It's official. I'm a doofus.

Had this chapter done Wednesday because MrsTheGoose was coming home Thursday and I knew I wouldn't be doing any writing once she got back. So I wrapped things up early and sat back, pleased I'd made such good progress, and then waited for Friday. Slow start to the day, but eventually got going and even remembered at one point that I needed to post...then we went to the store and I forgot everything. Woke up this morning realizing I still hadn't uploaded. I'm also hosting a Dead by Daylight tournament in a few hours, so figured I'd do this first thing in the morning before I get caught up in prep for the tourney. Basically, I'm forgetful and you all get this chapter a day late as a result.

Also, there'll be no chapter next week, as my work schedule is gonna be hectic. Working in the lab three days, then have to drive up to DC for all-day meetings for the last two, meaning I won't get home until 7 or so, depending on how bad traffic gets. All so I can sit in a room with a few dozen important people and not say anything. At least, I hope not, since I'm the testing guy. Usually, if they're asking me something, I'm gonna be giving bad news. But seeing as I'll be gone most of the day and probably exhausted by the time I get home, probably safer to postpone next week's writing, just to be safe.

The first few days of the voyage felt oddly familiar. Adam spent most of his time resting with his ever-present shadow lurking just outside. Bane followed his every step, jumping to help if Adam so much as stumbled with the roll of the ship. A patch of rough weather broke two days later, giving Adam a chance to go topside and enjoy the fresh air. Only a few days out from Atlas and it was already warming up. Adam could've stayed on deck all day with the bright sun and warm breeze.

While most of their passengers crowded near the front of the ship, watching for signs of land long before they were anywhere near Menagerie, Adam preferred the stern. He loved how the wake of the ship rippled outwards, gently rolling across the now calm water like someone slowly shaking out an endless blue fabric. Behind, the frothy trail of their journey churned and bubbled as they blazed a trail through the ocean alone. Every way he looked, nothing but the face of the water could be seen, stretching out until it met the sky somewhere beyond the horizon. It should've felt lonely, but out here, far removed from the hatred and scorn of humanity, Adam couldn't help but relax at last.

Adam stayed up there for hours every afternoon, silently marveling at the unblemished world all around them. Bane would always claim a spot nearby, never speaking a word as the two enjoyed the peace and quiet. Three, actually, since young Ilia followed Bane around almost as diligently as Bane followed Adam. Even if she knew a few of the other workers and their families, she'd become attached to Bane almost immediately.

Below decks was less peaceful, but not in a bad way. Everywhere Adam went onboard, people recognized him. Walking down the narrow passageways of the ship, anyone he encountered would yield, forcing themselves against the walls as he passed. People he'd never met before would come up to him, eager to hear from their rescuer. They'd ask questions about Menagerie, share their own stories, or even just thank him for saving them. Some came with children, eager to show Adam just how much of an impact he'd made. And almost every day, someone would ask him about what happened in the refinery.

Adam had a feeling the White Fang were putting them up to it, eager to hear his tale but embarrassed to be the one to ask. If Jakob had been there, he would've egged them on just to mess with Adam. It felt weird having everyone ask him to retell the story of losing a fight, but whether from the look in their eyes or just being bored, Adam always humored them.

The days passed surprisingly fast as their lone ship continued plowing through the water on the way to friendlier seas. Once or twice, a call from the deck had everyone rushing to see another ship in the distance, but any fears of Atlas having found them vanished once they confirmed it was just cargo ships from Vale, likely on their way to Mistral. While Atlas and probably even Mistral would be keeping an eye out for them, Vale and Vacuo had little interest in the White Fang as far as Sienna could tell. And even if they did report an unknown vessel back to Atlas, the odds of them being caught at this point were pretty low. Every day they put between themselves and the harsh snowscapes of Solitas had everyone breathing easier. The sighting of other ships ended up being cause for celebration as well, since the shipping lanes between Vale and Mistral - or rather, the coasts of the two continents - meant they were around the halfway mark of their journey.

Word spread like wildfire through the ship until everyone practically buzzed with anticipation. Practically everyone started gathering at the bow each morning, looking for even the tiniest speck of land on the horizon. A few sightings had to be tamped down on, since they were just passing through the Anima Straight. The western reaches of Anima might've been a lot less hostile than the heart of Atlas, but he had a much safer harbor in mind.

