A/N: Dredgon-Don't know much about Marvel to give you suggestions, besides Ronin, or Vigilante Hawkeye post Thanos, but besides that, Yang not having much of a reaction to the whole underground arena being a melting pot to get the strongest fighter to kill JAUNE, kinda sets me off abit. Either she knew already and the whole point is to keep them low, or she's that confident Jaune can take these guys on no problem (Given she gave more a reaction the thousands AIM thingys) and she's just having some fun. This is like what, the fourth (fifth?) subplot you've added now, not complaining, but don't over-exert yourself dude.
Oh, she knows Jaune is a badass. He holds the title of The Strongest, after all.
Eh, might be too late to be telling me that, my friend. KOG is just too much of a fun world not to expand, ya know?
Turbosa22c-Ooooh! We got Punisher Now!
I know some people have problems with all these crossovers, but I think it's cool.
But…..we gotta stop with this shit and Jaune.
I can't help but feel like every time a female character gets introduced they're revealed to be an ex or eventually fall in love with Jaune.
Like Deathstrike didn't need to have dated Jaune.
But another Marvel hero could be Daredevil.
I honestly didn't WANT any crossovers when I started KOG. It just naturally happened, ya know?
Hey, he's the MC. What can I say? At least he'll NEVER date Weiss or Yang in this timeline. Plus, don't forget that there are women (like Sohek) who HATES Jaune.
But Jaune met her on an infiltration mission. Barely even a month after he finished the mission where he worked alongside Raven. It was Deathstroke's yakuza clan he infiltrated.
Using the skills Raven taught him, Jaune quickly rose in the ranks and caught Deathstrike's eye. Yada-yada, blah-blah-blah, they developed feelings but Jaune had to take her down because it was his job.
Though, there is an AU where Jaune decided to stay a member of the Oyama family and became infamous as the Oyama no Okami (The Wolf of Oyama).
Huh. I thought I DID use Daredevil, or at least referenced him. Gotta fix that.
Guest-...oh...OH SHIT! XD This is gonna be a bloodbath XD AND SERIOUSLY JAUNE?! DEATHSTRIKE?! MY GOSH BRO! XD
In Jaune's defense, Remnant Deathstrike is SERIOUSLY hot. Oh, and she never met Howl, so she doesn't have an unbridled hatred towards Wolverine in this world.
Guest-Luke Cage, Iron Fist now Firestar and Punisher! Yang's pretty much surrounded by The Defenders! And the fact they're taking on Fisk is a comic book dream!
Wow. Daredevil really is the only one who's missing.
Guest-Yang's getting friendly with this Tiger Faunus, I like it. Especially when she's allure to a dragon to some degree and dragons and tigers are said be rivals, they seem to be fast friends here ironically
DRAGON VS TIGER!
Guest-I feel like Firestar is underrated and doesn't get as much fame as she deserves, and the fact this Natalie has her name and seems like an badass makes it better
Come to think of it, when was the last time we ever saw Firestar on screen? Or even in a cartoon, for that matter? She feels almost forgotten.
"Jaune Salem Arc, you spoil us," Kali said excitedly as she kissed Jaune's cheek before taking the bag of pineapples.
"Are Lady Mahina's pineapples that good," he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Famously so," Blake explained. "No one knows her secret, but she grows her pineapples to have the perfect balance of sweet and tartness. They're so good that people actually WANT them on their pizza."
"BITE YOUR TONGUE, WOMAN," Jaune went.
"I swear to the God of Animals himself that I'm not lying. In fact, Mom?"
"We're already on it," Kali said as she picked up and pushed Nimueh.
"We?! Whoa, whoa, whoa! I like pizza as much as the next girl, but not pineapple! I'm more of a spinach-alfredo girl! Don't you push me in that kitchen, Kali! I never even made a pizza!"
"Then it's the perfect time to learn. We can even make it a Belladonna Special with some of the leftover fish."
"OH, THAT SOUNDS ALL KINDS OF WRONG," Nimueh yelled as she was pushed into the kitchen.
Jaune blinked before looking at Blake. "How come you never help with food prep? I don't think you've made any meals since we've been here. And this is coming from the guy who made fish and squid soup last week."
"Which was absolutely delicious," Kali called. "Also, Blake can't cook!"
"HEY!"
