Chapter 32: Hashirama
—" impossible ".Biju/Beast Talking.
—" for her ", Character Thought.
—" How can I forget you? ", Biju/Summoning/Beast Thoughts.
—"interesting." Character speaking.
No character from Naruto or the RWBY series belongs to me, this work is for entertainment purposes only, thank you in advance for reading this fanfic
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—"Fuck!" he muttered through his teeth, while his eyelids felt like two blocks of lead. He tried to open them, but the light of day greeted him like a laser straight in the eyes. It was as if someone had decided to torture him with a spotlight.
He felt like that time, his first epic hangover. What had that night been like? A complete blur. Whiskey, that's for sure. But what had he done afterwards? He had no idea.
He woke up in a hotel, surrounded by clothes thrown around as if a hurricane had passed through the room. He was only wearing his boxers and a hangover that made him question all his life decisions.
That time, despite the headache, I had felt a strange sensation of well-being, as if I had lived an unforgettable adventure. But this time it was different, it was simply a hangover, one of those that make you wish you had never been born.
His fingers were numb, his body was heavy, and his mouth was drier than the Sahara Desert.
With a superhuman effort, he managed to open his eyes and get used to the blinding light of dawn. Well, or at least what he assumed was dawn.
At first, he thought he was still in the hotel, but when he focused his vision, he realized he was on a stretcher. A hospital stretcher, to be exact. Well, "hospital" was an understatement. It was more like a makeshift infirmary, like the ones they build in times of war out of whatever they find.
He looked around and everything seemed just as strange as his situation. There was him, on the stretcher, and another person. A woman. A nurse. Or so he thought.
—"What the hell?" Naruto thought, as his brain tried to process the scene.
The woman had her back turned, looking through some papers or something. But that wasn't what was disconcerting him, it was her uniform. That uniform wasn't normal! It looked like something out of a science fiction movie! Or worse, one of those magazines his friend Cardin always hid under the mattress.
Naruto blinked several times, rubbing his eyes as if that would change reality. The nurse was still there, oblivious to his bewilderment.
She focused on the details of the uniform: a high collar that left little to the imagination, a skirt that was too short, and buttons that looked like they were about to burst. And those colors, those colors! They were such a striking combination that it hurt her eyes.
—" Something is definitely wrong here," Naruto thought. —"Is this a hospital or a gentlemen's club? And what is a nurse dressed like that doing in a place like this?" He wondered if he had come to the wrong place and if he was actually in a very, very strange dream.
Or maybe he had consumed some foreign substance without realizing it.
—"That's definitely a sexy nurse outfit!" Naruto thought, unable to help but smile.
He had seen those uniforms in... certain places, influenced by his friends the Malachites. They were probably playing a practical joke on him. Something like:— "You'll have a special surprise tonight." But of course, they were making fun of him.
—"Well, I'm sure I'm dreaming," Naruto concluded, relaxing on the table. —"I guess my subconscious is rewarding me for all the good deeds I've done. Thanks, subconscious!"
Naruto's smile widened. He would enjoy this lucid dream to the fullest. It wasn't the first time he had one, but this time it would be special. Something carnal, very carnal.
"She's awake!" the nurse exclaimed, approaching him. She was beautiful, with a statuesque body and a look that took his breath away.
He pressed a button on his watch and announced over the speaker,— "The patient has awakened. Naruto Uzumaki has returned to life."
Naruto nodded, unable to take his eyes off her.
—"So this is my prize," Naruto thought, a smile reaching all the way to his ears. —"Why should I resist? After all, who can complain about such an attractive nurse in a dream... or in real life?"
The nurse, with her cherry red lips and eyes that looked like two oceans, came dangerously close. Her scented breath brushed Naruto's neck, sending a shiver down his spine. Her feather-soft fingers traced an imaginary line from his jaw to his collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Oh, yes! This was too good to be true.
And down below, in his pants, something was beginning to stir.
—"How are you feeling?" the nurse asked, her soft voice seeming to caress his soul. Was it the hangover, or just her charm?
—"I can't get any better," Naruto replied, his tone seductive enough to surprise even himself.— "A beautiful lady like you waiting for me... I just can't ask for more."
The nurse blushed, looking down at her feet. —"Oh, Naruto!" she exclaimed, embarrassed. "I'm sure my uniform isn't the most appropriate for a nurse."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. —"Uniform? I wouldn't consider it that way anymore."
The nurse. She pulled the miniskirt of her uniform down with her hands, trying to hide her legs. —"Well, it's just that… with the destruction of the hospital, a lot of things were lost. Including the uniforms. I had to improvise with what I found."
—"Improvise" Naruto thought, with a mischievous smile. —"And boy did you improvise well."
The nurse blushed again, her cheeks turning a deep crimson.— "Please, Naruto, don't make fun of me," she pleaded, lowering her gaze.
Naruto took her hand, pulling her towards him. —"I didn't say I was upset," he replied with a mischievous smile.— "In fact, I couldn't be more pleased."
The nurse let herself go, not knowing how to react to his audacity. Their hearts beat in unison, and the air was charged with a palpable tension. —"Even if it is a dream, I am going to enjoy it to the fullest," she whispered, closing her eyes.
—"! Naruto!".
Just then, the door flew open, revealing Nora and Ruby, two of her classmates. Seeing the scene, they both froze, their mouths open in a perfect O.
Naruto opened his eyes wide, his heart beating a thousand miles an hour. It wasn't because he was afraid of being discovered, no. It was because he had realized that he had gone too far. If this was a dream, and some kind of reward from his subconscious, the last thing he wanted was to sully the memory of his friends.
—"Oh no, subconscious!" Naruto exclaimed, staring at the ceiling. —"This wasn't part of the deal! Not them, please, anyone but them."
Her plea was lost in the air as Nora, eyes wide, pointed at the nurse. —"Why the hell is the nurse so close?" she snapped, her voice filled with indignation. She was sure this scene was going to end badly, and she was convinced that Naruto was the only one to blame.
Ruby, for her part, blushed all the way to her ears. —"Why is he wearing that kind of clothes?!" she exclaimed, turning to the nurse. She remembered her older sister's Halloween costume: a sexy nurse outfit that had caused quite a stir in the family. And now, here she was, seeing Naruto, half naked, with a woman dressed like that. How embarrassing! She turned away, muttering incoherently like,— "how shameless" and— "I can't believe he's doing this."
The nurse, embarrassed, tried to justify herself. —"They told me I had to wear a uniform and this was the only thing I could find," she explained, playing with the edges of her skirt.
Naruto, between embarrassment and confusion, tried to find a logical explanation for all of this. —"Why would my subconscious have to bring my friends to this dream?" he asked himself, scratching his head. —"And why right now, when things were starting to get interesting?"
