And the first chapter of Volume 2...
Way longer than anticipated.
But given I have had this chapter planned I wanted everything to be done just right...
It took way more than I thought though!
Updating late tonight as any moment I could lose power due to this blizzard and wanted to get this done before that happens.
So, let's just get to it!
Listen up, strap in, notify your next of kin
You're about to take a ride a little on the blazing side
Guzzle down your Red Bull, you're gonna need a bucket full
You're watching me accelerate and tear apart the interstate
A certified monster, I'm an absolute trip
Like Otis Redding, hard to handle, so you better get a grip
Super fast, super fly, bonafide wise guy
Call the morgue and say goodbye, write your will, it's time to die
Caffeine, I'm caffeine
Caffeine, I'm caffeine
I'm a bad dream
I'm a rad scene
I'm a tad mean
But I'm not afraid to take you out (afraid to take you out)
Afraid to take you out (afraid to take you out)
Afraid to take you out (afraid to take you out)
Afraid to take you out
"What caused you to change your mind?"
Looking up from the feeds off his desk, glancing across his desk upon hearing the click of his elevator, a familiar form entered his office.
"Whatever do you mean?" Oz reached forward and clicked the video, replaying it one last time, carefully observing it again.
"You know precisely what I mean." Glynda glowered, observing the specific video he was watching for a moment before returning her attention toward him. "In all the years I've known you, I've never seen you break your rules. When you left this office, you had made your decision…"
"Ruby Rose was supposed to be team leader of team RWBY. What made you change it?"
Meeting Glynda's steady gaze, Oz's eyes shimmered for a moment. He then sighed and glanced away. "She needs a chance to make a choice for herself… I see greatness within her, just like her mother, but she's different… Pure…"
"The weight of this world could crush her… Break her spirit… So, I alleviated that burden. Released her from the shadows that will hold down…" Oz winced and closed her eyes. "She is her own person… And should be allowed to spread her wings and take her own path… Choose a path different than her mother… The path as Ruby Rose."
"That's why I changed it." Oz finished with finality in his voice, returning to observing the video feed. "And as it happened, I saw something else occur… A rapid change that further made me question my decision… We had a luxury we don't often have with our incoming students and Miss Belladonna… Don't you think, after seeing her evolution in such a short time, she was the right choice?" Ozpin finished, returning to carefully observing the videos.
Her eyes flickered, surprise evident.
She knew him well enough to know he didn't make decisions lightly…
Did not break or bend his rules without reason.
But she hadn't expected his regret to run that deep…
That the loss of Summer still haunted his thoughts, and now…
Perhaps it was time for her to take over this position…
"I didn't question the decision to make her team leader… She was my assessment of who it should have been." Glynda frowned, noticing his intent on the videos. "What are you hoping to glean from those? That's Miss Belladonna's criminal record… That you erased so she could attend here."
"Yes, yes, it is." Oz carefully observed the videos. "Arson. Larceny. Evasion of the law. Assault and Battery. Destruction of Property. She had quite the history in these past two years. A radical change from being a child of two of the most well-known political activists for racial equality, no?"
Glynda glowered. She was well aware of Blake's background. If she were in charge…
She would not have accepted her.
Every student was background-checked.
If only he would have listened to her and kicked the Arc boy out for his safety…
"In the first half of the videos, when she first made her name known alongside her partner, she demonstrated high aggression… Anger… Sorrow…" Ozpin continued, "Yet, upon careful observation… These aren't her burdens. She's carrying the weight of others on her shoulders. …They changed her… No, it's better to say they broke her… Leaving before us the genuine article. And here we are…"
"Within this week alone, she has surpassed my expectations and shown the gem beneath that rough exterior." Oz stroked his chin, marveling at the change. "She is morphing before our very eyes. I could never have predicted such an occurrence when I first saw her here… Then I thought, what could cause such a rapid change?"
Scrunching her face and pushing her glasses up, it only took a moment for the answer to come to Glynda. "Hope. She was desperate before coming here. That letter made clear she was seeking aid…"
"That is precisely it!" Ozpin declared, his eyes shining vividly before they wavered. "Or it was what I thought at first…"
With a flick of the video, Glynda squinted her eyes.
It was still of Ms. Belladonna…
But it was far more recent…
And who she was standing beside…
"She did need that hope… It was what brought her here in the first place—kickstarted the engine, if you will. …Now? …She has a fuel source." Ozpin laced his fingers, his eyes shimmering intently on the video. "What has happened since her arrival is something that I could never have anticipated but only dreamed of…"
"But he seems to be someone who has the power to change people's hearts through sheer force of will."
"Mah, Thumbelina… So this is a big ask…"
"What do you need, Naruto?" Peach did her best not to laugh at the sincerity Naruto had come in to ask her for a favor.
How such a young man thought that look would work on her was beyond her…
But it was still adorable!
Those fox ears curling like that on his head…
No, bad, Thumbelina! He's half your age!
"Well, got two favors to ask, really, but one is small, and I'm asking everyone about it." Naruto chuckled with a broad grin, taking a seat on her desk. "So I got an idea for my first class. The problem is… I didn't realize classes were so short! There's no way I'll be able to test everyone in the allotted time!"
"Trying to ask for some run-over time from my class, sweety?" Peach giggled, recognizing what he was fumbling in attempting to ask her. "But that's interesting… It's going to be that long? An hour and a half is usually more than enough. Both your and Ann's class are given a two-period time slot to go over Combat, and Stealth and Security properly and practically… So what could you be planning, I wonder?"
"Ah, yeah…" Naruto scratched his head, cheekily grinning. "This schedule is nice, have to admit! Three classes a day? I only got to teach twice one week, three times the next? Nice to see we aren't overloading them! Allowing them plenty of time to work on their craft on their own terms! Wish my learning days were like that!"
"And time to take assignments, both class assigned or for some extra Lien! Always the need for more boots on the ground!" Bartholomew's energetic voice interjected, Oobleck and Port announcing their presence as they entered the classroom and strolled toward their fellow instructors.
"Good morning Bart, Port. Joining in on our conversation? Can't leave the boy alone with me? Don't you trust me?" Peach smiled coyly.
"My dear, claws out already?" Port hardily chuckled. "We noticed the two of you here and thought to join you. Have our meeting to start the year right!"
"Is that so?" Peach queerly raised her eyebrow in amusement. "Or is it perhaps you two were interested in our newest instructor's first lesson and wanted to take a peek at it?"
"Ah, caught red-handed…" Oobleck softly laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Gah, why didn't you ask me? I would have told ya!" Naruto playfully scowled. "Not like I'm hiding anything, but now… Was gonna ask you guys the same thing about needing some extra time and about some materials I need to make it work. Can't find anything in Vale and wouldn't know where to start to find it!"
