-AN-

If a student has a mental break in a forest alone, do they make a sound?

-Story Start-

Yang had to admit, she loved a good fight. Always had, especially after she unlocked her semblance. The adrenaline rush, the sweat, the feeling of putting down one or a dozen foes all while looking good at the same time. It was a thrill she could never give up.

At least, until their combat instructor dropped them in the forest and turned it into a warzone.

That first centipede didn't fight them so much as scatter the teams to the four winds. Team RWBY was not lost, but they had been fighting almost non-stop for the last three hours. Even now as she twisted over a lunging Beowolf, her last remaining shotgun round thrust down into its skull and obliterating it, she ignored the gore that splattered all over the ground. No. She was already ducking as Ruby shot overhead, scythe trailing her smaller body to take the head of an Ursa. Its face was twisted into a final look of rage, a silent scream that would never be complete, before Ruby continued on. A twisting and whirling dervish of death as the team tried to rally.

Weiss, low on dust and stamina, stabbed Myrtenaster into the ground. From it a circle of ice spikes burst into existence, protecting her from a dozen lunging Boarbatusk in turn. Attackers impaled on the spikes and dying, she had no time to rest. Instead accepting the line from Blake who pulled her up and away from her safety zone. Not a moment to soon as a Nevermore crashed through the canopy to claw the ground where she had been. A wingspan easily in the four meters, it died not a second later as all four girls focused on it and it alone. Its frustrated growls turned to pained and dying squawks in seconds.

Coming back to back, more red eyes watching them from the dark, the only safe space they had for the moment was the cone of light given to them from the Nevermore trying to kill them. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Yang tried to drum up some confidence as her semblance flared like a supernova.

"So uh…..I don't know about you. But I'm getting tired here."

Blake nodded, "We can't keep this up. We're low on ammo and dust. Sooner or later our bodies are going to give out too."

Raising her weapon and noting that its tip was trembling, Weiss turned to eye both the Grimm and their leader. "What's the plan Ruby?"

Eyes darting left and right, the red and black themed girl tightened her grip on Crescent Rose, "The goal is to get back to Beacon. I'm pretty sure we don't have to fight the entire time to do that."

"Newsflash Rubes, it feels like every Grimm on the planet is here in this forest right now." The group was forced to scatter again as a trio of Boarbatusk rolled their way. Yang huffed and punched from the hip, augmented strength obliterating one of the offenders and scattering its remains into its fellows. "And I'm getting tired of you assholes!"

"Potty mouth gets the potty jar!" Ruby's voice called out before the sounds of screams and death followed. Using her semblance to the max, she was again weaving her way through the hoard and leaving dead bodies in her wake. The others kept pace with her as much as they could, burning a trail towards Beacon slowly but surely.

Blake landed on the back of an Ursa, driving her sword into the base of its neck and killing it without a sound. From there she fled while making a clone, watching as two of its brethren decided sacrificing it to kill her was worth it. Now behind them, she hamstrung one while firing off the last of her ammunition into the other's face. Eyes and snout destroyed, she left it to choke on its own blood while she again retreated with another clone to take her place. "We need to find a place to hide or something. A safe haven."

Weiss agreed with the normally quiet member of the team, "Either that or somewhere to bottleneck them. A siege point." The last of her ice dust fading as she froze a dozen Beowolves in place, it took more focus that normal to build the necessary sigils to accelerate herself away to safety as more gave chase. Thankfully Ruby was there to cover her back and kill her pursuers.

"I think…" Gasping and trying to catch her breath, Ruby pointed where she could just make out a shock of grey in the distance. "Looks like a cave."

"I don't think now's a good time for spelunking!" Yang tried to laugh and failed, crossing her arms and taking a backhand from an Ursa. Semblance powered up, she turned her impromptu flight into a new attack. Falling like a star to smash a fist into the ground, she created a cone of destruction that again gave them all some breathing room. "Run for it!" She sure hoped the other teams weren't having it this bad.

