"So she was your sister. I thought as much." Arslan, with her arms crossed over her chest, exhaled as Naruto lay on the bed in their guest room in the dormitory. "Naruto..."
"You're not stopping me," Naruto glowered, glancing over as his team leader.
"I am not trying to." Arslan frowned.
"In your position, I'm certain we'd all do the same thing. And we're right there with you. We're hitting the docks at night, right? They were shipping a boatload of it on our ferry." Bolin added with confidence.
"I won't be if you won't let me rest! I'm not a physical powerhouse like you guys are or have the endurance to go on for days at a time without rest!" Reese snapped, smoldering in bed and staring up at the ceiling before throwing her pillow over her face.
"We'll leave you both to rest." Arslan nodded before her eyes sharpened onto Naruto. "Just don't forget that if we run into your friends, they may not consider us the same. They may be so far lost that you might not be able to reach them."
"I know," Naruto lay on his back, gazing at the ceiling. His stony features hinted at the determination that well within. "But I'm not willing to give up on them. No matter what it takes. If I have to break every bone in their body to make 'em listen, so be it."
"I refuse to give up on my friends, dammit. And they damn well know it!"
[ X ]
Blake was finding it challenging to fall asleep. She knew that catching what rest she could would only be beneficial before staking a post over the Dust shipment that was brought into the docks.
They all agreed that would be the most likely place to hit. Most of the shops and other incoming shipments had been hit on arrival to the point that Vale's Dust prices had shot through the roof due to low supplies and the high demand. The SDC and the Mistral Trading Company were seeking alternative methods of transporting Dust due to the spike in thefts.
And she knew the White Fang had already been striking the trains coming this direction. Her last mission with Adam, they had struck a shipment. However, they hadn't done any direct hits in the city of Vale, mainly to avoid issues of treading on the Xiong Clan's territory despite their fall from power. They were still strong enough to cause an underground movement, such as Adam's, to pause.
What worried Blake was hearing that they were now striking shops. For Adam to become so bold...
Was he searching for her? Was he...
"Blake, you awake?" Yang whispered from the top bunk, leaning her head over to check on her.
"Unfortunately," Blake quietly groaned, trying not to disturb Ruby or Weiss herself, glaring up at her partner. "What do you want?"
"Well, before I ask what I want to, I have a question. Why didn't you tell us he was your brother when we first met? I really thought he was an ex-boyfriend or something." Yang frowned.
"I wasn't hiding anything. He was my childhood friend. My parents adopted him almost two years after we met. They were worried that, with our friends joining the White Fang, we would, so they tried to prevent that... And it worked with him." Blake let out a light whimper.
They really didn't want them to join. And Naruto did everything to stop her.
...Only to be left with a gash on his chest from Adam...
"Oh... Yeah, I suppose that makes sense." Yang awkwardly grinned, attempting to find her words. "So, the real question I wanted to ask was... Uh... I've got your brother's number."
"Why?" Blake glowered and squinted at Yang, not liking where her partner was leading this question.
Did Yang find her brother attractive? Wonderful...
"You know," Yang anxiously chuckled before taking a deep breath. "I wanted to ask him out to the dance. I was worried at first because I thought you two might have been a thing. Now that I know you are siblings, well, I don't want to piss off my friend."
"I don't care. Ask him out if you want. You could do it before if you wanted." Blake rolled her eyes.
"Oh, score. That was easier than I thought. So you might be upset if I did." Yang sheepishly grinned as she slid back onto her bunk. "Now, here's hoping he isn't going out with his partners..."
"I doubt it. They're not his type." Blake gave an empty shrug. "Besides, he is his own person, and we haven't seen each other in years. If you want to ask him out, go for it. You're not his type, but he might say yes. He's always been bad about saying yes to things he doesn't want to do."
"What do you mean I'm not his type?" Yang complained, and Blake could feel her contempt. "Sure, I may be rough and tough, but I'm cool to hang out with. Besides, I have two huge assets that every guy, Oum, even other girls want and a solid ass."
"Yes! You're attractive! We get it! You don't need to flaunt it." Weiss groaned from the other bunk, rolling over and glaring at the upper bunk across the room.
"Yeesh, my bad... And sorry if I woke you." Yang grimaced, sitting up in her bunk.
"As much as I would like to blame you, you didn't. My thoughts have been running rampant, and I can't fall asleep." Weiss clicked her tongue before shaking her head.
"I'm still too wound up from everything today." Ruby yawned, sitting up in her bunk and bringing her knees to her chest. But with a curious smile, Ruby glanced over at Blake. "So... What type of girl does your brother like?"
"Oh, does my dear sister finally have a crush? Finally, you have begun to blossom! I was beginning to worry about ya!" Yang gleamed, clasping her hands and rubbing them eagerly.
"No, it's not that. I was just curious, you know." Ruby flushed before giving her sister a nasty glare.
"Uh-huh. Sure." Yang's eyes glinted knowingly, and Ruby's scowl deepened. Yang only smirked at her sister's scowl before leaning back over at Blake. "So seriously, why am I not his type? I imagine we would get along swimmingly just from what little I've already seen of him. And who wouldn't want to date someone with a bod like mine? Or is it because... Um..."
"No, I've seen him ask out human girls before." Blake bluntly responded before scoffing. "And he doesn't care about looks. He's always been about what's on the inside. While you might get along swimmingly, I'm pretty sure he'd just see you as a friend."