"Oh?" Peach's eyes glittered with amusement. "I tell you what. We have a little exchange about your lesson, and I'll give you all the time you need. Sound good?"
"Works for me!" Naruto enthusiastically beamed, Bartholomew and Port giving an approving nod, thoroughly intrigued. "But before I can make this all work…"
"Do you know where I can get some bells?"
This uniform…
Blake repressed a scowl, fusing with her red tartan skirt…
Why a skirt? Couldn't she have gotten pants like the guys, at the very least…
Everything else was fine!
The maroon blazer and the white blouse?
Blazer wasn't her color, but she could live with it since it was the uniform!
The brown vest underneath the blazer?
Didn't mind! Fit the theme and tones of the uniform!
Everything was Fall colors now that she thought about it…
But a skirt!
It was so easy to flip and…
Blake's eyes focused on Ruby…
Stockings… That's the answer… Gonna get stockings…
"Wouldn't it be cool if we made bunk beds! It would save so much space!"
"Oh, good idea!" Yang hopped beside her sister, eyes sparkling, taking a look around.
"I'm not against the idea…" Weiss finished combing her to the side and tying it into a ponytail, glancing into a mirror to ensure it was just right, before turning and placing her hands on her hips. "But exactly how, might I inquire since these beds are supposed to be bunk beds?"
"Good point…" Ruby nervously chuckled, scratching her head and taking a look around. "I always have some rope on me… Don't ask…"
"I don't want to know." Weiss grimaced, mouth agape in a horrified expression.
"Not like that!"
"Not yet… But this book says otherwise," Yang snickered, holding a particular book to Blake's horror.
Before she was shoved onto her back, the book was snatched from her hands. "Worth it."
"No, I don't read that kind of filth!" Ruby snapped, eyes narrowed with disgust. "Where did you even get…"
"How do you know it's filth if you haven't read it?" Blake snatched her book from Ruby, causing her eyes to flicker in terror.
"Busted!" Yang sat up with a broad grin. "Ha-ha! My plan worked to perfection! You read smut!"
"I didn't read it for that!" Ruby wailed, thrashing her hands about momentarily before calming to a more meek demeanor. "Maybe that's why I read it at first… But I was drawn in by the love story and heroism of the main character…"
"Sure…" Yang guffawed before reaching over and pulling out a book from the bookcase. "Think we can use these to stabilize and stand one bed on another?"
"Could work…" Blake nodded before snatching the book out of Yang's hand. "I plan on using the books assigned to me, and you aren't using the few personal items I have with me… Sacrifice your own."
"Yes, mam!" Yang nodded, eyes sharply intent on the frightening Faunus glaring at her.
That look…
Why did it make her heart beat?
Maybe…
"If you can hang up a bed safely, I won't stop you. We could use the extra room." Blake set books back on the bed, she claimed before returning her attention to Ruby. "But that is going to have to be done this afternoon…"
"Class!" Weiss' eyes wavered; pulling out her scroll and sighing in relief. "Okay, good. Fifteen minutes… Enough time to get everything ready and get there on time and make a good impression… What's the schedule for today?"
"We have three classes today… Everything will be done by lunch every day, it seems." Blake replied after pulling out her scroll and sifting through the schedule sent to her. "First class is History with Doctor Oobleck, and the last class of the day is Plant Science with Professor Peach."
"Yo, first and last? We only have two! And we're out by lunch! Awesome!" Yang stretched out happily. "Sounds way easier than Signal!"
"Well, if you want to lounge about, be my guest. That's not what I will be doing," Weiss glowered toward Yang, who scowled back before her gaze shifted toward Blake. "So, just our history and plant science textbooks?"
"We'll have to stop and change into our gear for second period." Blake squinted and sighed, putting away her scroll. "That's gonna be a fun one…"
"We have Combat Training today."
"So excited, so excited, I'm so excited!"
"Calm down, Ruby!" Yang rubbed her temple; her sister's dazzling energy had begun to wear thin on her.
Until she blinked upon entering the classroom, her eyes darting through the elaborate arena set-up. Her glance wandered over a few specific individuals, causing her reflexively snapback ever-so-slightly in surprise. "Um… Is it often every Professor attends a class?"
"No. Only Professor Ozpin attends to evaluate performances… Professor Goodwitch often would attend Professor Greene's classes," A timid voice with a thick draw answered. "It is unusual for every instructor to attend a class."
"How has your morning been, Velvet?" A shallow smile spread on Blake's lips, greeting Velvet as she joined them.
Weiss hesitantly leaned away…
Another Faunus…
That was greeting Blake openly?
Was she also…?
"Nothing out of the ordinary…" Velvet warmly returned the greeting. "Congratulations. I told you that you would be fine. But to also become the leader of your squad? I'm so happy for you!"
"It is unusual…" Coco frowned, joining Velvet. "When he announced the team, I was sure she would have been team leader… That's how it has always worked. …No offense! Happy for you!"
Upon hearing those words as Coco joined and thumbed toward Ruby, Blake squinted.
What did she mean by that?
Furrowing her brow, her eyes dilated.
Every team that came before it…
Had their squad leader at the start of the unit.
Yet theirs…
"Coco, what is your squad's name? …Just want a little clarity." Blake scowled, wanting her to validate her theory.
"CFVY." Coco planted her hand and her hip and grinned. "I kind of like it, honestly! It sounds like coffee, and it matches our team as it has a brown theme going on… No offense, Fox."
"I'm brown!" Fox playfully mocked being shocked, joining with Yatsu at his side as Coco glared at him. "You know… I can't see what you are doing… But I can feel the disdain aimed toward me… Congrats on making it, Blake. Welcome to the fold."
"Thanks…" Blake attempted to be polite as she internally brooded.
Why was their team called RWBY?
Shouldn't it have started with her name if she was the squad leader?
"If everyone would take their seats." Glynda's voice resonated from below, her perpetual scowl adorned.
"We'll talk later…" Velvet softly bowed her head before the softest smile encroached on her lips. "It's good to see you out in the open."
Blake winced while her ears folded.
She wouldn't have hid if she had any other choice…
"Professor Goodwitch? Didn't we get a new instructor?" A random student asked as everyone found their seats in the auditorium portion.
"Yes, I will no longer be in charge of this course going forward," Glynda remarked with crossed arms, observing her students. "Change is to be expected. Nothing ever lasts. But make no mistake. I will still be here to help and assist in the future. My role hasn't diminished in any capacity. I'm simply handing the reins to our newest instructor."
After a short, confused pause, expecting their newest instructor to enter the room, each student look visibly confused.
All except one…
Golden eyes gleamed as she traced a peculiar scent she had become accustomed to within the last week…
He was testing them already?
"Okay, where is he?" Yang muttered under her breath, squinting.
