Noticing the analytical, not to say intimidating look of this unknown young man, Ozpin preferred to continue this... interrogation.
"I have a few more questions before we call it a day." What he had most at the moment were questions, especially for this strange-eyed enigma, but most of them would have to be asked in a more private setting, so he would address only what he could in the presence of these two sisters. "Young man, what brings you to Vale?"
Is he really going to give us a free pass after all that? Sasuke was incredulous that this was really the case, certain that there was something more to it all, but decided to leave this aside and focus on the question asked. "It's simple, I came to attend the Beacon initiation to join the Academy and become a Huntsman."
A half-truth that would work perfectly for him and his goal.
"You too?!" Ruby couldn't contain her surprise, showing a vast smile capable of lighting up the darkroom and easing the tension in the air. "Yang and me too!" she stopped suddenly, remembering an important and disheartening detail. "I mean, Yang will participate this year. As for me, only two years from now..."
It was sad to know that she would lose the opportunity to study with them. Just imagining being able to interact and get to know more about this super cool boy, talk about weapons, maybe even create a version of Crescent Rose for him and... and... she warmed up at the image of them wielding weapons matching side by side to fight evil!
It would be so cool... Ruby went from happy birthday party type of girl to sad girl when she realized that the cookie jar was empty. I wish I could participate this year too...
"You don't say." Sasuke tried not to think too hard about the girl's abrupt change of mood, something that should be quite normal, and exchanged a not at all warm look with what appeared to be his new enemy. Can you imagine ending up on the same team as her? The mere possibility made him want to go with plan B and simply invade Beacon. "What an unfortunate coincidence."
"Ha!" Yang finally let herself relax and stop trying to fly down this arrogant guy's throat, comforting her despondent little sister for some good news... for herself. "At least on that, I couldn't agree more!"
Truly, the mere thought of ending up on the same team as him sent shivers down her spine! Worse yet, what could happen if this little big naïve well of sister she had was the one to end up on this guy's team?
That possibility was what really scared Yang.
"While I share your feelings, I was referring to the unfortunate of not having the little silver rose participating in the same year as me," Sasuke reiterated his statement, efficiently hitting a double whammy on both his... love interest and this female version of Naruto. While I still prefer to hit anything that reminds me of Dobe with my fists, it's not unsatisfying to get on her nerves with words.
Efficiently applied blows to both older and younger sisters if their extremely opposite reactions were any indicator of that.
It's not just me! Ruby wasn't the only one upset about not being able to go to Beacon this year! Of course he would! Since he likes me and wants to be near me!
This was as cute as the nickname she had just earned, and she couldn't help but smile again at the sight of this Charming Prince, who had fell for her at first sight!
Damn it, Yang was bleeding inside as she watched Ruby fall further and further into the claws of this guy who obviously only wants to use and discard her! I should have taught her that there are such people in the world.
People just like she herself was.
"Don't be about it," Ozpin interrupted the short-tempered girl's fit of rage and whatever was going on in Miss Rose's dreamy head. "I can remedy this little detail."
"Meaning?" Sasuke wasn't sure he understood what this man was implying.
"Ruby Rose, you want to become a Huntress, don't you?" Ozpin addressed the girl in question, certain that he could clear things up that way and still add another future... ally with enormous potential to his cause.
"Hmm?" Ruby struggled to get out of her contemplation of the one next to her, focus on the question asked, and realize that she had the answer on the tip of her tongue! "Yes!" She had not one doubt about it! "Helping people and fighting monsters, just like a hero, that's my dream!"
Pure naivety, Sasuke couldn't help but be amazed at how naive this girl was.
I don't know about this world, but where I come from, you can't be something like that without getting your hands dirty with blood... a lot of blood. He learned about some of the men of the past, like the fourth Hokage, having such a grandiose title, only to hide and pretend that they didn't do inhuman things during their lives.
The term 'hero' was fictitious and heinous, as in the Elemental Nations it tended to have the same meaning as 'mass murderer'.
Even Itachi could be placed in that category.
To protect something, something must be lost.
His brother tried to give up his humanity but failed by sparing his little brother and allowing hatred to spread.