Before he could come up with an answer, the door swung open and Ren, his best friend, appeared. With a dramatic sigh, he covered his face with his hands.— "You guys should be quiet for a bit, it's a clinic and…" he began to say, but was interrupted by the stunned looks of his friends.— "Oh, Naruto, are you serious?"
Naruto felt the ground beneath his feet drop. Ren! The last thing he needed was for his best friend to witness this scene. He was fine with a sexy nurse, he could have had a good time, but with his friends involved, the situation had become completely surreal. He didn't want to even think about what his subconscious could be planning.
Nora, with the agility of an enraged cat, lunged at Naruto and pulled him away from the stunned nurse.— "Enough, Naruto!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms like a mother scolding a terrible child.— "What new stupidity have you come up with now?"
Ruby, her cheeks still as red as a ripe tomato, added, —"This is too much, even by your standards, Naruto. And out of marriage, please!"
Nora, with a look that could freeze hell, stated, —"I hope you have a colossal explanation for this... incident, Naruto."
Naruto, with a smile that bordered on psychopathic, replied, —"I don't have to justify my thoughts, it's a dream and I can do whatever I want! So, just go away!" Pointing at Nora with a finger, he hoped she would vanish like a ghost. But to his disappointment, Nora was still there, as solid as ever. —"What?" he exclaimed, confused.— "Is this... real?"
—"Yes, Naruto, as real as my fist," Nora replied with a mocking smile.
And so, Naruto found himself taking an involuntary walk across the hospital floors, courtesy of a punch straight to the chin.
—"Another one of Naruto's greatest hits!" Ren exclaimed, patting Naruto on the back.— "Always coming up with new ways to embarrass us all."
—"He's like a little boy, but with raging hormones," Nora added, letting out a tired sigh. "—And an imagination so fertile that he even believes his own fantasies."
—"And all this in a hospital!" Ruby exclaimed, pointing at the unconscious Naruto. —"I think we can cross 'invading the nurses' privacy' off your list of accomplishments."
-{}-
—"Ouch, that hurt!" Naruto exclaimed, gently caressing his aching chin. Every nerve in his face seemed to vibrate with heightened sensitivity, as if the blow Nora had dealt him had left an indelible mark. —"You're a terribly aggressive woman, Nora. Those aren't exactly the qualities one looks for in a wife, you know."
Nora snorted, rolling her eyes in disdain. She didn't even bother to look at him. —"That's what you get for being horny at seven in the morning, seven in the morning, Naruto! Trying to take a nurse, a hospital nurse, to your bed?" she exclaimed, her voice thick with indignation.
—"It was a stretcher, Nora. Let's be precise," Naruto corrected with a hint of pedantry, but Nora didn't flinch.
—"I guess that changes everything. Not a single day can go by, not a single day, Naruto!, without you doing something crazy. We," she pointed at herself, then at Ruby, and finally at Ren, —"were really worried when you passed out in that farmland. We were scared shitless when you didn't wake up for two days... and to find you like this..."
—"But I already explained why I fainted. It was because of an overload of...", Naruto tried to explain, but Nora interrupted him with a sharp gesture. It was rare to see this woman, so cheerful and lively, so furious and motherly at the same time.
—"Don't talk!" Nora snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at Naruto.— "I'm talking! You shut up! Do you hear me?" Naruto nodded, intimidated by her intensity.
—"You cannot imagine the terror I felt as I watched you vanish before my eyes," Nora confessed, her voice shaking as she hugged herself.— "I thought I had lost you forever. Fear paralyzed me, consumed me. I had never experienced such deep pain." Her eyes filled with tears, reflecting the anguish that had tormented her.
Naruto couldn't stand her gaze, turning his eyes to the ground, ashamed and guilty.
Ruby and Ren, though not as vocal about their feelings, shared their concern. They had seen Naruto faint, his body limp, and fear had clawed at their hearts.
Ruby, in the solitude of the night, raised supplications to any higher power, praying for Naruto's health. She knew his tendency to sacrifice himself for others, to minimize his own injuries, but she knew that deep down, he cared deeply for them.
—"I was filled with joy when I heard that you had woken up," Nora continued, her voice filled with irony that bordered on bitterness. —"I ran to you, eager to see you, to make sure you were okay. But my relief turned to fury when I found you in the arms of that... that..." She searched for the right word, but none seemed hurtful enough to express the betrayal she felt. —"That... that bitch!" she finally blurted out, her voice echoing in the air with a force that contrasted with her delicate figure.
Nora should be very careful about where she says things and how she says them, because now they were in the middle of the town streets.
Naruto cringed at the accusation, his gaze fixed on the ground. His voice, weak and shaky, barely made it out of his throat.
—"Forgive me, Nora," he whispered, a lump in his throat preventing him from getting words out. He felt cornered, unable to find the proper defenses. He could resort to the truth, claiming it had all been a fever dream, but that excuse was so flimsy, so childish, that not even he himself would believe it.
The truth, however, was like a dagger turning inside him. The vivid images of a wandering child, wandering the lonely streets of the night, with an empty stomach and an even emptier soul, struck him with a rawness that chilled his blood. A dirty, helpless child, longing for a helping hand, a voice to comfort him, even if it was just to scold him.
That memory, so distant and yet so close, was intertwined with the image of Nora, worried about him, and caused him a strange feeling of dissociation. It was as if that child, that being tormented by loneliness, was not him, but a ghost from the past, a shadow that Nora was about to erase with her mere presence.
Sadness enveloped him like a thick fog. He felt the hope that had begun to sprout in his heart, like a fragile flower in the middle of winter, wither before his eyes. Nora, with her simple gesture of concern, was transforming his grey days into a canvas full of bright colours.
But this transformation, so sudden and so beautiful, filled him with an atavistic fear. Could he bear the idea of losing her? Could he go back to being that child lost in the darkness?
The questions echoed through her mind like echoes in an endless cavern. Each echo, a pang in her heart. And as she struggled to find answers, a single tear ran down her cheek, dragging with it the fragments of a past she longed to bury, but which, ironically, was the cornerstone of her identity.
The loss of Pyrrha was an open wound, a scar that still bled. Despite the unconditional support of Ren, Rubi and, above all, Nora, the pain was a constant in her life. Every forced smile, every word of encouragement, were like bandages on a suppurating wound.
He knew his friends were doing everything they could to ease his pain, but Pyrrha's absence was an unfathomable void.
Ren, with his deep gaze and measured words, hid a similar pain. In his eyes, Naruto saw the image of a man who had lost a companion, a confidant. And Nora, always so expressive, could not hide the suffering that consumed her. In Pyrrha, she saw a friend, a sister, a part of herself.