"Isn't that the question, my dear?" A voice caused Yang to leap up into the air.
Drawn to an older woman around her middle age with short, choppy, mossy green hair, her violet eyes sparkling with amusement as she strode the row behind Yang, walking through the class. "You could say this is a joint class today. It is why we are all here today… And there will be no third period."
"Professor Greene is correct. The lesson plan was immaculate and teaches a valuable lesson that needs to be stressed. A perfect way to start a new year and why we each willingly gave our periods." Peter stressed, hands behind his back as he stood alongside Oz.
Who carefully observed everything, his expression saying nothing but the glimmer in his eyes…
"Okay, so where is he?" Coco squinted, refrained from expressing her feelings on the matter.
Or towards him…
"Did I not say joint session, Ms. Adel?" Professor Greene responded, leering at Coco. "I can most assuredly state he is currently in this room. Perhaps you should use the natural skills I've honed this last year and search for something peculiar."
A murmur filled the room.
Students absently swiveled their heads and searched the room.
Their instructor was here?
"There aren't many places to hide…" Weiss scowled, eyes darting from place to place, looking for something that stuck out as unusual. "Just where could he be hiding?"
"He's not." Blake's eyes peered directly into the middle of the arena, focused intently.
"Um, yeah, he is. Can't find him anywhere," Yang turned to Blake before frowning, noticing her intense stare. "What are you looking at? Huh?"
"Is that ninja knife sticking out of the floor?" Ruby inquired, tilting her head. "Oh, what are they called…"
"Kunai," Blake answered loud enough for others to hear and their attention to be drawn to the kunai stuck in the floor.
Only for a plume of smoke to envelop where the kunai had been, a figure looming within. "Mah, so it is my scent that you've been tracking me by. …Gonna have to ask Kiba or Shino to send me something about that…"
"What in the world?"
"He can also transform into items? How?"
"Is he an actual ninja from the comic?! That is so from page twelve in the second chapter of Heart of the Shinobi!"
"Shut up about your comics, Kerry!"
"Took ya long enough… Name's Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto gave a simple wave as he introduced himself to class, hands in pockets of his new orange uniform jacket with unbuttoned cuffs, a crimson scarf wrapped around his neck, free flowing behind him until it settled as the smoke drifted and petered out. "Don't go by any fancy names… Not a professor or anything like that… Call me sensei if you have to call me anything."
"Sensei? He is a ninja!"
"Kerry, swear to Oum!"
Naruto's ears twitched and flattened, squinting at the students.
So this is how Iruka felt when he interrupted him all the time.
"Gonna have to send him so many apologies…" Naruto muttered, palming his forehead and before inhaling.
He steeled his expression. His eyes glistened intently. "Look, gonna keep this brief for ya. Some of ya see me and don't care what I have to say. Think I'm too young for this. Well, I'm here to change that perspective…"
"If there is one thing I am good at, it is fighting." Naruto's eyes scanned over the students. "So I ain't here to win ya over. If I do so, awesome. Makes my job a hell of a lot easier. What I am here for is to impart what I can upon ya so you can survive out there while I'm here."
"So let's get to it," the sound of bells jingling echoed as Naruto lifted his left hand, three bells dangled between his thumb and index. "Each squad is gonna be given five minutes to take these bells from me. Whoever gets them, if anyone can, passes today's class. Whoever doesn't… Fails the test."
The murmur of the students turned to silence. All eyes were directed upon Naruto and the bells jingling in his hands.
They were being tested today?
And it was a pass or fail grade that all came down to…
"Hey, wait…" Weiss squinted, noticing a glaring flaw. "There are only three bells? If there are four people on a team…"
"Heh, you're right. There are only three." Naruto smirked, reaching down to his belt and tying the bells to his waistline. "Guess that means that matter what… Even if you retrieve the bells from me and distribute them throughout your team… Someone fails."
Discourse ensued.
As many clamored about how it wasn't fair and her team recoiled, Weiss, in particular, had a beautifully horrified expression; Blake studied Naruto.
A test that guaranteed failure?
That didn't seem like him… Although she could hardly profess to know him truthfully.
She had only known him for a week.
But he was so vivid and expressive…
Even at this very moment, despite her stern and rigid posture…
There was a twinkle in his eyes.
He was testing them…
So what was the catch?
Naruto glowered, crossing his arms at all the discontent ruckus. "Mah, complain all you want. This is the test. It's not my fault if you can't look underneath the underneath. So… Any volunteers? Or am I gonna have to have someone run the damn machine for me to pick a team for me?"
"Did you seriously not pay attention to how it worked…" Glynda grumbled, glowering at Naruto.
"No! I swear I did!" Naruto whispered defensively before waving his scroll. "I still haven't figured out this thing! Give me a little bit and figure that contraption out! …Nothing like the computers back home… Stupid giant bricks."
"Oh?" Naruto blinked as four students jumped before him, glancing through his scroll with a painful squint. "Team BLKK? Third-year students… Baltik, Lav, Kerry, and Komera? You want to go first?"
"We're more than up for the challenge!" Baltik smugly smirked, drawing a short sword blade with two barrels wedged into the side.
"Our strategies are perfect… We are locks for the Vytal festival, and we'll show you why." Lav confidently responded, twin pistols in hand with bayonets attached to the fronts.
"I know all your moves, shinobi! I read the latest comics! We're more than ready!" Kerry grinned as she drew a massive slab of metal called a sword from her back.
"Kerry, swear to Oum!" Lav squinted at her teammate.
"Heh, more than ready for an ani…"
"Komera, if you say one more thing about Faunus, I'm gonna bury you myself!" Baltik sneered.
"Yes, mam!"
Naruto gave the four a quick rundown glance.
He liked their confidence… But they seemed a little dysfunctional.
Naruto smirked.
Perfect candidates to start with.
"Just allow me to set up the scanner so we can safely monitor everyone and call anything before it's too late…" Glynda strode to just outside the arena and to a small desk with an advanced monitor set-up, activating it as the widescreen above activated. "And we can begin at any… What?"
A sharp crack of electricity burst as the monitor shattered into pieces, startling all the students.
"Oum, did the Aura scanner just break!"
"I've never seen that before?"
"It was over 9000!"
Glynda's eyes sharpened, quickly turning the monitor before drawing her riding crop to repair the damage done to the monitor.
She had never seen the equipment peak and malfunction before from a raw Aura reading…
Just what was he?
"Guess we're gonna have to go without. Sorry about that!" Naruto scratched his head, a broad grin on his face before his gaze fell upon team BLKK, his expression straightening. "Now then… Before we start, remember you have minutes to collect these bells if any of you wants to pass."
"Oh, it's best to come at me with intent to kill." Naruto grinned in amusement. "Otherwise, you'll never touch them."
