"You're insane." Raven scowled, staring across Naruto in her tent.
Kurama's show of force was effective. She, at least, was willing to hear out his plan before saying that. Still, Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes at her accusation.
It was annoying to hear that. And it only irked him further when Tyrian chimed in with a laugh in his throat. "Oh, the brat totally is. He thinks he's him and can put an end to her."
"Shut it," Raven snarled, heatedly shifting her gaze to Tyrian before sternly turning her gaze back to Naruto. "That power your partner displayed is something to consider... But she is just as much of a force of nature. One that cannot be stopped."
Naruto glowered. Kurama's show of force wasn't enough to convince either that his plan could work? She indeed had to have wild power for Kurama's flex to be written off.
"She can infinitely regenerate from every wound, correct? No matter the severity?" Naruto extended his left hand, closing his eyes to concentrate.
"Yes," Raven simply answered, biting her lip as she did.
"Oh, yeah. I sliced that woman up for days, and she just kept coming back and asking for more! Nothing I did to her mattered!" Tyrian added with a cocky smirk.
"I see," Naruto's eyes opened, the coloration shifting to an orangish-yellow tint as a black orb took shape and rested in his left hand. Bringing his hand before him, he glanced down at the orb before sighing. "Back where I am from, there is a technique to bring back the dead. Bound them to a body that, no matter what damage is dealt to it, they recover. Rip off an arm; that arm returns shortly after. Cut them in half; they're back in the fight in a minute... Completely obliterate them at the cellular level, and they still reform."
Naruto watched as Raven and Tyrian's expressions shifted, a sense of dread and unease crossed both of their features.
"Please tell me that's not common back wherever the hell you come from," Tyrian commented, a hint of worry in his tone.
The idea of more unkillable beings likely bothered him tremendously. Through the short time Naruto spent around Tyrian, he knew the one thing the man enjoyed was killing...
...It was challenging to find any middle ground with a guy like him...
"It wasn't. And you needn't worry. We had countermeasures that sealed them away. However..." Naruto stated before presenting the black orb. "During a conflict where many were brought back to life, it was found that this specific technique could do something no other could not... Permanently damage their bodies so that they could not regenerate."
"Are you telling me that... This might be how we can defeat her?" A frown spread across Raven's features while she furrowed her brow thoughtfully.
"I cannot guarantee that it will, but the similarities between her and that technique back home line up a little too well. I think there is a chance it could." Naruto answered honestly, allowing the Truth Seeking Orb to fizzle as he relaxed and let that power recede from his body.
A moment of thoughtful silence followed. Raven seemed contemplative. Tyrian had a skeptical look but said nothing. He couldn't disprove what Naruto said.
And Kurama's display of power, along with his beating of Tyrian earlier, gave Naruto some credence in his capabilities.
"I once before put my faith into someone who had an insane idea to vanquish that witch once before. I cannot do so again so foolishly after her failure." Raven bluntly responded, breaking the silence.
Naruto couldn't help but frown. The pain in her tone as she said that spoke volumes and resonated with Naruto. He could understand not wanting to partake in such a plan...
"However, if I do assist with this insanity, I request one thing." Raven crossed her arms over her chest and met Naruto's gaze with a stark intensity. "With that power of yours, you might be able to destroy the relic. If it turns out she cannot be killed..."
"Dispose of the relic by any means necessary."
[ X ]
"Ugh! Gross!" Weiss loudly complained, scrunching her face upon exiting the Bullhead, staring at the dingy bar and Dust fueling station they had landed in. "This place feels like it's crawling with seedy characters."
"That's precisely what we are looking for, princess." Ilia rolled her eyes as she slid out of the Bullhead, stepping beside a focused Blake.
"I get it, but this place feels... I can't describe it!" Weiss scowled, grimacing as she glanced around and noticed several vehicles stationed at the bar. "And what kind of people drink out here? We're in the middle of nowhere!"
"All sorts of types. Those stopping by from a long trip on the Mistral Trading Route, and those who plan to rob them. Most notoriously, the Branwen Tribe is renowned for being around these parts." Neo stated, glancing over at the prices of Dust and glowering. "It seems they aren't the only ones in the business of highway robbery..."
"Stay focused. Remember, we're here for information." Blake chided her team, her attention set on the bar, shifting toward Penny. "Can you get a trace of his scroll from the network?"
"Not this far away from Mistral or Vale's towers. The reception drops frequently and is almost impossible to trace." Penny frowned and shook her head.
"That's why so many shady organizations and bandits stick around this area. It's easier to stay concealed and off the Kingdom's radar." Ilia added, following Blake's lead toward the bar.
"Has to make you wonder why the animals' headquarters is out here, huh? Maybe it's because you are criminals... Just... Like... Us." Neo caused Ilia to bristle with her comment before her tongue turned sharp.
"We are not...!" Ilia snapped before Blake called them both out.
"Neo, enough!" Blake hissed before she glared at Ilia. "You too. She's purposely trying to get under your skin."