Melancholy had become his constant companion. Memories of Pyrrha would wash over him at the most unexpected moments, like a wave dragging him into an abyss of sadness. Sometimes, he felt like he was drowning in that sea of pain, that he would never be able to get back on his feet. And although his friends were by his side, each dealing with their own grief, the feeling of loneliness was overwhelming.
For Naruto, Pyrrha was much more than just a friend. She was a beacon in the darkness, a light that illuminated his darkest days. However, this one-sided love tormented him. He could never reciprocate the intensity of her feelings. How he longed to be able to love her as she loved him, with the same passion and devotion. But the reality was cruel: he felt unworthy of such affection, an empty vessel unable to contain the ocean of love she offered him.
Guilt consumed him. Every smile she gave him, every gesture of affection, was a stab in his heart. He knew he was hurting someone he cared deeply for, but he couldn't help it. It was as if an invisible wall rose between them, preventing them from ever truly getting close.
Often, he found himself lost in memories of shared moments. The image of Pyrrha, with her bright eyes and contagious smile, haunted his dreams. And in those moments, sadness flooded him. He wondered what his life would have been like if he could have reciprocated her love. If they could have built a future full of happiness together. But those were just fantasies, mirages that faded at the first ray of light.
The loss of Pyrrha had left a deep wound in his heart, a scar that would never fully heal. And even as time passed, the pain was still there, lingering, constantly reminding him of what he had lost.
—"Are you listening to me, Naruto?" Nora's voice shook him from his melancholic thoughts. Her usually lively face was now contorted with anger. It seemed she hadn't finished scolding him yet.
Naruto gave a shy smile.— "Thank you so much, Nora, really. I really appreciate you caring about me."
Nora frowned, puzzled. —"What the hell is wrong with you?" she exclaimed. —"I'm scolding you, not giving you a pep talk. You don't have to smile."
Naruto continued walking, his smile still gracing his lips. He watched as Nora followed him with her gaze, bewildered. In that instant, he felt a deep gratitude towards her and his friends. He wished with all his might that this special connection would last over time. That Ren, Rubi and Nora would continue to be the beacons that illuminated his path.
However, a shadow of doubt loomed over his heart. He knew that life was unpredictable, a game of chance where losses were inevitable. He had learned that hard lesson over the years. And although he longed for his friendship with Nora and the others to last forever, he understood that fate had its own plans.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted into a sea of memories. He recalled the moments of joy, the challenges overcome together, the unbreakable bonds that united them. And he promised himself that he would do everything in his power to preserve those bonds, to keep the flame of their friendship alive.
—"Nora," Naruto called, his voice light as he continued walking. He gave her a mischievous smile, his eyes shining with a mischievous glint. "—You have to be very careful, if you keep acting like this, I might fall for you... And you wouldn't want to see me in love. I can be quite mushy."
Nora froze, her words stuck in her throat. The heat rising in her cheeks gave her away.
Naruto always did the same thing. With a simple phrase, with a look, he managed to completely disarm her. It was as if he could see straight into her soul.
Naruto had always been like that, an eternal child, an incorrigible dreamer. But there was something about him, a depth that sometimes surprised her. And it was precisely that depth that attracted her, that made her feel a special connection with him.
They were both like children
Ren, who had been watching the scene, intervened with a mocking smile.— "Naruto is always joking, isn't he? He's incorrigible."
Nora nodded, though her heart was pounding. —"Yeah, he's always joking," she muttered, but her eyes couldn't stop looking at him.
Naruto, for his part, was lost in his thoughts. He didn't understand why Nora had that effect on him.
How was it possible that someone could ease her pain with a simple smile, that could make the world seem like a brighter place?
He felt unworthy of such affection, like a stain on a perfect canvas.
He often tried to keep her at a distance, to build walls around her to protect himself. But Nora had a way of breaking down those barriers, of making him feel vulnerable and exposed.
It was like a force of nature, unstoppable and irresistible.
And yet, Naruto loved her. He loved her with an intensity that frightened him. It was a bittersweet feeling, a mixture of joy and pain. He felt like a little boy, drawn to the flame of a candle, knowing he could burn himself, but unable to look away.
—"Oh, I hope Ren really hurry up with things with Nora, because if this keeps happening he'll soon have competition, hahahahaha", Naruto's words were said jokingly, and the thoughts never left his mouth, only those of the Sernio in his mind, but the deranged laughter could be heard throughout the street and many moved away from him.
—"... Oh, it can't be."
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—"I have to admit, you surprised me, Cinder. I let you carry out the invasion of the Kingdom of Vale, not because I thought you were the most suitable, but because I saw in you a desire to prove your worth to me and all of our subjects. Among all of us, you are the one who bears the greatest burden of inexperience."
The voice echoed in the dim room, reverberating off the stone walls. Cinder, motionless in her seat, simply listened. Her eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the rectangular table that separated them. Around her, a gallery of characters who looked more like pieces in a grotesque chess game than companions.
Tyrian Callows, that fanatical lunatic, watched her with an almost sickly amusement, as if she were a vile joke. His eyes, bulging and filled with an almost religious madness, followed her every move.
Hazel Rainart, the seemingly calm colossus, concealed beneath his corpulence a hatred so deep that it was capable of withering the plants in his path. His gaze, fixed and penetrating, transmitted a latent threat. And last but not least detestable, was Arthur Watts, the scientist exiled from the kingdom of Atlas. What was a man of science doing in this den of evildoers? The question was rhetorical. All present were criminals, each in their own way.
Cinder felt a deep disgust towards each of them. Tyrian was a madman, Hazel was a brute, and Watts was an arrogant intellectual who thought he was superior.
But it was Watts who aroused in her a visceral aversion, a repulsion that had only grown with the passage of time. His cold, calculating mind contrasted sharply with the madness that reigned in the room.
Each of them, in their own way, was a key piece in this macabre machinery. United by a visceral hatred, an insatiable thirst for power or simply by the madness that consumed them, they had been recruited by the most sinister entity that had ever set foot on this world: Salem, the Queen of the Grimm Lands.
Salem, a figure shrouded in shadow, was the embodiment of absolute evil. Her skin, pale as wax, was crisscrossed by a network of red veins that seemed to snake beneath her epidermis. Her eyes, a deep red that rivaled the purest ruby, radiated a hatred so deep it chilled the blood. Seated on her throne of black stone, she watched her subjects with a cold, calculating gaze.
At that moment, his attention was focused on Cinder, the young and ambitious warrior who had just completed a vital mission.— "But you surprised me, Cinder," Salem snapped, his voice deep and resonant as thunder. —"Destroying the Kingdom of Vale by yourself is not a feat that can go unnoticed. You have earned my recognition."
