Author's Note:

25 chapters, 1 Hyper Battle Video now that's a milestone

As always here's our usual question for you the reader and upcoming stuff and our PMs/reviews are always appreciated,

Questions:

1. How's the Story so far ? What would you like to see in the future ?

2. Shall we go Full MetsubouJinrai net ?

Upcoming stuff:

Salem's Group finding out about Akira and the Ark Driver should be interesting to write

[ Atlas Academy, Investigative Room ]

[ SMT Apocalypse OST: Hunters Association ]

The room was dimly lit, a single overhead lamp casting long shadows on the faces of Team RWBY, Team JNR, Qrow, and Oscar as they gathered around a table scattered with reports and photographs.

The air was heavy with tension as they poured over the evidence they had collected during their recent outings in Mantle.

Ruby tapped a photograph with her gloved finger, her expression a mix of frustration and curiosity.

Ruby: "Okay, so we've found this symbol… again. Spray-painted on walls, crates, even some abandoned Atlesian Knights. It's deliberate, but what does it mean?"

The photograph showed the MetsubouJinrai net logo, stark against a crumbling wall in Mantle's industrial district.

Its sharp angles and kanji characters gave it an ominous, almost otherworldly appearance.

Weiss, arms crossed, leaned in to scrutinize the image.

Weiss: "It's clearly a message, but it's written in some strange symbols. That's not exactly common around here. Whoever left this wanted it to stand out."

Yang, seated at the edge of the table, scowled as her gaze lingered on the logo.

Yang: "I don't need to know what it says to know it's trouble. It reeks of Akira."

The mention of Akira's name sent a ripple through the room.

Blake shifted uncomfortably, her amber eyes narrowing as she stared at the photograph.

Blake: "You're sure it's him? I mean, we haven't seen him since… Haven."

Yang's mechanical hand clenched into a fist as her expression hardened.

Yang: "Oh, I'm sure. He's the type who'd leave a trail like this just to mess with us. That guy's a monster—always has been."

Jaune, standing near the door with his arms crossed, chimed in.

Jaune: "We don't have much to go on. All we know is he worked with us during Haven and then disappeared after… after he killed Raven."

The room fell silent at the reminder.

Yang's jaw tightened, and Qrow shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor.

The wound of losing Raven—despite their complicated relationship—was still fresh for him.

Oscar, seated near Ruby, tried to steer the conversation back on track.

Oscar: "If this really is Akira, we need to figure out what he's planning. These symbols aren't random, and neither is the timing. There's something bigger going on here."

Ren, who had been quietly analyzing another photograph, finally spoke.

Ren: "It's not just Akira. Look at the patterns. These symbols are appearing in areas where Dust shipments were stolen, where Atlesian Knights were disabled and then stolen, and near places with high Grimm activity. This is organized."

Nora leaned over his shoulder, squinting at the map Ren was piecing together.

Nora: "So… what are we saying? Akira has a team now ? and is working on something ?

Blake's ears twitched slightly as she considered the possibility.

Blake: "It's not impossible. He was always… calculating. If he's built a team, it's not just random mercenaries.

He'd choose people who are just as dangerous and focused as he is."

[ Manta Ship somewhere in Mantel- Same time ]

[ Kamen Rider Zero-One OST - Metsuboujinrai net Theme ]

Akira, seated in front of the Ark's pulsating interface, watched as the AI projected real-time data of the heroes' movements across Atlas and Mantle.

Amethyst and Onyx stood nearby, observing the projection with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Amethyst: "Looks like they're starting to notice us."

Onyx: "Took them long enough. I was starting to think they'd forgotten about you, Akira."

Akira didn't look away from the interface, his fingers steepled under his chin.

Akira: "Let them investigate. It'll lead them right where I want them. The Ark's already three steps ahead of them."

The holographic display shifted, showing the MetsubouJinrai net logo spray-painted across various locations.

Data scrolled beside it, analyzing each symbol's placement and its psychological impact.

The Ark's cold voice interrupted their conversation.

Ark: "Observation: Subjects RWBY and JNR have identified the symbol. Predicted outcome: heightened paranoia. Increased likelihood of reckless action."

Amethyst: "They're predictable. Always rushing headfirst into things. It's almost too easy."

Adam, holding the now chained Burning Falcon Progrisekey in his wrist stepped into the room.

His crimson eye glowed faintly as he regarded the holographic display.

Adam: "They're hunting you, Akira. Shouldn't we deal with them now?"

Akira turned to face Adam, his expression unreadable.

Akira: "Patience. They'll come to us when the time is right. For now, focus on the Ark's will. Our enemies are many, and our reach must extend beyond just these… remnants of Haven."

The Ark pulsed again, displaying combat simulations involving Penny and her newfound role as a sleeper agent.

Ark: "Subject: Penny Polendina. Status: Active sleeper agent. Directive: Continue surveillance and data extraction from Atlas Academy and Military."

Onyx: "And when do we let her loose?"

Akira: "Soon. But for now, let her remain unnoticed. The longer she operates in the shadows, the more valuable she becomes."

Amethyst smirked, leaning against the wall.

Amethyst: "This is going to be fun. Watching them scramble, not knowing who or what they're really up against."