"Truth hurts, sweetie!"
"Well, you heard the lady," Blake sighed. "Apparently, my cooking sucks. Yang isn't much better, so we're pretty much reliant on Vale Hop."
"The food service," Jaune snickered.
"Shut up."
"Verde, sweetie, you might wanna come and learn from your grandma and aunt," Kali called.
"No offense, Mom, but I do wanna learn how to survive without my scroll for food," Verde said as she ran into the kitchen.
"Have fun," Blake waved. She then sighed. "I feel like a failure as a mother."
"So you can't teach your kid how to cook," Jaune said as he sat down. "No shame in that."
"And who taught Arie to cook," Blake asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Me."
Blake sighed. "Figures. It really is messed up that no one on Team Rwby knows how to cook."
"Actually, Ruby's a great baker."
"But how is she in cooking?"
"Uh... Ren banned her from the stove," Jaune went as he slumped down.
"Mhm."
"Speaking of Arie, where is my kid?"
The front door then opened.
"We're home," Ghira called.
Argent ran into the room first. "Hi, dad!"
"Hey, Arie. So, you went out with your grandpa, eh?"
"Yup."
"Any reason for that?"
Argent looked up at Ghira, who nodded. Argent then looked back at his father. "Hey, Dad? How would you feel about me learning another Beast God Style?"
"Well, you're supposed to be learning. You're in school, kiddo, and learning any of the styles technically counts as your credits in Kuo Kuana's Academy. What, you plan on learning from Lady Mahina? You certainly have the speed for it."
"Oh, yeah. I could learn from her. Ah, but that's not who I meant."
"Hm?"
"Dad. . . Grandpa Ghira took me to see Master Byakko."
Jaune looked surprised while Blake shot up from her seat. "YOU DID WHAT?! DAD, YOU TOOK MY NEPHEW TO SPEAK WITH THE STRONGEST FAUNUS IN ALL OF MENAGERIE?!"
"I did. My old friend wanted to see the boy."
"Byakko was interested in seeing Arie," Kali asked as she walked into the room. "B-But that would mean he..."
"He wants Argent to learn the Tiger God Style."
"T-This is-" Blake began. "I don't even know how to react to this. Argent is human. An incredibly powerful human but still human nonetheless. Is it... is it even possible to learn Tiger God for him?"
"Byakko seems to believe so. However, he only wants Argent to learn alongside his father," Ghira said as he looked at Jaune. "Byakko wants Argent to learn, but he plans on having his daughter be the boy's Master. You, on the other hand, Jaune, he wants to teach personally."
"Because of what I am?"
"What you are. Who you are. What you represent. Many aspects about you have helped Byakko make this decision. Jaune, it may be unofficial, but he believes you could be the next Byakko."
"We both know I can't take that title."
"He knows as well. However, his Semblance, Tiger Instintcs, helped him make a decision: the world needs more Byakkos. It only makes sense for the mightiest of all humans to be one of them."
"More Byakkos," Jaune asked. "He saw something, didn't he?"
Ghira sighed, shaking his head. "I wish I could tell you more, my boy. Still, the fact still stands, you NEED to become stronger." Ghira looked down and patted Argent's head, the boy looking up at the strong Faunus. "Both of you do. Verde."
"Hm," she asked as she popped her head through the door.
"Byakko wants you to learn Tiger God, too."
"Sure." Verde went back into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she ran back out. "WHAT?!"
"He believes you have the talent for it."
"HOW COULD HE THINK THAT?! I'VE BEEN STUCK IN CLASS THIS ENTIRE TIME! I'VE DONE NOTHING TO MAKE HIM THINK I CAN BE A TIGER GOD MASTER! AND BESIDES! I! AM! A! LION!"
"Verde, Byakko had a dream about you as well."
"Huh?"
"Well, not exactly you. He saw three lions, one with fiery hair." Verde twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. "Another with jade eyes and a third with what he called a proud soul. Behind them was a warthog, a meerkat, a panther, and a black lion. They were challenging a blood-covered lion surrounded by hyenas and a gorilla, fighting a vicious war with the black lion leading the charge. The fiery lion with the two lions was able to defeat the bloody lion, the two lions were something angelic but fought demonic, and the fiery lion fought with the ferocity and pride of a tiger instead of a lion."