Cinder, who remained impassive under her sovereign's gaze, felt a chill run down her spine. Salem's praise was unusual, almost disconcerting. She knew that the Queen of the Grimm Lands was not given to displays of affection, and that any recognition from her was a sign that she had passed a crucial test.
—"Your determination and ruthlessness are to be commended," Salem continued, her voice taking on a softer tone. —"You have proven to be a valuable ally. However, remember that this is only the beginning. The road we have taken is long and winding, and many challenges still lie ahead. But do not worry, Cinder, as long as you remain by my side, you will not have to face them alone."
—"Though according to what you told me, that silver light that blinded you can only be the work of a Silver-Eyed Warrior," Salem muttered to herself, rhythmically tapping the cold marble of her throne with a sharp finger. —"How interesting, that lineage really is difficult to exterminate. They are annoying, but it seems that that girl really does not yet control her ability to the fullest, or I dare say that she does not even know of her lineage."
A sinister smile curved Salem's lips, revealing a row of white teeth. An immortal being like her, who had witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, was rarely surprised. However, this time she felt a twinge of curiosity.
—"You're very lucky you didn't lose that arm of yours," Salem said, pointing to the bandage that concealed Cinder's mutilated limb. Her voice was soft, almost melodious, but there was a veiled threat in it.
It was true, that arm housed a Grimm that fed on the maidens' magical essence. Upon coming into contact with the silver light of Ruby's eyes, the Grimm should have petrified and disintegrated. However, something had gone wrong. Had Cinder become immune to such attacks? The idea was absurd. Salem, with her vast knowledge of dark magic, knew perfectly well that this was impossible.
—"It seems the maiden's power protected you from that light, like a cloak surrounding your being," Salem continued, her gaze locked with Cinder's eyes.— "But I still don't understand why a maiden's power would protect you, since you killed her." Her voice grew more questioning, a hint of confusion creeping into her golden eyes.
Cinder felt a chill run down her spine. Salem's gaze was like an x-ray, capable of penetrating her mind and uncovering her darkest secrets. She bit her lower lip, searching for the right words to respond.
She couldn't explain why the maiden's power had protected her that time either. The maiden's essence, acquired by force, should have rejected her, rebelling against her presence. Yet, somehow, she understood why.
Pyrrha's accords swirled in her mind like a storm, stirring her emotions. The overwhelming love Pyrrha felt for this Naruto Uzumaki was a force so powerful that it resonated within her very being, causing a strange sense of dissonance. She rejected those feelings vehemently, convinced that Pyrrha's will could not possibly be on her side.
No, it was rather Amber's memory that had protected her. Delving into the maiden's memories, she had witnessed a life filled with love, hope, and loss. And among all those memories, one shone with a special light: Amber's love for Jaune.
It was a love that was pure and selfless, a longing so intense that it touched her very core. Cinder saw herself reflected in those memories, feeling an inexplicable connection to Amber. They both loved the same man, and that shared love had created an invisible bond between them.
Was it a cruel joke of fate? Perhaps. Fate, with its wicked sense of humor, often weaves intrigues that defy all logic.
She remembered that trip, that vivid memory of Amber and Jaune. The adventures they had shared, the lessons Amber had taught Jaune, and that sad farewell that had separated them forever.
It was as if history was repeating itself, but with a cruel twist of fate.
Amber wandered aimlessly through the Remnant, her heart longing for a reunion with Jaune.
She dreamed of a future together, far from wars and intrigues, a future where they could get lost in a remote corner of the world, far from everything and everyone. She imagined a simple life, full of love and complicity, where they could build a home and a family.
Her wish was so pure and romantic that it bordered on cheesy. She wanted to marry Jaune, have a wedding fit for a princess, build a house where they could grow old together, and finally depart this world hand in hand. It was an idyllic dream, a fantasy that comforted her in her darkest moments.
However, that dream would never come true. Cinder, with her usual cruelty, had taken it upon herself to cut short Amber and Jaune's happiness. By killing Amber, she had taken away from Jaune a woman who loved him.
She had never felt remorse before, but as she remembered Amber's serene face and the loving gleam in her eyes, a pang of guilt shot through her. She had killed someone who loved Jaune as much as she did, and it tormented her. By sharing Amber's memories, she had realized that she could never replace her.
Amber was one of a kind, and her love for Jaune was something special, something Cinder could never match.
At that moment, Cinder realized that she didn't deserve Jaune. Despite her selfishness and ambition, a small part of her wanted Jaune to find happiness with someone else. If there was someone who could make him happier than her, then she was willing to give him up without hesitation.
She would disappear from his life like a ghost, silently and without a trace, so that Jaune could be free and happy.
The thought of losing Jaune forever filled her with pain, but also with a strange peace. After all, true love was not about possession, but about letting go of the person you loved if it meant your happiness.
—"Do you have any idea why the Autumn Maid's power protected you, Cinder?" Salem asked, her voice as soft as velvet, but with a bone-chilling coldness.
Cinder felt a chill run down her spine. Salem was a master of manipulation, and her piercing gaze seemed to lay bare her deepest secrets. She could lie, of course, but what would be the point? Salem could detect the slightest falsehood. And if she found out she had lied… the consequences would be unthinkable.
However, the truth was even more dangerous. Revealing that the Autumn Maiden's power had protected her because of her connection to Amber's memories would mean putting Jaune in danger. Salem would not hesitate to use that information to manipulate or even eliminate him.
After a brief pause, Cinder replied in a firm voice,— "I don't know for sure, my lady. Perhaps... perhaps Amber wasn't as pure as she seemed. Perhaps she harbored a resentment toward Ozpin that led her to help me in some way. Or perhaps she simply made a mistake in choosing who to support."
Salem stared at her, studying her every expression. She said nothing, but her eyes, golden and piercing like a cat's, seemed to pierce Cinder's mind. For a few endless seconds, time seemed to stand still.
Finally, Salem nodded slowly. —"Maybe," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. —"You may be right. After all, humans are complex creatures full of contradictions."
Cinder sighed in relief. She had managed to fool Salem, at least for the moment. But she knew this truce was fragile. Salem was a formidable adversary, and she would not rest until she discovered the truth.
—"Well, in any case, are plans for the Mistral Kingdom progressing as planned, Hazel?" Salem inquired.
Hazel, the burly man who seemed as unfazed as a mountain, calmly replied, "All is proceeding according to plan, my lady. Director Leonardo Lionheart has proven to be an invaluable ally. We have managed to infiltrate our agents into Mistral's defense forces and are working to destabilize them from within."
