On the morning of our New Year...
I present you an update!
Shout out to Just a Reader56 for catching an error I made last chapter about Fukasaku's death and that he was revived.
Even with the recent reread, things get blurred... And he didn't do much after his resurrection... My bad. Corrected it.
Was still gonna use Shima over Fukasuka for that scene regardless, but now will have Fukasaku instead of Shima in a later appearance. Maybe both.
This is why commenting is appreciated!
I am really debating on changing the title to Guiding Light and denoting that this the Fox of Remnant Remake in the Summary.
Your opinions on the matter would be invaluable.
Love you guys!
Anyways onto the chapter!
Reference:
"Italicized" - Emphasis/Tone Shift
Italicized - Thoughts
Bold Italicized - Emphasis
Long ago, before we met
I dreamed about you
The peace you'd bring
The songs we'd sing
The way you'd make things new
Then one day, you arrived
I heard your angel cry
Helpless, small, and perfect
Welcome to your life
Sparks filled the night air.
The tiniest wreck burned on the ground.
Beady eyes sparkled, green warty hands combing through the metallic wreckage.
"These things are so fascinating!" Shima hummed to herself, picking up the wreckage while gazing upon the debris parts of these drones.
These strange creations were technological marvels. She had to return home with some when Naruto had the capacity to reverse her summoning process.
Not only would Pa be ecstatic upon hearing the news their summoner was somehow amongst the living, defying all odds one more time, but he would marvel at these wonders as well!
And she would need proof to take back to the village! They needed to know that Naruto-boy was alive!
They needed everyone's help to return him home…
Including the wayward soul.
"If you wouldn't mind," A voice she was all aware of spoke, overseeing her actions carefully. "Those are quite expensive…"
"So you finally speak." Shima turned to the silver-haired man, holding the remains of the drones in her tiny hands. "Consider this payment for watching Naruto-boy. He means no harm. Just lost."
"Couldn't be too sure. You can never be too careful, I'm afraid. Danger is always looming in the shadows here. Waiting for its opportunity to strike." Ozpin sighed.
"The woman?" Shima shuffled the drones under her cloak, smoke pluming as she sealed them away.
Her lips quivered.
It didn't feel like he was referencing her specifically.
But it did feel like he was referencing someone…
"What is it that you want?" Shima scowled, gazing up into his brown gaze. "Why come to me instead of Naruto-boy…"
"I may have already soured any potential relations by keeping track of his movements." Ozpin sighed, his eyes gleamed regretfully. "I did what was necessary… For what I want?"
"Nothing," He answered plainly.
Shima stumbled.
Nothing.
He wanted nothing.
She frowned.
It was difficult to deceive her. She didn't know this man, so it was possible…
Yet, he stood firmly before her.
His voice resonated earnestly.
"If anything, I wish to assist you in whatever way possible." Ozpin continued.
"He does not belong here and will upset the very balance of this world."
"Do you understand how reckless you were? Those were hardened criminals from the Xiong Family!"
Naruto really didn't care for the tone Glynda had been using.
They separately cuffed them after she brought him here and were due to be put in isolated waiting rooms. However, a call came in just before they did.
And that was why he was in the same room with Ruby while he let Shima roam outside the building, taking watch in case something happened.
He disliked this and had a gut feeling about it.
He glowered, his glistening aimed toward Glynda.
All the pictures and strange devices she had on the table which were on playback of the video recording of the incident.
Just how well were they being monitored here?!
He didn't sense or see them anywhere!
He needed a way to combat this…
She was being too harsh toward her. Not to mention, a certain someone seemed to be still watching him!
Fantastic!
"You are fortunate this isn't three years ago, and their family had considerably fallen, young lady! Otherwise, you would be in serious trouble!" Glynda snapped, slapping her riding crop firmly across the table, causing Ruby to flinch back fearfully, her eyes wide. "Youth today! So unprepared for the world! If you knew for a second who you were dealing with, you would have known what these men used to do to families of anyone who dared challenge them! Let alone yourself! You could have been killed!"
Eyes glimmered.
Ears swished.
He repressed a snarl building on his lips.
Cuffs clattered on the table, startling Glynda and causing Ruby's eyes to grow disproportionately.
Naruto yawned, stretching her arms behind his back and chair, rubbing his wrists.
Throwing his head back with a pop.
His eyes glinting daggers toward her briefly, returning to their lackadaisical luster.
"Mah, aren't ya being too harsh on her?" Naruto commented, eyebrow skewed awkwardly. "Store was being robbed. She was there. She handled herself well and saved the day. Did a good deed as far as I'm concerned. What's the big deal?"
