W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

Tomorrow, Leo's Office

"Ack-!" Leo gasped, clawing at his neck as the tentacle of a Seer Grimm coiled tighter around him.

Salem's face glimmered within the creature's translucent head, her voice cold and cutting.

The Grimm served not just as a communication but as an enforcer of her will.

"Are you betraying us now, Leo?" Salem's words dripped with venom, her gaze piercing even through the spectral link.

"N-No, Mistress! I swear! It's from Qrow! I-I gathered the intel from him! Please, I'm only doing my duty!" Leo's pleas were frantic, his voice cracking under the weight of his desperation.

The Seer Grimm hurled him across the room, sending him crashing into a bookshelf.

Books and papers scattered across the floor as Leo crumpled into the mess.

Hazel and Raven stood near the doorway, their expressions impassive as they watched the scene unfold.

"You have disappointed me greatly, Leo," Salem intoned. The Seer Grimm floated closer, its tentacles twitching ominously as Leo scrambled to his knees.

"P-Please, Mistress! I beg you! I can still be useful!" His voice wavered, tears of panic threatening to spill. "Qrow must've tricked me somehow! I swear, I didn't fail on purpose!"

"Or perhaps," Raven interrupted, her calm voice cutting through the tension, "Qrow received false information. He's crafty, but even he can't verify everything he hears."

The room turned to her, Salem's gaze burning through the Seer Grimm's visage.

Hazel, towering beside Raven, crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"Still," Hazel rumbled, his deep voice steady, "it doesn't add up. Qrow isn't a fool. He could've confirmed the intel before passing it on. Suspicious, isn't it?"

Raven's eyes narrowed, her tone cool and dismissive. Trying to defend his brother's actions. "My brother's drunk half the time. He probably trusted the wrong source."

"Enough," Salem's voice silenced them, sharp and final. The Seer Grimm shifted its focus back to Leo, who cowered under its shadow.

"It doesn't matter how or why this happened," Salem declared, her tone chilling. "What matters is that it must not happen again." The tentacles flexed threateningly, casting ominous shadows across the room.

The Seer Grimm loomed closer, its voice low and foreboding. "Fail me again, Leo, and I promise you... there will be no forgiveness. Am I clear?"

Leo pressed his forehead to the floor, his voice trembling. "Y-Yes, Mistress! I understand! I won't fail you again—I swear it!"

The Seer Grimm lingered for a moment before retreating, leaving Leo trembling on the floor, gasping for air as Salem's presence faded.

Hazel and Raven exchanged a glance, but neither spoke they turned to leave the room, leaving Leo alone in his shame and fear.

Mistral Upperlevels, House

The living room was filled with a quiet intensity.

Rinko sat in the middle of the sofa, his posture calm but commanding.

On his left was Qrow, flask in hand, and on his right sat Ozpin—his presence now housed within Oscar's young frame.

Team JNPR and Yang stood behind them, their expressions a mix of determination and unease.

Across from them were Sienna and the three Huntsmen they had managed to recruit, most of whom were retired but willing to fight for their cause.

Sienna leaned forward, her sharp eyes locked on Rinko. "So, this is what we're up against? A witch pulling the strings behind the chaos we've been enduring? One who can't even be killed?" Her fists clenched tightly, her voice low with frustration. "She seems... unstoppable."

"But we will stop her," Rinko replied evenly, his voice carrying an unshakable certainty. "We stop her by keeping the Relic out of her hands and dismantling her plans piece by piece. Every setback we deliver weakens her hold on this world. That's the key to winning."

The three Huntsmen exchanged glances, their skepticism evident.

Even Sienna looked unconvinced but nodded slowly, her resolve firming.

Rinko stood, pulling out a detailed map of Haven Academy and laying it on the table before them. "Now, here's the plan."

The group leaned in, eyes fixed on the map.