Ilia ended up being the one to first catch sight of Menagerie, even if she cheated a little. It helped having a spyglass and a heading from her Uncle Bane. Not everyone on board had been up to the wheelhouse checking their coordinates that morning. At Ilia's excited shout, everyone bunched up, fighting for position at the rail as they leaned out and strained for even the barest hint of their destination. Ilia pointed over their heads, proudly perched atop Bane's shoulders. Adam lurked further back, choosing not to enter the press of bodies even if they'd probably part for him.

After all, he'd seen it before.

What started as a tiny blip in the distance began to grow, forming the long coast of their home. People shouted to one another from only a few feet away, cheering their arrival. Inside, Adam knew the radio would be humming as they reported their arrival and coordinated a reception at the pier. Odds were they'd already be waiting. The ship had been in contact for a while now, after all, but the final confirmation would ensure most of Kuo Kuana showed up to greet the refugees warmly, just as they had for Adam and the workers of Orostachys.

"You should be the first one off," Bane suggested, bouncing slightly to jostle Ilia around playfully atop her living throne.

Adam shook his head. "No. I'll stay behind and help get the cargo off. Let Sienna have her moment." He could see the tiger faunus waiting patiently at the foot of the ramp, ready to greet their new arrivals as the unofficial head of the White Fang. She'd doubtlessly make sure they all knew who'd arranged the mission and cement her position in their eyes before Ghira could welcome them. Politics as usual. Adam wanted nothing to do with that. "This is about them," he said, nodding to the refugees gathered on deck, waiting to disembark to solid ground at last. "I'd just be a distraction."

"As you wish." Bane turned to leave, heading for the crowd as the first refugees descended to the pier. "Come on, Ilia. Let's get you off this stinky ship."

Ilia made some comment that had them both laughing. Bane really was good with children, even older ones. Adam considered asking for his secret, but he preferred not being on babysitting duty. He had enough of that with Blake.

It took half an hour for all the refugees to leave the ship, go through some brief welcoming speech from Sienna, and be led away to gods knew where. Maybe the Belladonna mansion to meet with Ghira, who was strangely absent from the welcoming party. Or maybe Sienna had them taken to the White Fang base instead. Whatever the case, Adam didn't miss how Sienna stuck around, even as they brought the crates of dust up on deck to be offloaded.

"Welcome home, Adam," she greeted cheerfully when he finally disembarked. "And well done. It seems your mission was a success."

"Mostly." He wouldn't exactly say bringing a building down on himself counted as a success.

"The refugees are safe, and it looks like you recovered the dust." Sienna was always about results and the bigger picture. In the end, he's come back with everything she'd asked him to get.

And a little more. "Not just the dust," Adam said, smirking at how her ears perked up. "We ran into some of Atlas' new toys. Brought a few back for you to play with."

Saying Sienna looked like the cat that caught the canary would be an understatement. She'd already eaten the canary and found a whole nest of hatchlings waiting for her afterwards. "Really?" In answer, two men carried down one of the robotic bodies and laid it at her feet. Sienna ran her hands over the hardened metal, inspecting her prize with a manic grin. "I saw the reports, but I didn't even know they were operational yet."

"Trust me, they are." Operational and field tested, thanks to him. "Pack a punch, too. Built in blades and guns, not to mention they seemed to be able to coordinate their attacks on the fly."

"Advanced AI," Sienna hummed, lifting an arm and letting it drop with a deep thud. Atlas has been working on it for years. No more human controllers holding them back. These things can operate all on their own in numbers we've never seen before." He'd seen enough for a lifetime already. "How did you get these out?"

"I'll tell you on the way back to base." Right now, he could use a plate of warm food and a shower. Not that the ship couldn't provide the same, but the prepackaged junk they brought on the ship couldn't compare with the fresh food of Menagerie. He also liked not having to roll with the waves while cleaning himself, though now that he thought about it, it felt like the island was moving. His body was still accounting for the ship motion that was no longer there, making him a little off-balance.

"Actually, you'll tell me on the way to the chieftain's house," Sienna corrected. "Ghira wants to talk to you."

"I'll talk to him tonight." After all, they lived in the same house.

"He insisted."

Well, that didn't sound concerning. Adam had a feeling he knew what waited for him. Ghira may have approved of their rescue mission, but they'd conveniently left out the part about raiding a refinery afterward. Worse, the whole mission had gone sideways. The plan was to quietly get away with the dust and show Ghira they could pull off these missions without issue. Maybe then he'd see the value in Sienna's methods. Instead, Adam had fought the Atlas military directly and flattened a refinery in the middle of the city.