Not far away from them, team JNPR was in fact having it that bad. In the center of a pile of slowly dissolving bodies, Nora's laughter was loud and long as she swung Magnhild with all her might. The Beringel that was already mid jump did not have a chance to defend itself. Mindlessly screaming as the girl's weapon exploded on contact with it, sending pieces of it scattering in every direction. Not that Nora noticed. Eyes shining she was already turning for another pass as she felt something else coming for her. "Renny! I can't feel my arms!"

Dodging through the trees with Nevermore in hot pursuit, Ren grunted and jumped. Twisting through the branches, he spent the last of his ammo to take down the dozen birds coming for him. Action done, he hooked a foot around a different branch as he fell, slowing his fall and landing with a roll. One of his gun blades flashed up, taking out the throat of a Beowolf, and then he kept moving. "We have to keep moving!"

Jaune braced himself and took the full force of a downward strike from an Ursa. Knowing it was a bad decision, he still took his chance to drive his sword up and into the mouth of his attacker. His hand was soon slick with Grimm blood, and it took everything not to lose grip, but he pulled his weapon free and surveyed the area as the heavy body dropped to the ground behind him with a crash. "There's a clearing ahead, let's get there!" At the least it would make fighting and defending themselves somewhat easier.

Within a few paces of him, Pyrrha set to work. Milo flashed out, spear piercing the head of a more normal Death Stalker. Grimm dropping to the ground, digging a furrow in the earth as its charge was abruptly aborted, her semblance pulled her weapon back to her. Akouo was then tossed like a frisbee, cutting through three Beowolves before returning to her. Milo shifted into its short sword configuration, and dashing the distance she came to Jaune's back. They both attacked as one, weapons taking down a pair of Boarbatusk before with a roar something big tore through the trees ahead of them. They all paused and blinked, staring at the massive form of a Goliath. The trumpet from its snout drowned out all other sound and announced that a new player was here to stay.

Noting the rest of the Grimm scattering to the wind, Jaune shook his head and turned to Pyrrha, "Nope! Time to run!"

"I agree! Ren! Nora!"

Ren was already in motion, grabbing Nora and running with the rest of his team. Something Nora was not happy about. "I wanna break its legs!"

"It will stomp you Nora."

"You don't know that Renny! Com'on. I can take it!" They all watched a tree sail over their heads to crash through the underbrush and thankfully for them crushing and killing several Grimm in their path. Another trumpet sounded and the ground began to rumble. "Hehehe, well."

Jaune pumped his arms, no time to wipe the sweat dripping all over himself. Heavy armor was great, until it was time to run. "When we make it back, I'm sleeping for a week straight!"

"Sounds like such a good idea to me!" Pyrrha would laugh if their lives weren't in immediate danger. How had their instructor brought so many Grimm here? The bigger question, was this really his idea of training!? What was he preparing them for!?

-b-

Humming a merry tune and floating above the forest, Naruto carefully watched the childrens' progression. Some of them were barely holding it together, the Grimm pushing them further and further into the forest. He'd probably have to go and save them when the five days was up. A shame really. But a few were doing rather well. The usual suspects of course, teams RWBY and JNPR were holding their own even if they were exhausting themselves needlessly. He didn't say fight every Grimm they came across. It was supposed to be a mad dash to the finish line. He guess he could give them extra credit for trying so hard. He wondered when they'd use their scrolls to call in a resupply…then he tried to remember if he told them they could do that. Amazingly even team CRDL was doing alright. Not that they were making much progress, but they certainly were on pace to make it back to Beacon. Now, how were the rest of the teams doing?

He didn't get a chance to check as his scroll rung, again. He had been steadfastly ignoring the thing since the start of the test, but he had a feeling if he kept it up he might really be in some sort of trouble. Pulling it free and accepting the call, Naruto grinned down into the camera. "It's Naruto Uzumaki. Lover extraordinaire and world class baddass." Glynda's face was already a nice shade of red and twisted with so much rage. It was beautiful really.

"YOU RAT BASTARD! TO THINK I TRUSTED YOU, ACTUALLY BELIEVED YOU! YOU BRING THOSE CHILDREN BACK RIGHT THIS INSTANT OR SO HELP ME I WILL SHOVE EVERY WEAPON I CAN FIND IN EVERY HOLE YOU HAVE!"