"This is Haven Academy," Rinko began, tracing the layout with his finger. "Raven Branwen is working with us as a spy. She's keeping tabs on Leo and Salem's forces. When they make their move, we'll be ready to intercept them."

Ozpin stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative. "Each Headmaster has their own unique method of accessing their school's vault, where the Relic is hidden. For Haven, it requires a specific trigger—Leo's personal watch. This watch, when placed on this statue," he pointed to a marked spot—A statue—on the map, "activates an elevator leading to the vault."

The group murmured among themselves, absorbing the information.

"But there's more," Ozpin continued, pulling out a nearly identical replica of Leo's watch from his pocket. "I've already created a replica. Since I designed the original mechanism, I know exactly how it works. This will give us access to the vault without needing Leo's cooperation."

Rinko nodded, seamlessly taking over. "We will set an ambush together, taking them by surprise. That's where Raven makes her move, striking them from within. While the chaos unfolds, we'll secure the Relic and get it out of there."

One of the Huntsmen, a wiry bearded-man with a skeptical look, raised his hand. "Uh, yeah, quick question."

"Go ahead," Rinko prompted, his tone calm but inviting.

"Why not just go grab the Relic now? I mean, if Ozpin's already got a working watch and Raven's on our side, she could distract them while we take it. Seems like a cleaner approach, doesn't it?"

Rinko's gaze sharpened, but he remained composed. "Because the situation isn't that simple," he began, addressing the entire room. "Raven is the Spring Maiden. A Vault could only be open by her. If we act now, opening the vault with her powers, we risk exposing everything. Salem's forces would immediately know the vault has been accessed, and they'd scatter. They wouldn't just abandon their mission—they'd redirect their focus to the other academies holding Relics, accelerating their attacks and creating chaos everywhere."

He leaned forward, placing his hands on the table for emphasis.

"This isn't just about taking the Relic. It's about stopping Salem's forces in their tracks now, preventing any more future attacks. If we wait and execute both parts of the plan simultaneously—the ambush and securing the Relic—we can deal a quick, lethal, and decisive blow. We neutralize their forces here and prevent them from targeting the other academies."

The room fell silent as the logic of Rinko's explanation sank in.

The skeptical Huntsman scratched his bearded chin before nodding slowly. "Alright, fair point. Hitting them all at once does sound smarter than just playing defense."

Another Huntsman, a woman with short-cropped hair, added, "Plus, if Raven's on our side, it makes sense to use her powers to our advantage in the fight."

And yet a youngest Huntsmen of the three nodded in agreement. "Taking them all down while getting the relic out? I'm all for it."

Rinko straightened up, his voice steady but firm. "This plan isn't without risk, but it minimizes their options while maximizing our chances of success. We strike decisively and ensure they don't get another opportunity to regroup."

The group exchanged nods, the tension in the room shifting toward determination.

From behind, Nora raised her hand slightly. "Uh, I have a question too, Rinko."

Rinko turned, nodding for her to continue.

"Why are we taking the Relic out of the vault?" she asked, her brow furrowed. "If we're stopping them now, wouldn't it be safer to leave it where it is?"

Rinko paused, exchanging a look with Ozpin. With a slight nod from Rinko, Ozpin stepped forward to address Nora's concern.

"Your question is valid, Miss Valkyrie," Ozpin began, his tone calm and measured. "But there's a larger picture to consider. Salem is immortal. She can afford to wait another thousand years—another thousand generations—for her forces to regroup and strike again. If we leave the Relic here, it's only a matter of time before she finds a way to take it."

Nora's expression shifted to one of concern as Ozpin continued.

"Our goal isn't just to delay her. We must remove the Relic from her reach permanently. By relocating it to Atlas—the most technologically advanced and heavily fortified kingdom—we ensure its protection. In Atlas, we can build a new vault, one far more secure than the current design."

Sienna folded her arms, skeptical. "Atlas? The kingdom with its borders closed tighter than a steel trap? You can't just stroll in there and expect everything to go smoothly."