"How did you…" Glynda stared at the cuffs in confusion before pursing her lips at the blonde interloper.
Gnarling her expression, she sharpened her gaze. "She did not handle herself well. All this property damage…"
"You expect none to apprehend armed criminals?"
"Not if it exceeds the worth of capturing them and endangers the public! Which you failed!"
"Because of you… And that's dumb. No one was in danger."
Glynda scowled at the impassiveness of his cerulean gaze as he rolled his eyes at her statement.
Challenging her every word.
This Faunus was irritating her.
She gnashed her teeth, pushing up her spectacles…
Her eyes shifted momentarily to Ruby.
Then played the moment he pulled her away from being scorched.
"Need I continue playing the video? Ms. Rose nearly was before your timely intervention."
Naruto stiffened.
That woman…
Was unaccounted for…
Those amber eyes of hers burned with the intensity of a thousand suns…
A cold shiver traveled down his spine…
It was a look he was all too familiar with.
It belonged to someone he cherished.
And hers was more intense!
Naruto snarled.
Sitting up, the table shook. His hand planted firmly. "Well, if you people did your jobs, maybe people like her wouldn't be around, ya know!"
Snapping her head back, eyes shimmering wide as fear etched over her face, Glynda's eyes shimmered.
This man understood what he was facing?
Her face twisted into a scowl, recovering before crossing her arms.
Eyes glinting as her gaze bored into his.
This young man dare call into question the worth of a Huntsman?
"We are quite thorough at our jobs, I will have you know." Glynda laced her sentiment with venom. "Anything we do within the Kingdom is considered a luxury. Crime is left to law enforcement. We only intervene when bounties or high stakes are involved."
"Or when investigating and a fight breaks out…" Ruby muttered half-heartedly under her breath.
Only to squeal loudly and jump in her seat as Glynda furiously glared at her.
Glynda sighed profoundly and nodded at her assessment. "Yes, Miss Rose. That is technically correct. Incidents like that can occur, but they are not encouraged… Do not follow in your uncle's footsteps. Or your father's… As admirable as Huntsman Qrow may be… He can be… More trouble than he is worth."
Ruby stiffened.
Her silver eyes shimmered.
This Huntress knew her uncle Qrow?
She wanted to ask so many questions!
All that had to wait…
Her eyes locked with Naruto's once more…
She felt insignificant in the room with both of them.
After what he did on the rooftop…
And she was a Huntress…
Ruby's face drooped.
Kicked her feet weakly in front of her.
She didn't deserve to be in the room with them.
"I ain't doubting your skills. Far from it." Naruto plainly answered; his gaze met hers confidently before finally faltering.
A forlorn glint with his eyes as his thoughts drifted to another as he gazed distantly in the corner.
His thoughts fell to a certain avenger…
Her eyes were like his…
Naruto's eyes glistened with a renewed vigor.
And he met Glynda's confused gaze. "It's just, if someone like that is around, there's a problem somewhere out there that needs fixing. Don't know where. Don't know what. But something more should be done to handle it, ya know? Can't just stand around while people are consumed by such hatred… To have eyes like hers. "
Taken further aback, Glynda was left gobstopped.
She didn't have any words after a statement like that.
What could she even say?
He was able to judge her based on her hatred at that very moment?
What in the world was this boy?
"Couldn't agree more." The sound of the door opened with a click.
All eyes were drawn onto Ozpin as he entered the room. Another figure rushed behind him eagerly, straight towards Ruby.
Wrapping her into a warm embrace.
Possibly guillotine choke hold.
"Ahk! Yang!" Ruby sputtered, gasping for breath, bound hands waving wildly. "Can't breathe… Ow!"
Ruby received her wish and was released from Yang's sweet embrace.
Only to be popped in the head by her fist with a meaty thump. "Just because I got into some action tonight doesn't mean you were allowed to! Dad is so gonna ream me!"
"I'm sorry!" Ruby rubbed her head fervently, tears welling in her eyes comically.
Looking directly up into her sister's irate expression.
"You're gonna be when I'm through with you!"
Yang's eyes narrowed.
Was that…
Laughter!
"Oh, you think this is funny punk?" Yang's lilac eyes vividly burned crimson, pointing directly at a chuckling Naruto, unable to hold back his amusement.
She snarled.
This punk dared laugh?
And why was he in here, too?