Adam had a feeling Ghira wouldn't be pleased.

He was more appreciative of the company that he'd expected on their way up to the mansion. It was hard to worry about what waited for them at the end of the trip when Sienna pestered him with endless questions. She wanted to know everything. The status of operations in Atlas. Possible security vulnerabilities. The specifics of the raid. What he thought of Winter Schnee. The last one was easy. She'd been everything he expected. Skilled. Confident. Overbearing. She acted like the world was beneath her and had a terrifying focus backed up by serious training and a ridiculous Semblance.

A Schnee to her core.

As wonderfully distracting as their conversation was, it couldn't keep them from their destination. He'd lived at the Belladonna mansion since arriving in Menagerie, but it had never felt as intimidating as it did right now. The familiar guards outside looked sterner than usual, as clear a sign as any that something was off. It wasn't that they were mad at him or anything. More like they'd been forced to endure an annoying barrage of complaints from their master. Ghira rarely got heated, but when he did, the man could be a royal terror that no one wanted to be around. Even Kali would keep her distance at times like that, saying he just needed time to vent and get it out of his system.

That he would be in such a mood on their return made for an ill omen.

"Master Belladonna is waiting for you in his study." The business-like greeting further sank Adam's spirits. No hello. No small talk. Straight to a demand for his presence, and in the study no less. They should've been sitting down at the table soon to enjoy another fabulous meal together, or lounging in the living room. Even the foyer would make for a wonderful meeting spot. But the study?

This wasn't a discussion between equals; it was a telling off to a child.

Adam knew better than to keep the man waiting. He briefly spotted Kali along the way, who spared him a sympathetic smile and a "good luck" as he passed, but nothing more. He would've loved to bring her along, if only to tamp down on the inevitable explosion waiting for him.

And what an explosion it was.

"What on Remnant were you thinking?!" Ghira's first words came after a few tense seconds of silence. Apparently, he couldn't think of a friendlier way to start. "I sent you to Atlas to rescue some downtrodden workers, not wage war against another Kingdom!"

"I did bring the workers back," Adam tried.

"And blew up half a city block afterwards," Ghira snarled back. Adam ducked his head in embarrassment. "Bad enough you fought those androids, but to then attack a Specialist?"

"To be fair, they attacked first." Well, their robots did. He'd actually been the one to strike first against the Schnee, but only because he hadn't bothered waiting around for her to act. She wasn't going to just let him walk away. Not when he'd dared to steal from her family's precious company.

"They wouldn't've been able to attack if you hadn't gone there in the first place." Ghira had him there. "Why were you there, anyway?"

Stealing dust. Getting back at the SDC. Following Sienna's orders. Adam had a feeling none of those would go over well, but Ghira wasn't in the mood for games. He wanted an answer. Demanded an answer. The easiest way out would be to blame Sienna, but that would be a little awkward with her sitting next to him. It would also be a cop out, and he knew it. Sienna may have planned the mission, but he'd been the one to force it. He'd gone to her looking to pick a fight with Atlas. He'd wanted revenge, and even if he'd bitten off more than he could chew, he'd sent his message loud and clear.

Which meant he had to take responsibility for it. "I wanted re-"

"I ordered it."

Ghira sighed at Sienna's words, as if he'd expected nothing less. "I don't recall asking you to join us."

"And I don't recall saying I cared." Oh, so that was the tone they were going for? This definitely wouldn't blow up in everyone's faces. "I ordered the attack, just like I ordered the rescue mission that got dozens of innocent faunus out of Atlas' grip."

"You should have told me."

"Why? So you could shoot it down like every other idea I've had?" Sienna was standing now, facing down a very irritated Ghira with nothing but a desk between them. Adam felt like a kid watching his parents argue. "That dust was mined by faunus. The hands that refined it? Faunus. We had more right to it than some rich snob up in Atlas. All we did was take what's ours."

"You put the lives of innocents in danger."

"Innocents?" Sienna spat the word out in disgust. "You mean the SDC? The same people who enslave and torture our kind for a profit? Or maybe you mean the Atlas military. You know, the ones that protect and enable our abusers, then kill us if we fight back."

Ghira didn't take the bait. "Your actions could've hurt civilians."