Ozpin met her gaze evenly. "That's true. But I have faith in General Ironwood—James. He is an old friend and a trusted ally. I believe he will collaborate with us to create a vault that relies on my powers, rather than the powers of a Maiden. Only I will have the ability to open it, ensuring its security beyond Salem's reach."

Sienna raised an eyebrow but remained quiet, clearly weighing his words.

Yang glanced at Rinko, her expression is uncertain. "So... we're moving it to make sure it's safe forever?"

"Exactly," Rinko confirmed, his tone firm yet reassuring. "This isn't just about stopping Salem now—it's about ensuring that future generations won't have to face the same threat we're dealing with today. It's a bold move, but it's the only way to guarantee long-term safety."

The room grew quiet as everyone absorbed the gravity of the plan.

After a moment, Team JNPR nodded, a flicker of determination in Nora's eyes. "Alright. If it means stopping her for good, Team JNPR is in!"

Sienna sighed but gave a reluctant nod. "I still have my doubts, but I'll play my part."

Rinko stood at the center of the room, his expression steely as he addressed the gathered group. "Good," he said, scanning their faces. "We will be divided into two squads."

He paused before he continued.

"First Squad, will handle the White Fang operatives attempting to destroy the school. Their mission is to neutralize the threat and prevent any explosions. They will also work closely with the police to secure the perimeter and evacuate civilians. Once Raven retrieves the relic, she'll use her portal to transport it to her tribe for safekeeping."

Then he looked at Ozpin and Qrow

Rinko's gaze swept across the room, his tone steady as he outlined the plan.

"Second Squad will focus on eliminating Salem's key operatives. Thanks to Raven's intel, their ranks include Torchwick, Neopolitan, Hazel, Mercury, Emerald, and Watts. We'll leave one of them alive for interrogation. The rest… we can't afford to let them walk away." 

"And as for Leo?" Qrow asked, his voice low. 

"He'll be locked up," Rinko replied firmly. "Fear is what drove him to betray us. He isn't beyond redemption, and killing him is unnecessary—unless he forces our hand." 

A heavy silence fell over the room. The weight of Rinko's words pressed down on everyone.

Team JNPR and Yang exchanged uneasy glances.

Killing Grimm was one thing—they were monsters. But taking human lives? That was a line they had yet to cross. 

Rinko's sharp gaze moved to the three newly recruited Huntsmen.

"You three will join the Second Squad. Qrow, Ozpin and Raven will be with us as well. I trust you're prepared for what needs to be done." 

King Garmen, the bearded veteran of the trio, nodded solemnly. "I've faced worse in my day. You can count on me." 

Lendy Tomsworth, the sharp-eyed woman with cropped hair, added with quiet resolve, "We knew what we were signing up for. We're in." 

Yamon Alemn smirked, his youthful arrogance shining through. "Sure thing. Let's see what you've got." 

Rinko's gaze shifted to Sienna. "You'll lead the First Squad. Team JNPR and Team RWBY will follow your command." 

Sienna inclined her head, her expression resolute. "Understood. We'll keep the White Fang in check." 

Rinko's voice deepened as he addressed the room. "And I… will command the Second Squad." 

The tension in the room thickened. 

Yamon's cocky demeanor faltered for a moment before he raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're leading the Second Squad? Shouldn't Qrow be in charge? I mean, no offense, but… you don't exactly scream 'battle-hardened leader.'" 

The room stilled. Lendy groaned and smacked Yamon on the back of the head. "Will you shut up? Qrow already said he wouldn't lead this operation. Were you even listening?" 

"I heard," Yamon shot back, rubbing his head. "But seriously? He's just a kid. And we're talking about taking out people here. Does he even have the guts for that?" 

Rinko's gaze hardened, his eyes sharp as steel. Before he could respond, Qrow stood, stepping forward to defuse the tension. 

