There were many things Neo expected of this god in human form that Uchiha Sasuke was after seeing that video of the Grimm extermination and going into denial about the veracity of it all.
Who could blame her for it? That kind of power should be impossible to exist in this world, even more so in the hands of a teenager if he wasn't really some kind of monster or deity.
Except that, unfortunately, she had felt that absurd Aura in more than one way last night and had seen the despicable result in the state Roman was left in, besides the plain outside the Vale walls, covered with metal stars like tombstones for the slaughtered Grimm.
Exactly because of that, she couldn't help but wonder about the veracity of that doctor's words; about the identity of the now world-famous Moonlight Shadow.
After all, who would believe that a pretty boy was responsible for changing the history of Remnant?
However, if there was one thing Neo was good at, besides killing and torturing, it would be tearing the truth out of people.
The greater the fear of death of a person, the more accurate the information received would be.
That doctor feared death in a way that seemed traumatic, not only his but other people's as well, thus ruling out the need to cut off his fingers one by one until she was sure he wasn't lying. As much as she hated to admit it, the doctor still needed to continue looking after Roman.
That's because if Roman dies, the doctor dies too.
Neo made sure to make this clear to that frightened old man.
Regardless, since this Uchiha Sasuke is the owner of an Aura described as miasma by that doctor, someone who brutalized Roman and Cinder, putting them both at death's door by torturing them with a slow death, Neo expected to find someone cold and calculating, distant and reserved, probably hiding his appearance and who would be difficult to identify because of the uncomfortable popularity that not even his other identity could completely stifle.
In short, a complete psychopath, just like her.
However, contrary to her most sinister and logical expectations, what stood before her was a goddamn playboy, surrounded by girls and dressed like a gigolo...
It was as if he didn't give a damn about anything!
Maybe he is a psychopath, but the kind who loves attention like Roman. Considering the immeasurable power he had, it wasn't for nothing that his attitude was like that. At least, Neo couldn't help but smile despite her frustration, seeing a much-coveted chance coming her way, it makes things a little easier.
The possibility of getting her revenge was almost non-existent, she would admit. That way, she decided to at least satisfy her curiosity about this Sasuke, regardless of her fear of even getting close to him.
How could she feel any different when her target was such a monster?
Even remotely trying to do anything against him seemed like suicide or sheer insanity!
Except that, Roman, although no longer at risk of death, was in a coma and with no expectation of waking up.
If it hadn't been for that doctor and his tenacity to save lives, Roman would be dead, and this couldn't stay that way!
Exactly why she found those two Cinder pawns, now known as Mercury and Emerald, to get a free pass to Beacon through that Haven Headmaster, Lionheart; an unexpected ally and proof of the considerable resources in the hands of this unknown organization she was working for.
Even better, she discovered that the initiation itself would be held in Haven as well, making her infiltration absurdly easy.
At this point, Neo was concealing her identity, which as unknown as she was still being wanted with vague descriptions about her and she couldn't risk it, so she was assuming a completely different appearance from her usual one.
Her hair was black and tied in twin tails, instead of the brown and pink with white streaks that went down her back to her hips. Her eyes left the heterochromia that she loved so much and that this Uchiha also had to adopt an emerald green in place of the same colors her hair had before.
While Neo would never admit to almost envying those unique patterns in red and purple, to the point of recreating them in front of a mirror with her Semblance, she wondered what the power of this eye Semblance was.
Doubts that only she should have in case those four girls didn't know about his true identity.
That aside, her clothes also changed completely and were now very light and... exposed, so to speak, to have sinful glances stolen from her frequently by her short skirt, a pair of stockings covering her knees but showing off the rest in a way that would drive any man crazy, a short-sleeved blouse that left her slender abdomen showing and a slight cleavage on her large bust.
Neopolitan may be small, but that was only in size that could barely contain her femininity.
Those changes, however, ended there. Neo did nothing about her face because she didn't need to and was sure she was pretty enough not to lose out to anyone.
Besides, she was twenty years old, but she seemed to be the youngest girl present, helping in her infiltration.
Not that Neo liked being so small, even if it did give her targets confidence to try their luck against her.
All this added up definitely made her a delight to the eye, but perhaps not much for a hot and all-powerful God who was surrounded by equally beautiful but less daring girls...almost all of them, anyway.
Fortunately, all this preparation made with the intention of seducing him wouldn't be necessary.
Neo alone didn't need to take that risk.
This wolf in sheep's clothing already had a girl in his arms, this being a girl who brazenly wore what she believed to be the very cloak that Sasuke used during his momentary fight against the Grimm.
It might look like cosplay or homage to the mighty Moonlight Shadow to those around, but Neo wasn't stupid.