"Damn, that sucks... He's a looker, too." Yang let out a defeated sigh after snapping her fingers. Then she glanced over at Ruby and grinned. "So, what kind of girl does he like? Say, theoretically, out of all of us in this room, who would you think he would like to go out with?"
Blake raised her brow at Yang's question, but without missing a beat, responded immediately. "Unless his tastes have changed, which I guess is possible, I know he has always had a strange obsession with girls with a prickly exterior... Weiss would fit that mold better than anyone."
"Pardon me? I'm taken already." Weiss, after recoiling, narrowed her eyes and leered at Blake.
"The question was who in this room my brother would rather go out with, and that's the honest answer. You simply fit the mold of what he likes in a girl... In more ways than one." Blake shortly glared back at Weiss before grumbling.
"Oh... He's into that kind of girl. Fair enough. He's in it for the challenge." Yang chirped, laughing to herself and drawing Weiss's ire.
"So you think I am challenging, huh? Well, I'll show you. Oh, I'll show you." Weiss's eyes narrowed dangerously as she glared daggers at Yang.
"Aha, let's not have another fight! Please!" Ruby desperately wailed, noticing the expression on her sister, and knew the situation was escalating.
"Hmph, fine. I'll allow this to go, for now." Weiss huffed before throwing one last glare at Yang. "However, sometime in the future..."
"Vengeance will be mine."
[ X ]
"Do we seriously have to run recon this early? Dinner isn't for a few hours, and from what we know, all their operations have happened at night." Sun yawned as he approached Arslan, holding his rumbling stomach.
Ruffling his hair, still waking up from his nap, Sun scanned the shipyard. Reese was surveying the area from above on her hoverboard, stopping occasionally to set up cameras to monitor blind spots and by entrances into the shipyard.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Bolin had mysteriously disappeared. Sun wondered what they were up to.
"Yes. We can establish proper procedures by coming in early and letting them know we're here under suspicion of a potential heist. We're given free rein to act and to set up and prepare if they do show up." Arslan flatly responded.
"I suppose that makes sense," Sun sheepishly grinned before he winced as an energy bar thumped against his face and he caught it in on the rebound.
"Think about it like how we plan for our pranks!" Naruto called out from on top of a container, causing Arslan and Sun to jump, unaware of his presence. "Recon and survey the area, locate escapes and high volume traffic routes, trap and fortify priority targets. Simple!"
"Gotcha! Now I'm on board! What do you need me to do?" Sun gave a bright smile and thumbs up.
"I'm setting up low-grade explosives, a few tripwires and net traps, and a few snares, along with laying out supply caches around, just in case!" Naruto responded, drawing a package of heavy-duty wire from a sizable container.
"I assume that you and Bolin disappeared to purchase that gear." Arslan exhaled, giving Naruto a reproachful glance.
"Yeah, but the douchebag selling the stuff was one of those anti-Faunus jerks with the No Faunus signs on his shop, so I had to disguise myself to get into the store... And might have left some surprises for him. He's gonna have some fun cleaning up later." Naruto snickered.
"Ah, and we're not gonna see the results? Man," Reese snapped her fingers, leaping down next to Arslan.
"Oh, we will. I pocketed one of your spare cameras and set it up to film the reaction." Bolin waved as he strolled over, carrying a take-out bag with him, pulling out foil-wrapped sandwiches to hand over. "It's not much, but it's best to eat light before any potential action."
"Ah, you are so sweet! Dinner and a show! If I were straight, I could kiss ya!" Reese beamed as she accepted the sandwich, withdrawing her scroll. With a few flicks of her fingers and a couple of taps, she smirked as the camera feeds came online. "We're good to go. We have eyes in the sky and at the entrances."
"I would worry if you did kiss me." Bolin blanched and shook his head. "I'd have to think someone had kidnapped you and tried to pose as you."
"Good luck with that. I'm one of a kind!" Reese laughed, turning to Arslan. "I found two, maybe three good vantage points we can post up from. If they do show up, we can cut off any escapes."
"Then it seems we are almost ready for tonight." Arslan gave a firm nod to acknowledge Reese's efforts. Her gaze then shifted to containers above and to the blonde working on his traps. "Naruto, you should call and inform them we have the area staked out."
"Already sent that Yang girl the message!" Naruto verified, holding up his scroll before chuckling. "Also told her to stop and pick up some snacks."
"Could be a late night. Might need something to keep us pepped up."
[ X ]
Tch. This place was droll.
Sasuke snorted. He much preferred the institutionalized setting of Atlas and its academy to that of Beacon. This place felt too... Open and free. As if it didn't cater to just being a place to learn.
There were so many extracurricular activities to do on campus that it didn't make sense to him. The gym, track, and pool all made sense. Those were places to work out and stay in shape.
So why was there a rec center with a pool hall and a bowling alley inside? Why did the auditorium double as a theater? And there were on-site convenience stores that sold Dust!
It felt counterproductive to Sasuke...
Although he did imagine it was out of accessibility. Beacon was not located in Vale and instead was an hour outside of it, unlike how Atlas's Academy was situated in Atlas. It was in contrast to Shade and Haven as well, for they were located on the outskirts of Vacuo and Mistral.