"A black lion and angelic lions?"
"A black lion," Jaune asked.
"What? You know someone," Blake asked.
"No, but I have heard someone like that, but it's probably nothing."
"Byakko also believes those three lions could be stronger than he is," Ghira announced, everyone looked at him with eyes widened.
"STRONGER THAN HIM," everyone yelled. Ghira nodded.
"No way"
"Whoa"
"Not one, but three people?!"
"There's one other person I thought could be stronger than Byakko if she was here" Kali had thought of a red-haired female tiger Faunus.
Verde had to collect herself before asking her grandfather. "But Byakko thinks I'M that fiery lion? Grandpa, that doesn't make sense. I've only seen one other Lion Faunus in all of Menagerie, and she's in Arie's class."
"That doesn't mean you won't be ATTACKED by another Lion Faunus."
"Oh, I'd like to see someone try," Blake said as she cocked her Gambit Shroud's handgun.
"Mom."
"Verde." She looked at her grandpa. "Byakko's dreams always come true, in one way or another." Argent looked down sadly at that. "Besides, I'd rather you know how to defend yourself. Please, learn Tiger God, if not for your own sake then to put your old grandfather's mind at ease."
Verde looked at Ghira before looking at her mom, uncle, and cousin, all of them saying with their eyes that they wanted this for her. She sighed. "You're lucky I love all of you."
"Um, Verde? Kali? Am I making this abomination alone," Nimueh called.
"COMING," Verde called as she ran back to help Nimueh with dinner.
"Abomination," Ghira asked.
"Pineapple pizza," Jaune answered.
"WHAT DID WE DO," Argent asked dramatically.
Jaune's eye was twitching. "Why... is this... good?"
"Never underestimate Lady Mahina's pineapples," Kali said in a singsong tone before taking a bite of her pizza.
"I feel like I lost a bet worth millions," Nimueh said in a defeated tone before eating her cooking.
"Is this because dad's waging war against a god," Argent asked before eating his pizza.
"Okay, you three are being way too dramatic," Verde said as she ate her pizza.
"But it's pineapple on pizza! This shouldn't be good," Jaune said before eating another splice. "And the fish half is better than I dare give it credit for."
"Arc, I'll let you insult the fruit but you do not get to insult the fish," Blake said in a serious tone.
"But-"
"Honey?" He looked at Nimueh, her eyes still shadowed. "Let's just enjoy this... insanity. You have a long day tomorrow."
Jaune sighed. "Yeah." He took another bite. "This is so wrong."
"You sure your mom doesn't want to come with us," Jaune asked Verde as they and Argent walked toward Byakko's home.
She shrugged. "Grandpa never mentioned anything about Lord Byakko wanting her to learn the Tiger God Style. Besides, she doesn't get along with Ms. Nishi."
"Who?"
"Lord Byakko's daughter and heir to the Tiger God Style."
"So she's the next Byakko?"
"Yup. But originally she was the second runner."
"Second? Who was the first?"
"A girl named Natalie. She used to live here. Grandpa and Grandma said she was the toughest one here. She joined the Menagerian Guard at sixteen and were all amazed by her skills in fighting without a weapon. She was the strongest Guard they had, was able to stop fights single-handedly, killed a few Grimm, and hadn't used or unlocked her Semblance."
"She did all that without a weapon or unlocking her Semblance," Argent asked, Verde nodding in confirmation.
"That is incredible," Jaune said.
"They said she hadn't had the easiest childhood here, she would spend time with grandma and grandpa. She was like a second daughter to them. She even impressed Grandpa and the Beast Gods enough to want to teach her the style and become the youngest Beast God in their time, but she declined saying that there was something else out there for her, she needed something more and left the island"
"Aw, wish we had the chance to meet her. She sounds really cool," Argent said.
"Who knows, we probably will one day Arie," Jaune said.
"When Natalie left, Ms. Nishi decided to take over. She'll be the one who's going to teach me and Arie Tiger God Style."
"Is she pretty," Argent asked as he popped his head past his dad's leg to look at his cousin.
She raised an eyebrow as she smiled at him. "You really are an Arc, you know that?"
Jaune then did something Verde both loved and hated: he began to scratch her head, right at the perfect spot to make her purr. "And what's that supposed to mean, kiddo?"