Salem nodded, satisfied. —"And how long do you think it will take us to plunge Mistral into chaos?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Hazel.
—"We estimate that in a few months we will be able to completely dismantle their defense forces," Hazel replied. —"The key is to act with patience and discretion. We will eliminate the hunters one by one, making them disappear on suicide missions. No one will suspect a thing."
Salem smiled cruelly. —"Excellent. I like your efficiency, Hazel."
His gaze then shifted to the others present, stopping at each one of them.— "I have another question," he said, his voice taking on a deeper tone. —"Who is that masked man sitting next to Arthur?"
Everyone present turned to Arthur, visibly puzzled. Even Arthur himself seemed surprised by the question.
It was evident that none of them had noticed the presence of the masked stranger.
The man in question, however, did not seem fazed by the curious glances that fell upon him. He continued to devour his food as if he had not eaten in days, chewing with his mouth open and emitting strange grunts. His mask, which only left his jaw and part of his chin exposed, gave him an even more sinister appearance.
—"Impossible!" Tyrian exclaimed, his voice ringing with disbelief. —"How could someone have gotten in without us noticing? We're alone in this room."
The masked man, unfazed by the accusation, continued to devour the food with a voracity that was almost grotesque. Between bites, he muttered with obvious satisfaction,— "This is so fucking delicious! Two fucking months of living on dried meat..."
Tyrian, enraged by the intruder's disrespect, leapt to his feet, ready to attack. However, Salem raised a hand, stopping him with a cold glare. Although the masked man's insolence irritated her, she was strangely curious to discover who he was and what he was doing here.
The masked man, apparently oblivious to the danger that threatened him, finished emptying the plates and wiped his lips with the sleeve of his robe.
—"How could so much food fit into one person?" Arthur wondered aloud, his curiosity overcoming his fear.
The masked man turned to them with a mocking smile.— "My compliments to the chef," he said, nodding his head in approval. —"You sure know how to welcome a guest."
He then began to examine each of those present with an inquisitive look. —"You are Tyrian Callows, are you not? I have heard much about you. A ruthless assassin, they say. I never thought I would have the pleasure of meeting you in person."
Tyrian tensed, but didn't answer. The masked man continued,— "And you... are Dr. Arthur Watts, aren't you? You were supposed to be dead. It seems the rumors of your demise were greatly exaggerated."
Then, he turned his attention to Cinder.— "Cinder, is it? It's been a long time. Have you received my resignation letter yet? Hahaha," he sneered, revealing a surprising familiarity.
Hazel, whom he didn't seem to know. —"And you... I don't know you. I'm sorry."
The masked man then stood up, the chair creaking under his weight. In one fluid movement, he approached Salem until he was a few feet away from her and knelt down, bowing his head in respect.
—"I address you, mistress of the great eternal night, ruler of the lost lands and of the shadow that covers the world," the masked man proclaimed in a deep, resonant voice, worthy of a knight of old. Despite his previous savage demeanor, his words revealed an unexpected politeness and respect. —"My name is Sasuke."
Salem watched the newcomer with interest. —"How did you manage to get here?" she asked, her voice as soft as velvet. Crossing the Grimmlands was a near-impossible feat, a suicidal journey from which few returned alive. Her subordinates could only survive in this place thanks to an ancient seal that protected them from the dark creatures.
—"I wandered through the forest you rule until I finally found this picturesque place," Sasuke replied, his voice echoing with a surprising calm.
Salem arched an eyebrow, her piercing gaze fixed on the masked man.
—"What you say is impossible," he stated, his voice cold as ice. —"I understand that you may be bold enough to enter these forbidden lands, but surviving in this place is a feat beyond the capabilities of any mortal." His words were a veiled accusation, calling into question Sasuke's sanity or sincerity.
Sasuke gave a subtle smile, revealing a piercing gaze and a voice as firm as steel. —"I am a mortal, yes, but no ordinary man," he stated confidently, his chest puffing out slightly with pride. —"Taking on a feat such as this is no challenge for me. I possess abilities that transcend the ordinary."
The masked man stood up, freeing himself from his submissive position, and fixed his eyes on Salem with a boldness that bordered on insolence. —"Allow me, my lady, to be bold in your presence."
Salem felt a pang of curiosity at such audacity. What was this man up to? Was he planning a sneak attack? If such was his intention, it would be a futile gesture, a provocation doomed to fail. The anger that lay simmering within him was a volcano ready to erupt, and any spark could unleash fury.
However, curiosity prevailed.— "I allow you," he conceded with a wave of his hand. Instantly, his henchmen tensed, their eyes fixed on the masked man, ready to respond to any threat.
—"I know my words might seem banal to someone who has lived so many lives and heard all kinds of flattery," the masked man raised his hands, pointing at Salem as if he were contemplating an incomparable work of art. —"But rarely has this troubadour been so amazed by such sublime beauty. Despite having crossed paths with powerful creatures and having faced formidable enemies, I must confess that your presence has captivated me in a way I never imagined. I am not asking you to reciprocate my feelings, or to offer me any hope. I only want you to know that you have left me amazed. If I did not already have a love as deep as time itself, I would dare to steal a kiss, a caress, or simply the privilege of contemplating your smile."
Salem's minions stood stunned, their jaws hanging as if they had seen a spectre. This man, with his excessive audacity, bordered on madness. Did he think that with a few flowery words he could win Salem's goodwill? What a huge mistake! This witch would not hesitate to annihilate him.
Cinder, who knew the masked man's dark secrets, felt a pang of mortification. Questions thundered through her mind, and Sasuke's sanity wavered dangerously. What had driven his former employee to such an act of daring?
Tyrian, for his part, was seething with rage like a volcano about to erupt. His teeth chattered with fury, and his gaze flashed with contempt toward this insolent man who dared to address such bold words to his goddess.
Salem, however, surprised everyone with a light smile, as subtle as a spring breeze. —"It has been eons since I heard such beautiful words," she murmured, her melodious voice echoing through the room. —"You are a strange mixture, a barbarian and a poet. But remember, no matter how sweet your words are, they will not save you from death when I tire of your charade."
The masked man remained unfazed by the threat implicit in Salem's words. Her composure was disconcerting, as all who faced her shuddered in terror, anticipating a cruel and painful fate.
—"Cinder," Salem's voice echoed like a crow cawing in the night, tearing the young woman from her thoughts. Cinder lowered her head, mired in shame. —"This man seems to know you. Is there something you wish to tell me? You haven't mentioned it in your reports."
Cinder shuddered in panic. She had omitted crucial details from her report, fearing the consequences. —"I beg your forgiveness, my lady. This man was an ally in the destruction of Vale. How he managed to infiltrate here is unknown to me."