And Sasuke had to admit, the forest that surrounded Beacon felt comfortable...
Sasuke glowered and shoved that feeling deep within. Comfortable? Him?
Hardly.
Not until every last Grimm was exterminated would he feel any hint of comfort. Only then could he return to give his mother a proper memorial...
"Hm?" Something of interest caught Sasuke's gaze as he wandered through Beacon, taking the school in. A familiar sight of Schnee's white hair stood out among the crowd walking through the central courtyard and the entrance to Beacon.
With hair as white as snow and her fair skin complexion, Weiss would always stand out amongst the crowd. Even amongst her bright companions, she stood out.
Sasuke's gaze narrowed, noticing they were drifting from the rest. They seemed to be heading in the direction of leaving Beacon and heading to Vale.
Interesting. At this time of the afternoon? It couldn't be for dinner. He had noticed Weiss in the cafeteria earlier. Perhaps it was a date night where her team went out to enjoy the nightly activities in Vale?
But on a day before school week began?
"What are you four doing?" Sasuke pursed his lips, following Weiss's team with his gaze as they headed out.
Sasuke trailed, keeping his distance. It wouldn't do for Weiss to get into trouble. Her father would be quite agitated if something were to happen. And that blonde-haired friend she had with that energetic personality reminded him of someone... An old friend he hadn't seen in years.
Yeah, if she were anything like him, she would be someone who would get Weiss in trouble.
Sasuke could guarantee it.
[ X ]
Night had come. Blake and her team arrived, and everyone had separated into three groups.
Blake, Sun, and Bolin were set on the north side. They would be the first contact team, as Naruto had more faith in Blake talking to her fellow Faunus... And if Adam happened to be there.
His friend hadn't listened to him in years... At least he had been listening to Blake.
Naruto's group was on the south side. He had paired off with Arslan and Yang to be the heavy attack group if things escalated. And if they did, Weiss would cover and provide support while he offered versatility.
Ruby and Reese were stationed on the eastern warehouse to cut off the retreat and give ranged support.
Naruto exhaled, muttering to himself as he glanced over the north end. Sun was his friend, but if he dared step out of line around Blake...
"Dude... Everything is scoped out. And all of these traps! You guys mean business. Whoa." Yang muttered, blinking as she held out her scroll, looking over the camera feeds and staring out at all the traps set out.
Some were purposely visible, at least to a discerning eye, to distract from those that were well hidden.
"I am almost impressed. You run a tight shift," Weiss gave a faint smile, nodding to Arslan in approval.
"I may be my team leader, but recon and intelligence gathering are Naruto and Reese's specialty. They take charge in these moments. I simply keep them on track." Arslan stated, shaking her head.
"Huh? Neat. Would have pegged you as someone who enjoys fighting up close." Yang perked her eyebrow, giving Naruto another once-over glance.
"Heh, I do enjoy getting up close and personal." Naruto chuckled and grinned momentarily. However, his features darkened, and his bangs shaded his cerulean eyes. But in a fight, especially against the Grimm, there are no rules of combat. Lie, cheat, steal. Do whatever it takes to protect those whom you cherish and to come out alive for them... Survive for the fallen."
"Damn... That's a little intense." Yang apprehensively leaned back while Weiss recoiled and her eyes narrowed, and her brow furrowed.
"Some people's life experiences are harsher, and their experiences shape them into who they are," Arslan responded, gently nudging Naruto with her elbow.
Naruto flashed a smile to ease her concern before the ears on his head stiffened. His eyes darted to the sea. Reaching for his scroll, Naruto turned on the intercom feature before growling, his gaze sharpening to the western sky. "Something is coming. I think I can make out Bullheads in the distance heading in this direction."
"I hear them as well, but that doesn't make sense. We didn't have access to any Bullheads when I left. Could this be someone else?" Blake's voice echoed over the scroll with a hint of apprehension as the Bullheads approached and landed in the shipyard.
"It's them." Weiss scowled as individuals adorned in the White Fang attire and mask jumped off the landing Bullheads. Her eyes sharpened as a differently dressed individual, in a white trench coat and a black bowler hat, hopped off the Bullhead and began to direct them. "Wait, isn't that..."
"I know him! He was robbing the Dust store I was in a month ago! That's Roman Torchwick!" Ruby whispered over the comms.
"Alright, you rat bastards! Let's get to work! Focus on those closest to the dock and get those straps on. We're on a clock here!" Roman directed the members of the White Fang, pointing out specific containers.
"Huh? What's going on? Why is a human ordering around the White Fang?" Sun stated with a hint of confusion.
"I'm going in." Blake hissed, and from her vantage point, Blake leaped off.
"Blake! Wait!" Ruby called out while trying to cover Blake as she stealthily darted through the containers.
"More Bullheads are coming. We need to wait until they have all arrived!" Arslan commanded, but to no avail.
Blake had quickly slid behind and caught Roman unaware, holding him hostage. "Brothers! Sisters! Listen to me! Why are you listening to this human?"
"Yeah, that ship has sailed. Prepare for contact." Naruto bit his lip, surveying the scene before his eyes sharpened on the landing fleet of Bullheads. And a particular individual with fiery red hair stepped out, causing Naruto to snarl.
"Adam."
[ X ]
This didn't make any sense. Why was a human giving orders to her brothers and sisters?
