This wasn't training... This was insanity!
A fresh pane of sweat coated her skin, light drops dripping off Weiss's chin. Her cold gaze shimmered as she furiously glared at the blonde-haired abomination that stood passively before her. His guard was so relaxed that she questioned if he was trying!
What was worse was that she couldn't even be mad if he wasn't! Naruto showed precisely how strong he was in Atlas! She would struggle to land a blow against her sister in a spar, and he soundly defeated her as he stymied the Atlas military.
How was she supposed to take these damn bells from him? How were any of them supposed to take them?!
Weiss had long determined that working with others was the only way to potentially succeed in this endeavor. Everyone had come to that conclusion. Individually, none of them stood a chance against Naruto...
Even together, they really didn't have much of a hope, but at least there was some.
Blake had managed to skim her fingertips across the bells earlier after a good feint with her Shadow Clones, along with Neo's illusion helping her, Ilia and Penny sneak in and try to constrain Naruto long enough for Blake to take the bell.
And she still ended up being caught, despite the buffs Weiss gave to reduce friction and increase Blake's pace! Naruto still caught her by the wrist despite his left arm being frozen, and Penny's wires wrapped tightly around his torso, and Ilia used her whip to hold his legs still. He still shattered the ice, broke through the cables, kicked off Ilia, and tossed Blake across the clearing like a sack of potatoes!
Now, they felt so much further than before! Why? Was he giving more effort than before?
And why did his visage become more frog-like?! What were those damn orange highlights around his eyes? It looked like some weird kind of makeup!
"Alright, good attempt! You're improving really quickly! You are starting to push me!" Naruto clapped his hands together with a broad grin that felt more mocking than he probably meant it.
Weiss glowered, still catching her breath. It had almost been a week of what Naruto considered training. And it felt like they hadn't made that much progress...
...Wait...
Did he say they were starting to push him?
A sense of pride welled within Weiss. It was only natural that someone as talented as she was could do such a thing! Add in Penny's vast array of weapons, Neo's illusions—constructs, Ilia's experience and tactics, and Blake's strength and speed—it was inevitable they would succeed!
However, Weiss didn't recall Blake moving that fast in Atlas... Or seeming that strong...
...Wait...
Did he say they were starting to push him? Did that mean she was right and he wasn't even trying before?
How strong was Naruto?!
Weiss saw what he did in Atlas. She knew he was strong because of what he did. She wasn't even able to see him move! Only that he immediately took out the Ace Operatives with ease.
"I think I found a nice job to test everyone's progress, so let's take a break for lunch! I could really go for some ramen right about now." Naruto broke Weiss out of her thoughts.
Weiss flushed as her stomach rumbled. Lunch did sound quite lovely. She wasn't sure if it was the training or something else, but she had become quite hungry over the past few days.
"That's all you ever eat!" Weiss recoiled as Blake raised her voice, glowering at Naruto. "You need to eat healthier! I swear, if that's all you've been eating these past few weeks, I swear to Oum...!"
"I know, I know! But it's so good! And it's so easy to make while on the road!" Naruto grumbled, scrunching his face, huffing, and turning away from Blake as he muttered. "Meanwhile, you eat all the fish you want..."
"What was that?! You want to say that again?" Blake snarled, placing both her hands on her hip.
"Hey, let's get out of here." Ilia broke Weiss out of her trance as she watched Blake and Naruto argue by placing a hand on her shoulder, rolling her eyes at the pair.
"Yeah, let's give the couple some alone time," Neo smirked, giggling, and Blake and Naruto's attention snapped to her.
"We're not a couple!" Blake and Naruto simultaneously responded with indignation.
"Sure." Neo snorted, waving her hand as she turned to leave with them, as Penny joined with a bright smile.
"They do make a good couple!"
"Penny!"
[ X ]
Why did he have to come along with them? Why were both Raven and Oz making him do this?
Qrow felt a headache coming on. And this one wasn't brought about because of a hangover...
...Not that he was ever sober...
Taking a swig from his flask, Qrow staggered through the town the kids had flown to. They had decided to head north to Haven, stopping at a village for a few days to train while camping out.
Qrow had no desire to hang around kids. He went out of his way to avoid nieces. Not out of ill-will, he just didn't want to bring his horrid luck into their life.
And now he was stuck with this group of teenagers with one adult amongst them... And she was a kid at heart, who wanted to cause more mischief and chaos than anyone he had ever seen!
Qrow glowered as his gaze shifted to the few people in the town. How was it possible that there was a threat even greater than Salem? What could that even mean for these people? For anyone?
Salem's goal would cause the destruction of the world? What was more severe than that?
"Yo, drunkard! There you are!" Naruto's voice carried from the edge of town, the image of the group returning from their morning training session.