"Oh, how awful. Gods forbid a human might suffer for once." Sienna rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. None of your precious humans died. Only a faunus."

Not true. Adam was pretty sure he'd killed a few men with his truck bomb, but offering that up felt like a mistake right now. Besides, Ghira seemed more interested in the other detail. "Wait. Someone died?"

"Oh, so now you care?" He'd walked right into that one, and he knew it. "Yes, Ghira. A faunus died. Gunned down by Atlas military robots with no warning."

"Because you attacked them," Ghira said, seizing what he thought was the upper hand again. "This is what happens when you resort to violence. People get hurt. If you go around acting like a terrorist, the world will treat you like one."

"They already treat us like terrorists!" Sienna shouted back. "They always have! You know that. They attacked us just for bringing supplies to Shidekobushi, or did they think we were invading Atlas armed with food and tools?" Not to mention barely enough men to protect a single village. "And who exactly was that man terrorizing when he walked into a room unarmed? The deadly robots who cut him down before he could leave?"

Ghira's eyes widened before seeking out Adam for confirmation. "Is this true?" Adam nodded, unwilling to wade into the ongoing fight if he didn't have to.

Sienna was more than happy to fight by herself. "He walked in, and they killed him, all because he wasn't one of them." Sienna stopped yelling, but her voice still sounded just as harsh as she continued pressing the matter. "You talk about us resorting to violence, but they've been attacking us longer than I can remember. Humans want to wipe us out, but unlike some people, I refuse to kneel at their chopping block."

"No one is asking you to." Good. Because Adam wouldn't be rolling over to die anytime soon, no matter how noble Ghira tried to make it sound. "But violence doesn't justify more violence. Someone has to be better."

"You hear that, Adam? We just have to be the better person. Maybe if you'd smiled more, they wouldn't have branded your face."

"That's not what I'm saying-"

"Then what are you saying?" Sienna demanded, slamming her hand down on his desk. "We've tried your way, but nothing's changed. Nothing ever changes! We needed that dust. We need resources. And Adam got them for us."

"He stirred up an entire Kingdom against us," Ghira countered.

"They were already against us," Sienna shot back. "Atlas has been against us since day one. Menagerie wasn't a gift. It's a prison. They sent us here, forced Mistral to cut off trade with us, and waited for us to die. But we didn't. We fought the Grimm off, built this city, and carved out a life for ourselves. Everything we have, we had to fight for. Adam and I are just continuing that fight."

"A fight we can't win."

"A fight we can't afford to lose." Sienna pushed herself up from his desk, standing taller as she stared down her rival. "I sent Adam to Atlas to steal the supplies we need to keep things running and to send a message. A message that we're done being pushed around. That we won't let them walk all over us anymore. And if they try, we'll fight back."

"You had no right to order such an attack." Really? Politics? That was the best Ghira had to offer? "Whether you realize it or not, you're not the leader of the White Fang."

"Ha!" Sienna actually spoke the word, lacking any real mirth in the sound. "And you are? Tell me, Ghira, when was the last time you actually did anything other than stand in front of a camera? When was the last time you personally helped a faunus in need? Or maybe you prefer sitting in your mansion, clinging to some sense of self-importance. You're no better than the elites back in Atlas, shaking your head at the injustice below you but offering nothing but empty words in support." Sienna turned to leave, but not before offering a parting warning over her shoulder. "Actions speak louder than words, and I intend to make us heard."

"You don't get to make those choices for the White Fang," Ghira warned. "I'm still in charge here."

Sienna kept walking, but neither of them missed her final words. "Then maybe it's time for a new leader."

The door closing behind her seemed to echo in the room, punctuating her rather direct threat. Ghira had worried that Sienna would try and take over the White Fang, but she'd never explicitly come out and said it before.

Until now.

Was she wrong, though? Other than paperwork and press conferences, Ghira hadn't done much lately. Adam remembered hearing about him leading protests in other Kingdoms, challenging government officials to better support faunus and hold people like the SDC accountable. Then, a single incident saw him retreating to Menagerie, where he'd holed up ever since. Adam doubted he'd left the island since then. Heck, he rarely left the mansion anymore. If that was leading, he'd hate to see what negligence looked like.