This girl must be his girlfriend or the main bitch of his little harem.
Perfect. There was a chance for Neo to get what she wanted by focusing on this girl and using her to create the opportunity to get her revenge. One way or another.
There were many ways to break someone and if killing Sasuke wasn't possible, Neo would kill those around him, one by one until there was no one left.
Nothing fairer, considering he almost did the same to her last night.
The rest of the trip was relatively calm, Sasuke noted, without further incident as he disregarded a stupid blond, Naruto-like boy who was threatening to vomit on the people around while staring at him with...envy? Other than that, among the girls, not even small talk was happening outside of the pre-established group of former enemies and sisters, because they were still evaluating each other and not knowing how to act with each other.
However, it was clear that the real problem was Yang, where Ruby was at least trying after she had given this temperamental sister of hers a scolding. Weiss and Blake, on the other hand, remained indifferent, where only Sasuke seemed to matter.
Something that needed to change.
"Oh, oh, you can already see Beacon from here!" Ruby broke the silent treatment she was giving Yang by dazzling her eyes with the image of one of her dreams! The other one... She looked at Sasuke for a second before blushing with more memories of what she wanted to have. Wawawa!
This other dream of hers was even more beautiful!
Sasuke followed the gaze of this girl who was blushing with excitement and there was a cliff spilling water in a way reminiscent of the Valley of the End, where above that was the famous Beacon Academy...which was a castle and not, well, a beacon.
Why am I surprised? At this point, he should know better about the tendency of this world to contradict him. But, I have to admit, it is still amazing.
This type of construction was fictional in his world and didn't exist, almost like the base structure of the city of Vale, but only in design, because the concept was there.
Still, after a night that seems to have lasted more than a year, finally, the place with the knowledge of a world that knew war even with the darkness that consumes it daily is just ahead. Sasuke wanted to be more excited than this, almost as much as Ruby, but there was anxiety and maybe even fear of the answer that awaited him in this castle. Will my revolution really fail and true peace be nothing but an illusion? or...
He had his fist closed as he let that concept of hope manifest itself for the chance of having something that would help him in his goal, no matter what it was.
"I would expect no less from the best Academy." Weiss had seen breathtaking scenery before, Atlas being one of them, but this place was special and would change her life...or at least it should. Sasuke already did that for me before I even set a foot in Beacon.
And that was reflected in a smile, knowing that she was making her own path and progressing vastly before she even began her goal, giving even more reason to nurture her feelings for Sasuke.
Slowly, she was beginning to believe that he was the best thing that happened in her life and with reason.
Yang couldn't match her little sister's enthusiasm, because now Beacon no longer had the same meaning for her.
Before, she wanted to become a Huntress to venture out into the world while helping other people along the way, as well as finding her mother, but now...
Her almost noble goal has ceased to exist for the selfishness of recovering her little sister's stolen heart and protecting her from this monster.
A difficult task, but one she would risk everything to complete.
Blake didn't say anything, she just wanted her parents to know where she had gotten to; that she was still trying to change things even if it was in a different way and had made unimaginable progress thanks to Sasuke.
If it hadn't been for him scaring her in that library and then the entire city of Vale, she wouldn't have met Weiss and moved the first gears of the greater change.
Only one more reason for her to believe that what she felt for him was not just instinctive.
At the same time, there was concern with a bad memory about Adam getting in the way of those growing feelings.
The last boy she liked wasn't someone good and hurt her deeply in a way that she believed was permanent, and Sasuke so far has proven himself to be someone complicated, to say the least.
He made a mistake last night, but instead of ignoring his mistake, he corrected it and did something good with it, much unlike Adam who probably would have sacrificed the entire kingdom because he knew that most living there were humans.
Blake really hoped that Sasuke would be different and better because now that she was regaining her self-control, she didn't want to create expectations and feelings to see herself hurt again.
While everyone was lost in their thoughts and almost oblivious to a specific pair of eyes full of vengeance, except for Sasuke who noticed the bloodlust directed at him, the Bullhead landed to finally let the stupid boy vomit, and everyone could admire Beacon Academy in all its glory.
What do I do now? Sasuke stopped in his tracks before he even reached a statuette in the middle of the yard, questioning. Should I follow the other students, or search for the library?
He could do both if he wanted to, using a clone, but the idea didn't please him...almost as if he was afraid.
The truth is not always the answer someone wants to hear. It was still hard to accept that the idea he was going to go through with, after Kaguya was defeated and Naruto dead, was not a plausible solution. Better to give time to time.
While he was in a hurry, that only applied to getting more power.
Knowledge could come later.
After all, what good would an answer or all the knowledge in the world be if he couldn't defeat Kaguya?