Itachi failed, as did each and every other 'pacifist' before him. Be that someone a person who lived in the light or in the shadows of the shinobi world, they all walked over mountains of bodies to pave the bloody path of their goals and ideals.
Thus, this pure little girl was bound to be corrupted by the harsh reality of the pursuit of that illusion, and consequently, fail.
Such abstraction reminded him of himself and Naruto; of the dilemma in their search for true peace.
Both were wrong and would also fail without the need for Kaguya to get in the way.
Not if I have a definitive answer. Knowledge was necessary and Sasuke would do anything to get his hands on what he needed. Including more power to destroy any threat to my world, and being able to control it all.
That was the most crucial difference between him and all the others who came before: the level of power and the determination to take over an entire planet for all eternity by being hated, without the hypocritical desire to want adoration and recognition.
Only then would true peace be achieved.
Maybe.
After what Sasuke learned about this world, he needed to think better and fill in every gap in his plan to make sure he wouldn't be just another one on that list to create rivers of blood and fail.
Ozpin didn't fail to notice the change in this previously indifferent young man, immersed in negative thoughts for a pure and dreamy statement.
It seems that the term 'hero' is not well appreciated by him. Something to take note of, he was sure, cogitating if another settlement had met its end and this one before him was one of its survivors. It would make sense if it was, as it means he didn't have a ' hero' to save his home from destruction, or if he did, they failed, and now he himself seeks to become something better so as not to make the same mistake.
A theory that couldn't be dismissed, even more so considering the almost absurd strength shown for someone of his age.
It was impressive, how much anger and hatred could motivate someone to grow stronger.
"A beautiful dream, Miss Rose." As cruel as the world was, it was always good to know that there was still hope to bloom in pure hearts. As for the unknown one who was clearly annoyed not to say uncomfortable with the ideals demonstrated by the lively girl, Ozpin wanted to clear up one more doubt with this opportunity and addressed him, "Young man, do you know who I am?" a question... technically rhetorical, knowing that any student to become a Huntsman or Huntress would know him. Someone from outside the kingdoms, however...
"You are the second person to ask me that question today." Sasuke put his negative thoughts aside, something daily, and decided to focus on the present. As for his lack of knowledge, he was sure that he needed to learn a lot about this world. The famous inhabitants, however, did not interest him at all. I didn't even bother to learn about those from my world, so why should I? He had never seen the faces of the other Kages before fighting them, much less knew their names. "Then I'll answer you the same way: I suppose I should?"
"You want to become a Huntsman and you don't even know who Ozpin is?" Yang grinned, not letting the slightest opportunity to backhand this guy pass. "You should just give up and go back to school, mountain boy."
"Yang! Don't be mean!" Ruby would have a very serious talk with her sister later! What do I do if he gets angry and doesn't want to talk to me anymore?!
If that happened, she would make an anonymous report to her father about some hidden bottles of alcohol!
"I didn't know you had to be familiar with a random old man to be able to fight." Sasuke had plenty of experience in dealing with Naruto's idiocy, so a copy of him was no challenge. "Maybe you're the one who needs to go back to school?" The loss of her smile brought one to life for himself. "After all, you leave something to be desired in that regard."
"Why you little!" Just when Yang thought she had caught him! And her traitorous sister's little laugh didn't help at all!
"Well, in that case, allow this random old man to formally introduce himself." Ozpin tried not to be affected by the words used to define him, but just as Miss Rose wasn't helping her sister, Glynda was no different, trying to stifle a rare giggle coming from her person. "I am Ozpin, Beacon's Headmaster, nice to meet you..."
"Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke," he also introduced himself, slightly surprised that this old man was someone relatively relevant. For my current goal, that is. In his eyes, this Ozpin was the equivalent of Iruka-sensei back in the Leaf Village. At least this old man appeared to be stronger.
That raised expectations.
If a mere Headmaster of an Academy had a lower version of Chakra on the level of an Anbu member and probably much more control than these two girls who had not even started with their real training, it could mean that there were stronger people out there.
"Last name before the name, you really are from Mistral," Ozpin acknowledged, now leading him to cogitate whether this boy was some kind of faunus. One less detail to rule out the possibility that he was an enemy.
With Salem, one could never be too cautious.