Sienna, on the other hand, practically lived in the White Fang headquarters and had even gone with them to supply Shidekobushi. Everyone in the White Fang knew the names of both Ghira and Sienna, but most had only met the latter. Where Ghira fought for the status quo, Sienna pushed for change. Ghira wanted to sit back and ask for improvements while Sienna actively fought to right the wrongs against faunus everywhere. The media knew Ghira, but the White Fang knew Sienna better.

Given the choice between a celebrity and a leader, Adam wasn't sure he'd oppose Sienna taking charge in the future.

Whether or not he disagreed with the man, Ghira had been kind to him in his hour of need. It was that that had him apologizing on Sienna's behalf. "Sorry about that. Sienna gets a little carried away sometimes."

"There's truth in her words," Ghira admitted in defeat, "no matter how much I despise that woman."

"Hm?"

"She's right," Ghira repeated before rushing to add, "not about everything, but she does have a point." Ghira sighed as he stood and walked over to the window, looking out over Kuo Kuana below. "How can I expect people to follow me if they never see me?" Oh, that. "I've been so focused on reaching the rest of the world that I've forgotten what truly matters. The people."

"They still respect you," Adam offered, hoping to ease the sting a little.

"They remember me," Ghira responded. "Only corpses live in the past. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that. Maybe it's time to show them there's still some life in these old bones. But how?"

The answer seemed rather obvious. "Visit the headquarters. Talk to people. Remind them you're one of them." And not just some faceless name from a bygone era. "Or you could go out in the field again."

"Me?" Ghira chuckled at the idea. "I'm not sure if you've forgotten, but I'm still a wanted man. Even more so after this latest violence." Ghira didn't turn, but Adam knew exactly who that comment was aimed at. "I'd be arrested the moment I set foot on Anima."

Excuses. Adam pretty much topped the charts of the Most Wanted lists. He'd checked. More than that, Ghira was wanted for questioning. The phrase "Dead or Alive" was only next to Adam's name, and he had a feeling they'd prefer the first one.

"Then don't go to Anima." That finally got Ghira's attention. "Go to Vale. Or Sanus. Whatever it's called." Because there was no way any of them would be braving a capital city right now. Not after blowing up a building right under Atlas. "Something simple, like a relief mission. I'm sure Sienna can find a village in need of help if you ask her."

Going to Sienna for help would hurt. Ghira's face made that abundantly clear. Still, he knew a good idea when he heard one. "That would be good. Perhaps you could ask her on my behalf? I doubt she wants to speak with me right now."

Dang it! How'd he get roped into this crap again? "I'll ask," he agreed, even if he hated the idea. Still, it was a step in the right direction. If he could get the two sides working together, maybe they could finally get over the political squabbling and focus on what really mattered. "I need to check on the refugees. Is there anything else you need?"

Ghira thought on his words for a moment before speaking. "As much as I don't like where things are heading lately, I do appreciate you rescuing those workers. I'll make sure they have better lives here with us."

"I know you will." If there was one thing he could count on with Ghira, it was the man's compassion.

He just wished he'd grow a spine to go with it.

/- - - - - - - - - -/

He hadn't been in Atlas that long, but he'd missed the warm sun and salty air of Menagerie more than he realized. He'd gladly go his whole life never seeing that accursed white stuff again. Why anyone would choose to live in such a horrid landscape was beyond his understanding. If he'd been in charge, his first act would be to fly Atlas somewhere warm, not tie it down in the most inhospitable environment he could think of. Even thinking about Atlas sent a shiver down his spine.

The relaxation of his leisurely stroll back to the White Fang headquarters came to an end far too soon. He'd spotted her lurking in a tree up ahead but kept walking to see what she would do. He half expected her to drop down the moment he walked under and attack him, but she kept her perch as he passed, sharp eyes tracking him until he came to a sudden stop.

"Are you going to stay up there all day?"

"How'd you know?" Blake asked as she dropped to the ground almost silently and hurried to catch up with him.

"You're not as stealthy as you think," Adam laughed, rubbing the top of her head before she could dodge away. She hissed - literally hissed - at him before matching his pace, making sure to stay just far enough away to react if he tried again. "Not to mention the stench."

"Liar." Yeah, but it felt nice to joke around a bit after everything. "Dad's not very happy with you."

"You heard?" Of course she heard. If Blake was home, she was hiding in the shadows, spying on everyone. At least, that's what it felt like half the time.

"Hard not to. He's been ranting about it ever since he saw the news reports."