Blake hissed. Something was wrong. She recognized several of the Faunus that Roman had ordered to steal the containers. They were at the camp, which they had outposted outside of Vale. They, out of all members of the White Fang, would be the least likely to listen or partner with a human.
She knew how extreme Adam had started to become. Sienna had indoctrinated him with her beliefs, and he had taken them to extremes. He didn't seek violent measures to be considered equal...
He wanted to be superior. To dominate humanity.
"What the... Ahk! Careful!" Roman grunted, resisting Blake's hold at first before immediately giving up as her blade crossed his throat. "Easy there. Let's talk about this."
"Shut up!" Blake growled, holding the main blade to Gambol Shroud tightly across the flesh of Roman's neck, his aura shimmering at the contact. Turning her gaze to her brothers and sisters, noticing their act of drawing their rifles, she revealed herself and called out to them. "Brothers! Sisters! Stop this at once! Why are you listening to a human?"
Blake saw their hesitation and the lowering of their rifles. They gave one another awkward glances before returning their gaze to her. They recognized her. She had been their second-in-command. There may have been some distrust after she fled the organization. But some respect remained, for they were listening.
Good. Maybe she could convince them...
"Oh... I see what's going on. You're his girl." Roman muttered as the air whipped around them, as the roar of a Bullhead's engine filled the air, and the mechanical beast landed.
"What do you mean by that?" Blake snarled, gnashing her teeth as her hold over Roman tensed.
No. That couldn't be. Adam would never work with a human...
"I think you know," Roman simply stated, using the control he had over his cane to direct Blake's attention to the landing Bullhead as a lone young man stepped off the landing Bullhead.
Blake's eyes wavered. Her stomach knotted. She felt a cold shiver down her spine. She tensed and stammered, shaking her head. Blake knew this was a possibility, but to think he was here...
Working with a human? This didn't make any sense!
"So this is where you went, my love." Blake shivered as the visage of bull Faunus with vibrant red hair wearing a white Grimm mask unique to him turned his attention to her. The corner of Adam's lips slightly curled in amusement upon seeing her before his expression harshened. "Alas, you returned. Now we can discuss why you left in the first place..."
"Yeah, that ain't happening!" A metallic thud resonated as Naruto landed on a container before leaping directly between Adam and Blake.
"Oh..." Adam's features hardened. His stance did not change, but his hand had shifted to the handle of Wilt and Blush, prepared for a fight. "She ran back home, I see."
"Nah, I found her... Which led me directly to you." Naruto confidently smirked, balling his fist to crack his knuckles. "It's been a while, huh?"
"Not long enough," Adam scowled, unpleased with this encounter, his eyes sharpening as the rest of team ABRN and RWBY, along with Sun, surrounded the immediate area.
"Son of an Oum! This was a trap! How did you know we were gonna strike here?!" Roman snapped as he, along with all the White Fang, was startled at their arrival.
"It was a good guess. The White Fang had been hitting quite a few stores and warehouses as of late." Arslan announced, standing atop one of the containers and looking down at Adam and Roman. "Let's not escalate things any further and surrender peacefully."
"I'll take my chances," Adam scoffed, shaking his head, his intent focused solely on Blake and Naruto.
"Yeah, same, honestly. I've faced worse than a bunch of kids." Roman snorted and rolled his eyes, noting Blake's anxiety and her lax hold.
Grasping the trigger on his cane, Roman smirked. She was making this too easy.
"Is that so?" Naruto couldn't help but smile, cracking his neck. "Good. I've been waiting for this opportunity. You ain't gonna leave me broken and wounded as you did in our last encounter. This time, I'm gonna break every bone in your body and force you to listen to what I've got to say."
"You better believe that."
[ X ]
He knew it. Sasuke's suspicion was astutely correct. This wasn't a simple job. Her Faunus friend had decided to stake out a place to deal with the White Fang and her team, and another set of students to assist them.
The group from Haven was an older team and far more prepared. Sasuke was somewhat impressed by the area's layout and how they schemed around it. It was difficult for him to find a place to survey the area and remain undetected. The trap set around the area reminded him of the childish pranks an old friend had used in the past.
Wait... That blonde fox Faumus... Could he be...?
Sasuke spat in disgust, shaking that thought off for now, and monitored the situation. The White Fang had landed and was prepping the shipping containers to be carried away. He rolled his eyes and glowered.
Lawless rebels. Their point had long since been made. Now they were just sewing discourse, stealing Dust and weapons to stockpile for a war they were attempting to start.
If they wanted a war, they had better prepare for the bloodshed.
Hm? Now that was intriguing. A human was directing them?
Something was going on here in Vale. Something that the General would need to be aware of. Perhaps a team formed to investigate.
Sasuke exhaled. Regardless, there wasn't much point in being here as he watched his peers surround the crook and the rebels. There was little value or information to be gained, and Weiss was safe.
He glowered. Her old man was already displeased that she was here instead of Atlas. He wanted to keep her nearby... Under control.
Sasuke clicked his tongue. Whatever. He thought nothing more of the man than a resource. His control over the Dust and the economy of Remnant were things he desired.
With those resources, he could finally begin his crusade...
"A fight?" Sasuke's eyes sharpened as he kept watch over the situation. The last thing he needed was Weiss to catch a stray.