"Begin."
It was a serene morning.
The weather was terrific. The clouds were sparse. A gentle wind breeze by, reminding her that winter was approaching.
Zipping the orange suit jacket tightly before burrowing her hands in her pockets, Hinata sighed.
It was big on her but warm.
Hopefully, Naruto didn't mind too much.
Hers were in the dryer…
"I really did let myself go since he's been gone…" Hinata muttered, eyes shimmering as she looked towards the luxuriously bright sky. "Yet now… At least there is some hope."
"Indeed."
"Sasuke?!" Hinata felt her heart leap into her throat as she swiveled around to see a lone figure behind her. "When… When did you…"
"Just arrived," Sasuke replied, his Rinnegan dispersing the tomoe Sharingan, a tattered tan pancho fluttering around him in the gentle breeze. "Came to see you first."
"Me?" Hinata stuttered, clutching her chest. "Shouldn't you go see Sakura first… or Lady Tsunade…"
"It's a matter of importance that I came to see before anyone else," Sasuke responded flatly, gazing deeply into her lavenders. "Just what would you be willing to do to bring Naruto home?"
Hinata's eyes shimmered.
Her heart fluttered before rapidly beating out of control.
Stomach curled and knotted.
She lowered her head, her lavenders misting over. "I… I… Would do whatever it takes…"
Sasuke's tomoe spun rapidly. He sneered. "That's not what I want to hear."
"What?" Hinata stumbled, struggling to swallow as his crimson stare engulfed her gaze.
"Do you think that is what he would want?" Sasuke spat, calming his face from a twisted snarl. "Above all else, Naruto values each and everyone's lives more than his own. If this plan they hatched doesn't work and if my plan falls through…"
"Do not accept his help if he comes for you. I will deal with him when he descends upon us."
A heavy thud resounded through the arena.
A massive slab of raw iron pierced through the ground. Kerry skidded across the floor harshly.
"Quit over-extending." Naruto drolled, deflecting a sword swing from Baltik, dislodging it from her hands and sending it spinning high above. "Can't leave yourself open for counters! Ya too slow to respond to be leaving that opening!"
"As for you…" Naruto observed Baltik stumbled, sent off balance from being disarmed.
Catching her blade in his left, grinning as he saw a neat little switch on it.
If he was right…
"Neat," Naruto murmured as the barrels on the side extended forward, aiming it directly at Baltik's chest.
Snapping the trigger before a thunderous thud sounded, two bursts of flames blasting her off her feet.
He smirked, hearing a crackle in his ear.
Aura was pretty cool.
Acted as a natural shield until depleted when actively using it…
"Should have timed your attack with your partner. Draw my attention to two points." Naruto tossed her weapon back in her direction, smirking as he did. "Now what to do with you…"
"Get me out of here!" Komera yelled, his head sticking out of the ground.
"Nah. Find a way out of there yourself." Naruto looked down on him. "Maybe ya learn a lesson or two by then. Name's hurt, ya know?"
"Time," Glynda called, keeping track through his scroll, eyebrow raised.
Surprised at how the session went…
He dissected one of the best teams with minimal effort…
And offered them advice on how to improve during the fight.
All while trying to get them to focus on the goal…
A thinly veiled smirk graced her lips before it dispersed into an impassive expression.
She could work with this one.
"Mah, that went by quickly." Naruto grinned, dispelling the technique, and Komera scampered out of the hole he was caught in.
Sprinting back into the seats with his metaphorical tail between his legs.
"Rest of ya good?" Naruto glanced at the three downed members of BLKK, groaning in response.
"My everything!"
"That was five minutes… It felt like an eternity…"
"You are no shinobi… You are the God of Shinobi…"
"Am not! I am not the old man!" Naruto barked before shaking his head.
That was semantics. That title was passed on through the generations to the most powerful shinobi of the era…
"Ya figure out what the purpose of this test was, by chance?" Naruto placed his hand on his hip, giving them a shot to figure it out. "If you get it right… Your team will get the bells."
The classroom, marveling at the destruction team BLKK, attention turned to their own members as the new rule was emplaced before them.
A last-chance rule to get the bells…
All they had to do was get a correct answer on the test's purpose?
Blake's ears folded, eyes glimmering.
If that was the case…
Waiting was the best strategy.
"Pain…"
"Agony…"
"Something about friendship?"
"Mah, can't accept that one even if I'd like to." Naruto shook his head; a light smile spread on his lips as Peach moved to assist the three to their seats, helping them recover. "Team BLKK fails. You'll get the answer before the end of class…"
"Alright, who's next?" Naruto broadly grinned and cracked his knuckles.
And it only became broader as a particular individual walked down the stairs, suitcase in hand.
"I'll play this game." Coco leered at Naruto through her sunglasses, coming down from the stairs, Velvet nervously trailing behind her.
And Fox and Yatsu striding behind their confident leader.
"Don't think it is tough as you make it out to be… Just got to collect three bells…" Coco walked her team in a line before Naruto, turning to face him, hand drawn and pointed towards him. "We'll get the job done here and now and show everyone how it's done!"
"Confident, huh?" Naruto crossed his arms, still smirking. "Even after our last encounter?"
"I wasn't prepared!" Coco snapped before her eyes shifted toward Fox. "You ready?"
Yatsu drew his massive copper blade from his back while Fox simply nodded, the gauntlets on his hands engaging, the blades springing forth to hand beneath his hands.
Naruto pursed his lips at the curious weapon design. It almost reminded him of a mantis…
A unique design if his style of fighting fit around it, which was likely.
However, he noticed something curious…
Velvet stepped back as all three stepped forward.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
What were they planning?
"Whenever you're ready." Naruto beckoned, settling into a more comfortable stance. "Your five minutes begin now."
Without a word, Fox and Yatsu sprinted forward, darting to his left and right as Coco strode forward, each step taken in utter confidence. She seemed to be taking her time…
That annoyed him.
Perhaps there was strategy to it…
Naruto was impressed by how quick Yatsu was. He arrived moments after Fox did, stepping back from the low arm swipe aimed for the midsection, having to lean back further as the blade snapped back.
Praying mantis-like indeed!
As he jumped back, his eyes caught the strangest interaction.
A simple nod from Coco, her gaze focused on Fox.
Naruto frowned before his intent was drawn to Yatsu, a low sweeping horizontal slash to try and catch Naruto right where Fox had baited him to move toward.
Kunai quickly stopped the large blade, holding it back as Naruto stood straight.
His smirk caused Yatsuhashi to shudder before he suddenly stumbled back, the weight of his blade accelerating backward from a simple flick from Naruto's wrist. He regained his footing, balancing his weight distribution evenly, counteracting the deflection with a hard spin and swinging in the other direction.