Whistling and thoroughly impressed, Naruto saluted the woman with glee, "Well don't you have an impressive set of lungs."

"I WILL HANG YOU BY YOUR BALLS UZUMAKI!"

At least she had the spirit, if not the ability. "Just a thought, but Ozpin did approve this."

"I WILL BE HAVING WORDS WITH HIM AS WELL! BOTH OF YOU MEN ARE INSANE! THEY ARE CHILDREN! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW?"

Naruto made a show of looking down into the forest, noting someone was screaming and being dragged into the dark. He was sure a clone would step in if it was really dangerous. "I mean, do you want a play by play or-"

"I WANT NO SUCH THING! I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS ENTIRE FARCE ON THE CAMERAS. HOW IN ALL OF REMNANT DID YOU TRANSPORT SEVERAL KING TAIJITU HERE? AND A PACK OF SABYRS?"

"Through much effort and cunning." Naruto chuckled at his own joke before there was an explosion and a ivory tusk was sent sailing over the treeline. "Well would you look at that. That Nora really has an arm on her." He'd have to up her weight training.

"IF ANY OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE SERIOUSLY HURT I WILL SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL!"

"Been there, done that. Nice place, Lucifer likes to sing." There was quiet on the line as somehow impossibly Glynda began to invent new shades of red with her face. "That can't be healthy for your heart. Have you tried meditation? Tantric maybe? A day spa?"

"Mr. Uzumaki." Tone cold, Glydna glared at the idiot given flesh. "You promised me the children would be safe. Do you still hold true to that?"

Rolling on his back and continuing to float above the trees, Naruto gave the woman a smirk, "I said it, so I meant it. These kids'll be fine." They may have a little trauma and a few broken bones at the end of it all but that was fine. It built character.

There was more silence between them, before Glynda finally sighed and shook her head. "Then I will leave it to you, Mr. Uzumaki."

"Aw, still won't call me Naruto?" The line went dead and Naruto stashed his scroll away. Folding his arms behind his head, he considered what to do from here. The kids would be fine, they had aura didn't they? Somewhere underneath him, someone screamed. "Alright fine, I'll take some pity on you twerps." Rolling his eyes he set to work. Kids these days. So soft.

-b-

Caked in mud and guts, dripping Grimm blood as they trudged along, Yang carried a worn out Ruby on her back as the team made it to the cave they had spotted. Worn out but free of Grimm for the moment, they were almost hoping there was another one inside the dark space. At least this hell would be over.

Blake led the way, scroll open and using it as a flashlight for the others. She didn't need it after all. The cave wasn't as deep as they thought, just three massive boulders crushed together and providing a hollow space between them. Already they were forced to stop, a four meter space all they had to drop into and finally relax.

All pretense gone with her exhaustion, Weiss dropped to the ground and refused to move, "Let the Grimm take me. This insanity is too much."

"You said it Weiss cream. I'm spent." Yang lowered Ruby to the ground next to her partner before dropping to her butt next to her. Her eyes trailed up to Blake as she wandered around the small space, pulling on lichen growing along the walls. "Think the Grimm will find us in here?"

Having to stop herself from saying she hoped they did, Blake let her shoulders slump. They were all empty on ammo and dust, tired beyond tired, and they should probably set up a rotation so some of them could sleep while the others kept watch. "With luck, I hope not. I don't know if we could deal with another wave like that." Especially with just hand to hand. Even in the dark she could see the angry bruises along Yang's knuckles. Blake couldn't stop her hands from trembling, adrenaline still coursing through her. She felt she would vibrate out of her skin if she didn't hold herself together.

All attention turned to the entrance where they could hear something heavy dragging through the dirt. The only one left standing, Blake hefted her weapon and the threadbare lash with a groan. "Please don't be a Grimm." Please don't tell her she mentally jinxed them.

Yang was already turned to face the threat, fists balled up with some effort even though Ember Celica on her right hand took a few tries to properly unfold. "I can't believe I'm going to say this. But I'm so tired of fighting."

Which was all moot as team RWBY was treated to the sight of an equally worn out and tired team JNPR. Nora was dragging along a tired Jaune by the ankle, while Pyrrha watched on with concern and Ren looked to exhausted to stop her. But at least they were all in one piece. Nora was the first to raise her free hand in greeting. "Yoho! We're alive."

