W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

A/N: ALL CHAPTERS ARE NOW FIXED!

"Professor.. Ozpin?" Ren asked.

Ruby leaned slightly forward, her gaze darting between Oscar and the others, while Weiss crossed her arms, her face etched with skepticism.

Oscar—or rather, Ozpin—nodded slightly, his expression calm but understanding. "Correct. Though I may be the one speaking, Oscar is still present mentally. He has graciously allowed me to take control for the time being... so to speak." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his piercing gaze sweeping over the room.

"I understand this must all be very perplexing," he admitted.

"And alarming! And bizarre! And REALLY hard to believe overall!" Nora exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air for emphasis as she leaned forward.

Ozpin chuckled softly at her reaction, a warm, familiar sound that resonated with those who had known him. "It's good to see that, despite everything, you all haven't lost your sense of humor." He straightened slightly, his tone becoming more somber. "I know you've been through tremendous hardship already. I'm... I'm truly sorry for the pain and loss you've endured."

The group fell silent again, the room heavy with the weight of Ozpin's words.

Ruby, ever the optimist, broke the silence first. "We've been doing our best, Professor," she said softly, her voice laced with determination. "We've had to make some tough calls. But we're still standing."

Ozpin's expression softened, his eyes filled with quiet pride. "I never doubted that for a moment, Miss Rose. Your resilience, all of you, is remarkable. You've grown far beyond what I could have imagined."

Weiss crossed her arms, her gaze steady as she spoke. "It's not your fault, Professor."

Ozpin turned to her, his lips pressing into a thin line. He looked down, the weight of centuries evident in his posture. "But it is," he admitted, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, or child who has ever walked this planet. You see, I am cursed. Cursed to live again and again. For thousands of years, I have walked the surface of Remnant, reincarnating into the bodies of like-minded souls. This curse was given to me by the gods themselves."

His gaze swept over the room, lingering on each face before settling back on Ruby. "The Professor Ozpin you all met was neither my first form nor will it be my last. It's... an extraordinarily strenuous process... for everyone involved."

Yang, her brow furrowed in thought, broke the silence. "So... who—no—what are you, exactly?"

Ozpin didn't reply immediately. Instead, he let out a weary sigh, the weight of his past evident in the sound. "I am the amalgamation of countless men who have spent their lives trying to protect the people of Remnant. With every rebirth, my soul merges with another, and I am changed. But my memories stay with me. The reason I bear this curse... is because I failed. I failed to stop Salem in the past. But we cannot afford to fail again. This time, we must stop her."

The room fell into contemplative silence, each person grappling with the enormity of what they'd just learned.

Rinko—Kakashi—leaned back slightly, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he reflected on Ozpin's words. 'Each Reincarnation changes you... perhaps that's what this is,' he thought, his gaze landing to Weiss.

The need to save Jacques, despite knowing the man's faults; the deep-seated instinct to protect Weiss and her family, even though they had no tangible connection to his life as Kakashi Hatake; the swirling emotions tied to this new body—all of it suddenly made sense.

'It's this body... this life... it's guiding me,' he realized. 'Changing me, bit by bit. Unknowingly.'

Weiss glanced at Rinko, noticing his gaze. "What's on your mind, Rinko?"

He blinked, pulled from his reverie. "Just... reflecting," he said simply, a small smile forming.

Ozpin turned to Rinko, he formed a smile. Only Ozpin knows the secret of Kakashi Hatake reincarnated within Rinko Schnee's body.

'So.. Rinko's like us? Reincarnated? Is he cursed by the gods too?' Oscar asked within Ozpin's mind.

Ozpin's response was measured. 'Not quite.. It's.. not entirely clear.' Ozpin replied.

'You mentioned his name was Kakashi, right? Is that his past life's name?' Oscar thoughtfully comments within their mindscape.

'Yes.' Ozpin confirmed, 'We've had talk when Beacon was still standing. He's like us, Oscar, and he's the only one that understands us better than anyone in this room.'

Rinko turned to Ozpin, his tone calm yet resolute. "Ozpin, I've already formulated a plan to keep Salem from obtaining the Relic of Knowledge. And as you're likely unaware, Leonardo Lionheart is working for her now. Raven Branwen confirmed it."

