Nora sat cross-legged on a makeshift crate, her eyes locked on the direction Jaune had disappeared into. She twirled a strand of her disguised hair absently, her lips pursed in thought. "You know, Fearless Leader sure has a lot of weird things."

Ren, leaning against a post nearby, nodded in quiet agreement. "He does."

"Potions that can turn you into Faunus, shrink you down, make you grow big, and who knows what else he's hiding," Pyrrha added, her arms crossed as she stared off into the distance.

Ruby, seated on a nearby rock, tapped Crescent Rose idly against her boot. "Yeah, it's kind of odd, huh?"

Weiss, standing primly to the side, let out a sigh, brushing her newly darkened hair behind her ear. "It is. But I have a feeling he won't say anything. 'His lips are sealed,' as he so dramatically puts it."

Nora kicked her legs back and forth, smirking mischievously. "Maybe we can tickle him until he spills the beans."

Ren straightened, his voice calm but firm. "That won't be necessary. Jaune's not the kind to keep secrets that would harm anyone."

Weiss nodded thoughtfully. "True. He's a bit of a dolt sometimes, but definitely not malicious. Then again…" She tilted her head, narrowing her crimson eyes. "How does someone like him know a smuggler? But I suppose he did say he'd been outside the kingdoms before, Beacon."

"Well, I'm sure he has his reasons," Pyrrha said, her tone measured. "And he did use that smuggler to find a way to smuggle us here. All so we could help Blake and Yang."

"Hard to argue with that," Weiss admitted.

"Jaune's a good guy."

All eyes turned to Ruby, who seems so sure about it, r her gaze steady. There wasn't a shred of hesitation in her voice, and everyone could tell she meant it. The conviction in her tone was enough to draw a small smile from Pyrrha and even a faint nod from Weiss.

"Still," Pyrrha began, her green eyes glancing toward the camp, "secrets or not, we're in deep trouble here. Everyone is. Look at them." She gestured to the refugees huddled in ragged groups around the clearing. Exhaustion etched their faces, their postures heavy with despair. "We're strong, yes, but even we can't handle an overwhelming flood of Grimm. They'd tear through us. And if these are anything like the ones we faced in Mt. Glenn, they'll take more effort than normal Grimm."

Nora leaned forward, balancing her hammer on her shoulder. "Yeah, sure, I can 'Slam and Smash' them, but the Merlot Grimm are tougher than the usual Grimm. They hit hard, and they can tank a hit like nothing. Remember the last time, Pyr? We had to run."

"We did... that was... I'd rather not experience again," Pyrrha let out a tiny smile.

Ruby and Weiss exchanged weary smiles, Weiss letting out a soft laugh. "I suppose Team JNPR's had their fair share of crazy adventures too."

Ren nodded solemnly. "Still, this isn't something us students can handle. We're going to need help. No, they need help."

Weiss crossed her arms, her gaze thoughtful. "You're right. But the Faunus… they're not exactly popular. As far as the other kingdoms know, this is just a civil war. And honestly, it has nothing to do with them."

"Not to mention," Pyrrha added, "the resources it would take to launch a campaign here. To take back Menagerie and the islands… who'd fork the Lien for that?"

Weiss continued, her tone measured. "Mistral might help, but there's really only one kingdom with a standing army large enough to make a difference and that's... Atlas."

Her voice dropped slightly, almost as though she were speaking to herself. "But Atlas doesn't move unless there's something to gain. And even if they did, would they sacrifice their soldiers for an island? For a group of people who might as well spit on their boots after they're done?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of truth. Nora scratched her head, letting out a small yelp of pain as she accidentally tugged on her sensitive wolf-like ears. "Ow! Stupid Faunus ears…"

Ruby chuckled despite the tension, but Nora quickly grew serious again. "We've gotta do something. Anything."

Weiss sighed, her arms tightening across her chest. Her mind was churning, clearly weighing options and consequences, but her expression showed hesitation. Whatever she was considering, it was something she wasn't ready to say aloud.

Pyrrha's gaze shifted downward, her now bronze hair catching the flickering light of the campfires. She looked toward the refugees again, her expression a mixture of sympathy and doubt.

"We're strong," she said softly, almost to herself. "But we're still just students. Huntsmen-in-training. What can we really do?"

"Oh, he's back."