"Speak for yourself." Jaune grunted as Nora finally let him go, dropping him completely in the dirt as Pyrrha checked him over.

Sighing and dropping back to her butt, Yang motioned to the group, "Welcome to cave RWBY, population…exhausted." Laying out on her back, Yang decided to hell with this. She needed a nap. Ruby was already snoring away next to her.

Pyrrha nodded along as the groups came together, "Well, we've made it this far and made some progress."

Weiss waved a finger in the air, "Yippee. We get to do it all again tomorrow." Stomach rumbling, Weiss groaned and decided not to complain further. The universe seemed to be happy to up the ante.

Relief having flooded her as the others began to mingle, Blake went back to her scroll, turning off the flashlight but noting a new app she didn't recognize before. Poking at the blinking icon, she was met with several options and a new screen. Well, that was new. "Hey, someone else check their scroll. Do you have a new app you didn't install?"

Being one of the few still standing, Ren shrugged and pulled his own free along with Pyrrha. A few taps later and he was raising his own eyebrows, "We can call supplies?"

Jaune held up a hand, "Does that include food?"

"It does not."

"Boooo."

Yang chuckled from her spot on the ground, "Well, at least we don't have to worry about ammo or dust anymore." Blake wasn't sure about that. Professor Uzumaki seemed the type to dangle something sweet in front of someone while covering it in spikes.

A thought Pyrrha had as well as she sighed and put her scroll away, "What if a supply drop also alerted Grimm in the area?" Seeing everyone going quiet, she almost wished she didn't bring up the possibility. "Maybe a test is in order?"

Ren finally spoke up, holding up a hand, "I think…maybe we should find some food first. Hard to think on an empty stomach."

Jaune could agree with that, "I think I saw a strawberry patch not far from here while Nora was dragging me."

Coming forward and willing to help, Blake held up a hand, "I can probably hunt something down at the same time. I've had some survival training." Why she had had such training was thankfully not questioned.

"When we get back, can we sic Professor Goodwitch on Naruto?" All pretense of goodwill gone, Weiss wanted revenge of the petty sort.

"Agreed." Jaune's voice rose up before more planning was made. If there was anything that could unite people, it was trying to get back at Naruto Uzumaki.

-b-

Sometimes it was a marvel to Tayuya, just how much she had changed over the years. From a loud mouth tomboy who'd sooner murder anyone who looked at her funny and the associated foul language to go with it. To a well adjusted mother of two with more patience than she could ever have once imagined her having. Sure her temper had its moments, but helping Naruto run Uzushio had certainly helped calm her down.

All that said, as she sat in the library between classes, alone but for a few of the fourth years doing some quiet self study, Tayuya was relaxed behind the librarians desk. Today's reading for herself was a history book, on Remnant itself. Currently learning about the color wars and the subsequent rise of the latest naming conventions, the rise of the main academies and well as the separations between Humanity and Faunus kind…it almost was enough to make her weep. Naruto hadn't been wrong. Humanity could be on the verge of destruction and yet they still could find space within their hearts to hate. The Grimm are knocking down their doors, and still their priorities left much to be desired.

Shaking her head and trying to focus, she spied a new addition to the normally quiet space. She did not recognize the man, and a man he was. Though even a dozen meters away as he blearily searched from the doorway she could smell the alcohol floating off of him. Dressed in grey and reds, slouched and…was he reaching for a flask even now? Who let this louse inside? Woe was her in the end as he spied her at the desk and made his way. Right. She was the authority here at the moment, which meant if he was looking for something, she'd be the one to ask. Yay.

Crow was not supposed to be back already from his hunt. But for all his talents, Amber's attackers were long gone with no trace. He had been ready to continue searching far and wide, but Ozpin had made the call. Return. It was rare for Ozpin to be so abrupt, but here Crow was anyway, finding out now that there were new additions to Beacon. As he spied the smartly dressed red head behind the desk, suit vest just barely holding in a very womanly form to his eyes, he gave his usual smile and sauntered up to the desk. "Hey there. Names Crow. Didn't know Ozpin had added on to the staff."