"Ah, you're no fun!" Neo chastised Blake before huffing, rolling her eyes, and waving it off as she entered the bar. "You children bore me. I need a drink."
"Wait, you're old enough to drink?!" Weiss recoiled before Neo flipped open her scroll, her ID flickering on screen.
Weiss froze as the age flashed before her eyes as Neo strutted to the bar with her hips swaying. She was as old as her sister?! She looked like she should be a student!
"What'd you be having?" The bartender gruffly snorted, raising his brow at Neo and her ID before shrugging it off.
"I doubt a place like this does spiked milkshakes, so let's start with a Neapolitan shot... And what the hell happened here?" Neo glanced around at the broken tables, stools, and chairs, and at the lack of people in the establishment, besides a pair of individuals hidden in the corner —a man drinking from a flask while the woman scowled at him but said nothing.
"And why is there no one here despite the number of vehicles we found outside?" Blake added with a frown.
"Ah, a bunch of bandits were drummed by a young Huntsman, probably around your age, and his captive prisoner. Another typical day." The bartender nonchalantly shrugged as he scanned his assortment of liquor to acquire the correct layers for Neo's drink.
"A Huntsman our age?" The bartender caught Blake's attention before she furrowed her brow. "Did this Huntsman happen to have wild blonde locks and deep blue eyes? Whisker marks on his cheeks?"
"And wear way more orange than anyone should." Ilia scoffed, her gaze shifting awkwardly toward Penny, who was curiously staring at the two strangers. "Don't draw unwanted attention. It's dangerous around this area with that criminal tribe out here."
"Okay," Penny frowned, tilting her head at the strangers before giving a nod of acceptance.
"You kids know him?" The bartender gathered and mixed the shots, raising his brow at the strange group gathered.
"Yeah, he's her boyfriend. We've been looking for him for weeks after he disappeared after saving our asses back in Atlas." Neo jabbed her thumb at Blake and smirked as she bristled but said nothing.
Blake simply smoldered and threw a shaded glare at Neo. They weren't together...
"You kids should stop your search. You're getting in way over your head." All attention was drawn to the woman sitting at the table, downing the man's flask.
"Hey. Get your own." The man with graying black hair scowled as his flask was tossed back at him.
The woman coldly glared at him before pushing away from the table and standing tall, menacingly approaching and snarling at them. "You have no idea what he's mixed himself up in. It's better for your sake that you forget all about him and go home. You don't want to get mixed in with this. Trust me, it will be the worst decision of your life."
Blake's gaze narrowed. This woman spoke as if she knew what Naruto was planning to do. That meant...
"No." Blake defiantly responded, balling her fist, finding her resolve as she stepped up to the intimidating woman and met her gaze. "Whatever trouble he's getting himself into... A good friend wouldn't let a friend take whatever burden he has taken on alone!"
The woman gazed back at Blake intently, her scowl deepening as she radiated a positively menacing aura. Blake didn't budge or back off an inch. She simply snarled and stared right back as a powerful sensation bubbled in her stomach...
And in her left hand?
"Then you are foolish, girl," Raven scoffed, turning her back from Blake and walking away, toward the exit of the bar.
"Hey, wait!" Blake demanded, prepared to chase after her.
"Kid, don't." Qrow sighed as he left the table, grumbling and hands in his pockets. He glanced back at his sister and rolled his eyes before giving Blake a reproachful look. "My sister can be a cold-hearted bitch, but she's right on this. You don't want to get involved with this. My head is spinning from what I just heard."
"Whatever he threw himself into now, I'll accept those consequences too! I want... No, I need to help him as it's what he would do for me!" Blake snapped, refusing to relent.
"He did the same for us in Atlas and somehow managed to exonerate us despite the odds we faced. It's only natural to pay back one's debts." Weiss added, stepping beside Blake with a scowl before muttering to herself. "Hopefully it isn't too dangerous though..."
"Wouldn't bet on it. He seems like a magnet for the stuff," Ilia rolled her eyes and sighed, feeling as if she was being dragged along for the ride.
Weiss coldly glared back at Ilia.
"And I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on the brat. The bitch back home wants him, and I plan on using him to knock her off and regain our freedom." Neo added, shot in hand before taking a delightful sip.
"Wait... Aren't you..." Qrow's eyes snapped toward Neo, recognizing her, and his gaze narrowed.
"Whatever," Raven drew her sword, and with a cut through the air, a portal shimmered at the entrance. Stepping closer to it, she snorted once more and glared back at the group. "If I cannot convince you to turn back..."
"Maybe he can."
[ X ]
"She ain't coming back. You shouldn't have let her go." Tyrian stated, sitting on a crate, nursing a bottle of whiskey he had liberated.
Sitting before a campfire, Naruto shook his head and ignored the scorpion. He could sense her whereabouts now that he knew who he was looking for. She had agreed to his plan, and he felt like he should give her some leniency.
It wasn't like he was holding her captive.