Naruto leaped over the slash, planting his hand onto Yatsu's shoulder, pressing down with his momentum before flipping off. Yatsu collapsed to his knees, buckling from the pressure exerted by the slight contact.
His eyes darted to Naruto as he landed, his gaze crossing paths with his teammates as he nodded, regathering and moving in front of Velvet.
Almost as if they were…
"Woah, there!" Naruto stepped back as she swung her suitcase upwards, Coco stepping before him with an elegant strut.
Caught in his free hand before he braced, the weapon making it a little further than he suspected.
"That was heavier than I thought!" Naruto grunted before ducking back as Fox was on him, each strike aimed purposefully.
To make contact first with his fist and, if it failed, to draw it through the blades of his gauntlet. And if he overextended, they snapped back…
"I really like this weapon…" Naruto whistled. "Makes it hard to punish overextending…"
"Unless I do this!" Naruto flipped the grip of his kunai and swept it behind Fox's blade, pulling away from his body, throwing him off balance, and causing him to stumble.
Before he dropped to the floor, his Aura crackled, unconscious.
"Fox!" Coco called out before cursing and snapping there. "Alright, Velvet! Time to come in! But be careful!"
"So he was the catalyst for the unspoken communication going on?!" Naruto squinted and pointed at Fox incredulously. "Then why was Velvet held back? Why is she not in the fray?! And what do you mean be careful!"
"This is why!" Coco pulled out her suitcase before it transformed before his very eyes.
Into what looked like a cannon with several small barrels on it!
"Oh, that's why it was so heavy…" Naruto responded, relieved as he thought her suitcase was full of bricks…
His eyes flickered. As the barrel spun rapidly, a torrent of rounds poured out.
All directed toward him.
"Oh, that is a lot of bullets!" Naruto wildly sprinted as the hail of bullets trailed him, rupturing the floor with every impact.
Chasing him even as he sprinted across the wall, much to the shock of the student and the annoyance of Glynda, knowing she would have to repair all the damage."Okay, breaking my self-imposed limit here! Using a move!"
"Kage Bunshin!"
Smoke spread and covered all around, and to where Naruto suddenly stopped.
Coco directed her fire into the middle of the smoke, spraying her rounds through it.
Her sunglasses dropped to the brim of her nose, her trigger finger faltering for a moment as dozens of clones leapt gleefully from the smoke, dodging and weaving through the hail of bullets.
Several running straight for her!
"No, no, no! Stay away!" Coco rapidly shifted targets at the rapidly approaching Naruto's came for her, ducking and weaving between her shots.
For Velvet and Yatsu to swing in, Velvet landed a strike that Naruto immediately recognized as Yatsu swept his blade, catching several clones.
Only for more smoke to disperse around them, blinding their sight.
Velvet's ears twitched.
Her eyes dilated, catching the slightest shimmer of light.
Her eyes glimmered, leaping away. "Move!"
A series of wires snapped around Coco and Yatsu, entrapping them before they could move. It wrapped around them tightly, pushing them together, and yanked them into the air like a snare.
"Ah! Let me down!" Coco kicked and wiggled as she was tied up with one of her partners in the middle of the arena, their weapons clattering harmlessly to the ground.
"Not until time is done!" Naruto grinned as the rest of his clones dispersed before blanching and running his hand through his hair. "Yeah, gonna not use a technique again if I don't have to… Kind of overkill."
"Just me and you, Velvet. Ready?" Naruto turned his attention to the leery Velvet, her eyes darting to her teammates, searching for answers. "Unless you can free them, they ain't in the position to help ya. Should joined in the fight earlier…"
"That was my call! Don't you dare question it!" Coco seized, struggling, noticing the timer and scowling. "We're almost done… I'm calling this! Velvet, we're done!"
"Then you don't even get the chance to answer." Naruto scowled, his irate glint staring straight into Coco's. "You might get this right, ya know? Been doing all the right things so far. Supporting one another and leading into the other's attacks… You're closer than you realize. If you had Velvet join you… You might have gotten the bells."
As Coco harshly turned her head, biting her lip while Yatsu hung his, Naruto's scowl deepened as his gaze fell onto the demure Faunus. Her ears curled, and her form shrank into itself.
Her confidence fading…
"So what are you waiting for?" Naruto crossed his arms, his steely gaze meeting hers. "Your friends need ya. What are ya gonna do about it? Let them fail… Or…"
"Come on, Velvet!" Blake called out, her head bouncing between the clock in the action. "You have less than a minute left! Come on! I believe in you!"
"Heck yeah! Go! Go!" Ruby jumped, wanting to cheer someone on, and seeing Velvet could use a confidence boost, wanted to help.
She would want the same in her position!
"Blake…" Velvet's eyes shimmered before closing her eyes, taking a deep breath.
The world around her calmed.
Her frayed nerves…
Vanished.
A warmth filled her.
Her eyes snapped open, renewed with passion, darting forward.
"There we go!" Naruto grinned, settling his base before Velvet ducked and slid by him, to his surprise.
Snatching Coco's big gun.
"Not the gun again!" Naruto roared as the gun revved, making a mad dash towards Velvet, bullets flying quickly.
Leaping toward her with his last dodge…
To see her abandoning the weapon and picking up Yatsu's even heavier sword…
Like it weighed nothing!
Naruto had a kunai out prepared, but the swing came faster than anticipated. Parrying the blow, he scowled.
The blow didn't have the same strength that Yatsu put into it, something he had expected…
But was significantly faster!
His eyes flickered. He kept pace with her strikes, watching each one, jumping and evading, parrying, and deflecting what he needed.
Her movements were the same as Yatsu's? Why are they the same?
Leaping high into the air, catching Naruto off guard, Velvet cut through the wire and freed Coco and Yatsu, dropping his blade.
Naruto grinned. She made him focus on her attacks and moved him to where she wanted, only to free her friends…
Was she still running toward him?
Wait, was her movement now like Blake's?
And what was with that box she pulled off her shoulder?
"Velvet! There's not enough time!" Coco cried out, untangling herself from the wires as Yatsu moved to pick up his sword. "Save it for when we need it!"
"No!" Velvet cried as the box snapped open
A camera revealed as she slung it onto her back, prepared to hit the trigger.
"Time!" Glynda's voice resonated, Velvet's fingers frozen on the trigger.
Before she slumped to her knees. "No… I still failed…"
"Nah, you did good." Naruto knelt before her, a broad smile on his face, gently patting her shoulder. "Kept me on my toes there for the final minute. You might have gotten me there at the end, as I had no idea what you were about to do with that camera or what it could do!"
"…I did?" Velvet looked up hesitantly into the vibrant smile of Naruto.
"Sure did!" Naruto closed his eyes. "So… What's the point of the test?"