The gang turned to a direction as Jaune strode back into the camp, the flickering light from the fires casting long shadows on his face. He looked at the team, who sat in a quiet huddle. Nora swung her legs idly from her perch on a crate, Ren leaned against a post, Weiss stood with her arms crossed, and Ruby fidgeted with a strand of her red hair. Pyrrha's emerald eyes tracked his every move, a mix of curiosity and concern clear on her face.

"What's up?" Jaune asked, plopping down beside them. "Form any plans while I was out?"

Pyrrha smirked and parroted back into his earlier line. "Our lips are sealed."

The others chimed in, mimicking her with varying degrees of seriousness.

"Yeah, lips are sealed," Nora added, grinning mischievously.

Jaune let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, I get it. Look, I know it's frustrating, but there are some things I can't talk about even if I want to."

Pyrrha tilted her head, her expression softening. "We trust you, Jaune. But you have to admit, it does make things… suspicious."

"I know," Jaune replied earnestly, locking eyes with her. "But I promise, it's not as complicated as it seems. It's just… my lips are sealed."

Weiss rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated huff. "Fine, fine. Let's move past the cloak-and-dagger act. What about this 'method' you were thinking of? Is it going to work?"

Jaune leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's working, but there's… interference. Something or someone's trying to watch us when I attempt it."

Ren furrowed his brows. "Interference? That's… concerning."

"It is," Jaune admitted. "But we'll manage. For now, let's focus on what we can do."

Ren took a deep breath. "Do you have a plan? I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but this is a bigger than we thought. There's no way just the six of us can take this on headfirst. Of course, our goal is to help Blake and Yang, but if Blake doesn't want to leave until she gets what she wants... then we know what's next."

"I've been thinking about that," Jaune said, his tone steady. "You're right — we don't need an army to do what we originally came here to do. And yeah, if it comes down to it. It's going to take hard work, maybe some risk, but we have options."

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed slightly. "Options that might include… killing?"

The gang fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy fog. Even Nora, who rarely lost her cheer, grew somber.

Jaune nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. "It's something we have to be prepared for. These Grimmified individuals — if we face them, there's a chance we'd be taking their lives as well. This isn't a fight we can walk away from untouched."

His gaze locked with Pyrrha's, steady and unflinching. "If we do this, we need to know where we stand. What we're willing to do. There's no room for doubt."

Pyrrha swallowed, her posture straightening as she drew in a deep breath. "Honestly? I'm overwhelmed. But I'm here to help Blake and Yang, and whatever happens… I'll let the chips fall where they may."

Ren and Nora exchanged a look, both thoughtful. Ren spoke first. "We've seen what's out there. If this is what it takes, then so be it."

Nora nodded firmly. "Yeah. Whatever it takes."

Ruby's eyes shimmered with uncertainty, but after a moment of hesitation, she clenched her fists and straightened her back. "I don't like it, but… I'll do what I have to. For Blake. For Yang."

Weiss, who had been silent until now, crossed her arms and gave a curt nod. "My mind was made up the moment we stepped onto this island. It had to be done… even if we hate it. We can try… hard… but that's it."

Jaune's shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension easing from his frame. "Alright. Then we're all on the same page. But let's not lose sight of our goal. We're here for Blake and Yang. That hasn't changed."

Weiss tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If we need information, Ilia and Sienna are our best bets. I'm sure they'd help us locate those two."

Nora leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "What about the Grimm, though? There's so many of them."

Ren glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "It's not hard to guess what Jaune's thinking."

Jaune chuckled softly. "Of course you'd figure it out, Ren. You know me too well, brother.""

Weiss arched a brow. "Care to enlighten the rest of us?"

Ren smiled faintly. "He's planning on masking us using my Semblance. To sneak around the Grimm-infested areas and find them."

Jaune grinned, nodding in confirmation. "Exactly."

Ruby tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her silver eyes. "Oh, right!"

Weiss sighed, her tone laced with exasperation. "Of course it is. Now, first thing first, if we can get them to agree to take us to Menagerie."

Jaune stood in front of Sienna Khan, the faint glow illuminating his thoughtful expression. Around them, the forest pulsed with the distant hum of insects and the occasional eerie howl of some animal in the far distance. Sienna leaned back, her eyes scanning Jaune's face for any trace of hesitation.

"So, you're telling me you want to sneak into Grimm-infested zones with you six alone and find Blake and Blonde.," Sienna summarized, her tone skeptical. She crossed her arms, her tiger-striped tattoos shifting as she moved. "You're either the boldest or the dumbest wolf pack I've ever met."

Jaune smiled faintly, but didn't rise to the bait. "It's not as crazy as it sounds. We have the method to make it work."