That way, he would proceed with the initiation as normal and after he recruited these girls for good, settled into this academy, and progressed in assimilating the Six Path Chakra, it would be the perfect time to focus on his answer.
In the meantime, I can also start looking for the fifth person. That was the number of allies Sasuke had determined to help him against Kaguya. One way or another.
An almost despicable line of thinking, but one he needed to maintain, like it or not.
Just behind, Weiss had the misfortune of not being able to accompany Sasuke as she had to instruct some people to perform the unloading of her luggage, and she had a lot of it.
Something she might have to do, whether she wanted to or not, considering the serious and distant expression Sasuke was making.
He seemed to be conflicted about something and his mind was elsewhere, so not one of them tried to talk to him again after receiving the gifts.
Next to her was that girl, Ruby Rose, who she envied for more than one moment.
Why isn't she with her sister? The indecent blonde who wanted to kill Sasuke with her red eyes was further back, watching from afar with that resentment of hers, and strangely, Blake was there too. Why?
What would Blake remotely gain by approaching that walking mass of hate?
Before she could create more questions in her mind, the girl next door, probably trying to get some time away from her crazy sister, tried to start a conversation.
"Hi!" Ruby flashed her best smile at her more dangerous/beautiful opponent who seemed to be easier to approach even though she might suddenly draw her sword and try to cut her down like she did her sister. Well, Yang kind of deserved it. Otherwise, she would have attacked this princess without a second thought. "I'm Ruby!"
The other girl, Blake, seemed to be more...intimidating and strange by her changes in behavior, going from deadly serious to loving when she looked at Sasuke, so it would be better to talk to her later, especially considering that she was approaching her sulky sister.
"I know," Weiss said the obvious, "just as you certainly know my name." Sasuke had said each of their names beforehand for all to hear. "What I don't know is why are you talking to me?"
Even though she was younger and innocent, or just plain ignorant, this girl knew that all of them were, except that Yang, rivals for the heart of the same boy.
"Hmm," Ruby thought carefully about what she would say, not wanting to ruin it. "Since we're going to be partners, sort of, I thought it would be nice to get to know each other better. You know, for teamwork and all?"
If they had to help against a woman as strong as Sasuke, the least it would take to stand a chance against her would be to work together!
Weiss understood this logic and hated the fact that she hadn't thought of it before.
That was extremely obvious, just think of what Weiss and Blake did in the streets of Vale saving people together.
Only, it was inevitable that such an idea wouldn't cross her mind since she was raised not to depend on anyone but herself.
"You have a point," she would admit that much. "However," Weiss would make something very clear to this girl, "that doesn't make us friends."
Blake was one thing, where a possible friendship between a former White Fang member and the Schnee family heiress represented change to the world, even if they were still love rivals.
This Ruby, on the other hand, was just a rival, probably the most dangerous in all this because of her sweet and innocent way of being, and Weiss didn't intend to get carried away.
"I can live with that," Ruby smiled, that answer being much more than she expected. The way she looks at me...warily and enviously? She seems to see me the same way I do her. It inflated her self-esteem to be recognized as a threat by someone so beautiful and that was exactly why she wanted to get to know this Weiss better, because she was the first to treat her like that, as an equal woman. "So why did you bring so many bags?"
A complete change of subject, Weiss noted as she watched this Ruby try to help or pry.
Hard to say which.
"Why did you bring virtually nothing?" Weiss retorted, trying her best to remain composed with the way the girl picked up one of her bags. "Careful, Ruby Rose. Most of these bags are full of Dust. Drop one of them, and we'll both go on a one-way trip down the cliff."
Literally.
"Ohh..." Ruby was quick and extremely careful to put the bag back where it was and move a considerable amount of steps away. "Good to know."
So was knowing that they could interact without having Sasuke as a topic.
Maybe they could be friends!
An improbability, but who knows?
If someone from another world was right there, then rivals could also get along!
A line of thought Yang didn't share as she watched this little interaction from afar, again finding herself almost consumed by anger.
As if it wasn't enough that her stupid little sister threw herself into the arms of that Uchiha, now she was trying to make friends with a princess who thought that owned the world and cut her face!
Is she doing this on purpose? Yang didn't know if Ruby was being vindictive or just flaunting her supposed maturity. Otherwise, this is just a bad joke.
One that could only make what she already felt worse.
"You don't like him," Blake stated the obvious as she approached this girl, receiving some of that hatred in the form of a pair of red eyes in response. "Or anyone who can breathe?"
Because of the way she behaved, it seemed that this Yang hated the world itself.
A more than familiar trait that motivated her to even try to talk to this resentful girl and understand her.
"What do you want?" Yang was in no mood for small talk, even more so with someone who liked that guy, "Shouldn't you be trying to seduce that bastard or something?"