Ah. He'd forgotten about those. Word probably reached Menagerie long before their ship did, which meant Ghira had been stewing on this for weeks. That he hadn't already had an argument with Sienna spoke of cowardice, in his opinion. "And what do you think?"

"Me?" Blake looked like no one had ever asked her that before.

"Yes, you." He mainly wanted to shift the focus off himself, but if it boosted her confidence a little, then so be it. "What does my star pupil think of how I handled things in Atlas?"

Blake hummed as she considered everything. "You got all those people out safe," she hedged, taking the easy route to start. Adam didn't respond, waiting for her to go further. "And you made it back safe."

"But what about the fight?" Adam pushed. "And the refinery. Do you think I went too far?"

Blake shrugged. "I dunno."

"You don't know?"

"I wasn't there," Blake explained. "All I've heard is what the news reports say." And they both knew those would be biased against him. "You were the one that had to fight your way out of Atlas. Maybe if you'd done less, you wouldn't have made it back. We'll never know."

A surprisingly thoughtful answer. "You're right. We won't."

"Do you think you went too far?"

And now she'd turned it around on him. He didn't know if he should be proud of her keen insight or scared. Probably a little of both. "I did what I had to do to survive."

"Then I'm glad you did it." No politics. No hidden agendas. Life or death. Ghira and Kali would've probably had a fit hearing her say stuff like that, but right now, Adam appreciated the straightforwardness of her thinking. "Did you really have to fight Winter Schnee?"

"I did." Fight was a generous term. More he tried and failed to get away, then had to drop a building on her just to escape.

"How was it?"

"Terrifying." He'd never faced someone like that before, and she wasn't even the best Atlas had. He'd never had the misfortune of meeting General Ironwood, but he'd heard the stories. The man hadn't risen to the top of Atlas by sitting around or giving speeches. He'd earned his spot through blood, sweat, and tears. Whether it was charging straight into the Grimm with nothing but a handgun or casually fighting and dismantling everything from bandits to insurgents, General Ironwood had always come out on top, no matter the cost. A man like that was not to be taken lightly. "She was fast. Strong, too. Honestly, she kicked my butt the entire time."

"She was stronger than you?" Adam couldn't help the little bit of pride that wormed its way in with her disbelief.

"Much stronger," he assured her. "She nearly captured me. I had to blow up an entire building with both of us inside just to get away."

"That sounds awful." Blake didn't know the half of it.

"It was." He hadn't felt that helpless since his first fight with Jean. He'd worked hard to get stronger, but it meant nothing in the face of someone like her. "That's an important lesson. No matter how strong you get, there's always somebody stronger out there."

"Then what's the point?" she asked. "If there's always someone stronger, then how do we win?"

"By focusing on what's important." Like rescuing the refugees first, or having an escape plan when things went south. "You don't have to win every fight. You just have to make sure you're ready for the next one."

And he intended to be. Winter Schnee may have beaten him, but she'd also given him a valuable reminder. He might be one of the strongest fighters in the White Fang, but that meant nothing in the real world. If he wanted to win - if he wanted to protect those that mattered to him - then he needed to get stronger. He didn't need to be better. He needed to be the best. Not just physically, either. His Semblance could wreak havoc, but he needed to practice it more. Figure out how to do that long range thing he'd done at the refinery. Make sure no one could make him feel so utterly helpless ever again. Whatever progress he'd made so far didn't matter anymore. Right there and then, Adam promised himself he'd get better. And someday, he'd face that woman again and remind her that grit and determination could outdo all the private lessons and advantages money could buy.

But that could wait until tomorrow. Right now, he needed to remember what he was fighting for. "Come on. There's a girl we rescued around your age. I promised I'd introduce you to her when we arrived."

And Adam always kept his promises.

Ah, politics. Aren't they great?

Not a whole lot to say here. Ghira and Sienna are butting heads even more, and Adam's caught in thee middle. Will he side with the calmer, less violent approach or plunge headfirst into leading the White Fang into vengeful violence and extremism? Yeah, I think we all know the answer here.

While everyone else is praising Adam for besting Winter Schnee, he knows he got his butt handed to him. He won't take that lying down, though. If Adam is to become the force of nature we see in canon until they nerfed him in V6, then he's gonna need to train. A lot. Cue the montage! Wait, what do you mean we can't cut to montages? That only really works in visual media? Crap. Well, cue the montage in your heads! There, that should do it.

Next chapter: More fallout from Adam's mission.