Ozpin's expression darkened, the weight of the revelation pressing on him. "Leonardo? I... had my suspicions about his wavering loyalty, but to think he would outright align himself with Salem... And Raven? She's with you?"

Rinko nodded, "Yes. She's with us now."

Ozpin's eyes widened. He knew Raven hated him, he never would've thought that she's working the same side with him again.

Which is strangely relieving.

The room remained tense, the group exchanging knowing glances.

"Yeah, strange times, isn't it, Oz?" Qrow muttered, his voice bitter. "Anyways, we've known for a while now. Raven told us back when we marched in their camp while Yang was already there first."

Ozpin frowned slightly, his fingers steepled in contemplation. "That explains why he's been unresponsive to my attempts to reach out. His fear must have driven him into Salem's grasp. A tragic, but all too common, story."

"It's more than that," Weiss interjected, her voice sharp. "It's betrayal. He was entrusted with protecting Haven, and now he's risking everyone there because he's too much of a coward to stand up to her."

"We can't just leave Haven vulnerable," Ruby said, her voice firm. "We need to make sure the Relic of Knowledge stays out of Salem's hands, no matter what."

"Exactly," Rinko said, his tone sharp and resolute. "That's why I've already started crafting a strategy to secure the Relic. We'll need to account for Salem's forces, Leo's betrayal, and the potential for ambushes at every turn."

Rinko stood, his presence commanding as he continued. "Thanks to Raven's intel, we know Salem's forces are already forming a plan to retrieve the so-called 'Fall Maiden.'"

Ozpin's eyes widened, his expression grim. The Fall Maiden—a critical piece in their defense—had been a lingering concern since the fall of Beacon.

"The Fall Maiden..." Ozpin began, but Rinko quickly cut him off, his voice steady and unyielding.

"She's dead, Ozpin. I confirmed it myself. And I killed Cinder Fall. She murdered the previous Fall Maiden and claimed her power. When she did, I made sure she wouldn't keep it." Rinko's words were calm, yet the weight behind them was undeniable. "Base from my observation, where the power went after Cinder's death... it's a mystery. But it's not in Salem's hands, and that's what matters."

A heavy silence filled the room as Qrow and Ozpin exchanged somber glances.

Ozpin finally spoke, his voice laced with regret. "You're correct. The power has likely transferred to someone else—a new Maiden. I... I didn't know Cinder had killed Amber. It's a tragedy I should have prevented."

Rinko's gaze softened briefly. "What's done is done. But with Cinder gone, we've bought ourselves some time."

"Yeah, we have," Qrow chimed in, a sly grin breaking through the tension. "I gave Salem's goons a fake lead—a random cave in Mistral filled with a family of very hungry bears. They'll waste time searching there and probably come out missing a few limbs."

A faint smile tugged at Rinko's lips. "Good. Every second they waste works in our favor." He took a deep breath before elaborating further.

"Now, we focus on strengthening our position," Rinko continued, his voice firm and calculated. "First, with the time we've bought, we rally any remaining Huntsmen willing to fight—If there's still any. The more skilled fighters we have, the better our chances."

Ozpin listened intently, his grip tightening slightly on his cane. There was a rare glint of anticipation in his eyes, one that hadn't been there in some time.

Rinko's expression hardened, a sharp edge creeping into his smirk. "According to Raven, Salem's forces believe Vernal is the Spring Maiden. Raven will take the first strike, and we'll be there to back her up. While we're keeping Salem's forces occupied, the police force will secure the perimeter around the Academy, stopping the White Fang from blowing up the school."

Ozpin's gaze lingered on Rinko, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. After a moment, he let out a small chuckle and offered an approving smile. "You've truly outdone yourself, Rinko. It's a clever, well-thought-out plan."

There was a subtle flicker in Ozpin's expression, an unspoken recognition. 'You're truly something else, Kakashi...' he thought to himself, the words carrying a deep sense of admiration and understanding.

Rinko glanced at Ozpin, catching the faint smile. He nodded slightly, acknowledging the unspoken connection between them. "We've got a long road ahead, but this is where we take the fight to them. They won't know what hit them."