Verde was somehow able to regain her composure and swatt Jaune's hand off of her head. "Would you stop doing that," she laughed.
"But you're so cute," Jaune cooed.
"I will bite you one of these days," Verde growled with a toothy smirk, showing off her shiny, white, yet sharp teeth. It wasn't her Faunus trait. That honor doesn't even go to her hair. It's her tail. Her teeth are just naturally sharp-looking.
"You really think I won't bite you back?" Jaune then playfully bit at his niece, the beauty playfully biting back at him before they laughed.
Then, Verde got a serious look on her face before holding out her arm to stop her uncle, Jaune placing his hand on Argent's head to stop him, the two looking at the sharp eyed Lion.
"What is it?"
"Look." Jaune looked forward to see a village, but it looked dark compared to Kuo Kuwana. Depressing, run-down, practically a ghetto.
Jaune then felt a surge of power, looking at his hand. It was a flicker, but his hologram started to malfunction, showing off his white hand. When he looked back at the ghetto, he could see the negativity swirling around it. Jaune looked around and saw the positivity surrounding the rest of the village, which is how he guessed no Grimm tried to attack it. "What is that place? It's fueling my powers like a damned Dust Factory."
"It's called the Den," Verde began. "It's full of former White Fang members who are still loyal to Adam and Mangus's Vision."
"Magnus?"
"A former higher-up in the White Fang. He's been dead for a while. Everyone in that village doesn't really like my family that much, and they absolutely hate you."
"Because of what I am?"
"Mhm. They especially hate how much you've improved Menagerie. You, a human, have done more for this island than anyone else, especially more than any Faunus before you."
"Long story short, stay away from there?"
"Bingo. That means you especially, Arie."
"Why me?"
"Well, not only are you my cousin, meaning you have close ties with the Belladonnas, your Uncle Jaune's son and it's already well known that you've mastered Shark God Style."
"It's only been a few days!"
"A human learning a Beast God Style? How could that NOT spread like wildfire," Verde asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh."
"Anyway, Lord Byakko's hut is fortunately down that road AWAY from the Den. Let's just make sure we NEVER go down there," Verde said as she led the way, Jaune and Argent following her.
However, though they all already knew they were being watched, they didn't know by who.
For in Misty's bar, at the window, stood Uju, watching the group in shock, realizing where they were going. She then gripped the windowsill, her claws tearing through the wood like it was paper. 'Again?! Nala, I can stand, but a fucking human?! A human is going to be taught by Lord Byakko and not me?!'
She wasn't the only one furious. Creed was standing at the side of the road, watching the three walk toward Byakko's hut, his eyes especially on Jaune. He growled in rage as he watched them leave. "Byakko. You're betraying your own people, too?!" He then looked at his hand, gazing intently at his palm.
He stared at it intensely until a small fire ignited in his palm before he clenched his fist. "You're not the only one after power, human," he growled.
It was a bit of a walk, but the three finally reached Byakko's hut, which was atop a pretty big hill. Looking around, Jaune saw that they were a good ways away from Kuo Kuwana. In fact, even without his enhanced eyesight, he could easily see the other Beast God's huts and the Belladonna Estate. When he looked up, he saw the mountains. He even saw Howl's house from there.
Then, Jaune glared behind him before trying to elbow the threat behind him. He wasn't surprised when his attack was caught, catching the fist about to strike him in the gut.
However, he was surprised when his assailant made him spin midair before slamming him into the ground face-first.
Argent didn't hesitate to try and use the Shark God Style on the attacker, but the fighter was smart enough to jump over Argent before he could properly use Tidal Wave, the move used by him creating a wave of wind that would have sent the attacker flying.
When they landed behind Argent, he was grabbed by the head and thrown like a bowling ball toward Verde.
Verde retaliated by grabbing Argent and spinning with the momentum before tossing Argent back at the thrower, the boy using Corkscrew, creating a tornado bullet flying at the fighter.
The fighter then did the unthinkable, catching Argent before slamming him into the ground hard enough to wind him.
However, before the attacker could recover, Jaune used Constrictor to completely wrap himself around the fighter and locking all of their limbs.
"VERDE!"
Verde gave a battle cry as she charged in to deliver a devastating punch.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Verde stopped right as her fist reached the enemy's solar plexus, everyone looking toward the voice.