If this girl succeeded in that, then Yang wouldn't mind socializing and everything.
"It's not a suitable time." Blake wanted it, or her stupid body wanted it, maybe both, but Sasuke seemed bothered by something. Maybe he remembered the woman who injured him. Someone who must be extremely dangerous or else he wouldn't need help. "I'm more interested in why you hate him."
She had some theories but wanted to be sure.
"Why do you care?" Yang asked in irritation and only then remembered the reason to put her on guard. The last thing she needed right now was to have another crazy lover trying to cut her with a sword! "Let me guess, worried that I might be a threat to that monster?"
An unwise way to refer to someone so dangerous.
"Hardly, and you know that as well as I do." Actually, there should be no one in this world who could scratch him, but the apparent enemy wasn't from this world, Blake needed to keep in mind. "What worries me is how deep that resentment of yours runs and whether you will get in the way of teamwork." Something necessary to face someone stronger; much stronger as this woman who managed to hurt Sasuke should be. "So understanding and trying to resolve that grudge would be the most reasonable thing to do."
Otherwise, Blake would side with Weiss and suggest to Sasuke that he change his mind about this girl.
After all, there were plenty of people in the world who could help and wouldn't cause so much trouble.
Only truths being said, Yang knew, but still, she couldn't accept it.
"If you and that bitch in white had managed to tame that monster, I wouldn't have a problem with him at all." Not exactly, but it would alleviate some of the worries she had. "Unfortunately, that's not the case."
That wasn't what Blake expected to hear.
"Why?" she wants to understand this better. "To keep him away from your younger sister?"
It must be, since Sasuke showed zero interest in this Yang. Even when he offered her power, it seemed to be more with the intention of getting that idea of a harem out of their minds.
"If you already know, don't ask the obvious." Before, Yang wanted to protect Ruby from Sasuke and nothing else. Now, after learning the truth and what he wanted with her little sister and even herself, there was the risk of facing someone so strong as to put this Uchiha in the hospital. I need that power...a lot of power.
Hypocrisy screamed with her every action and choice, but it was all necessary!
The danger Ruby was in had simply escalated in such a way that this juvenile romance of hers was no longer even the real problem.
Ruby could die if she kept following Sasuke and that put Yang over the edge.
"I understand," Blake also had something to protect, although not as limited and selfish as this girl. "You're afraid of failing and losing something as important as your family."
Understandable, especially since no one wanted to go through that.
"You understand?" Yang doubted that very much. "How exactly? You have someone you love who is walking in an uncertain direction full of danger?"
Because that was exactly what Ruby was doing without even knowing or caring.
"Yeah..." Blake had a solemn look on her face as she remembered Adam. "I have a...childhood friend, who was marked by hatred and lost himself completely." A truth that almost applied to her as well. "At this point, he can't see anything he doesn't want to, even if it's right in front of his eyes. Just like his eyes, his mind is clouded and refuses to accept that there are other ways to change that which affects him so deeply..." she looked away, in the direction where she last saw him, "and I gave up on him for that." Regret was there along with that choice, as well as relief that she had done it, otherwise, she would have been dragged along in this endless hatred and done something with no turning back. "Don't be like him; don't give your sister reason to abandon you too."
That was all Blake had to say, deciding to follow Sasuke to ease the grief that plagued her heart and forget about the one who had hurt her so much with his choices.
Yang said nothing, recognizing the sadness reflected in this girl's eyes and knowing that she wasn't faking or making up some story to get into her mind.
This Blake really had someone who was lost in hatred, probably a faunus like her who was persecuted by prejudice more than known around the world and perhaps was in that White Fang, and exactly why she needed to leave this someone behind to not follow the same path.
Is that what is going to happen to me? Yang has never felt this way before, so angry...and afraid at the thought of losing Ruby, either to Sasuke and his otherworldly conflict or by her own choices. What should I do?
That was a question whose answer only she could discover by putting her emotions aside and allowing herself to think rationally.
Damn it... Yang took a deep breath and let a breath of air out along with some of those turbulent emotions as she focused on Sasuke's back in the distance; on the red and white fan that remained despite the change of clothes. I think I need to talk to him.
Yang would take a page from her father's book and try to talk with this Uchiha Sasuke to truly create a non-biased opinion of him.
Only then, could she have any peace of mind or reason to go crazy for good.
Not much to say, as usual. This chapter was just to define a few things and maybe remind you that Neo is still part of the story.
I hope you enjoyed it, even if it wasn't much.
That's all for today, so don't forget to review, and if you want to support me and read ahead take a look at my P t r & on (slash) Bertoti
The next one comes out by the end of the month.