Unless…
"Oh, so all this is your fault, huh?!" Yang accused, squinting her eyes. "Things broke at the store, and somehow Ruby got blamed for all this, huh, short stuff!"
Naruto bit back a cough, choking on his laughter.
His face turned deadpanned at the accusation before sliding a scowl
His stomach clenched into a knot.
She blamed him?
And call him short?
They were the same height!
…Maybe an inch taller, but that was her lifted boots…
So, the same exact height!
An overwhelming heat burned within his gut.
Oh, this was on!
Pressing his hand on the table, a fire lit within Naruto's eyes, locking his gaze with this girl.
Ready to show her a thing or two…
"Now, Miss Xiao Long," Ozpin had set aside the plate of cookies he was holding on the table, striding toward Ruby without missing a beat with a key in hand. "As a potential candidate for my prestigious Academy, I would highly appreciate it if you did not antagonize a potential teaching candidates and someone who could be your Professor grading your performances in the future."
"Huh?" Left Naruto and Yang's lips, both in equal parts confusion followed by annoyance.
For entirely different reasons.
Naruto furrowed his brow. Narrowed his eyes and focused his vision on Ozpin.
What was his game?
"This guy?" Yang threw her thumb at Naruto, causing his eyebrow to twitch. "You expect me to believe he can be a Professor? My future Professor? Tch! Hardly…"
"I believe it…" Ruby's eyes glistened in wonder, hearing the offer, clasping her now free hands together. "Such an offer! To work at Beacon! At such a young age! Oh, I wish I was half as talented! After that fireball on the rooftop…"
"A what now?" Yang snapped her head toward Ruby, furrowing her brow. "Rubes, gonna have to explain to me what happened later, kay? Didn't hear anything other than you took on the Family, too… Thought I might have caused it somehow…"
"Which was highly irresponsible on your part, Ms. Xiao Long!" Glynda retorted, causing Yang to stumble back upon hearing such a stern feminine tone directed toward her.
Something about her glare…
Usually, she was able to quip back…
But this woman…
Had an aura about her she didn't want to cross…
Was this who Uncle Qrow talked about staying on the good side while at Beacon?
"Oz, can we have a moment to discuss this?" Glynda frowned, crossing her arms over her bust, queerly glancing at Naruto. "I have to emphasize my disapproval…"
"And it is noted," Ozpin responded, causing Glynda to squint. "But my decision on this is final. I would like to extend an offer to him to join our staff personally."
"Okay…" Naruto muttered, pursing his lips a frown, furrowing his brow…
Attempting to analyze this strange man.
"I think you and I need to have a conversation," Naruto followed, crossing his arms.
"Let's," Ozpin waved towards the door with his cane, offering Naruto the lead.
Squinting, still not sure about this, Naruto frowned.
This all felt too convenient.
Something didn't feel right…
"Oh, before I forget," Ozpin clapped the back of his cane hand, turning around and meeting Naruto's gaze again. "About Miss Rose…"
"About me?" Ruby stumbled, startled that she was brought up in the slightest. "What about me?!"
"How would you…" Oz gazed up thoughtfully, looking for the correct words. "If you were judging her combat performance… Grade it?"
Completely taken off guard by the question, Naruto scowled.
What kind of question was that?
How did one grade combat?
Why would he even ask that?
Unless…
He was testing him.
Biting back a sarcastic retort, he decided to give it a shot.
Be amicable about this if they were going to talk.
Wanted to start things on the right foot.
But how to even approach…
Naruto smirked.
He did have a mentor who was a teacher…
There was something to go on.
Thanks, Iruka.
""Fast as the wind. So much so. Blink and you miss it! Good at breaking down simple opponent too! Fast strikes despite and awkward weapon for her size! Didn't notice any lost movement... All while fight a group of enemies? Full marks from me! Great skill with her weapon too! I am impressed!" Naruto gave a prompt.
Attempting not to laugh at the blank stare he received from Yang at hearing the glowing review her sister received that sounded…
Well not professional...
But a resounding glow up to Head Professor of Beacon?
"It's not that impressive…" Ruby muttered to herself, shaking her head, cheek flushed a rosy red. "I was a mess until Uncle Qrow started teaching me recently… Couldn't do anything right outside engineering…"
"However," Naruto scowled and furrowed his brow, following Iruka's examples when he gave evaluations to help students improve. "Got a reckless streak to her. Bad as me... Caused a lot of unnecessary damage, some necessary. Let herself get carried away and walked into a clear trap. Good note? All things that can be fixed with training and guidance, ya know? Worked wonders with me. I have and still have a lot of those issues but can work around them."