Salem's anger raged like a storm. "—You seem to need some discipline, my dear." Her voice was icy, and her eyes held flashes of cruelty. Salem's "discipline" was a refined torture, a slow agony that Cinder knew all too well.
—"That said, what is it that you want, Sasuke?" Salem turned her gaze to the masked man, who remained motionless, like a statue defying a storm.
—"Let's skip the formalities," Sasuke snapped, his voice ringing with a confidence bordering on arrogance. —"I have two goals here: first, to verify whether the Great Witch Salem is more than a myth woven by Ozpin and his allies; and second, to assess the true extent of your power."
Salem leaned forward, a smirk curling her lips. Her eyes, a deep red, glowed with a malice that would chill your blood. Her hands, shaking with arcane power, sent sparks crackling through the air, driving away her own minions. Sasuke, however, remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the witch, as if he were studying a chess piece.
—"You will discover that I am much more than a mere legend," Salem hissed, her voice laced with venom. "And my cruelty is as deep as the ocean."
—"Hahaha! Hahahaha! HAHAHAHA!" Sasuke let out a loud laugh, his laughter echoing through the chamber like a bell.— "Cruelty, huh? I've seen things that would make you turn pale, Salem. But let's continue with this game, shall we? Show me what you're capable of."
Salem, enraged by Sasuke's insolence, concentrated all her power into a beam of energy that launched itself at him. The air electrified, and the heat was almost tangible. Sasuke, with surprising agility, dodged the attack by simply moving his head.
The energy hit the wall, leaving a deep mark.
—"That was surprising,... but I guess I was expecting something more, I don't know, like the lightning bending or being more destructive," Sasuke mocked, his voice full of contempt.— "I want to assume it's because it's been a long time since you had a head-on battle with someone and you've lost a bit of condition."
Salem roared in anger. She launched a series of increasingly powerful attacks, but Sasuke dodged them with disconcerting ease.
The witch grew increasingly frustrated, her control over magic beginning to falter. Sasuke, for his part, moved with a feline grace, mocking her with every movement.
Finally, Salem, furious, released a whirlwind of dark energy that swirled around her, threatening to engulf Sasuke. But the ninja beat her to it, disappearing in a puff of smoke. When he reappeared, he was behind Salem, his kunai inches from her neck.
—"I know you're holding back," Sasuke whispered.—"You'll learn that I'm not a guy to be underestimated and taken lightly."
With a quick movement, Sasuke plunged his kunai into Salem's neck, black blood spilling from the deep cut, splashing onto Salem's black dress and reaching the ground.
—"Let's see if you really are as immortal as I heard you are."
-{}-
The guttural sound of the trumpet thundered through Blake Belladonna's ears, tearing her from a deep, restful sleep. Her eyelids, heavy as stones, refused to open completely, and a growl escaped her lips.
The battle against the Sea Grimm had been exhausting, and the lack of sleep added to his tiredness.
Sun Wukong, who shared the small room with her, let out an audible sigh and tossed and turned in his bed, seeking some more rest.
Blake watched him with a mixture of irritation and resignation. Her traveling companion, with his eternal smile and bulletproof optimism, could be quite annoying at times. However, he had been an invaluable ally in the fight against the sea creature, and Blake had to admit that his presence was comforting.
The trumpet sounded again, more insistent this time, forcing Blake's eyes to open wide.
The initial annoyance quickly dissipated as she realized they had arrived at their destination. Menagerie, her old home, was just a few steps away. A shiver of excitement ran down her spine, mixed with a hint of nervousness. What would await her in this new stage of her life?
"All passengers on board, prepare to disembark! We have arrived at the ports of Menagerie," the captain's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. Blake jumped up and headed for the door. He had so much to do and so many people to see.
—"Sun, get up! We're here," Blake exclaimed impatiently, shaking the faun who was lying on the bed, clinging to his dreams as if they were a treasure. The young faun, with his blond fur and monkey tail, let out a guttural growl and complained, tired, Blake threw Sun to the ground.
—"Oh, but why do all the girls have to be so ruthless? A month and a half of travel! I can't believe we've finally arrived!"
Despite their protests, Sun jumped up and the two of them headed for the exit. They had to grudgingly admit, those Grimm had proven to be a lifesaver. Thanks to their valiant defense against the creatures, they had managed to ingratiate themselves with the crew and travel for free.
Blake, however, lost in her thoughts and constant training, hadn't paid much attention to her surroundings. She had spent most of the journey honing her skills, seeking to become stronger. She hadn't noticed the growing number of passengers on board, nor the subtle changes in the environment.
As she headed for the ship's exit, reality hit her like a bucket of cold water. Among the crowd of fauns disembarking were humans. Not just one or two, but several. Dressed in Hawaiian shirts and shorts, they carried cameras and caps, as if they were on holiday in a tropical paradise.
Blake felt a chill run down her spine. Humans were not welcome in Menagerie. They were seen as intruders, a threat to its peaceful existence. They were often dismissed with contempt, and sometimes attacked. The thought of these unsuspecting tourists finding themselves in the middle of a conflict filled her with horror.
—"Damn!" Blake muttered, clenching his fists. —"No way. What are you doing here?"
Sun, noticing her worried expression, approached her and asked, —"What's wrong, Blake? Everything okay?"
Blake turned to him, her gaze filled with unease.— "The humans… are here. And I don't think the others will take it very well."
The problem was that before he could articulate a single activity, the ship's doors swung wide open, revealing a sight that short-circuited his mind.
Menagerie, a continent with few resources, had always been a place of contrasts. Kuo Kuana, its most prosperous settlement, was an oasis in the middle of the desert, a place where fauns could live in relative comfort. A modest but effective wall protected it from the constant threats of the Grimm.
However, when she set her eyes on the horizon, Blake was stupefied. The wall she had known before, modest and familiar, had transformed into a colossal fortification, comparable to the walls of the great kingdoms of the Remnant. Faun guards, with shining armor and watchful expressions, patrolled the wall, their eyes scanning the horizon. The doors, once small and discreet, had become imposing portals, guarded by sentries.
Blake couldn't believe his eyes. What had happened in his absence? Who had ordered the construction of such a fortification? And most importantly, why?
—"Hey! Wait! Don't go in there!" Blake shouted, his voice echoing across the dock. But his words were lost in the clamor of the crowd. The humans, oblivious to the danger looming over them, continued to advance towards the doors, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement.
To their surprise, there was no expected attack. No faun came out to drive them away, not a single voice was raised in protest. The humans passed through the doors unhindered, as if they were expected visitors. Blake and Sun looked at each other, perplexed. What was going on?