Qrow scowled as his attention fell upon the kid adorned in orange as he tried to get his attention. That this bright kid who approached, in more than one way, was their only hope.
"We're gonna be taking a break this afternoon. Apparently, the blacksmith has a job posted about a Grimm causing the town problem, so we're gonna rest up for the rest of the day and take care of it in the morning. I think it would be a good way to show the progress everyone has made." Naruto smirked as he stopped before Qrow, the rest slinking into town, obviously hungry and tired as they headed to the inn.
Qrow furrowed his brow, glancing upon the others. It had only been a few days? How much progress could they have made in such a short amount of time? It hadn't even been a week?
"Sure, whatever. Just make sure they don't get killed." Qrow gave an exasperated eye roll before giving Naruto a nasty glare.
Qrow was the only one who could officially accept the request if it had been posted and get paid for it. Naruto was basically asking him to take it so they could get paid...
"Nah, they can handle it. I'm sure of it." Naruto grinned before he nervously chuckled as his stomach rumbled.
Qrow rolled his eyes again, taking a drink from his flask. "Go. It's on my tab. Just don't run up the bill too much."
"Thanks! I promise, we won't!" Naruto broadly smiled, quickly following the rest of the group.
"Yeah, it's not you that I'm worried about. I can pay for twenty cups of ramen." Qrow muttered, his gaze shifting to Neo.
She had more than enough Lien to pay for anything, given her inheritance and all the Lien she earned from her current line of work. And still, he was footing this bill?
"Whatever," Qrow shrugged his shoulders, his gaze shifting back to Naruto momentarily.
He would get his answers soon. He wasn't sure why Oz gave him the password for the Relic, entrusting him to give it to Naruto, but he would pass the information along when it was time.
Qrow had a terrible feeling about what was coming.
[ X ]
Night had fallen. Embers flickered from the flames of the campfire, the only light they had as they traveled northward to Haven.
It made it easier to travel a longer distance with a Bullhead. They would easily reach their goal in two weeks. It meant Naruto could take a few days to train, use a day for travel and shopping, rinse and repeat.
Naruto chuckled to himself. It reminded him of how Jiraiya's training operated during their trip. Train for a week or so, head to a new town, and gather information...
...Or chase tail...
Naruto shook his head. Maybe he should have taken the opportunity to learn a little more from Jiraiya in that area. His gaze wavered toward Blake for a moment before returning to the fire. Perhaps this wouldn't be as confusing for him.
He wasn't sure how he felt about any of this. A part of him still was struggling to accept the fact that this place was indeed his home. That this is what his world had become.
Naruto didn't have concrete evidence of it. However, with Blake awakening a very familiar chakra and possessing that moon marking Grandpa Sage had given Sasuke, he felt confident that this world was either the distant future or some alternate, parallel dimension.
And all of this made his relationship with Blake, as a good friend of his would say, troublesome.
Naruto wasn't sure how to feel about Blake before all of this. She had helped him so much before, and he was grateful for everything she had done. She was a good friend and one he wanted to help...
And it didn't help that she was pretty! That just made him all the more confused about this entire situation! And he knew she had the same issues with him! It was evident enough that he noticed, and Naruto was oblivious to that sort of thing!
He had barely recognized how Hinata felt before she threw herself at Pain to protect Naruto!
And that was another massive issue! He wasn't sure how he felt about how Hianta felt about him!
Naruto scowled, feeling his mind mired by a foggy cloud. He couldn't make heads or tails of any of this! His emotions were everywhere!
At least she's a looker. Kurama's voice jolted Naruto.
Naruto frowned before releasing a loud sigh. Not the point, Kurama.
Seems like it to me. She's attractive, likes you, and is a good friend. Perfect material for a life partner and mother of your children. What more do you need? Kurama snorted, simplifying this very complex situation.
Gah, I don't know... Naruto exhaled, turning his gaze up to the skies and through the tree line, gazing upon the moon. Not sure on anything. Just gotta keep pushing forward until I do.
Well said, Kurama nodded, pausing and allowing a moment of silence to follow before he pressed forward. That is the reason I wanted to talk to you. If we're going to push forward and protect this world, we'll need to be stronger.
I know... Naruto steeled his gaze, agreeing with Kurama.
His victory with Sasuke over Kaguya left a sour taste in his mouth. Over Madara, technically. Truthfully, it didn't feel like a victory. If it weren't for Old Man Sage and being chosen as reincarnations of Asura and Indra's wills, they would have stood no chance against Kaguya.
And that didn't sit well with him.
Naruto's goal had always been to be Hokage. When he was younger, it meant that, to gain everyone's admiration, he had become the strongest. But as he became older and learned more about the world, his mentality shifted. His goal remained the same: to become Hokage, but he wanted to do so to protect all his friends.