However, his attention shifted to that familiar Faunus and the Semblance he displayed. A sliver of a smirk graced his features, and he audibly chuckled. A sparkle of excitement gleamed within his otherwise dull onyx gaze.
"Naruto..." Sasuke muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Oh, please tell me you are here for the Vytal Festival Tournament... Still loud as ever, I see. Good."
"I've been meaning to shut that loud mouth of yours up myself."
[ X ]
"Well, isn't that sentimental? However, you are mistaken to think that the well-intention of others has any value. All that matters is who has the means to survive in this world." Roman snorted, unfazed by Naruto's statement, angling his cane behind him as he squeezed the trigger. "Allow me to demonstrate!"
A loud gunshot rang out throughout the courtyard.
Roman's cane bounced harmlessly on the concrete as he waved his hand. "Son of... You had a sniper? ...Wait, is that Little Red? ...You have a sniper who has seen me fight before?! Oum, you guys are seriously prepared! That's actually impressive!"
"Ruby, hold your fire..." Arslan ordered over the scroll.
"I couldn't! I saw Roman was squeezing the trigger! He was going to blast Blake off him!" Ruby defiantly responded over the comms.
"That's a weapon?" Bolin grimaced as every member of the White Fang raised their rifles, aiming them and prepared for a fight. "Guess we aren't doing this peacefully..."
"Peace was never an option." Adam sneered, nodding with his head toward his subordinates, strafing to the side as he kept his gaze locked on Naruto. "You know our orders. Take what Dust we can and let's leave. Ilia!"
"Yes," A petite, tanned skin and short figure leaped from the Bullhead Adam had exited, slowly strutting forward, sharing a gaze with Adam...
Before she winced as she stepped past Naruto, giving him a short but longing glance.
"Do what is necessary for us to return with every scrap we can." Adam coldly stated.
"It will be done." Ilia snapped her fingers, giving the order. "Take no prisoners!"
"I've got Adam! Take care of the rest!" Naruto immediately barked, his focus intent on Adam.
"Fine, but don't cry to us if you need help!" Yang leaped down from her container with Arslan as bullets whizzed by, Weiss dropping behind the container to avoid the flying lead.
"Reese!" Arslan called out as she slid under several shots and, with a powerful straight punch, sent the White Fang grunt flying and cratering into a steel container.
"On it!" Reese flew over, bringing out her scroll and triggering something.
Several White Fang members cried out as flashes of light blinded them, allowing Reese to land safely; her hoverboard transformed into twin pistols. With precise aim, her shots knocked the stunned Faunus, knocking them back and into Bolin, swinging in, striking, and finishing the job with cracks to the back of their head with his staff.
"Nice hits! Now let me show you how it's done!" Yang cried out, charging recklessly forward. She didn't attempt to dodge, absorbing every bullet fired in her direction. Her aura shielded her as it lit up around her like a flame, and with a thunderous hit on a White Fang grunt, it caused an equal crater in a container to Arslan. "Are you serious right now? I hit harder than that!"
"Did you?" Arslan slyly smirked, her eyes glimmering at the challenge.
"Oh, it is on now!" The aura around Yang furiously burned.
"Yeah, not doing this anymore... Neo!" Roman growled before he confidently smirked as speckles of what looked like glass began to rise from his body. "Do your thing."
"Hey! You aren't going..." Blake hissed, tightening her hold until her world temporarily blacked out as something collided with her temple with enough force to knock Gambol Shroud out of her grasp and knock her to the concrete.
Blake groaned, repeatedly blinking as her world spun. Instinctively, she scrambled to her feet despite the dazing blow, only to see a shortstack woman with hair split on one side, pink on one side, brown on the other, sauntering toward her. Unsheathing a saber from her parasol, she tossed Roman his cane while she prepared to strike.
"Blake!" Sun cried, leaping over to intercept as Blake withdrew her sheath and second blade to block the incoming strike.
However, Roman stepped in his path and caught him in the chin with a quick flick. Sun twirled around, tripping Roman with a kick before the two began to trade deflecting blows.
Being caught on the back foot, Blake struggled to keep up with this Neo. To her alarm, her movements were swift and hard to predict. Her precision with the saber was disturbing, and the strength behind it unnerved her.
Who was this girl? Why was she this good?!
Barely escaping a thrust that would have punctured her abdomen with Shadow, Blake snapped up her primary sword. Snapping both to the side in a kneeling crouch, her eyes narrowed as Neo looked amused, with what looked like pink glass flecks scattering from her until she vanished.
"Watch out!" Reese flew in, using her hoverboard as a shield, deflecting the saber only to earn a spinning heel kick to her jaw.
Blake dashed in upon seeing the opportunity. But to her dismay, Neo swayed and evaded her swings until she backflipped, directly landing her heel into her jaw.
And her pain intensified as she felt a bladed whip tear into her back, her aura keeping it from slashing into her spine. Her aura did nothing about the electric shock that followed and dropped Blake to her knees.
"Ilia!" Blake hissed, looking up to see that her old friend had struck from behind.
"Don't give me that look. You left us." Ilia scowled, her whip retracting back into its sword form, cautiously stepping toward her. "And you are coming back with us, whether you like it or not... Maybe then we can convince him to join us so we can be together again."
"The hell she is!" Yang's voice resonated as she rapidly approached, gathering speed as seals appeared beneath her feet, decreasing her friction with each one she passed through.