Still, Naruto was slightly unsettled about who he felt approaching the area Raven was in. Naruto wasn't prepared to deal with that...
Or with what he discovered that dwelt within her.
He wasn't quite ready to accept that yet. For if that were true, many other questions would need to be answered. Questions that didn't seem like they had answers...
"Where did you get that?" Vernal scowled, approaching the fire while glaring at Tyrian.
"Nicked it from the tent after the maiden left," Tyrian stated with a broad, shit-eating grin as he took another drink from the aged whiskey bottle.
"I can tell," Vernal screwed her face before turning her attention to Naruto. "She's gonna kill him when she returns. That was a priceless, one-of-a-kind brand."
Naruto repressed his urge to groan, massaging his temple. Considering the crimes the man committed, it was a fitting punishment. However, he still had some value to add to draw out his allies...
His eyes sharpened as a portal shimmered, and space and time tore open behind Vernal. He grimaced as Raven stepped through it; a fair number of familiar faces followed.
And two golden eyes were locked directly upon him.
Naruto couldn't repress his urge to sigh upon seeing his friends. Still, he put on a strong grin and forced a smile. "Hey guys! Long time no see! How ya holding up?"
"Salutations, friend Naruto! We have been well! How have you been?" Penny beamed and returned the greeting, unaware of the building tension and unease between Naruto and Blake.
"Great... Just great." Naruto nervously chuckled, running his hand through his locks. "So, um..."
"Explain, now." Blake refrained from snarling, taking a seat across from the fire and sharply glaring at him. "What have you gotten yourself involved in now?"
"Would you believe me if I said I learned about an immortal witch from the General and we made an alliance while he pretended to mark me as a criminal to track down her forces?" Naruto forced a smile.
Only to wither and grimace from Blake's rigid stare.
"Okay... Where to start..." Naruto grumbled, massaging his temple once more.
This was gonna be a long night.
[ X ]
"Let me out of here!" Tyrian's cry resonated in the distance.
Sitting on the broken gate away from the campsite, gazing upon the shattered moon, Naruto shrugged it off as he ignored the man locked in one of the various cages they had around here. He didn't want to deal with him at the moment.
Blake and the others took what he had to see as well as they could. There was a lot of denial and disbelief, and then acceptance, with the help of the siblings who displayed that magic was real...
He couldn't blame them. If he hadn't seen and dealt with all the things back home, he would have reacted similarly. He knew his younger self would have...
"Figured that wouldn't be enough for you," Naruto sighed as he felt a figure approach and sit beside him.
"There has to be. Of all the peculiar stories you've mentioned about your world, I've come to expect the bizarre to come out of your mouth. An immortal witch who wants to destroy our world doesn't sound too far-fetched." Blake frowned, gazing upon the moon herself for a moment before her gaze softened and shifted to Naruto. "And I want to know why only I developed chakra. There has to be more to it than just being around you... That look you gave me before I passed out..."
"Gah, you're too smart for your own good." Naruto let out a weak sigh, biting his lip as his head sank. "You're right, there is a lot more to why... It's just... Hard for me to accept."
A worried frown formed on Blake's lips upon seeing Naruto's typical sunny disposition turn downtrodden. The moment reminded her of...When he bolted for the moon.
"Naruto?" Blake reached out, gently touching his shoulder with her left hand.
Only from him to recoil at her touch.
"Sorry..." Naruto sighed and took a deep breath as he met Blake's gaze. "I'm sorry I left you, but I had to sort myself out, ya know? Cause I realized who you were and why I felt so comfortable around you... And wanted to help you so much."
"What does that mean?" A shiver ran down Blake's spine as Naruto spoke. A knot developed in her stomach as Naruto slowly broke their gaze and returned his focus to the moon.
"Blake, I want you to look at your left palm... And tell me what you see." Naruto asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.
Blake's frown only deepened. The knot in his stomach twisted violently, and she felt a swell of anxiety rush through her.
"My left palm?" Blake tilted her head, confused at Naruto's request.
His nod didn't help matters. What was he expecting? Some sort of marking?
Blake scowled as she held up her left palm and looked down. She would have known if something was there...
"What... What is this?" Blake's golden eyes shimmered wide, her head snapping up and at Naruto.
"Tell me what you see," Naruto stated once more; this time, his sullen tone was apparent.
"It's... Some sort of marking..." Blake frowned, rubbing it and scowling as it felt etched onto her skin. "It's a black crescent moon... Wait, it's glowing a little..."
"It's the mark to symbolize you are the reincarnation of Indra... As I am the reincarnation of Ashura." Naruto gazed upon the shattered moon for a little while longer before turning his focus onto a startled Blake.
"What? What does that..." Blake stumbled over her words.
If Naruto was aware of what this marking meant, that meant it came from his world... Didn't it?
So why did she have it?
...Unless...
"It means you have been chosen for a grander purpose, just like my best friend before you... And that this world, no matter how hard it is for me to grasp..." Naruto forced a smile despite his reluctance.
"This world is my world and it is mine to protect."