Her steps stopped dead, as if an invisible wall had stopped her. Kuo Kuana, the small fishing village she had left behind, had transformed into a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis. Her childhood memories of wooden houses and cobblestone streets faded away in the face of the immensity of this new reality.
Multi-story buildings rose into the sky, their gleaming facades contrasting with the blue sea. Restaurants and shops crowded the streets, and people moved at a frenetic pace, immersed in their own lives. The ground, once rough and uneven, was now smooth asphalt that reflected the sunlight. Kuo Kuana had ceased to be a simple village and had become a modern city, a miniature of the great kingdoms of the Remnant.
Blake felt disoriented. How had such a transformation been possible in such a short time? She remembered leaving Kuo Kuana as a quiet place apart from the world, a refuge for fauns. And now, here it was, a bustling, multicultural metropolis.
Something of this magnitude would take decades to come to fruition, although the time she had been away from home was considerable, it was not long enough for Menagerie to change that much.
What surprised her most was the coexistence between humans and fauns. She saw them together, sharing laughter and conversation, as if the old animosity had been eradicated. Human and faun children played together, without distinctions of race. It was an image that challenged everything she thought she knew about her world.
Blake wondered how such a change had been possible. Had there been some significant event that had brought the two species together? Or had the passage of time and the need to coexist simply softened old wounds?
As she looked out at the crowd, a mixture of wonder and confusion washed over her. Kuo Kuana was no longer the place she had left behind. It was a new world.
—"This is Kuo Kuana?" Sun murmured, his voice filled with wonder. Even he, accustomed to the opulence of the great kingdoms, could not believe his eyes.
The city that Blake had described as a small fishing village had been transformed into a vibrant metropolis, a melting pot of cultures and architectural styles.
But it was something else, something far beyond the buildings and the crowds, that took Blake's breath away. In the distance, as if emerging from the depths of the earth, stood a colossal tree. It was no ordinary tree, but a wonder of nature, a green giant that defied all logic.
Its branches, as thick as the trunks of other trees, stretched towards the sky like powerful arms, creating a shadow that was projected over the city like a protective blanket. Its leaves, a bright, intense pink, shone in the sun like the petals of a giant flower.
It was a living being that seemed to defy the laws of nature, a plant colossus that had become the beating heart of Kuo Kuana.
Blake had heard tales of ancient and powerful trees, but nothing compared to this wonder. It was as if a piece of a magical world had blossomed in the midst of this reality.
—"Look at that!" Sun exclaimed, pointing at the tree. —"That's the most incredible thing I've ever seen."
Blake nodded, not taking his eyes off the colossal tree.— "It's… impressive," he murmured, searching for the right words to describe what he felt.
—"Where am I?" Blake muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. The scene before his eyes was so surreal that he doubted his own sanity.
—"Blake, my girl? Is that you?" A sweet, familiar voice brought her out of her trance. She turned around and there, under the shade of the huge tree, was Ali, the old peach seller. Her eyes, small and bright like two stars, looked at her with a mixture of surprise and joy. The skin of her face, furrowed by deep wrinkles like maps of an entire life, radiated a comforting warmth.
Blake felt a lump in her throat. Ali, the woman who had been like a second grandmother to her, the woman who had given her the sweetest peaches in the world and had cared for her in her childhood. Memories flooded her mind: afternoons playing in the sun, the scent of ripe peaches, the warmth of Ali's hands stroking her hair.
—"Ali," Blake whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Time seemed to have stopped. In that moment, there was only the two of them and the memories that bound them together.
The old woman approached her with slow steps, as if she feared breaking a spell. Her arms, thin and wrinkled, wrapped around Blake in a warm, protective embrace. Blake hugged her back tightly, feeling the tears slide down her cheeks. They were tears of joy, of sadness, of regret, and of relief.
—"It's been so long," Ali murmured, her voice barely audible. —"You've grown so much, my girl."
Blake nodded, feeling a lump in her throat. So many years had passed and she hadn't seen Ali again. She had felt guilty about it for a long time, but now, at this moment, only the present mattered.
In that embrace, Blake found the peace he had longed for. He realized that despite all the time that had passed, bonds of affection are never completely broken. And that sometimes, all we need is a hug and a few words to feel complete.
—"Oh, darling, why didn't you ever call?" Ali whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. Her eyes, filled with infinite sadness, stared into Blake's. The young woman felt a lump in her throat as she saw the pain reflected in the older woman's face.
—"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Blake stammered, tears welling up in her eyes.— "I didn't have the courage to face you. I was afraid you'd look down on me, remind me of all the mistakes I'd made. You warned me so many times, told me I was wrong, but I didn't listen. I failed you, Ali."
She vividly recalled the heated arguments they had had, the harsh words he had spoken. Ali, with his wisdom and unconditional love, had tried to guide her on the right path, but she, blinded by ambition and conviction for Adam, had rejected his help.
Ali, however, didn't seem to hold a grudge. Wiping Blake's tears away with her fingertips, she smiled tenderly. —"Don't worry about it, my girl. We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and move on."
Blake felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Ali's words were like a balm to her wounded soul. —"You've always been so good to me," she whispered. "I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Ali shook her head, her gaze locked with Blake's.— "It's not about deserving, my girl," she whispered tenderly.— "It's about loving. And I love you, Blake. I always have and I always will." Her words echoed through the room, filling it with a comforting warmth.
Taking Blake's hand in hers, Ali invited her to sit down.— "Come, sit with me. I want you to tell me everything that's happened to you. Don't hold anything back." Her voice was soft, but it carried an unwavering strength, inviting Blake to open her heart.
Blake, feeling a mix of relief and guilt, hesitated for a moment. —"That'll be for another time, Ali. I have an appointment with my parents today... I haven't seen them in a while." His voice cracked slightly at the mention of his parents.
Ali nodded in understanding.— "You're absolutely right, darling. You should go see them. They miss you so much." Her words, full of empathy, made Blake feel even guiltier. She knew Ali would support her in any decision, but she couldn't help but feel like she was hurting her by postponing their conversation.
Sun watched the scene from a corner, gazing at the couple with a mixture of tenderness and admiration. This was an intimate moment, a sacred space where love blossomed unhindered. And he, in his wisdom, decided to stay out of it. There was no need to disrupt this harmony.
—"Kuo Kuana has changed quite a bit," Blake murmured, his eyes scanning the transformed landscape. It was as if he had been reborn.
Ali, the sweet old lady, replied with a radiant smile. —"Yes, we have never been as prosperous as we are now. It is a miracle, don't you think?" Her voice was warm and full of gratitude.