The room seemed to buzz with a renewed sense of purpose as Rinko's words sank in. The battle for Haven wasn't just a matter of survival—it was a chance to finally gain the upper hand.

Elsewhere, The White Fang Base

Sienna Khan, the current High Leader of the White Fang, sat regally on her throne, flanked by guards whose stern faces reflected the tense atmosphere of the room. Her amber eyes bore into Adam Taurus, who knelt before her, his head bowed in submission.

"Adam," Sienna began, her voice calm but edged with steel. "I will not repeat myself, so listen carefully. The White Fang will not attack Haven Academy."

Adam raised his head slightly, his expression defiant yet pleading. "High Leader Khan, I am begging you—"

"You should beg for forgiveness and nothing else!" Sienna snapped, her voice ringing through the grand hall like a whip crack.

The words struck Adam like a physical blow, and he immediately lowered his gaze, the weight of her authority pressing down on him. A heavy silence descended over the room, the only sound the faint crackle of torches along the walls.

Sienna leaned forward on her throne, her golden eyes sharp. "The assault you led at Beacon was not the great victory you so clearly believe it to be. You should be grateful your punishment wasn't more severe."

Adam remained still, his clenched fists trembling against the cold marble floor.

"You are a symbol for many in our organization," she continued, her tone unyielding, "but that does not make you infallible. Your actions have consequences—not just for you, but for all of us."

"I was merely trying to follow your example, High Leader," Adam said, his voice low but steady.

Sienna raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite her frustration. "And what example might that be?"

"Strength," Adam replied, lifting his gaze to meet hers. His crimson eyes burned with fervor. "Strength and immovable conviction. The humans—the Schnees—have seen that strength now. They know we will not be silenced."

Sienna's expression softened for a moment, her thoughts turning inward. Then she sighed, her voice carrying the weight of her years of struggle. "Strength... I was one of the first to advocate for violence when violence was necessary. Peace bred complacency—acceptance of our place beneath humanity's heel. I will not allow humanity to push us down without pushing back."

Her amber eyes hardened as they locked onto Adam's. "But the destruction of the Huntsman Academy crosses a line. Do you know how many of our own were there? How many Faunus children? How many innocent lives were lost—not for freedom, but for your misguided vision of strength?"

Adam's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"You call them victories, but they are pyrrhic at best. You've sown chaos and death, Adam. Not just among the humans, but among our own people. We fight for equality, for respect—not for senseless slaughter."

Adam finally spoke, his voice quieter but no less resolute. "Sacrifices must be made for progress. The world does not change without bloodshed."

"And yet you've bled the wrong hearts," Sienna retorted, still seated on her throne, "The world may fear the White Fang now, but it does not respect us. Fear is fleeting. Respect is enduring."

Sienna sighed as she held the bridge of her nose before shaking her head in disapproval.

She turned once back again to Adam who is still kneeling. "You have Justified Humanity's campaign against us and for what? Empty promises from a group of humans. Humans we still don't know nothing about except being International criminals!"

"These are not example of strength, Adam. They are examples of your talents being diminished by shortsightedness." Khan slammed her fist on her throne seat.

Adam raised his head as he stood up. "If you want to know more about the humans then why not talk to one of them yourself."

Adam turned to the entrance. "Hazel!" He shouted Hazel's name.

The massive doors creaked open, and a towering figure stepped inside. 

Hazel Rainart entered the room, cracking his neck as he approached. "Took you long enough," he muttered, his deep voice rumbling.

Sienna Khan's eyes widened in shock as she rose to her feet. "What is the meaning of this?!" she barked. The guards behind her instinctively raised their spears toward Hazel.

Hazel stopped a few steps away from Adam, his calm demeanor unshaken. His gaze fixed on Sienna. "Apologies," he said gruffly. "I don't intend to cause trouble."

Sienna's teeth clenched as her glare shifted to Adam. "You brought a human here? To our base?!"

"You should hear what he has to say, High Leader," Adam replied coolly.

"This is grounds for execution!" Sienna snapped, her anger boiling over.

Hazel raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Ma'am," he began, his tone low and deliberate. "Please. No one needs to die today."

To her surprise, Hazel dropped to one knee. "I'm asking for a moment of your time. That's all."