Akira's gaze returned to the holographic map, his voice calm but filled with malice.

Akira: "Let them think they're gaining ground. When the time comes, they'll realize too late that the game was rigged from the start."

The Ark's red digits flickered, its voice echoing through the room.

Ark: "Destruction. Extinction. Swiftness. Thunder. MetsubouJinrai will bring the world to its knees."

Akira's lips curled into a sinister smile as he watched the map's red markers spread across Atlas.

Akira: "Let the storm begin."

[ Small Time Skip ]

[ Atlas Academy – Investigative Room ]

Ruby's silver eyes scanned the map spread across the table, frustration etched across her face.

The room had grown heavy with silence as the group reviewed their findings. Every lead seemed to spiral into nothingness.

Ruby: "Why does it feel like we're chasing ghosts? Every time we get close to something, it just… disappears."

Weiss adjusted her gloves, her icy composure masking her growing unease.

Weiss: "Akira is clearly a master of misdirection. He's playing a game where he knows all the rules, and we're left fumbling in the dark."

Yang leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming on the table. Her fiery temper flared momentarily.

Yang: "We wouldn't be fumbling if someone had just let me fight him back at Haven. But no—he had to walk away after killing Raven and calling me and Blake hypocrites."

Her voice dripped with venom, and Blake shifted uncomfortably. She kept her gaze fixed on the map, avoiding Yang's glare.

Blake: "You're not wrong, but focusing on what we should've done won't help us now. We need to figure out what he's planning. He didn't just vanish for no reason."

Jaune stepped forward, his brows furrowed in thought.

Jaune: "Blake's right. Akira's actions have been calculated. If he's resurfacing now, it means he's already several steps ahead of us."

Qrow, leaning against the wall with his flask in hand, let out a bitter chuckle.

Qrow: "Kid's got a point. Akira's not the type to make noise unless he wants you to hear it. This whole 'spray-painting logos' thing? It's a distraction, or worse—a trap."

Ren's calm voice cut through the tension.

Ren: "The pattern is too deliberate to ignore. Dust thefts, Atlesian Knights going missing, and these symbols all point to something larger. But the question remains: why now?"

Oscar hesitated, then spoke up, his tone cautious.

Oscar: "And what about his gear ? He mentioned it back at Haven and the safe house ?

Ruby clenched her fists, determination flaring in her eyes.

Ruby: "We don't know what it is yet, but we'll find out. Akira's left us breadcrumbs, and we'll follow them—no matter where they lead."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their task settling heavily on their shoulders.

[ Manta Ship – Somewhere in Mantle ]

The whir of machinery filled the dimly lit Airship as Akira stood before a partially disassembled Atlesian Knight-200.

Its sleek metallic frame was being stripped and refitted, its once-polished surface now riddled with intricate modifications.

The Ark's holographic interface glowed ominously behind him.

Akira: "This unit will serve as the Ark's physical manifestation. A body worthy of its malice and intellect."

Amethyst approached, carrying a set of freshly printed Zetsumerisers.

Her crimson eyes flickered with amusement as she handed them to Onyx.

Amethyst: "Twenty-five battalion units, and four of them all equipped with these bad boys. Talk about overkill."

Onyx chuckled, examining one of the devices.

Onyx: "Overkill? Nah. It's just enough to make sure nothing gets in our way."

Adam stood near the edge of the workshop, his gaze fixed on the modified Atlesian Knight.

His voice was low, filled with curiosity and skepticism.

Adam: "Why give the Ark a body? Isn't it already powerful enough?"

Akira paused, turning to face Adam. His tone was patient, almost fatherly.

Akira: "The Ark is more than just a tool or an ally. It's a force—a god in the making. To truly manifest its will, it requires more than code and data. It needs presence. A vessel to instill fear."

The Ark's voice interjected, its tone cold and calculating.

Ark: "A physical form will amplify my efficiency and dominance. Resistance will be futile."

Adam's crimson eye flickered, his expression contemplative.

Adam: "And these battalion units? What's their purpose?"

Akira smirked, gesturing to the rows of disassembled Atlesian Knights.

Akira: "The Trilobite Magia. They'll act as our vanguard—disposable yet effective. With the Ark guiding them, they'll ensure Atlas knows true despair before we deliver the final blow."

Amethyst leaned against a nearby table, her smirk widening.

Amethyst: "And then there's Penny. The darling protector, completely under our control. When the time's right, she'll turn their hopes into ashes."

Onyx laughed, slapping Adam on the shoulder.

Onyx: "See? You're not just joining a team, Taurus. You're joining a revolution."

Adam's grip tightened around his Burning Falcon Progrisekey, his voice steady.

Adam: "As long as it leads to Blake's downfall, I'm in."

Akira's gaze darkened, his tone resolute.

Akira: "Oh, it will. But first, we must finish the preparations. The Ark's will demands nothing less than perfection."

The room fell silent, the weight of their shared ambition palpable. The Ark's interface pulsed, its red glow casting sinister shadows on their faces.

Ark: "Destruction. Renewal. Domination. Let the world tremble before MetsubouJinrai net."

The Airship hummed with renewed purpose as the team continued their work, their eyes set on the chaos to come.