Walking down the steps of the hut was Byakko. "They've passed."
"Indeed." Jaune looked to see he was holding a beautiful Tiger Faunus. "I'm honestly impressed."
"M-Ms. Nishi," Verde yelled out in shock.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE," Argent and Nala yelled in unison, pointing at each other. "WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! I ASKED FIRST!"
"You two know each other," Nishi asked.
"We're classmates," they said in perfect unison before glancing at each other. "Okay, stop that. Stop it! This is getting creepy! Rrr. NISHI'S REALLY PRETTY!"
"Oh?" The two looked at Nishi. "So my students think I'm pretty, do they," she asked with her hand on her hips, a raised eyebrow, and a smirk. The two looked down before they both blushed brightly.
Verde couldn't help but laugh, Nala looking at her with a glare. However, the glare quickly disappeared, replaced by a blush after seeing how beautiful Verde was.
"Well, that was entertaining. You two a comedy duo or what," Verde asked through her laughter.
"We're classmates," Argent answered when he regained his composure. "She's the best in our class."
"And I plan on keeping that title... and it seems I will be the best student in Tiger God Style."
"Don't count on it. I was able to impress even my dad when we were learning Shark God Style together," Argent said proudly.
"Are you sure he just wasn't coddling his CUTE son," Nala teased.
"Hah," Argent went with a glare. "Who are you calling cute?"
"Is there anyone else here who fits that description," Nala teased. Her smile twitched when Argent pointed at her without any hesitation. She turned pink with embarrassment before somewhat regaining her composure and turning her back towards Argent. "I'll have you know that most people would see me as either pretty or beautiful. Only kids get to be called cute."
"Heh. Then you get to be called cute since you're just a kid," Argent teased.
"A 'kid' who can easily beat your butt, little one," Nala said as she glanced at Argent.
His eyebrow twitched. "You beat me? You're getting a really big head from beating me in a few races. You only won out of pure luck!"
"No. I won because you keep running into trees," she said with a raised eyebrow.
"HAH! YOU JUST ADMITTED THAT IF THERE WAS NOTHING IN OUR WAY, I'D BEAT YOU!"
Nala blushed in embarrassment. "DON'T PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!"
"IF THE SHOE FITS! BUT IF YOU WANT, I'LL PUT SOMETHING ELSE IN YOUR MOUTH," Argent went as he raised his fist.
"Put something-" Nala turned even redder. "YOU PERVERT!"
"Huh?" Argent then noticed how Nala reached for her lips. Fortunately for him, Argent has seen his parents kiss plenty of times. Unfortunately for him, that's how he knew what Nala meant, making him turn pink while unleashing a puff of steam from his head. "NOT WHAT I MEANT! NOT WHAT I MEANT!"
"YOU LIAR! OF COURSE, THE SON OF A PLAYBOY WOULD A PERV HIMSELF!"
"MY DAD ISN'T A PLAYBOY!"
"OH, PLEASE! EVERYONE KNOWS LORD ARC IS MARRIED, YET HE STILL FLIRTS WITH BLAKE BELLADONNA!"
"HE DOESN'T FLIRT WITH AUNT BLAKE!"
"Actually, Arie-" The two looked at Verde. "He totally does."
"NYA?!"
"HAH!"
"YOU WANNA GO," Argent yelled as he activated his Semblance, his fist glowing.
"OH, I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK! I'VE WANTED TO FIGHT YOU EVER SINCE YOU PROVED TO BE WORTH MY TIME," Nala roared as she prepared her claws.
"Enough," Nishi went in a stern tone. That tone of voice alone was enough to make Argent and Nala stand at attention before their teacher. "You two have a lot of spunk. I like that. It is also necessary for some of the Claws, as you already know, Nala."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And with that in mind, it's time to begin your training. However, Nala, I want to see how far you've come. Sometimes the best way to learn is to teach."
"Hm? NYAH?! LADY NISHI, ARE YOU TELLING ME TO TRAIN ARGENT?!"
"HAH?! NO WAY! I CAN'T BE TAUGHT BY MY CLASSMATE! THAT'S TOO WEIRD! WHO GETS TAUGHT BY THEIR RIVAL ANYWAY?!"
"OH, LIKE YOU'RE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE MY RIVAL!"
"YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT! YOU'RE NOWHERE NEAR TOUGH ENOUGH TO BE MY RIVAL!"
"HAH?!"
"Ahem." The two jumped again. "To answer your question, no, you are not training Argent. I'm going to personally look after his training. Master Byakko himself told me to do as much."
"Eh? Master, you're training Argent?" Nala then blushed. "Wait, but that would mean I'm-"
Nishi placed a hand on Verde's shoulder. "You will be training Verde Belladonna."
"It's Xiao Long," Verde said as she glanced at Nishi.
Nishi just rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
"Why do I have the feeling you don't like either of my moms?"
"Oh, no. I have plenty of respect for the woman who left our island to be beside a madman, run away from him, practically abandon our island, and then did nothing to save our island when we were invaded by vicious Grimm that nearly killed her mother. It's not like we needed a human to save us or anything. Oh, and let's not forget how her mate didn't even TRY to convince her to come back here when the only reason she did return was because of HIS father, who decided to come to our island of his own free will," Nishi said with passive-aggressive sarcasm. "Or that Natalie who chose in passing an opportunity to become a Beast God, in wanting something more. What could be more than that," she continued.
"Point taken," Verde said.
"So it's not only Aunt Blake and Aunt Yang, Master Nishi doesn't like," Argent whispered to Nala.
"She has a list of people. I wouldn't want to be on it," Nala whispered, Argent nodded.
"Master Nishi is seriously scary," Argent whispered to Nala.
"You should see her when she's mad," Nala whispered back.
"You know I can hear you two, right?"
"EEP," the two went as they stood at attention.
Nishi sighed. "Alright, it's time to begin training. Nala, take Verde to the Third Strip. That's where you two will be training until I say otherwise."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
"Well, I'll admit that it's gonna be weird to be taught by someone three years younger than me." Nala looked up at Verde, only to blush at the mere sight of her, especially her beautiful, green eyes. "But at least my teacher is a fellow lion. Gotta keep the Pride together, eh, sister," Verde asked as she held out her fist.
"Y-Yeah. For the sisterhood. Not a lot of us left," Nala said as she fist-bumped Verde, nearly being stunned by the older beauty's smile. "L-Let's see how fast you are! If you wanna be able to properly use Tiger God Style, you need speed as well as strength, so keep up."
"Got it, teach."
As soon as Verde said that, the girls took off running at great speeds, leaving behind dust clouds.
"GOOD LUCK, VER," Argent called.
"YOU TOO, ARIE," she called back.
"Now then..." Argent looked up at his own beautiful instructor. "Shall we begin, little cub?"
"Master Byakko, how long do I have to keep the blindfold on?"
"Not long at all, cub. It is only necessary to heighten your senses. Despite how large they are, lions and tigers are stealthy, quiet hunters. Assassins in their own rights. The first of the Five Claws, the Pouncing Tiger, is the perfect example of that. However, before you can learn the First Claw, your senses have to be heightened.
They should already be at superhuman levels due to what you are and your training with the other Beast Gods, but I would like to see it for myself."
"So, what do you want me to do? Avoid your- Ow?! Wha-?!"
"Surprised?"
"H-How did I not sense you at all?! I even felt Nishi's intent to harm me before she attacked!"
"My daughter still has much to learn. She is close to mastering Tiger God's full power, even already knows the Secret Technique, but she still needs to improve even more. You have held the title of the Strongest Human, if not the Strongest in the World, but you still need to be improved, cub."
"OOF," Jaune went after being struck in the gut. He groaned before he was swept, falling onto his side before spin kicking back onto his feet. He tried to listen for Byakko.
"Don't rely on only one sense," Byakko's voice echoed throughout the area.
"Aw, crap."
"Boy, what are the five senses of the body?"
"Sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell."
"I have taken away your sight, for eyes can lie. You're relying on your hearing right now, but is that the only sense you have at your disposal?"
Jaune thought about what Byakko said. In the next moment, a forked snake tongue flicked out of Jaune's mouth.
"Ah, the power of the Grimm King at display. A wise choice to use the snake's tongue. Can you 'taste' me, boy?"
"Creepy when said like that," Jaune said before flickering his tongue. He could taste Byakko's heat, finding him.