"Uchiha Sasuke..." Ruby finally learned his name, testing how it sounded on her tongue and she loved how unique it was. But I don't understand its meaning...
She knew that other languages existed. Although rare, it was still annoying to be unable to understand and she didn't know whether to ask directly or look it up on the internet.
"So you're a faunus?" Yang couldn't help but ask and was sure she wasn't the only one with that doubt.
"Yang, that's rude!" Ruby was just holding back from raining questions on him and her sister goes and drops a bomb like that! Really bad Yang!
"That's a more common question than I'd like to admit." Really, how many times has Sasuke been mistaken as such since he arrived in this world a few hours ago? "My eyes are my Semblance." To prove his point, he deactivated his Sharingan and ran his hand over his hair to hide the Rinnegan, showing only a black iris in place of the blood-red. "See?"
"So cool..." Ruby murmured, almost with envy. She liked, even loved, her own Semblance, but an ocular type like this one that looked like it came straight out of a comic book was like a dream! But... hadn't he said 'eye ability' before? Earlier, when they... fought, not to mention being made a fool of at the hands of someone much stronger, Sasuke said that her eyes had an ability of their own unrelated to her Semblance, just like him. So that was a lie?
Sasuke noticed the doubt and confusion about his claim and smiled at this girl who might be smarter than she looked, discreetly using a finger over his lips in a more than explanatory gesture.
A secret! Ruby understood immediately! He wants me to keep a secret! Her heart pounded at the thought that he was trusting her! Then I have to trust him too!
Surely, later, Sasuke would explain everything to her, so it was all right to lie to the authorities, right?
Somehow, this situation made Ruby more excited than she should have been, almost as if she were on a secret mission!
"Who cares," Yang scoffed, refusing to admit that this bastard had gotten even better looking without those crazy eyes of his and that emo hairstyle. Nope, never!
Ozpin wanted to resume the subject with their attention, but he couldn't let go of the fact that this young man had hidden one of his eyes and the almost unnoticeable gesture to Miss Rose.
Maybe he can't deactivate it like he did with the other one, or is he lying about something? A permanent Semblance was unheard of, let alone a partial one and this increased his curiosity to know what these eyes were capable of, even more so because of the difference in the pattern shown in the internet images with the one presented just now. His purple-gray eye no longer had those six commas.
What did this small difference mean? Did it have something to do with the ability or inability to activate and deactivate the Semblance? Do these different patterns somehow influence his abilities?
Many questions, indeed. But ones that would have to remain unanswered... for now
"With that being clarified," Ozpin directed the word to the other talent that still needed to be recruited since this mysterious young man would be coming to him on his own. "Ruby Rose, would you like to join my Academy this year?"
Ruby heard her name called and reluctantly turned her attention away from Sasuke, not expecting to receive such an offer.
"More than anything!" She had been sure of that for years! Now, after knowing this boy and wanting to know him even more, there wasn't the slightest doubt! Only... there was something that made her hesitate. "I... is it okay to let me join Beacon two years early?"
"Exactly!" Yang hated herself for having to do this, but she loathed the idea of having her little sister attend Beacon next to this guy even more! "She's too young!"
What was said by her wasn't necessarily wrong and in a normal circumstance would be a valid opinion. In the current scenario, however, it only showed her hostility towards the one in her red eyes as she said every word.
Why would she say something like that? Ruby was rarely hurt by her sister and this was one of those occasions. Yang knows more than anyone how much I want to participate in Beacon, especially in the same year as her.
This opportunity represented the literal fulfillment of a dream and she had hoped for her sister's support, words of encouragement, and a celebration full of smiles and hugs, but instead these plans were being thrown away for mere unwarranted spite against someone they barely knew.
Did all the friendship and sisterhood created over the years mean so little to be disregarded in a moment of anger?
Ruby didn't know the answer but knew she would never forget this moment.
"You say that Miss Xiao Long, but Miss Rose offered more resistance against Mr. Uchiha than you did, right?" Ozpin had the video in hand to prove his point and the girl displayed red eyes in response, contrary to the silver full of disappointment of her upset sister. They really do remember their mothers. In both the worst and best ways, of that he was sure. "Furthermore, I have judged that Miss Rose, despite her age, demonstrates ability capable of exceeding her peers and perhaps even those who are already where she longs to be, making her more than qualified to participate in Beacon if she wants to."