Ilia wasn't able to react fast enough, unable to deflect the haymaker punch and combustion blast that blew through her card and sent her careening off the docks.
"She's our friend, and she's staying with us!" A whirlwind of red rose petals violently swirled, catching Neo before she could strike by zipping past, the shock wave only knocking her back.
"It missed her? That always knocks me off my feet!" Yang defensively lowered her hips into a guarded position, her eyes shimmering with surprise.
"I'll get her with the next one! Weiss!" Ruby shouted as she turned around, her body fully enveloped by the rose petals.
"Allow me!" Weiss, as she dashed in, pointing Myrtenaster before Ruby and directing her path as black seals to reduce her drag and friction appeared.
Neo's eyes sharpened, staying focused on the hyper speed burst of roses. Withdrawing her parasol and sheathing her blade into it, she held it up as a shield and caught Ruby's momentum. And with another spinning heel kick, Neo kicked Ruby out of Petal Burst, connecting to her temple and driving her through a steel container.
"Ruby!" Yang restrained herself, stopping her charging momentum, and snarled as Neo focused her attention on Yang while Roman backpedaled, being driven back by a duo assault from Arslan and Sun.
"Girls, back me up... I'm gonna need help. I've never seen anyone catch Ruby like that, let alone knock her out like that." Yang growled, reloading and cocking the gauntlets on her wrists.
"Allow us to join you," Arslan stepped beside her as Sun hoped next to Blake.
"You alright, my lady?" Sun offered a hand to assist Blake to her feet.
Blake glowered and hissed as she accepted it. "Thanks... But never say that again."
"Fair enough!" Sun smiled and laughed for a moment, his attention sharpening. "These guys are strong. I imagine these guys have fought and honed their skills against Huntsmen and Huntresses."
"Yeah, they've been at this for a few years, from what I know," Yang added before frowning as she glanced back. "Shouldn't you guys be helping your teammate?"
"He wants to do this fight alone... And he yelled at me for trying to help." Reese grumbled as she stepped over, rubbing her jaw and glowering at Neo.
"And we respect his decision and believe in him." Arslan cracked her knuckles.
"Besides, we've got this wrapped up already. Look how many fell into Naruto's traps." Bolin jabbed his thumb at the complaining White Fang members strung up in snare traps, caught and pinned in steel wire nets, and knocked unconscious by low-grade explosions.
"Damn..." Yang whistled while Roman and Neo's eyes narrowed.
"Neo... Time to make our escape." Roman whispered as Neo nodded.
"Oh no, you don't!" Blake's ears stiffened straight, prepared to dash over.
Only to stumble as a loud metallic crack sounded through the shipyard.
All eyes fell onto the northern warehouse to see it set ablaze, and an explosion rushing out of the large warehouse door.
"What was that?!" Weiss cried, her eyes wavering before shielding her eyes from the secondary explosion.
"Naruto..." Blake, without hesitation, dashed toward the fire.
"Wait!" Weiss shouted and gave chase.
"Dammit, let's... What in the Oum?!" Yang cursed before recoiling, seeing the images of Roman and Neo dissolve into flecks of aura shards before the roars of one of the Bullhead's engines and the wind of one taking off nearly swept them off their feet.
"Uh, uh, uh! Gotta keep your eyes on the prize!" Roman manically laughed, tipping his bowler hat while Neo gave a curtsy bow, while Ilia scowled in the pilot's seat. "Remember this day well!"
"This is the day you almost caught Roman Torchwick!"
[ X ]
Naruto had to take a deep breath as Ilia strolled past him. He had to keep his focus on Adam. And he trusted Blake to handle herself. Maybe they could get a moment to breathe in this chaos, and she could talk her down.
He knew Adam would not listen until he beat him senseless.
And he needed patience. Attacking Adam recklessly would only lead to what happened in their last encounter—it allowed him to easily charge his Semblance and strike him back with enough force to incapacitate him before Naruto could react.
This time, however, Naruto knew what to watch for. He knew how his Semblance worked. He wouldn't be making the same mistake twice.
Instead, he matched Adam's steps. Strafing and meeting his thousand-yard stare with one of his own. He actively flipped the kunai in his hand, watching and waiting for Adam to move...
Or to move him right where he wanted him to be.
Naruto gave a cocky smirk as he overheard Arslan and Reese, causing Adam to pause. Perfect timing.
"What are you so smug about?" Adam sneered, stopping in place and narrowing his gaze.
"Adam, how long have we known each other? You should know how I operate." Naruto laughed with an amused glint in his eyes before he held out his hand. "You activated my trap card!"
"...What?" Adam tensed, his lone eye behind his mask wildly scanning her surroundings to see wires and...
"Ugh!" Adam snarled, covering his eyes as the flash bangs Naruto had set with remote access went off, blinding him.
Naruto dove in the blink of an eye, tossing his kunai ahead as he did. Adam acted instinctively, slashing in the direction Naruto was. But Naruto's eyes twinkled as Wilt made contact with him, only to clang against his kunai as he replaced his location with his weapon. That switch allowed him the opportunity to violently shove his elbow into Adam's temple and knock him off balance.
Adam wildly swung again, his vision still obscured from the previous flash. However, this time, he had his eyes closed as he listened to the clang of the kunai hitting the ground and kicked out his foot, shoving it away to give him a minor reprieve to roll out and slice to where he knew Naruto would be.
