can't explain it." Sothis said in a tone that he wasn't used to hearing.

"I have that feeling too, but the power I hold in my hand could protect those I care about. I can protect Mari with this sword. Is it wrong that I want to use this blade to protect her?" Byleth asked Sothis curiously.

Before he could indulge in his thoughts, he saw the house leaders approach him.

They had a serious look on their faces like they had something they wanted to ask him."Professor, there's something that's been bothering me about Sonia. I have a feeling she's in the monastery, but I don't know where." Dimitri looked tirelessly for her after the battle.

It had only been a day, but he couldn't help but agree with him that woman something about her was familiar. He had searched all over for her, yet he could find no trace of her. Flayn, who he had a difficult time looking for, even though she had appeared every now and then.

Sonia was different there's only one place she could be underground, but how there could be some hidden place?

"I want you to get Hinata, her Byakugan could assist in our search." Byleth said.

Then he noticed Hinata appeared before them along with Sasuke by their side there was also Benedetta, Ingrid, Marianne, Hilda, Monica Ashe, Sylvain, Shez, Mercedes, and Kabuto.

Then he noticed something strange: Naruto was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Naruto?" Byleth, surprised and disappointed, asked.

"He's sick now." Dimitri answered, knowing he was hiding something but deciding not to think about it.

"I figured you could use my help," said Sylvain, giving his trademark smile to all the women in the group.

"Something's been bothering me, and I'd like to investigate it. I'd like to take more people, but I feel like we're pushing the limit with the amount of people that are with us." said Monica.

"You're not leaving without me," said Lysithea, who didn't look happy that her girlfriend didn't include her in the group.

"We're pushing how many people should go with us, Lys. I don't want you to get hurt. Please." The girl scoffed at her in annoyance.

"I'm not some fragile piece of glass," Lysithea said with annoyance.

"Okay, you can come, but that's it. Our group is getting too big." Byleth said, leaving no room for any argument.

They were searching around looking for any clues and where Sonia could be. Then they noticed footprints. Obviously, she was in a hurry when she was running away. They followed the footprints and it led them down to a pathway underground. It was in plain sight the whole time.

"So this will lead us to the rumored underground beneath the monastery," said Claude.

"What will we find down there?" Sasuke asked, holding his sword tightly.

"Whatever it is, we have to be ready for anything." said Dimitri.

"Hubert won't like this, but as long as I'm by Lady Edelgard's side, it should suffice." said Monica.

"It may be scary where we're going, but I'll pull through," Benedetta said, trying to put on a brave face.

"I I wonder if we will encounter him again" Mercedes said, holding her necklace tightly.

"Be ready for anything" Byleth warned the group.

One by one they went underground. He didn't know why, but he had a strong feeling major revelations would be revealed, and things would not be the same again.

This chapter ends in a major cliffhanger. Originally, I was going to end it with a loose adaptation of Cindered Shadows chapter one, but considering this would make the chapter too long and would put it at the 40,000-word mark, I decided to end it on a cliffhanger. The next few chapters will be a loose adaptation of Cindered Shadows. I will have to replay the DLC, as I haven't played it in years, but it will be incorporated into the story.

I have changed the lineup of the characters simply because I wanted to have more interactions. Originally, I was going to have another scene with Sonia, but the chapter was already reaching the limit that I had set for myself, so it will be included in the next chapter.

See you next chapter in part two.