Sienna's gaze flicked between Hazel and Adam, her anger barely contained. "The longer you stay here, the less chance you have of leaving alive," she warned, her voice ice-cold.

"I'll take that chance, if you don't mind." Hazel said evenly, his lack of fear unnerving her.

Intrigued despite herself, Sienna sat back down on her throne, rage still boiling beneath that calm exterior as her posture remained rigid.

Hazel rose to his feet. "You don't have to like me or trust me to get the results you want," he said firmly.

Sienna's eyes narrowed. "I'm beginning to doubt that either of you fully comprehend what it is I want," she replied, her voice laced with disdain. "I want humanity to fear the Faunus, to understand that we demand respect. I do not want to start a war with the humans that we cannot win!"

"That's where you're wrong," Adam interjected. Hazel turned to Adam, his brow furrowing in silent disapproval.

Adam stepped forward, his voice rising with fervor. "We can win a war against humanity—not only because we have the support of Hazel's master but because the Faunus are the dominant species of this planet. We are better than humans. We have everything they have and more. Humans shouldn't just fear the Faunus; they should serve us."

"Adam, I have heard enough—"

"And yet I have more to say!" Adam snapped, cutting her off. 

Sienna froze, momentarily caught off guard by his boldness.

Adam's crimson eyes burned with conviction as he continued. "We've seen what they've done to us—our people, our families. They won't change easily, if at all. They fear us, and they should. We're stronger, faster, closer to nature. We're better in every way, and that is why they hate us."

His voice grew softer, almost pitying. "I pity them, as one might pity a jealous, frightened child. But pity does not absolve them of their sins. They will pay for what they've done, and the Faunus will rise to claim what is rightfully ours."

Adam turned to Sienna, removing his mask to reveal his scarred face. "We will tear down their ivory kingdoms, just as they've torn apart our lives. And when they scramble to rebuild, the Faunus will already have risen to power."

Sienna stood, her eyes blazing with fury. "And if you think I will stand by as you damn us all, you are sorely mistaken." She turned to her guards. "Take them away."

Silence followed. None of the guards moved.

Sienna's voice sharpened, louder this time. "I said, take them away!"

The doors burst open, and more guards flooded the room. But their weapons weren't pointed at Adam or Hazel—they were aimed at her.

Sienna's breath caught. She turned to the guards behind her, only to see their spears leveled at her back.

"What is the meaning of this?!" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage.

Adam stepped forward, his mask back in place. "I'm sorry, Sienna," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "You've served the White Fang well, but we can no longer afford a leader who merely reacts. We need a leader who takes action."

"And you believe that to be you?" Sienna hissed, her hands curling into fists.

"No," Adam replied simply. "But they do."

He gestured to the guards, who began advancing toward her.

"You will regret this!" Sienna shouted, her voice cracking with desperation.

Adam's expression softened briefly, though his tone remained resolute. "You will not be executed, Sienna. You will live in exile. That is the mercy I grant you—for all you've done for the White Fang."

Her shoulders sagged as the weight of her downfall settled on her. The room, once hers to command, now felt cold and hostile. Her people had turned against her, her trusted lieutenants had betrayed her, and now even her vision for the White Fang was slipping from her grasp.

As the guards gripped her arms and began to drag her away, Sienna turned her tear-streaked face toward Adam. Her voice was low but trembling with conviction. "You will not get away with this..." she whispered, each word cutting like a blade. "You will doom us all."

Adam paused, glancing over his shoulder at the deposed leader. His crimson eyes gleamed beneath his mask. "I have nothing to get away with, Sienna. You claimed your throne through strength and conviction. They..."—he gestured to the White Fang members around them—"gave me mine."

With that, Adam walked past her, his boots echoing through the chamber as she was dragged out. The heavy doors closed behind her, sealing her fate.

Hazel stood silently, his gaze shifting from the now-vacant throne to Adam. "So," he rumbled, breaking the silence. "What now?"

Adam ascended the steps to the throne, his movements deliberate. He turned, sitting with the weight of authority settling on his shoulders. For a moment, he surveyed the room, his grip tightening on the armrests.

"Now..." Adam said, his voice calm yet laced with determination, "we plan for Haven."

[End]