So he was an employee then. Wonderful. Tayuya fortified herself and put on a smile, "Yes. Just a short stay, nothing permanent." Blinking as a hand snaked forward, Tayuya was left somewhat stunned as Crow kissed her knuckles.

"Aw, I sure hope it isn't that short. I'd hate to be deprived of your lovely face."

"I'm married. Sir." Tayuya pulled her hand away, trying to decide if she should sic Naruto on this vagabond.

Eying her left hand and seeing a rather simple gold band there, Crow shrugged and leaned against the desk, "And? Can't a guy just appreciate beauty when he sees it?"

That was, new. "You haven't had a chance to talk to Ozpin just yet, have you?"

"Oh I'll get around to Ozzy eventually. Say, I bet your hubby is a bit of a stick in the mud, how about a drink. Get to know each other? My treat." Anyone employed here was either a stuffed shirt. Thinking of Glynda or Port there. Or neurotic. Besides, fun never hurt.

Yup. She would definitely be telling Naruto. Maybe if he didn't come on so strong he could be considered cute. To bad she was used to a man about a hundred times his caliber. Instead, she decided she could have some fun of her own. Ino had gossip networks and busy work. Naruto was the combat junky. Her?

She liked to break people.

Standing and leaning up into the surprised man's personal space, Tayuya reached out to grab his loose tie, "Say, you know, you're interesting. Got a weird scent to you. Sure, how about that drink." Tayuya leaned even closer, eyes shining in the low light of the library, "Though I'll warn you. My husband will be rather upset if he learns of your designs."

Smirking and rallying, Crow put his hands on the desk and leaned in, nearly touching foreheads with the shorter woman, "I think I can take care of myself just fine."

"I'm sure you're used to such." Tayuya let him go with a light push, closing her book and setting it down gently. "Come with me."

Whoa, she sure was fast. Maybe his semblance decided to take pity on him today and shut itself off. "Where's the fire?" Grunting as a hand reached out to snag his tie again, Crow let himself be led away.

A glowing golden eye turned to meet him from over a shoulder, Tayuya smirked easily, "Don't you wanna find out?"

He absolutely did want to find out, and fell into step with the smaller woman. Yup. Today was his lucky day. He'd have to thank Ozpin for calling him back.

-b-

Grinning and standing tall with his arms crossed and his jacket billowing in the wind, Naruto patted himself on the back for a job well done. Four days and six hours. That was how long it took for the class to come together and return to the school. Already he could see them, actually team CRDL was in the lead, broken, armor in tatters and weapons in serious need of repair, but they were alive and limping. Behind them was teams RWBY and JNPR, several of the members leaning against one another with even Pyrrha looking worse for wear. Poor Weiss looked like she had been through a blender or two, and the less said about Yang the better. Bet she'd start to rethink her combat style after having to rely on the usual for nearly a week straight. But he was proud of them. They were alive, mostly in one piece and the biggest part, safe. He could finally get Glynda off his back.

Raising his hand high, Naruto amplified his voice, "Well look at this! You've all made it! Even little bunny-chan is on her own two feet. Why, I'd call this a miracle if I didn't already expect such from you lot."

Coming before their instructor, team CRDL collapsed, Cardin raising a hand weakly, "Medic."

"Oh you'll be fine, don't be a wimp." Naruto rolled his eyes at the dramatics as the rest of the class fell in. "So, what have we learned?" A host of groans and complaints filled the air, and it took a few heavy claps from him to silence them. "Okay, we'll go by teams. Cardin, what have you learned?"

"Heavy armor is great…until you have to run." And he would be adjusting his kit. After a long bath. And a nap. Plus some food.

Nodding sagely, Naruto pointed to Jaune. Well wait, he was face down on the ground and…was he snoring? Okay, Pyrrha it was then, "Pyrrha, what have we learned?"

"It pays to be efficient in both movements and with our ammunition." While she had built her entire combat style around fighting in the arena, in the real world she had to make some big changes. Sure they could call in resupplies, but like they had feared it only riled up the Grimm. She had to come clean about her semblance to her team, and from there things got, silly. Being convinced to turn Nora into a human wrecking ball had been, enlightening.