This bit of information made Sasuke turn his attention away from Ruby and the feeling of betrayal she must be experiencing at the hand of her blood's blood, something he could relate to up to a point and confirm one of his doubts.
Disappointing... he had no other way of putting it. The power level of those my age in this world is completely disappointing.
He had hoped that those attending Beacon would be much better, but, as it turned out, even if they were, it wasn't by much.
Well, these teachers aren't that great either, so I should have figured. His mistake was to ignore the facts and create expectations. At least there must still be those at the top, so not all is lost.
Or so he thought.
"Miss Rose, you are special for having your strength recognized by one of the world's most renowned Huntsman, so you should consider this offer carefully and..." Glynda saw the conflict in the girl provided by her sister's contrary words and was trying to be a deciding factor in the decision made, but only now the boy who was silent decided to speak... to interrupt her!
"Wait a minute," Sasuke put his thoughts aside for a second, being sure he misunderstood what he had just heard. "What did you just say?"
"That Miss Rose is special?" Glynda didn't even know why she deigned to answer. Perhaps it was the sudden seriousness and the almost authoritative tone used that made her hesitate to refuse. He is more dangerous than he seems.
In many ways.
"I already know that." Sasuke ignored the shy smile forming on the girl's face at having his acknowledgment when her own sister didn't, focusing on what was bothering him, "I refer to what you said about this old man."
Ozpin remained silent, amused at being treated with such indifference, not to say disrespect.
"Exactly what you heard. Ozpin is one of the most renowned Huntsman in the world," Glynda repeated what she said earlier, not understanding what was surprising about it, but she had a sense of why. "Even if you don't know Ozpin, it amazes me that you wanted to become a Huntsman and don't know that the top Academies are run by one of their most skilled warriors in the Kingdom, if not the best."
"Don't tell me..." Sasuke couldn't believe it, certain that this woman was just fawning over her boss or something, deciding to check directly with the source, "So you're one of the strongest in this world?"
In this world? Ozpin didn't miss the term he had chosen to refer to Remnant, much less how disbelieving this young man was about the allegations made on his behalf. "Well, while there are definitely those who are younger and have the potential to surpass me, yes, I like to think I am one of the strongest."
That's not counting some extremely specific people, besides the maidens who have total control over their powers and Salem.
Even though the confirmation had come directly from the man, Sasuke was still having a hard time accepting it. How could he? He had been believing that there was someone in this world strong enough to stand up to the power of a Kage, only to find out that this Ozpin was one of those people; that instead of an Iruka, this man was the equivalent of the Hokage and this woman next to him an Anbu; both of them were nothing but weaklings.
Sure, he might be being biased based on a superficial analysis of his eyes and direct comparisons to his world, but there was a limit to what the amount of power this man have could do.
There was a chance that this Ozpin was as skilled as Kakashi, someone with ridiculously low Chakra reserves, yet easily ten times more lethal than he should be... and still worthless in the face of sheer power.
This world is doomed, this wasn't a possibility that he was considering but the purest reality. The moment Kaguya lays her eyes on this world, it will be the end.
Again, Sasuke wouldn't back down and would fight to the end if that damned woman decided that Naruto was giving her too much trouble and changed the order of things by coming to him ahead of time.
His point, however, remained.
This world, even with its significant technological advances, was defenseless to the point that Sasuke was confident that he could subdue it more easily than the Elemental Nations even when he was injured.
While he had no interest in conquering and was willing to fight any foreign entity that made its way to this world during his stay, what would happen after Sasuke left?
For some reason, the answer to that didn't please him at all.
"Sasuke?" Ruby, and basically everyone else in the room, noticed his contemplative silence with Ozpin's answer, so she decided to check if everything was okay with him. "You seem worried about something."
Sasuke returned the girl's gaze, trying to understand what she meant by that.
Worried? What would I be worried about? To him, her words made no sense. About this world? That was what he was thinking just now. Why would I? That may coincide with the fact that he was the main reason for attracting Kaguya, but otherwise, there was nothing. This world is not mine, and it has no relation to me. Still, he couldn't stop thinking about this. Damn it, Sasuke. You already have your own world to worry about, so why?