Metallic Dust met steel as Adam's eyes blinked the haziness away and stared into Naruto's cerulean. "Don't think you can get me with that again..."
"Hehe, you remembered!" Naruto grinned, his eyes still gleaming as his off hand was fiddling with his scroll. "So what about this?"
Naruto vanished with a flicker of wind and leaves, leaving Adam alarmed as a heavy thud hit the concrete. His gaze shifted to his feet to see a firebomb rupture.
All Adam could do was hold Wilt and Blush before him and absorb what he could with his aura. He skidded into a roll after he was knocked back, using Wilt to cut the flames off his tailcoat before sheathing his sword in his scabbard, preparing for Naruto's eventual charge.
His cold stare twisted upon seeing Naruto's never-ceasing grin. Adam knew he was playing into Naruto's game...
Adam sliced regardless, a red fiery wisp followed the several arcs of his sword. Nearby containers were breached through their walls. He didn't care whether his old friend was harmed.
Instead of flesh being rend asunder, severed and burning pieces of paper floated and incinerated on the concrete. No, not paper... A photo.
A photo of the four of them standing together... Back home.
"Is this your plan? To remind me of our youth? Of our better days?" Adam venomously asked, standing straight, his gaze lingering on the smoldering photo before shifting to Naruto sitting on top of a nearby container.
"Nah. I ain't ready to make you listen just yet. You aren't ready. I need to beat the snot out of ya first to open those ears." Naruto scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked down at Adam. "That was to represent that those days are over. They no longer bind us... But I'm not ready to give up and let you two ruin your lives."
"Ruin? Hmph. You still haven't learned." Adam exhaled, sheathing Wilt as he stared up at Naruto coldly. "But you are right. Those days are over. This time, I won't hold back."
"Glad we're finally on the same page then." Naruto leaped down, standing directly before Adam and meeting his gaze. "'Cause I'm not holding back. When I said I'm gonna break everything, I meant it. And when I'm done with ya, you're gonna understand why this is important to me."
For a brief moment, despite the chaos around them, Naruto and Adam peered into one another's gaze. A sense of understanding was conveyed between the two.
"Don't interfere!" Adam snarled, deflecting several pistol rounds, his eyes gleaming with hatred as Reese fired from above.
"Reese, stay back! I know him, how to fight him, and have a plan! I've got this!" Naruto held out his hand, his tone serious as he addressed Reese. "Don't fire another shot, got it? That's only giving him more ammunition to do more damage."
"Uh... Okay. Just trying to help." Reese winced at Naruto's tone, frowning.
"Thanks, but go help the rest. This is my fight." Naruto flashed Reese a smile before his expression stiffened at Adam. "You ready?"
Without a word, both dropped their stance, sword meeting kunai as the two separated from the clash with Adam on the run.
"Why you running?!" Naruto called out, throwing shuriken after Adam.
"I'm not playing your game!" Adam snarled, deflecting the kunai, his gaze shifting ahead to a warehouse. He was more than aware that this area was rigged, and he needed to move the fight.
The shipyard may be rigged, however, if he rigged the warehouse...
"You don't have a choice!" Naruto flickered into existence from one of the deflected shuriken, striking Adam hard with a left.
Adam grimaced but rolled with the blow. He sheathed Wilt into Blush as he landed on his knees, and with a fiery streak, the containers around him ruptured and exploded from a single Moonslice strike.
Naruto had vanished once more, and what looked like a log, for some reason, was severed in two. Adam clicked his tongue and rushed for the warehouse.
The fight between them was far different this time around. He was far more liberal with his Semblance. He had plenty of targets to switch out with. That was a problem when his Semblance was an effective counter to his.
He needed this fight to take place where he lacked items to replace himself with. The warehouse at least gave him a chance.
"Dammit!" Adam snarled, cutting through a trip wire, several snares, and a steel wire net, along with deflecting Naruto's shuriken, which was placing a burden on his aura.
Unlike Naruto, who had a massive aura and could wield it liberally and use it to shield from lethal hits, Adam's aura wasn't nearly as comparable. The longer the fight went on, the more in Naruto's favor it went. If it wasn't for their open location the last time...
Bursting through the door, Adam slid into the darkly lit warehouse. The lack of light wouldn't assist him against Naruto. It would be advantageous against his allies if they swarmed, but not against another Faunus.
One who was willing to run through a steel wall to hit him!
"Son of... How?!" Adam snarled, rolling from the impact of the shoulder check that was delivered through the wall.
"Eh, when I got a surplus of aura, why not use it to absorb some damage to inflict pain?" Naruto grinned, a second kunai flicking into his off hand, glancing around at the barrels that surrounded them. "Not a wise choice. I scoped this place out earlier cause I thought something of this manner could happen... Guess what's in these things."
"Dust..." Adam frowned, recognizing the situation, seeing the tightly packed barrels. They were spaced out in some areas, likely to try and avoid a massive explosion if one was set off...
"One wrong move and we both go up in flames," Naruto stated the obvious, undauntingly stepping forward toward Adam. "However, I'm confident enough that my aura will be enough to survive. How about you?"
Adam's lone eye beneath his mask sharpened, and he snarled. Naruto had played him into this position.