"Oh?" Sienna tilted her head, curious despite herself. "Enlighten me."

Jaune gestured toward Ren, who stood nearby, calm and composed as always. "Lee here has a semblance that lets him mask us from the Grimm. It's effective when we're careful. On top of that, I can boost our aura, extending his semblance's range and duration."

Sienna's eyebrow lifted. "Boosting aura? That's not exactly a common Semblance. How does it work?"

"I can't explain the mechanics of it," Jaune admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it's straightforward. My aura amplifies others' abilities, making them stronger, faster, or more durable. In Lee's case, it makes his masking effect more potent."

Sienna considered this, tapping her fingers against her elbow. "And you think that'll be enough to get past the Grimm?"

"It's worked before," Jaune replied. "We've faced Grimm and Merlot's creations in the past. They're dangerous, but we're experienced how to handle them. The Grimm, even if they are able to think, are predictable if you know how to handle them."

Sienna didn't respond immediately. Her sharp gaze bore into Jaune, searching for any sign of false confidence or bravado. Finding none, she finally exhaled and gave a short nod. "Alright. I'll bite. But I'm adding a condition."

Jaune straightened. "Name it."

"There's still a chance there are survivors in the settlements," Sienna said, her voice carrying a weight of responsibility. "If you find anyone, you get them out. No excuses."

Jaune's expression softened. "That's already part of the plan."

Satisfied, Sienna turned and gestured sharply to her left. A young woman emerged from the shadows — a spider Faunus with gray-blue hair that fell over one eye, pronounced veins tracing her pale skin. Her uniform was sleek and functional, though the zipper at her chest was left open, revealing a bit of her collarbone.

"This is Trifa," Sienna introduced. "She's one of my enforcers."

Trifa gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, her eyes assessing Jaune and his team.

"Interesting bunch," she commented, her voice smooth and quiet.

A moment later, a tall bat Faunus stepped into view. He had spiky brown hair, a goatee, and wings folded neatly behind him. His golden eyes gleamed in the firelight as he offered a lopsided grin.

"Name's Yuma," he said. "Boss Sienna… are you serious about sending us with this wolves?"

"Deadly serious," Sienna replied sharply. "You'll escort them to Kahaki. There's a stronghold east of Azure Island. That's where you might find Blondie and Belladonna."

Yuma raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue. Trifa, however, wasn't as easily convinced. "Before we agree to anything, we need to see that masking first."

Jaune nodded, stepping forward. "Fair enough. Let me show you."

He placed a hand on Ren's shoulder, his aura flaring faintly as he concentrated. Ren's own aura responded, glowing softly before enveloping the group in an invisible shroud. Jaune, Nora, Ruby, and Weiss's presence vanished, their presence masked completely.

Trifa's lips parted in surprise, her sharp eyes darting to where the group had been. Yuma let out a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned."

Jaune signaled Ren to let the masking drop and stepped back into view, a hint of triumph in his expression. "Does that convince you?"

Trifa folded her arms, her expression guarded but respectful. "It's a start."

Sienna waved them off with a tired sigh, slumping back into her chair. "Good. Get to Kahaki and see if there's anything left. I'll take whatever we can get.."

Yuma nodded curtly. "Understood."

The group followed Trifa and Yuma to a Mistralian airship. Featuring a sail-like membranes and a single propeller raised high at the rear, with a streamlined lower hull.

As the team boarded, Yuma and Trifa took the pilot seats. "Better mask the airship now," Yuma advised, glancing back at Jaune.

Jaune complied, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder again. The faint glow of their combined auras spread over the airship, cloaking it from sight.

The flight east began smoothly, but soon the horizon grew darker, filled with ominous black shapes. Pyrrha's voice trembled as she pointed out below. "What… what is that?"

Trifa's voice was grim as she spoke from the cockpit. "Grimm migration. They're heading south, circling the continent. They're everywhere these days."

The sight was chilling. A dense, writhing mass of Grimm moving with eerie coordination. As the airship flew closer to Menagerie, the team's unease deepened further. On the horizon stood a towering spire, black and grotesque tower, with jagged purple crystals jutting from its surface. It pulsed faintly, like a living, breathing thing.

"What is that?" Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible.

Trifa's jaw tightened. "That's where most of the Grimm are coming from. A nest constantly spawning them from black pools. With the migration and the black pools creating more, it's no wonder Menagerie's being swallowed whole. This is what we're up against, my kin. This is the darkness that have swallowed Menagerie whole."