"Listen, kid," Qrow said, his tone low and edged with warning. "Rinko's the real deal. He's not just some kid with a fancy plan. He's got the brains and the grit to back it up."

He stepped forward "You think you're tough because you've survived a few scraps? Well, so has he—he survived the fall of Beacon and became one of Beacon's top performers. So, show some damn respect." 

Yamon opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he noticed the weight of everyone's stares.

Yang's fists were clenched, Team JNPR glared daggers at him, and Sienna's narrowed eyes made it clear she was seconds away from stepping in herself.

Even Ozpin let out a weary sigh, shaking his head in disappointment. 

Rinko took a step forward, his expression calm but dangerous. "Alright then," he said, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"How about this? If I can beat you using my hands alone, you'll follow my lead without question. But if you beat me, Qrow can take over the mission. Sounds fair?" 

Yamon blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, seriously? You want to—" 

"Sounds easy, right?" Rinko interrupted, gesturing Yamon's dual sword behind him "You can use your dual swords if you'd like. What do you say?" 

The room held its breath.

Yamon hesitated, glancing at the others, but his pride wouldn't let him back down.

"Fine," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you've got." 

Qrow smirked, stepping back to give them space. "This should be good." 

Yang crossed her arms, her lips curling into a slight grin despite the tension. "Hope you're ready to eat your words, Yamon." 

Rinko rolled his shoulders, his expression unreadable. "Don't hold back." 

Outside

Rinko and Yamon stood in the makeshift arena just outside the house.

The setting was breathtaking—perched on the upper levels of Mistral, with sweeping views of mountains and the small, scattered homes nestled in the valleys below.

The crisp air carried a faint chill, but the tension between the two combatants radiated heat.

The audience, a mix of skeptical and supportive faces, gathered nearby.

Qrow leaned casually against a tree, flask in hand, while Yang and Nora stood side by side, buzzing with anticipation.

Sienna crossed her arms, her expression unreadable but clearly interested in the outcome.

Team JNPR and Oscar watched quietly, their eyes darting between Rinko and Yamon.

"Beat his sorry ass, Hot-Shot!" Yang hollered, her voice carrying across the clearing.

Nora snickered. "Wow, Yang, you're so fired up! I was about to say that!"

Yang smirked, her hands resting on her hips. "Oh, come on, Nora. We all know who's gonna win this."

"Yeah, and it's painful to watch.." Jaune agreed as his voice was low.

Her confidence seemed unshakable, but as she glanced at Rinko, standing calm and composed with his hands relaxed at his sides, something shifted.

His unfazed demeanor, combined with the quiet intensity in his eyes, was... captivating.

Yang felt her cheeks grow warm, a faint blush creeping across her face.

She quickly turned her gaze away, clearing her throat.

"A-anyway, Yamon better not embarrass himself too much," she muttered, trying to cover her sudden fluster.

"Embarrass himself? Please," Yamon scoffed, rolling his shoulders and drawing his dual swords.

The glint of steel caught the sunlight, making them gleam menacingly. "You talk big for someone who isn't even in the fight."

Rinko's expression didn't waver.

He stepped forward, his stance relaxed but undeniably confident. "Whenever you're ready," he said evenly, his voice cutting through the chatter.

Qrow chuckled, swirling the contents of his flask. "This kid's got nerves of steel. Yamon doesn't stand a chance."

"Are you sure?" Lendy asked, leaning in slightly. "Yamon might surprise you."

King let out a low chuckle. "Nah, look at Rinko. He's calm. Too calm. That's the look of someone who already knows the outcome."

The group quieted as the combatants squared off. The air seemed to thicken, and even the rustling trees grew silent.

Yamon grinned, spinning his swords in a flashy display. "Don't say I didn't warn you, kid."

Rinko tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "Maa, we don't have all day."

The grin on Yamon's face faltered, replaced by a scowl. He lunged forward, blades flashing.

The fight had begun.

[End]