Naruto mentally sighed in relief.
That was taxing!
Half of that he could have said about himself…
"Is that so?" Ozpin pursed his lip, pondering the thought.
Without another word, he turned to Glynda and closed his eyes. "Satisfied now?"
"For now," Glynda responded, keeping her eyes firmly glued onto Naruto.
Studying him closely as if he was a puzzle she couldn't solve.
It was uncomfortable for him…
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot." Oz clapped his hands again, bringing attention to the plate of cookies he had brought in with his cane. "I brought these for you, Miss Rose. Thought you would enjoy the gift."
"Gift?" Ruby tilted her head, glancing at the cookies before her gaze returned to Ozpin, perplexed. "But what for… I mean, today is my birthday… But you had no way of knowing that, Professor…
"Oh, but I did," Ozpin turned his full attention onto Ruby, staring intently into her gaze. "I may be getting long in the years… But I remember everyone I meet that has silver eyes, Miss Rose. I will never forget her."
Ruby gasped, covering her mouth.
Her eyes shimmered, filled with tears…
She knew she shouldn't be surprised, but…
Hearing about her mother…
"So, take these as your entrance gift." Ozpin smiled warmly, a chuckle in his voice. "I will see you and your sister in a week."
"Wait, are you offering…" Yang sputtered as Ruby went rigid, words unable to come.
"There was a specific reason I had requested to be held in this room. It made my job easier." Ozpin laughed and scratched the top of his head. "But yes… It is an invitation. Beacon awaits."
"Will you follow the light?"
He had many questions about this man.
He perplexed him. Was an enigma.
Couldn't get a good read on him…
And what was that he just walked away from?
Naruto kept his arms crossed as they walked out of the station.
Why did he want him to report on Ruby if he had already made up his mind?
Did he just want to hear what he had to say?
Was he just gathering information on him still?
This man was frustratingly good and gave nothing away…
He wished Kakashi was around.
Shikamaru…
He'd take Sasuke and Sakura!
He needed someone in more than one way at the moment.
He still had some things to learn, and situations like these frustrated him!
Just needed someone to bounce stuff like this around with…
It wasn't where he shined.
He needed to be better and learn.
It was a Hokage's duty, after all.
"That took too long, Naruto-boy." Shima's voice came from above before she landed on his shoulder. "Now that we are present, we can have this conversation like you wished to discuss… Ozymandias. "
Naruto's eyes dilated.
He repressed a snarl.
He had come to Shima first?
But couldn't repress a snort. "That is one of the worst pen names ever! You didn't even try to hide! It was like you were asking to be found!"
"Yet you didn't," Oz stressed with his reply.
Naruto squinted.
His intelligence just felt slighted.
He wanted to punch him in the jaw…
"Well, yeah… It was so obvious I thought it was too dumb to be an intellectual person like you." Naruto retorted.
"Reasonable. I would not have taken such obvious bait." Ozpin nodded in agreement before turning and walking.
"Hey! We're not done here!" Naruto jumped, his irritation rising.
"Obviously. Follow me." Ozpin turned his head around nonchalantly. "You wish to know the location where I received the book? To find this mysterious tree lady?"
"I will show you." Oz began to waltz back down the street, fully intent on heading forward whether or not Naruto followed.
"Gah!" Naruto frustratedly cried, furrowing brow and clenching his fist. "What is with this guy?! I can't figure him out!"
"He is a mysterious one." Shima nodded, agreeing with her summon. "We spoke earlier. The only thing I can gather from him is an overwhelming negative aura within him… Something is eating away inside him. But he means no ill will. I am sure of that."
"Huh?" Naruto squinted and frowned, glancing over at Shima before registering what she said.
The man had a story, that was for sure.
A complex one, he was sure about that.
"So, there's something wrong, and he's not asking for help, is what you are saying?" Naruto squinted his eyes before rolling them as he began to trail, making sure not to get lost. "People can be frustrating! Just say what you feel, dammit! It's easier that way!"
"I do it all the time! …Mostly… And I feel great!"
Had he…
Taken him right back to where Velvet showed him?
Naruto gnashed his teeth.
He felt like this man was playing him. He couldn't be serious.
Not after they had just been here…
"There is a strange presence here." Shima caught Naruto's attention, her eyes focusing on the trees. "I didn't notice it before since I was so distraught upon seeing you again. But now, Naruto-boy… There is less interference here. You should be able to feel it, too."
Ozpin said not what.
Simply observed.