Feeling like there was more there but not having the time to ask, Naruto nodded and shifted his eyes over. "Team Ruby, how we feeling over there?"

"You can burn in the lowest pit of hell and I hope demons eat your knees." Yang was quick and cutting, getting a laugh from the man all the same.

"Uh huh. Still, what have we learned?"

Ruby held up a hand from where she was tiredly leaning against Weiss, "That adding some emergency rations to your supplies isn't such a bad idea." Here they all shuddered together as they shared a look, "Sometimes it's better to run."

"Absolutely. We're building you into warriors! Not heros. Your goal is to kill Grimm. Yes. But your job is to return home, alive. I will not sign off on a single one of you if it looks like you're gonna end up being sent home in a body bag." His eyes trailed off, twitching as he could feel righteous feminine anger headed his way. "We can dissect and evaluate your performance later! You have tomorrow off since you're a little early. So rest up, eat. Shower cause a lot of you smell. And I will see you briefly Saturday for the free period." There were more groans as the rest of the class began to drag their way back to the school grounds. That many of the other students gave them a wide berth was pretty telling. It wasn't enough that his students all looked like hot death. They sure smelled like it too. Turing back, Naruto noted that team RWBY had not joined their peers. Weiss actually walking up to him after foisting off Ruby to a smirking Blake. "Huh, what's up Ice Princess?"

"I have some remarks."

"Oh?" Naruto could have dodged the dainty fist coming his way. Honestly it was comically slow. Even so he feigned pain and doubled over as it landed in his gut regardless. Chuckling, Naruto stood and brushed off his shirt, "Feel better."

"Hardly, but it will suffice." Watching the girl turn her nose up and walk away with her team, Naruto put his hands on his hips and smiled. This was good. Real good. The teams had come together just like he had hoped. Even better, looks like some people were starting to thaw out.

Now if he could just get rid of the demon floating above him, he'd call this a perfect week. "So uh Glynda, any reason you're glowing like that?"

Coming down to land next to Naruto so she could watch the worn out students trudge their way back to their dorms, Glynda considered what she wanted to say. "You are an idiot and an absolute maniac and you should not be allowed to instruct children in any capacity. I would not trust you with full grown adults, much less young teenagers." Huh. Had she said all of that out loud?

Nodding along and wiggling a finger in his ear, Naruto couldn't help but grin. "Huh. Leave anything out? Like about my total disdain for authority or maybe highlight how much you really wanna jump me?"

"I will dig a hole to the center of Remnant and then bury you in it."

"That wasn't a denial~" Naruto was impressed. He was able to count to ten before a pillar of rock about as big as he was rocketed by his head. The explosion of dust and rock behind them shook the entire area and had more than a few students looking their way. That Glynda was able to sweetly smile and wave them away was concerning. "You are cracked."

Turning and poking a delicate finger into his chest, Glynda looked up into Naruto's eyes directly with the sun glinting off of her glasses, "Mr. Uzumaki, you pull another stunt like this and I swear I will tear you apart limb from limb. Put you back together and then do it again. Slower." Not waiting for a response, Glynda turned on her heel and made her way back to the dorms. She had children to check on and potentially several to transport to the nurses office. Then it was a visit to Ozpin who apparently was concerned that Crow had not reported in. Yet another failure of a man she'd have to keep an eye on.

Deciding that today was just full of good news, Naruto groaned and stretched his arms high above his head. All he needed now was either Naruko or Sasuke to show up. He needed a good fight. Of course as he started to walk back towards the school, he wasn't opposed to the form that pressed into his side. "I really have to figure out how you girls keep sneaking up on me."

Ino hummed and hugged him tighter, "You have a blind spot dear. We just exploit it, ruthlessly."

"Aren't you worried it'll get me killed one day?"

"For that to happen something seriously wrong would have to befall one of us. So don't you worry." Ino ignored the confused look from her husband, instead wanting to share some information. "Tayuya has learned something interesting recently."

"Oh? Do tell."