Velvet froze.
She had forgotten this was a test…
And she had revealed her Semblance and nearly revealed her weapon…
Her eyes swirled, and she began to teeter. "Don't feel so good…"
"Velvet!" Naruto caught the falling Faunus, who fainted in his grasp. "Huh… Okay then…"
"Um, CFVY fails?"
"We didn't get to answer!" Coco complained, squinting at Naruto.
"Were you the last one standing?" Naruto replied before gesturing towards Velvet and smirking. "But might as well let you guess…"
"What did you think it was about?"
"Sakura…"
"Lady Tsunade, I'm fine." Sakura hummed, unphased by the twitching gaze of her mentor. "I took some time from the hospital since I've been working double shifts recently and thought I could help you out here…"
"You can't lie to me. I know you too well." Tsunade scowled as Sakura helped assort the files in her office. "I appreciate the help. Honestly, I do… It should be Kakashi since he's taking over for me after we stabilize from this war… But I can tell you are waiting."
Emerald eyes flickered before Sakura started to choke on her spit and began coughing. "No… No! I'm just…"
"Sakura," Tsunade's face softened endearingly. "You are such a silly girl…"
"Huh?" Sakura blinked, stupefied by her master.
"You were a mess from what happened… I was about to step in myself before the news. Now? Of course, I expect you to be anxious and on edge. Waiting for any bit of information to come in… For him to return." Tsunade expressed her concern. "It's okay. The moment we hear anything… You'll be one of the first…"
"If you wouldn't mind my interruption…" Tsunade went pale as the void as a familiar voice echoed behind her, causing her to sweat.
She hadn't even heard him come in or enter the room!
"Sasuke!" Sakura stumbled forward, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
He was home?!
Immediately facing him, a deep scowl written on her face, Tsunade's gaze narrowed as the Uchiha sat on the window seal.
Tomoe eyes spinning.
"Have the toads returned?" Sasuke asked in a monotonous tone. "I'm busy searching for my leads and would like to get this feeble attempt done and over with. And there is also a matter of safety I need to discuss with you."
"One I've discovered and fear that without Naruto… One that I may not be able to stand against without his help."
"Two teams left, huh?" Naruto squinted, looking amongst his scroll and counting to ensure his count was correct. "No one still has figured it out yet… Alright, RWBY or JNPR. One of you, come on down."
"I am done waiting!" Yang roared, much to Blake's chagrin, leaving her seat and stomping down the stairs. "No one else has been able to do it! Fine! I'll conquer this task! Ain't nothing I can't do!"
"Am I standing in a mirror?" Naruto blinked before scrunching his face. "I feel like I'm looking in the mirror, and I don't like it!
"Come on! Are you three seriously gonna leave me to stand on my own here?" Yang bellowed as she stood in the arena, glaring at her team.
"He's beaten everyone else like it was nothing…" Ruby shrunk in her seat, eyes flickering while sparkles gleamed within.
A strange mix of amazement and dread overwhelmed her senses.
"I'm not thrilled to stand in there with him…" Weiss narrowed her eyes before glancing over at Blake. "I can't figure out what this test is about… What are we supposed to be…"
"Let's go." Blake rose from her seat, golden eyes shining. "Yang's right. We have nothing to lose at this point… Everyone else has failed, and we gathered as much intel as we're going to get to solve the meaning of this test."
"Meaning! There ain't no meaning! This is just to prove he's better than us! That's it!" Yang scowled, arms crossed as she stared down Naruto. "And I plan on showing him just who the best around is!"
"This mirror is really unflattering…" Naruto's face scrunched further before he exhaled, and his expression softened. "Ya know, I thought the same thing when I first took this test… It took a while for it to sink in…."
"Huh?" Yang scrunched her face in confusion. "Stop comparing us! That's creepy! We're nothing alike?"
"Loud, brash, obnoxious? Unfounded confidence and unbridled ego? Sunny disposition that's quick to anger fly off the handle?" Naruto grinned as he could see the flicker of Aura in her eyes.
"Yang!" Ruby dashed to her sister's side as the rest of RWBY stepped into the arena, seeing her tense and ready to act. "Don't fall for it…"
"All of that to hide what is hidden beneath. Something you are too afraid to show the world… A fragile soul desperately looking for something." Naruto continued, his voice quivering as he spoke softly.
Yang's eyes flickered as Ruby's expression faltered.
He couldn't know…
It wasn't…
Her fists clenched. Ember Celica engaged on her wrists.
She gnashed her teeth…
And Naruto wasn't finished, his voice a low whisper. "Yeah, I know who you are… Hard not to when I'm staring into a mirror… You are me."
"You are dead!" A violent eruption of burning Aura erupted around Yang; her eyes stained crimson before she leapt forward, fist cocked back.
"Oum, Yang, don't!" Blake screeched as Yang burst forward in a blur. "Weiss, Ruby, move! Flank her and look for openings!"
Naruto stepped back as a burning blast whizzed past his face, followed by an extended power punch. Yang landed and squared her feet, thrusting swift left and right swings and jabs.
Each fired a burning round of ammunition, which passed by Naruto as he delicately deflected the blows—outright dodged others.
Good recovery. Knew she overextended on her first attack and pulled back.
Naruto frowned.
Her eyes were steadily focused on his torso and arms. Vaguely checking his feet every moment or so…
There was no variety in her strikes either.
Everything was punches and elbows outside the combustion rounds that she fired when she punched.
Honestly, kind of a fantastic way to give herself range…
A lot of power in each punch. Good rotation and body movement…
Up top.
Her footwork was fine.
So why wasn't she throwing in any…
"Nice try." Naruto drew a kunai, parrying to the side the thrust from a saber. "Dodge your teammate now."
"What?" Left Weiss' lips before smoke dispersed around Naruto, causing her and Yang to cough as his disappeared within it. "Ahk, what is that? Ruby!"
A scythe narrowly avoided striking where Naruto had been previously, Weiss ducking while Yang jumped to the side, just out of the way.
"Sorry!" Ruby wailed, looking around in a panic. "I thought he wasn't gonna use techniques anymore! That's what he said after the CFVY match!"
"Didn't." The sound of metal clanging caught their attention.
Naruto grinned as he held off the wakizashi slash from Blake with his left, holding a small gray ball between his thumb and index finger in his right. "Gotta love ninja tools."
"Feisty!" Naruto threw Blake's wakizashi off balance and forced her two blades to clang after swinging with her second. "Already know some of what you can do, Blake! Gonna need more than what you've got to get these!"
Blake's eyes sharpened upon hearing the jingle; swinging her hips and landing in a crouch to regain her balance.
That wasn't the first time he had said something similar…
Perhaps…
"Yang, hold back!" Blake called, eyes flickering as she leapt in once more.