Blake nodded, though a shadow of doubt crossed his mind. He had to admit that the change was astonishing, but how had it been possible? What secrets were hidden behind this sudden prosperity?
—"Yes, it is a miracle," Blake repeated, more out of politeness than conviction. The answers to his questions could only come from his father, the leader of this community. Although it was no longer a simple village, but a thriving kingdom.
—"Is my father home?" she asked, trying to hide her concern.
Ali nodded enthusiastically. —"Yes, he should be having lunch with Miss Sienna right now and..."
Blake couldn't listen any longer. The name Sienna, the leader of the White Fang, chilled her. It was a name that evoked dark memories and ancient fear. Sienna and her father had been bitter enemies for years. It had been she who had wrested control of the White Fang, twisting the organization into a shadow of its former self.
Blake shuddered at the thought of the woman who had caused so much pain to his family. What was Sienna doing here? What kind of deal did she have with his father? A thousand questions crowded through his mind, all of them fraught with mounting anxiety.
And Ali had mentioned that her father was having lunch with Sienna, and the thought chilled her. Sienna, the leader of the White Fang, was a woman of strong will and dark ambitions. Blake feared the worst: that, distracted by the presence of his former enemy, her father might be manipulated or even betrayed.
Driven by a longing for protection and a visceral fear, Blake ran toward her home. The Kuo Kuana had changed so much that she felt disoriented, the familiar streets now a maze of new construction. Eventually, though, she managed to recognize her old house. It was twice as big as before, but the mailbox with the name "Belladonna Family" guided her to her destination.
With her heart pounding and Sun at her heels, Blake entered the house. She made her way from room to room, each step echoing in the silence of the mansion. As she approached the dining room, she heard raised voices, a heated argument. Fear gripped her, squeezing her chest like an iron fist.
With trembling fingertips, Blake pushed open the door. The scene before his eyes was so surreal that for a moment he thought he was dreaming.
His father and mother sat together at the table, sharing a lively conversation and enjoying a delicious meal. But what really caught Blake's attention was the imposing figure of Sienna Khan, the fearsome leader of the White Fang, sitting next to him.
However, the normally imposing and menacing image of Sienna was now in a rather... peculiar situation. She was engaged in a heated argument with a man, both craning their necks and wrestling over a small plate of yellowfin tuna sushi.
—"You better let it go, I won't be tempted to attack you, that's mine!" Sienna exclaimed in a menacing voice, her eyes shining with determination. The man, visibly embarrassed, tried to snatch the plate from her. —"It's the last one left, and it's my favorite!"
—"Come on, Sienna, don't be mean," the man pleaded, making puppy dog eyes. —"I promise I'll pay you whatever, just give me a bite. Kali Belladonna's yellowfin tuna is just divine!"
Sienna looked at him with disdain. —"Do you really think that by making dog eyes you're going to convince me? You've already eaten four plates! And now you want more? Don't be a glutton!"
The man sighed theatrically, running a hand through his brown hair. "I just didn't know it was this good. Seriously, it's a delight!" His voice, deep and somewhat melodious, contrasted with the usual seriousness of the atmosphere.
She was about twenty-eight years old, judging by her appearance. Her skin, slightly tanned by the sun, matched her dark brown eyes, which sparkled with a spark of mischief. Her hair, dark brown and straight, reached down to her back, waving gently with each movement of her head.
She wore a white tunic, typical of the Menagerie region, which highlighted the beauty of her figure.
The soft, lightweight fabric flowed elegantly to her movements, revealing a certain sophistication beneath her relaxed appearance.
—"Blake, daughter?" Kali Belladonna's voice echoed through the room, interrupting the farce between Sienna and the young man. Blake, distracted by the scene, slowly turned her head towards her mother.
Kali and Ghira Belladonna were stunned to see her. Their daughter had changed so much since they had last seen her. It was as if time had stopped for her, retaining her youthful beauty. Her eyes, large and expressive, were identical to her mother's, and her hair, although longer, had the same dark and shiny tone. The only difference was her height, slightly taller than Kali's.
—"Blake..." Ghira whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. His eyes filled with tears as he looked at his daughter, who had blossomed into a beautiful and strong woman. It was as if a dream had come true.
Sienna, oblivious to the emotional reunion, triumphantly raised the plate of sushi.— "And it's mine!" she exclaimed, her smile radiant as the rising sun. In one swift movement, she had snatched the prized delicacy from the man's hands, who was now rubbing his stomach, feigning acute pain. —"Hahaha! No one can beat me!"
The man, with a dramatic sigh, sank into his chair.— "Oh, please! It's not fair! I got distracted."
Blake, his heart racing, watched the scene. His hand instinctively rested on the handle of his gun, ready to draw it in case of danger. Sienna, however, seemed harmless, completely absorbed in her meal. Something didn't fit. The atmosphere was too idyllic, too peaceful.
Her father, noticing the tension in his daughter, gently patted her shoulder. —"Don't worry, daughter. Sienna is our guest." His voice was soft and comforting, but Blake wasn't entirely reassured. Sienna's smile, too wide, put her on guard.
Blake frowned, puzzled. A guest? Since when had the leader of the White Fang been welcomed with open arms in this house? According to her latest reports, there was an unspoken law: if Sienna dared to cross the threshold of her home, she would be unceremoniously expelled.
—"Well, so this is your daughter, Miss Kali," the man commented, approaching Blake with an overly wide smile. "She's a complete beauty, just like you... What if you had a son? He'd sure be a very handsome man."
Blake flinched. When had that man moved? A second ago he had been standing next to Sienna, and now he was in front of her, invading her personal space. Her parents, with a complacent smile, moved away to leave her alone with the intruder.
—"And you are...?" Blake spoke, but her voice was more of a growl than a question. Her tone was so menacing and hostile that her parents exchanged 'she'll never change' glances.
—"Ugh! Hahaha! What a strong attitude! I guess you got this from your father," The man didn't seem fazed by Blake's hostility. On the contrary, he seemed to be having fun. Not in a mocking way, but rather in a carefree way, as if he were playing a game.
—"I suppose it was rude of me not to introduce myself. You must be Blake. Your parents have told me a lot about you," The man extended his hand, palm up, in a friendly gesture. His eyes, a deep brown color, shone with genuine joy. He had a wide, white smile that lit up his entire face. —"It's nice to meet you. My name is Hashirama Senju."
-{}-
I apologize for any spelling mistakes and invite you to share your ideas for improving the story.
I warn you that some things may not make much sense, so I appreciate any suggestions.
I also inform you that I have taken some creative liberties with some characters and that I will not follow the original canon to the letter.
Thank you for your support. I hope you like what I have written so far and that you will join me on this literary adventure. Best wishes!
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