Reaching up and turning off the seal that allowed them to communicate with this world, Ino switched to their normal tongue, "Tayuya found out that Ozpin has more than a few secrets in his closet. Beyond the usual skeletons every leader is bound to have."

Doing the same with but a thought, Naruto sighed and nodded, "Okay. So what, is Ozpin actually the big evil bad guy that needs to be taken down? Cause while that would suck I'll do it. In a heartbeat." At the least it would be one less thing to worry about.

"Not so bad. More like, a long lived wizard who's tried and failed to steer the course of human history onto a just and righteous path."

"Hmm, we talking immortal or body jumper?"

"Body jumper."

Naruto nodded as they weaved between a few kids, waving to them with a bright smile as they passed by. "Huh. Didn't take him the sort. Does she know how he does it?"

"No, but her source doesn't fully understand it either. Something about how his semblance works, but it isn't one. You'd probably have to confront the man himself."

Shrugging and deciding he just might do that, Naruto considered instead what he was going to do. It wasn't like he expected Ozpin to be some Beacon of justice, but unnaturally extending one's life usually always led to corruption. In one form or another. "Guess we'll just have to keep an eye on him. Who's Tayuya's source? She turn one of the teachers?"

"Nope. Ozpin's spy apparently. He hit on her."

Ah. Well that answered where Tayuya had been all day. Poor guy. Hopefully she didn't scramble his brains to bad. "You'll make sure she doesn't go overboard, right?" Ino had taken to teaching a few things to the others with hilarious results.

Smiling and buffing her nails on her shirt, Ino feigned innocence as she looked up to her love, "What was that dear?"

Knowing better than to question, Naruto and Ino slipped back into the school proper and weaved their way towards the combat arena. He still had more classes to attend to. "You both are going to do more damage than I could ever hope to."

"It's a talent."

"I don't think that's the word you're looking for."

"It's the word I'm going to use." Besides it wasn't like Tayuya killed the guy. Even if he'd eventually wish he was dead. But that was a later problem. Not a today problem. "Say, how about a date this weekend?" Plus she wanted to hunt down a rumor. A White Fang rumor.

"I'm all for it, just me and you or is Tayuya coming along?"

"She won't miss this one."

"Good. I need my wife time too ya know." He'd have to remind them of that later. And make sure to put up some silencing seals. Best not to rile up Goodwitch anymore this week. Next week was fair game.

-b-

Naruto decided that someone had to be messing with him. He had given the kids an extra day to relax and readjust to being back in school after nearly a week in the wilderness. Yet. Here they were, ready for Friday afternoon combat lessons. Some looking far more eager than he had ever seen them. He supposed having your strengths and weaknesses highlights in such a drastic way would light a fire within them. Well, the determined ones at least. Some looked like that had been dragged here against their will. Okay, he could take pity on them.

"Today is a light sparring day! If you have requests, questions or wanna ask for a personal spar from me, I'll be right here!" Seeing several teams make their way to the smaller sparring stages, Naruto noted Jaune and his team walking up to him quickly. "Oh? What's this? Looking for a rematch?" He could literally feel it radiating off of them. They were hungry. Naruto was already walking to the main stage to stand at its center. "You sure about this? You couldn't have had a chance to rest completely."

"W-we haven't." Jaune had a bit of a false start, but squared his chest eventually to stand tall, "We have a request."

Blinking and deciding that he liked this kid, Naruto nodded and crossed his arms, "Okay. What is it?"

"We want to go back." Voice just loud enough to be heard over the rest of the muttering and conversations from other teams, many eyes turned towards them silently. Jaune refused to look at them though. His attention was on his instructor. "You said that you performed the same sort of test right?"

"That's correct yes. When I was thirteen." Naruto was curious where they were going with this. It was, interesting.

Sharing a look with Pyrrha who nodded resolutely once and then with Nora who excited bounced in place and finally a quiet Ren who nodded along, Jaune turned back to Naruto once more. "Physical training is all well and good, but what happened in that forest. I've never moved my body so much, pushed myself so far. I want that…no. We need that again. We'll do it again, even faster this time." Jaune had already decided to go buy a secondary weapon besides Crocea Mors. Maybe a large handgun, something he could pull in a pinch. "My team all consents to this as well." They were first years, so they couldn't just up and drop themselves in the forest. They needed an instructor to give the okay. Someone like their combat instructor who while on the surface was an absolute loon, knew what he was doing.