It was the very reason he pursued Sasuke to the extent he did. How could he become Hokage if he couldn't help the friend who needed it most?
But now, as he sat before this fire, Naruto felt the need to shift his goal once more. He couldn't become Hokage here. There wasn't such a position, nor did he think he wanted to lead this complex world.
No, what he wanted to do was make them listen and understand one another. To help those in need, and above all else...
Protect the friends he had made along the way.
Blake. Neo. Ilia. Penny. Now Weiss.
Any other friend he made here in this new world. And he wanted it to be the best possible world for all of them.
And the first step was getting strong enough to protect everyone, and if need be, make those in power listen.
It's time I start training again. Naruto simply responded to Kurama after the silence, gazing upon his friends before confidently smirking.
Very well. Naruto swore he could feel Kurama giving a toothy grin from within. But while you hone your body to new heights, I have an idea to help if something dire were to happen in the meantime. It's a risk, and it's not something I would advise under any circumstance but the most dire...
One that would fuse our power and push it to the breaking point.
[ X ]
This place was creepy for most. A realm of perpetual night bathed in red light.
There was nothing to see here besides the bane of all people, the Grimm. And at its center, a single tower.
This place would be a nightmare for most. But for Tyrian, he loved this realm.
It was perpetually night in this realm. How this place remained hidden from the outside world, he wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to complain.
It gave him a place to retreat, hold out, and cool off when the heat was on him. Overall, he didn't mind this place.
And the Grimm here were fun to kill. He could cut loose to his heart's content and slay without end.
The only thing that bothered him was the queen of these lands. The only person he could not kill.
The person he came to see.
"Why have you returned?" A woman, her skin white as snow and veins that pumped black fluid, stood on the highest balcony that overlooked the Evernight, before she turned her hideous, void gaze, burning crimson eyes filled with hatred.
"We have a problem. There's a new player who is after the relics." Tyrian growled, hands in his pockets as he stood before the queen of the Grimm, Salem.
And he scowled as she simply looked amused.
"Oh?" Salem raised her brow and gave a clearly amused smirk.
Tyrian's gaze sharply narrowed. "You already know, don't you?"
"I may have heard from our little puppet in Haven." Salem's smirk became downright sinister. "I can't say I am surprised. I saw the feed of what the boy did in Atlas. Now, let me guess, he released you to send me a message? How predictable... Regardless, he is a threat beyond any of your capabilities. So if he wants me, I'll be there."
"Head to Vale to assist Cinder and Arthur. I will handle this myself."
[ X ]
Sand and aged rock were all she could see. It was all she had seen for so long in the darkness with her vision. She could only see the outside world with her inner eye.
But now, a dazzling light filled her vision. It was so beautiful.
She had not seen the light in so long; she couldn't help but marvel at its magnificence as she floated in the air, crumbling stones shattering and falling from orbit from all around her, gloriously impacting the earth below.
After so many eons, the seal had failed. She was free!
Two pale, almost translucent white eyes gazed upon the scenery as a tall, pale woman floated amid what looked like a dissolving moon. A sad, thin smile graced her features as she floated down to the earth, unbothered by the destruction of the landscape around her.
She was almost confused about how to proceed. She hadn't been gifted this sort of freedom in forever; she didn't know how to react. The last time she had been freed, she faced incarnations of her children and had been sealed away once more.
And one soul of her son returned, so the other had likely transmigrated.
Kaguya was not too enthused to face them just yet. She would deal with them in time and take what was hers. Not out of spite, but out of love. If she was correct...
She was the last. Her clan had fallen. This was something she had to see with her own eyes. If true...
It was time to rebuild it in her image. An image she had dreamed of long since she betrayed them. She never quite enjoyed the feeling of devouring worlds to become more powerful.
It felt so much more wonderful to be adored and obeyed... And just a little feared.
Staring into the vacant space before her, a third, crimson eye opened in the middle of Kaguya's forehead. A rift in space and time tore the air open.
Her thin smile remained as she floated through the rift. Before her was a withered world of ash and dust. Nothing remained but a tremendous tree. And that tree bore a single, large fruit on one of its many leafless branches.
A fruit that had aged and wrinkled, but otherwise remained untouched by time.
Kaguya took it in her hands, examining it. It was strange to see it abandoned. But it was all the proof she needed as she took a deep bite, the juices of the fruit staining her cheeks.
She was the last Otsutsuki in all of the universe. And nothing could please her more.
It was time to hunt down the rest of these remaining fruits before confronting her children once more. She could not afford another mishap.
This time, she would make them kneel before her after a harsh disciplining.
After all, she was a strict but loving mother.