Jaune tried to use Slash on him, but Byakko was able to redirect Jaune's attack and land a powerful body blow that made even Jaune buckle over. Byakko then followed with a palm strike to Jaune's open jaw, sending him flying. Jaune was able to land on his feet, rubbing his jaw.
"Now you see how taste is a factor in your abilities. Now, try another sense."
Jaune tried to use his hearing again.
"You already tried that, boy."
"Yeah, I did. . . But not like this." Jaune then clapped. However, his clap had an incredible amount of force and power that caused a loud boom, a shock wave rushing out.
Using his enhanced hearing, Jaune was able to get a layout of the dojo using echolocation, finding Byakko. Jaune didn't waste any time appearing before the Tiger God, throwing a punch that most wouldn't be able to dodge.
Byakko wasn't like most.
He easily performed a counterstrike, Jaune feeling the full brunt of the attack, which sent him flying back, slamming onto the ground. He coughed violently, honestly shocked his Aura didn't shatter. "By the gods," he coughed. "What... WAS that? It felt like-"
"You struck yourself?"
"Exactly," Jaune panted as he got back on his feet.
"That was the Third Claw: Tiger Drop. It is considered to be the ultimate counterstrike. By timing it just right, you can redirect your opponet's own energy and power right back at them, essentially having them strike themselves. It's quite difficult if you haven't mastered precise timing."
"Hell of a move," Jaune went after catching his breath. "Does it work with weapons?"
Byakko chuckled. "Sadly, no. You have to rely on your own fists. However, it is effective against armed opponents. Of course, it's not very useful against firearms, but Tiger God has techniques against those. But you'll learn about those later. You have shown an interesting and brilliant use of hearing, shown to have great use in taste, and have been able to perform those feats without your sight. Two senses left."
"Alright." Jaune began to sniff the air. He then gagged. "AH! WHAT IS THAT?!"
"Well, your sense of smell is more potent than I thought."
"WHY DOES IT SMELL LIKE HOT GARBAGE?! IT'S WORSE THAN WHEN I CHASED A SKUNK FAUNUS INTO A DUMP!"
"That would be the Rafflesia and Titan Arum in my garden."
"YOU HAVE THE WORLD'S STINKIEST FLOWERS IN YOUR GARDEN?! WHY?!"
"You'd be surprised how many people have tried to assassinate me. Most of them have enhanced senses of smell like you do, meaning those flowers have prevented many of them from coming too close. Also, they're great for discipline. It is quite difficult to concentrate on your target when you're dealing with such horrid stenches. For example..."
Jaune was punched in the face, kneed in the gut, and made to buckle to one knee after having it kicked, before receiving an uppercut that had him fall flat on his back again, making him groan once more.
"Try to find me through the stench."
"By far, Tiger Style is the most brutal of the Beast God Styles I've learned," Jaune groaned as he got back up.
He tried to smell the area again, only to get more of a whiff of the flowers. After grimacing from the smells, he got beat up again. He kept repeating this process over and over until he just tried to power through the stench.
Janue took deep whiffs of the flowers, honestly remembering the time he hunted the Skunk Faunus. The thief kept using the smell of the dump and his "body's natural defenses" against Jaune to the point it felt like Jaune would suffocate through the smell. He tried to remember how he got through that.
Then, Jaune remembered... he didn't.
He had help from another thief, a Raccoon Faunus who used a hooked cane as a weapon. The thief saved Jaune by turning on an industrial fan that blew the stench away.
That's when Jaune thought of it.
He grew his Nevermore wings and flapped them as hard as he could, blowing the smell of the stinky flowers away. Since the flowers were farther, and Byakko was closer, Jaune found his scent and grabbed him by the wrist just as Byakko was about to strike.
"Caught ya," Jaune said with a smirk.
Byakko chuckled. "Points for creativity, at least."
"Um, Master Nishi?"
"Yes, cub?"
"Why am I blindfolded?"
"I want to see how keen your other senses are."
"Oh. That's easy."
"WITHOUT the use of your Semblance, cub."
"Oh. . . Crud."
"Don't worry. It won't be that difficult. Your father is bound to be going through the exact same training."
"My dad is a Grimm."
"Mm. Yes, that does give him a bit of an unfair advantage. Well, I'll be sure to make it much easier for you."
"Why do you need to test my sense, anyway?"