Maybe for the same reason he was willing to fight Kaguya to the death?
No. Facing her was an obligation; an obstacle to achieving his goal and nothing more.
Again, he asked himself why and his conscience; what was left of that broken piece of humanity inside him, repudiated the idea of leaving this world at the mercy of that cursed concept called destiny that was surely doomed to destruction.
"Are we done here?" His humor just plummeted and he was no longer in the mood to continue this little game of victimhood, making a point of demonstrating this with the tone of his voice and the coldness in his gaze. I need some time alone.
Maybe break something, maybe someone, to help him get rid of his frustration.
"I suppose." Ozpin was nowhere near getting everything he wanted from this young man, but he could feel that he needed to end this questioning right there or he would get on the bad side of someone who could be more dangerous than enigmatic. "You may go if you wish, however not before you make your registration. That is if you really wish to join my Academy."
"Hn." There was no need to remind him, Sasuke already intended to do so regardless.
"W-wait!" Ruby saw him stand to leave and wanted to say something, she just didn't know what exactly or if she should. H-He looks angry... I wonder if it was because of what I said?
Now she was worried that she had been too nosy when she had no right to do so.
"Ruby Rose," Sasuke stopped in front of the door before leaving, calling the girl's name to have her jump to her feet. "Make your own decisions, regardless of what others say to you." He didn't even know why he was wasting his time in advising her, he just felt he should after having planted a seed of discord between sisters. "Even your family will lie and stand in your way if they believe it will result in your well-being; that it is what is best for you." His brother did that to him and although it was not intended, it almost turned him into a monster in the process. "However..." Thanks to the choices made, he had gone through trials that led him to be much more than he could ever be. "Don't hold resentment over that, or you'll regret it later."
Ruby couldn't say anything, she didn't have time. When what she was told finally hit her, Sasuke had already left the room and closed the door just behind him. She looked at her sister and Yang couldn't hide the surprise on her face, soon returning her gaze only showing guilt and even regret before turning away, as if she couldn't face her for the moment.
My family would lie to me if they believed it was the best thing to do... Ruby thought about her mother and the time it took her father to tell her the truth; about her never returning home and that there wasn't any long-term mission going on. I wonder what it would have been like to receive this news the day it happened and not years later when I was already aware of it myself...
Surely she would have cried longer, been depressed to the point of rejecting cookies, and... less resentful of those who wanted to protect her from the truth.
Yang didn't mean all that either, Ruby could understand that now. Her sister was worried about her because of how receptive she was being with Sasuke; a possibly dangerous stranger, not just because he was the first boy to like her. Make my own decisions, right? Everything he said was correct, and it made her glad to realize it now. "Professor Ozpin," she called out to him and he was listening, "I would love to join Beacon this year."
Yang saw the determination and seriousness rarely shown by her little sister and couldn't find the strength to contradict her, again turning to look at the door that a scary boy had just walked through who might be a much better person than she imagined.
"Very well," Ozpin smiled, appreciating this adhesion to the significant amount of talent Beacon was getting this year. So much so that I think I should make some changes to the initiation.
Anything to make things more... interesting.
Christmas and New Year are just around the corner… great! I won't lie, but this year was one of the worst of my life. I had plans that came to nothing and a lot of bad things happened, starting with the death of my cat that was with me for as long as I can remember, then losing my house and having to start over, in addition to almost becoming a slave to a shit job and not having time for anything, among other things… Definitely a year I wanted to forget, but that unfortunately will remain in my memory as long as I live.
However, it wasn't all bad things.
Even in the dark, there is always a ray of light shining and that's exactly what everyone needs to hold onto to move forward.
So I, from my heart, wish you and your family all the best in these festivities to come. Without knowing it, you all are part of the light that helped me smile with your opinions about what I write and encouraged me to keep going when all I wanted to do was stop.
Truly, thanks.
If all goes well, next year I want to post more stories that I have in mind involving Sasuke and maybe continue an original project of mine that's stalled.
Anyway, I'll see you all again next year, and if you want you can take a look at my P t r & on (slash) Bertoti.
Until then.