"I'm finishing this now!" Yang roared, leaping in once again, full head of steaming.
"Gotcha!" Naruto snapped onto Yang's overextended punch as she came in, dragging her toward him. "Too aggressive! Should have listened, ya know?"
A meaty slap filled the arena as her torso was brought down into his rising knee.
Her eyes flickered between crimson and lilac before fading to lilac.
Naruto, using her moment, flicked her past and beyond him, Yang tumbling and rolling until she lay flat on her face on the cold, hard floor.
Her body spasmed unconsciously.
"Hard blows to the solar plexus suck…" Naruto settled his leg down, his ears flattening. "And I held back…"
"Yang!" Roses scattered and burst toward Naruto as a shrill Ruby flew toward him, a shattering boom following behind her.
"Weiss!" Blake called and directed toward Ruby before leaping into the fray to assist. "You got anything? Now would be nice!"
"On it!" Black sigils rapidly formed in front of Ruby, who carelessly smashed through each of them.
Increasing her moment and the gale behind her.
"Amplification?" Naruto deflected Blake's dual swings as she attempted to keep him busy, noticing the switch of her weapon. "Going long range to stay out of this!"
"Not getting caught in the storm!" Blake whipped her kusarigama elegantly, attempting to lead Naruto directly into Ruby.
Only for her eyes to flicker as the gale rushed past him and roses bloomed all around.
"He withstood that by catching her!" Weiss cried incredulously, mouth agape at the sight of Naruto's hand firmly grasping the ring of the scythe.*
"Woah, so cool…" Ruby's eyes sparkled in amazement before she was shaken from her idolism instantly upon the grip tightening. "Please no…"
"Let's go for a spin."
"No, no, no!" Ruby wailed as she was violently spun around him, desperately clinging onto her weapon as she flailed, hanging onto her prized position.
"Let go, dolt!" Weiss screamed, attempting to rush in on the buzzsaw of scythe, and Ruby nearly crashed into her.
"I refuse to give him my precious!" Ruby cried, valiantly holding onto Crescent Rose. "If I could just… The trigger… Got it… Oum, no!"
The moment she flipped the switch and Crescent Rose started to morph, Naruto let his hand slip, and Ruby went flying…
Careening into the wall in front of the stunned class. Her Aura crackled around her.
"Ow… My everything…" Ruby's eyes swirled before placing her hands before her mouth. "Oum… Hold it in… So dizzy…"
"This is getting out of hand!" Weiss snarled, holding out Myrentaster in front of her, a clock sigil forming beneath her feet, and an ethereal glow overtook her.
Then she burst from the sigil with enhanced speed far beyond anything she had shown previously.
"You haven't been using this from the start?" Naruto scrunched his face, parrying several high-velocity thrusts. "I said come at me with intent to kill! If you could boost yourself like that, why not…"
"Silence!" Weiss snarled, swiftly striking with acute precision, her eyes narrowed with each and every deflect. "I will not hear a word from your…"
Ice blues flickered in horror at the tight grip clasped onto her wrists.
A silent scream echoed from her lips. A rippling pain shuddered down her back as she stared at the lines…
He flipped her over and slammed her down so quickly…
It hurt so much!
Didn't he know how to treat a lady?!
"Yeah, not gonna listen to that." Weiss' eyes shimmered, recognizing the searing pain as her shoulder joint nearly popped out of its socket from the impact.
He hadn't let go!
She knew he had enough strength to damage her through her Aura!
Was he going to…
"Please no…" Weiss shivered as the blonde Faunus stood over her, her weapon disabled in his grasp.
"Mah, what do you think I am?" Naruto squinted, gazing down at Weiss. "I'm here to teach ya a lesson, not maim… Good try! Took an opening your ally made for ya!"
Naruto caught Blake by the wrist before his hands seeped through her, catching the slightest hint of an unexpected jingle. "Oh, you…"
"Not good enough!" Naruto drove his elbow down on top of Blake's skull and in between her ears, dropping her to the floor. "Saw it before and was ready!"
"Time," Glynda called as Blake rolled, clutching the top of her head.
"Oum, thank you!" Weiss praised, weakly sitting up and breathing heavily. "Did better than I thought we would…"
"Yay… Need vomit bag…" Ruby muttered, eyes still swirling as Peach stood beside her, assisting in recovery first.
"When I get up… Swear to face… Gonna punch your Oum…" Yang mumbled, still lying flat on the floor, spasming.
"Did I break her somehow?" Naruto pursed his lips, confused at Yang's state. "I didn't even hit her in the head or anything…"
"So…" Naruto drew out his word, turning to Blake as she slowly stood to her feet shakily. "Do you have an answer for…"
"Teamwork." Blake panted, her gaze peering directly into Naruto's. "You keep mentioning small tidbits about assisting one another. It finally clicked for me when you lambasted Weiss for not boosting everyone with sigils… Or tried to. You've been attempting to get everyone to work together in unity."
"Are you serious?" Weiss's eyes flickered, and even Yang lifted her head weakly.
"Oh, that's what you meant… I screwed that one up…" Yang slammed her head back down shamefully.
Three bells dropped on the ground before Blake, jingling as Naruto tossed them. "They're yours… Now, who fails?"
"What?" Blake's eyes misted, her voice hiccuped. "Wait… I thought if we figured it out."
"No," Naruto lowered his head, eyes glistening solemn. "That was not a threat. That was a promise. Someone will fail… Now, who lies in your hands since you answered correctly."
"Whom of your team fails this test because of your decision?"
Blake's gaze darted across her team.
To dizzy Ruby, who even in her state seemed more fidgety…
Yang as she laid grimly on the ground, closing her eyes and wincing, expecting to be named.
And finally, her partner, Weiss, who gazed upon her, unsure how to react.
One of them had to fail? Regardless?
"That isn't fair!" Blake snapped, her eyes blistering heatedly. "We figured it out! There's no reason someone should be punished…"
"It's not about being fair… Sometimes, a sacrifice has to be made." Naruto regretfully informed Blake, pocketing his hands. "You can't always win. Or in order to win… Something has to be lost…"
"So what is your decision?"
"No one!" Blake indignantly retorted, gnashing her teeth, and a growl caught in her throat. "Why should anyone have to sacrifice…"
"Team RWBY… Fails." Naruto closed his eyes, silencing Blake and freezing her in step.
Her eyes shimmered as she stumbled back.
She had figured it out…
They should have passed…
And they still failed the test?
"What more do you want?" Blake lividly shouted, ears curled as she stared down Naruto. "What more could we have done…"
"You didn't understand the full lesson." Naruto's cerulean eyes opened and swallowed Blake's gaze into his. "There's still more to it… So if you wouldn't mind…"
"JNPR, it's time to finish this exercise."
This was boring.