"Cub, how does a tiger hunt?"
"Huh? Um... with their claws and fangs? Ow," he went after Nishi bonked him.
"I'm not asking you what they use, I'm asking how they do it. Didn't Belladonna teach you anything about the animal kingdom?"
"Grandpa Ghira and Ma Kali didn't babysit me as much as my actual grandparents did."
"Not Lord and Lady Belladonna. I meant their ungrateful kid."
"Aunt Blake? Um, not really. She usually taught me about history and how to be a ninja."
Nishi groaned. "Well, at least she technically taught you how a tiger hunts, in a way."
"Hm?"
"Lions and tigers are silent hunters. Unlike lions, tigers prefer to hunt stealthily despite their size and strength. Hunt in the shadows, in silence, and attack from behind. Frontal assaults are exceedingly rare and usually done through desperation, territorial disputes, or last resort. Ironically, Tiger God has only one stealth-type technique, but that doesn't change the fact that a tiger shouldn't be underestimated in the world of assassination."
"A massive orange super-cat is an assassin? That sounds... really cool, honestly."
Nishi giggled. "I'm glad you approve. Now then, let's test your instincts before your senses. Try to deflect just one of my strikes."
"While blindfolded? OW," he went after Nishi smacked the back of his head.
"Yes, cub. While blindfolded."
Argent tried to attack where he thought Nishi's voice was coming from.
Nishi giggled in the opposite direction. "Cub, I'm not going to stay in the same place," she giggled.
"Ow," he went after getting chopped in the back of his head.
"Also, when did I say to attack me? That comes later. Deflect, cub. Deflect. Raise your defenses. Try to sense my incoming attack."
"Um, Master Nishi?"
"Hm?"
"How can I not hear you moving at all?! I think I've got a pretty good hearing, but I don't hear even so much as a creaking floorboard."
Nishi giggled. "Tigers are stealthy hunters, cub. We wouldn't exactly be known for that if anyone could hear our steps. Let's just say that tigers have special footwork that makes them as silent as a windless day."
"So my eyes and ears are useless right now?"
"Exactly."
"How am I supposed to deflect your moves, then?"
"Rely on your instincts. Raise your defenses. Rely on your sense of touch."
"My touch?"
"You'll feel it. Literally. Now, concentrate, cub. Drown out everything: the wind, the birds, even my own voice. Just concentrate. Concentrate. concentrate," Nishi whispered.
Argent followed his teacher's instructions, trying to concentrate. Thankfully, Ren taught Argent a lot about meditation, so Argent was able to relax and concentrate more easily than most kids his age. Ren even said he was better at meditating than Lyra was, something the boy couldn't help but tease his best friend about.
Still, Argent was now fully relaxed. He was now concentrating to the fullest of his abilities. He didn't hear anything. No wind despite it being a nice and breezy day. No chirping birds, despite Menagerie being full of birds of all shapes and sizes. No insects. Not even Nishi's voice.
He felt like he was in complete and total silence, surrounded by nothing but darkness. Quiet, cool, calming darkness. Then, he felt something. A presence near him, rushing toward him... but slowly.
Argent grabbed after what was coming toward him, feeling something soft and warm.
"Hoh?" Argent regained consciousness, feeling something slender yet muscular in his grasp. "I didn't expect you to do it so quickly," Nishi said as Argent felt his blindfold being taken off. He opened his eyes to see he was holding Nishi's hand, the boy blushing due to holding a beautiful woman's hand. "Well done, cub."
"T-Thanks," Argent said as he released the beautiful Faunus's hand.
"Now then, we know you have good instincts, so now we can test your natural physical abilities."
"Huh?"
"Think of it like your P.E. classes. First thing first is to test your natural speed. It's not a major factor in Tiger God like it is in Wolf God, but I still want to see how much you've improved in your time on Menagerie."
"Okay."
"Hopefully, you'll do better than you did on your first one. But then again, there won't be a pretty girl to distract you and have you slam into a tree this time," Nishi teased.
Argent blushed brightly. "N-NALA DIDN'T DISTRACT ME! AND SHE'S NOT THAT PRETTY!"
Nishi gave Argent a snarky look and smile. "And when did I say anything about Nala?"
"NYA?!"
Nishi giggled before walking away. 'He's so funny,' she thought.