All he could do was fight back. Sparks and flickers of fiery Dust scattered as their weapons clashed. Naruto had become faster since their last encounter. And stronger as well. So had Adam, but it had felt the gap had been overcome to the point he was on the back foot.
Adam snarled as he stumbled through several barrels, a devastating knee having struck his chest. Had Naruto done nothing but train since that moment? Just to get a chance for this?!
He needed to stall him somehow.
"Have you done nothing but train for this moment?" Adam discreetly shuffled back, acting as if he was catching his balance as he panted. He tried to cover his actions to slide Wilt back into Blush.
He needed time to charge. To scope out his immediate vicinity for an escape.
"Adam, you know me. You know how I tick. How obsessive I can get. How pissed I get after every loss and hyper fixated on correcting my mistakes." Naruto scowled, his eyes gleaming in the darkness of the warehouse. "And don't think you are buying yourself time. You're not getting away. This area is contained. The only way out is through me."
"Is that so?" Adam's lone eye glinted beneath his mask, his grasp tightening on Wilt. "Then so be it! Will burn together!"
With a single slice, he diced through a barrel of Dust.
The resulting explosion sent both flying into and through the large warehouse door.
Adam's aura crackled. Naruto groaned before laughing. "Hehe, that hurt... Good thing I spaced some of those out earlier... Don't think either of us could survive all of them going off."
"Fuck you," Adam sneered, feeling his entire body ache as he rolled onto his stomach. He grimaced as waves of flames lapped around them, rapidly spreading as the two of them stood on their feet.
"Nah, you're not my type." Naruto's ever-present smirk and his joking manner only served to irritate Adam further.
"You're flippant for someone who is serious about saving me." Adam hissed, catching his breath.
"Cause this is fun for me. I might be doing everything I can to save your dumb ass, but I can't help but enjoy this intense feeling. Almost as good as sex!" Naruto's eyes shone.
"You? Had sex? I find that hard to believe." Adam sneered, finding the thought repulsive.
"Just ask Ilia," Naruto snarkily replied.
Adam bristled before narrowing his gaze. Ilia had been very upset about how they had left Naruto...
"Naruto!" Blake skidded beside him, her eyes open wide in terror.
"I've been worse," Naruto gave Blake a light but painful laugh.
Blake grimaced, recalling the last time all four of them had been gathered and how Adam had left him. Then there was the story of what happened in the Atlas village he was born in, located near a Dust mine... And how the Grimm attacked and destroyed that village.
An attack that left only two survivors.
"Adam, please listen..." Blake desperately pleaded, turning her gaze to Adam. "I know you have dealt with a lot..."
"Save it. I've made my choice." Adam scowled, displeased with Blake's pitiful tone.
Blake recoiled and faded away from him, biting her lip. How disappointed he was with her. Despite everything, that soft side she always had still plagued her...
Somehow, Adam would quash it. But for now...
"Is he alright?" Weiss, likely chasing Blake as she bolted this direction, called out as she stepped into view.
Naruto's expression shifted to horror upon seeing the haunting smirk that graced Adam's features. He knew precisely what he was about to do. He only had the time to react.
"Watch out!" Naruto jumped and grasped Weiss, pulling her down as a Wilt sliced through everything around Weiss, bifurcating the Dust containers.
They exploded on impact.
Naruto felt the entire blast as he covered Weiss, imposing himself on top of her to shrink her and take as much of the explosion as he could. His aura shattered as the unstable elements ruptured all around them. He heard several cracks and pops internally. That wasn't good.
He bit his lip as pain seared throughout his chest. It didn't help that he could hear Blake agonizing and calling out for them. She was far enough away that she would be okay... Probably only knocked back by the blast.
In fact, he could still hear her screaming...
"Adam!" Blake screamed as Naruto tilted his head, observing Adam leaping onto a Bullhead flown by Ilia that swooped by the dock to collect him.
"Dammit... He really did go through me." Naruto chuckled in exasperation, heavily breathing as he failed to catch his breath. He hung his head only to catch Weiss's petrified stare. He anxiously chuckled as he painfully rolled off her and lay on his back. "You okay, Princess?"
"I..." Weiss jolted up to a seat position, unable to process what had happened. However, she scowled and scooted away. "You didn't have to..."
"Yeah, I did. He would cut you in half if I didn't. My aura can't tank a charged Moonslice from Adam, so I doubt yours can." Naruto struggled to breathe, grimacing.
Yeah. A few of his ribs cracked from that blast.
Weiss flinched, her eyes shimmering fearfully as she clasped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes darted over Naruto, taking in his pained features. "Are you... I'm so sorry! I didn't..."
"I'll live... Been through worse." Naruto tried to laugh off the pain, only to cause himself further agony. "Ugh... Could have done without the explosions, though... And the broken ribs."
"Could you not nearly come out of a job half dead?" Arslan slid next to Naruto, her concern evident. However, her expression shifted as a blazing red aura burned to life around Naruto.
"Where is the fun in that?" Naruto slowly sat up as he felt his ribs crack back into place with audible pops that caused Arslan and Weiss to blanch at the sound.
"Seriously! And you denied my help! We could have avoided this!" Reese shouted, berating Naruto as she flew over and dropped next to them.
"I know... But I needed to face him alone." Naruto winced at Reese's volume, hanging his head. "I needed to see if it was possible to save him..."
"And I have my answer."