Heterochromatic eyes squinted, strolling through the downtown streets of Vale. Darting across both sides of the road…
This was so annoying!
She had no idea where to start from!
This didn't exist! She checked for someone that looked similar through her leads…
Even went to the CTT to see if she could dig anything up there!
Ugh! She hated working this hard without some sort of payoff!
Dust robbery! Those were fun!
A beatdown for information! Pleasurable!
Going to Juniors and defacing those twins…
Oum, she wanted to break them more… Make them suffer… Their mother, too.
A bank heist! Okay! She'd put the work in for it to help Roman…
Not that they needed the Lien…
She inherited her father's fortune.
But this? All this hard work for that woman? For nothing but her satisfaction.
Neopolitan snarled, tightening her grasp around her parasol.
She would get her revenge…
Shatter her…
Even if sometimes she did give fun little jobs…
What mattered was…
Heterochromatic eyes sparkled.
Running over to the vendor, Neo ripped a newspaper from the display.
It was him! She found him!
A new instructor at Beacon?
Ugh? That was gonna make her life miserable!
A school! No! She hated school!
It reminded her of her prep…
"Hey, you got to pay for that!" The owner of the small stand shouted, squinting at Neo as she slowly strolled away. "It's not like it's expensive… Miss?"
His breath hitched as she stopped in place.
The twirling of her parasol stopped.
Her head turned toward him…
With a gaze filled with seething ire.
Glass shattered, followed by a short but pained scream…
That was hushed by a heel to the skull.
Everything was going so wrong…
Ever since he had come here, things had gotten out of hand.
He had only hoped to be accepted, but now that he was…
How was he supposed to take leadership responsibilities?
When everyone on his team was stronger than he was?
Nora…
Limply sitting with her hammer in her lap…
Bonked in the head by a reversal.
Ren was way more intelligent than he was, too…
He could tell…
And he laid flat on his back, inhaling and exhaling carefully…
Wires pinning him down.
Pyrrha…
Well, she was still fighting.
"How are you not a Huntress?" He heard Naruto praise Pyrrha's skill despite weaving in between every swing she had effortlessly.
He was sure why he had stopped using that ninja knife of his.
But he was right…
She was talented…
She carried him through the initiation exam.
With the help of Nora and Ren, she quickly dismantled that Stalker.
They said he provided a great attack plan, but did he really?
Nothing worked here…
And now he felt that same crackling sensation when that fairy attacked him.
"What? Where did they…" He heard Pyrrha's shock.
"Nah, taking your weapons from ya. Can't use mine against ya, so you ain't use yours!" Naruto declared, pocketing something in his pouch.
If there was only a way he could be helpful to her right now…
That jingling…
They were really close…
Maybe…
"Yield yet?" He had Pyrrha in a chokehold with one arm, the other pinning her arms to her back.
Yet her eyes still gleamed with hope.
Yeah, he couldn't give in either…
All he had to do…
Was reach.
"I refuse!" Pyrrha managed to rebelliously spit up her words, glaring spitefully into Naruto's gaze.
Almost daring him to go further…
She had spirit.
Was far stronger than everyone else, and it wasn't even close.
He narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to have to do anything more…
Did his bell jingle?
Is she surprised, too?
Hold on… He's still pinned… She's there…
Releasing Pyrrha from his grasp, he knelt and came face to face…
With one Jaune Arc holding tightly onto his bells.
"That loser passed! Are you kidding me?! I just threw him into a locker this morning!"
"I know! How? He had to be going easy on them!"
"Right! There's just no way that nobody could do what no one else did!"
Ears flattened.
A feverous twitched beneath his eyes.
Memories of old returned, and he bit back a growl.
He had bigger fish to fry.
"Well, gotta give you credit. Did what I've been preaching all class and took advantage of an opening one your teammates gave ya. Gotta say I'm proud of that one. Didn't see it coming." Naruto winced as he literally didn't sense Jaune coming.
Either that, or he was too focused on Pyrrha…
"Woohoo… Good job, Jaune." Nora gave a feeble thumbs-up before collapsing on her side. "That's our leader showing… Everyone what for."
"You did good… Pyrrha, little help?" Ren congratulated Jaune before wiggling his shoulders. "Kind of can't do anything…"
Pyrrha rushed to Ren's aid. But as she did, her heart sank.
"So who's failing?" Naruto kept his gaze steady with Jaune. "There's only three of 'em. Who gets them? Whoever doesn't, know they failed just like the rest of the class."
Staring into the swells of his eyes for a moment, Jaune looked down at the bells in his hand. A solemn smile spread across his lips. "My team does… They did all the work… I don't know how I managed to snatch these, but they put me in the position to get them… So they should have them."
"I'm nothing without them… I'm already nothing…"
Naruto's eyes flickered before he closed them.
A genuine smile crossed his lips. A light chuckle escaped before patting Jaune on the shoulders before standing. "Nah, you ain't nothing… You are something… I can see that."
"Team JNPR passes," Naruto announced to the class, pocketing his hands as the deafening silence followed. "You guys were never gonna get the bells from me. Not without working together. It's just this test is meant to break ya. Make your turn against one another, and a lot of ya did. The only teams that had success were those that worked together."
"But once getting the bells came the next portion of the test." Naruto's eyes glistened as he lowered his head. "Your line of work… Is a dangerous one. Could lose your life at any moment, ya know? Are you willing to lay everything on the line for those next to ya? Will they do the same for you?"
"Are you willing to break every rule to ensure those at your side make it home?" Naruto steeled his gaze, and he clenched his fist. "Because if the answer isn't yes… You've got some searching to do about who you really are."
As the air in the room was sapped, Blake sunk into her chair.
Her ears folded on her head.
She wanted nothing more than to break his rule… Instead, she ignored it…
Because she was too weak…
She was still running…
"Class is over." Naruto waved, turning his back on the class, and headed for the door.
Only to stop, tilting his head back and glancing at Jaune with a squint. "You. Meet me here at seven… You need all the help you can get. Don't know why you are as hapless as you are, but I'll fix that. …Teach other people to call others losers…"
"Oh… Um," Jaune was taken aback, his expression surreal. "Thanks?"
"Yeah, don't mention it." Naruto waved before grunting and turning to the entire class. "And that goes for everyone! If you want to better yourselves and learn more…"
"Come find me. I'll be waiting for ya."
* - The ring of the scythe is part of a scythe that connects the head to the rest of the staff. So, on Crescent Rose, it would kind of be where the barrel of the gun is.
Hope the chapter was to your liking.
Again, I do have to really thank everyone.
This remake has been very well received so far and I appreciate everyone for that.
All your feedback makes the day a little more bearable And warm and I need that right now!
So I hope this chapter made someone's day and until next time...
Peace.