Watching the slightest alteration in Naruto's appearance as he stood still for all but a moment.
Orange pigmentation, as if he painted around his eyes, appeared.
And his pupils turned gold around flattened iris.
"Interesting," he muttered, carefully witnessing the shift.
It was a transformation, to be sure. What it did, he could not know.
But it was something to be careful of nonetheless.
All that mattered was the balance and order of Remnant.
Outsiders had caused enough damage.
Whether this one was attempting to be helpful or not did not matter.
He was upsetting the very nature of this world.
He needed to be sent back to his world.
It was conducive that he had prior knowledge about this one coming…
"Yes, she should be nearby," Ozpin mentioned, gazing into the forest, flipping his cane readily in his hand. "She is rather timid. Does not appear often to others. Very few tales have been told about this mythical fairy tale…"
"Such a wonderful sensation…"
Oz frowned, turning his attention to trees, the woods buzzing with life.
Green lights flickering into the dark forest, illuminating a shadowy figure.
A feminine figure.
A petite woman made almost entirely of wood.
With mud, dirt, and rocks packed within her roots.
The very trees bending and shaping around her with every step…
A tunnel formed as she strode forward to greet them.
"What…" Naruto was held breathless, his senses frayed, rooting him to the spot.
Her presence…
Was beyond overwhelming.
He knew this sensation…
This feeling…
She felt as if…
She was the world!
"Are you?" Naruto finally finished his statement, breathing in, his eyes flickering.
"I am what you sense I am, child of dust. I have no name." Her voice resonated ethereally, an echo trailing her words. "I have existed ever since the Great Tree gave me life. Long before we crafted the Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire to breed life into my womb. If you must call me by name… Gaea."
"Been around since…" Naruto muttered before stretching back, her two arms cradling his face. "Whoa, whoa! What are you doing?!"
"You have finally come." Gaea stroked his whiskers with her rough hands lovingly, her glowing eyes gazing longingly into his. "I have waited so long for Mother to see you. To restore the balance that THEIR MEDDLING has ruined !"
"Okay, that hurts!" Naruto shoved Gaea's back, skidding back with a short jump, rubbing his cheeks softly.
Blood stained his hands.
That was not something he was accustomed to.
It took a tremendous amount of force to penetrate his skin in this state…
And she did it with ease.
"Forgive me. My anger was not directed at you but at those who harmed my world. No, our world. The world we crafted in the image of our Mother." Gaea repented, bowing her head in recompense.
"Yeah, I can understand being upset about someone doing something like that," Naruto responded, wiping his cheek again, noticing the blood trickle was reducing…
Like it had before when Kurama was inside him.
That was something interesting.
Why was he still regenerating as quickly without Kurama?
Shaking the thought, his intent was entirely focused on Gaea.
He needed answers.
This may be his only chance…
Reaching into his pouch, he withdrew what he was looking for.
A single orange book.
He displayed it before Gaea, his gaze critical. "If you supposedly crafted this world… Been here from the beginning… How did you come into possession of a copy of this book to be able to give to him?"
"It was Mother's gift when I left the Great Tree." A smile graced Gaea's lips. "She gave it to me with instructions. To give to one I dearly trusted… They would bring our guiding light to us in our greatest need… Our brothers caused such devastation in their wake… And greatly diminished our powers."
"Balance must be restored to the natural order so we can rectify this mistake, children of dust."
Observing everything from afar, with pursed lips, Ozpin's gaze fell solely on a bewildered Naruto.
Unsurprised that he was lost with these developments.
They were complicated.
His goal to return home had only been detoured further by this development, leading to a higher being…
Possibly another world.
To restore order the way he would like…
This was going to be quite the task.
He could only hope contact through his world's end could be more beneficial to ending this quickly…
This war was his burden to end.
He would shoulder it all.
Dazzling light gleamed before him.
Warmed his very core.
It felt nice.
This was how it should feel.
It was so bright.
It was overwhelming.
He could see it through his eyelids.
Gently prying them open, blinking several times, a wry smile cornered on his lips.
He reached toward the horizon lazily and clutched the light, gasping it.
Closing his eyes once more.
A lone name left his lips.
"Naruto…"
He was close.
He had to be.
"Soon… Brother."
And we've come to the end of this chapter.
Let me know what you thought of it.
Engagement is much appreciate and will help drive me forward in my tireless pursuit of... Something, something, dark side... Something.
I love to hear from you and it keeps me energized, whether its comments, kudos or whatever!
Now I hope you have a lovely New Year!
Peace out my Friends.