Humming at that and seeing Jaune and the other had the complete attention of the entire class, Naruto began to grin. Oh yes. He was starting to like this kid indeed. "So no complaints. You'll go through hell once more?"

"As many times as it takes. Until we can come back without a scratch."

Now that was a tall boast from a kid who could barely hold his weapon not even a few weeks ago. Naruto liked it. Looking up, he raised his hand, "And the rest of you!? Who else wants to join in on this little suicide run?"

Ruby was already turning to her team, bouncing in place much like Nora had. "What do you say? Should we do it?"

Weiss sighed and just knew Ruby wouldn't let it go. Even though she had let her temper get the better of her, the Schnee heiress had to admit that it was a good training exercise. "It was…effective."

Yang held up her hair, "Can you braid this Blake? I am not de-tangling this again."

Blake smirked and nodded, "Only if you'll braid mine." Speaking automatically and forgetting where she was for a moment, Blake decided it was fine. After the forest she realized that she could trust her team with her life. So. They deserved to at least know what she really was.

Ruby turned to their instructor and held up a hand, "We'll join in too!"

Cardin wasn't about to be left out. If a wuss like Arc was willing to go it again, so would he. "Team CRDL is in!"

Hearing more teams offer up to return, Naruto put his hands on his hips and nodded resolutely once, "Alright then. Here's the deal!" Letting everyone quiet down, Naruto pointed one finger in the air. You have until Monday to get caught up on all of your school work that you missed during the trip. Any team not caught up by lunchtime Monday will not make the trip. Understood?"

"YES PROFESSOR UZUMAKI!"

Well he certainly liked the sound of that, and Glynda was going to be stewing over this forever. Perfect. "Then you know what. I'll give you a handicap. Scram. Back to your dorms. You're gonna need all the studying time you can get!" He had never seen some of these kids move so fast. They were really determined this time. Good. Naruto started down at the instigator of all this, holding out a hand to young Jaune Arc. "Proud of ya bean sprout. You got guts."

Jaune shook the offered hand with ease, "Thank you sir."

"Don't thank me yet. Cause once it starts getting easy for you, I'm gonna make it harder. Just remember that." Naruto smiled as the group nodded and collectively beat it for the lockers. This was good. Perfect really. The kids were motivated and they would be out of his hair. Which meant he had some free time.

Time to go and sniff around in places he shouldn't. He was starting to like Remnant. It rank of a decent fight.

-b-

High within her castle, situated comfortably on her throne, Salem considered the man before her. Watts had his uses, and she was thankful that she had pulled him into her inner circle all those years ago. He was a good tactician, if a little short sighted. But he was also easily manipulated. His ego was easy to stroke and prod when necessary. Like right now. Because there was a new player on the field, someone that Ozma had already snatched up without her even being the wiser. That did not sit well with her and it was time to correct that mistake. "Do you understand what I am directing you to do Arthur?"

"Yes my lady. Collect information on this Naruto Uzumaki. Extend a subtle invitation to him and make sure he has no reason not to accept." Arthur kept his head firmly bowed. Salem was angry even if she had not said as much. He would not make a misstep here and somehow draw her ire.

"Good, then go about doing so. I want a progress update within a week. Understand?"

"Yes my lady." Standing quickly, Arthur left Salem's throne room, leaving the pale Queen of the Grimm alone to ponder what other plans to put in motion.

"A new combat instructor more talented than Glynda herself? My my Ozma, you've been holding out on me." She would uncover who this man was. She would learn his secrets, his fears, his dreams. And which ever made him more easily manipulated, she would twist it to her ends. She had a world to bring to heel, and she would not let her plans be thwarted. Mentally she called forth a Seer. Perhaps a new set of orders for young Cinder were due as well. Never hurt to be cautious.

-AN-

And we're done. Naruto turning the first years into a bunch of combat fanatics like him? Say it isn't so. I wonder if Crow is still in one piece, certainly Tayuya wouldn't kill him. Right?