W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

...

The fight had begun.

Yamon charged forward, his dual swords slicing through the air with precision.

Rinko moved with fluid grace, ducking under the first swing and sidestepping the second as if he were reading Yamon's moves before they happened.

Yamon spun, aiming a wide, sweeping slash at Rinko's torso. In a blur, Rinko clapped his hands around the blade, stopping it cold.

Yamon's eyes widened in disbelief. "What—?"

Before he could finish, Rinko's grip shifted to the flat edge of the sword. With a sharp yank, he pulled Yamon forward and drove his elbow into Yamon's face with precision and force.

Yamon stumbled back, his aura flaring brightly to absorb the blow. He shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "You've gotta be kidding me…"

Rinko didn't give him time to recover.

As Yamon scanned the clearing for his opponent, he suddenly realized Rinko was no longer in front of him.

His instincts kicked in, and he looked up just in time to see a boot descending toward his face.

BAM.

The impact sent Yamon sprawling to the ground. He groaned, clutching his face as he struggled to get up.

Rinko landed in a controlled flip, his feet touching the ground with effortless grace. He straightened, his expression as calm as ever, as though the fight had barely begun.

Yamon growled, dragging himself to his feet. "What the—?!" he spat, his pride clearly wounded.

Qrow chuckled from the sidelines, taking a swig from his flask. "Told you, kid. Should've kept your mouth shut."

Yang smirked, crossing her arms. "Don't worry, Yamon. Rinko'll leave you with enough dignity to stand—probably."

The spectators laughed quietly, while Yamon clenched his fists around his swords, glaring at Rinko.

"This isn't over," Yamon muttered, charging again with renewed determination.

Rinko—no, Kakashi—sighed in mild exasperation, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "Maa, maa, if you insist."

"HAHH!" Yamon roared, his dual swords slicing through the air with calculated precision. Each swing was aimed to corner and overwhelm, but Rinko's movements were like water, fluid and impossible to pin down.

"You—" Yamon growled through gritted teeth, frustration bubbling over. "Slippery—" Another swing missed, Rinko casually sidestepping. "Freaking—Woah!"

Before Yamon could finish, Rinko smoothly ducked under his strike and swept Yamon's legs out from under him in one swift motion.

Time seemed to slow as Yamon felt himself falling, and his eyes widened when he saw Rinko closing in, a fist aimed directly for his face while mid-fall.

In a desperate move, Yamon twisted mid-fall, bringing one of his swords up in a last-second counterattack.

The blade whistled through the air, narrowly missing Rinko's face—but not entirely.

A single strand of silver hair landed to the ground.

Rinko leaned back slightly, his expression calm but his narrowed blue eyes betraying a flicker of surprise. "Hmm, not bad."

Yamon hit the ground but rolled back onto his feet with impressive speed, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell as he pointed one of his swords at Rinko. "Tch—he saw that one."

Rinko remained in place, his posture relaxed but his sharp gaze fixed on Yamon. For the first time, there was a faint glimmer of respect in his eyes.

"You're better than I thought," Rinko remarked evenly, his silver hair swaying as he straightened his stance.

"Of course I am!" Yamon snapped, charging forward again, his pride driving him to push harder.

Rinko's eyes narrowed as he noticed a distinct change. Yamon's speed had increased significantly, each swing faster and sharper than before.

"Hmph—!" Rinko grunted, raising his arms just in time to block an unexpected knee strike following a feint.

'He's even predicting my counters now?' Rinko thought, his expression tightening.

From the sidelines, Lendy smirked, drawing Qrow's attention.

"You seem to be enjoying this," Qrow remarked, taking a step closer to her.

Lendy chuckled softly. "Oh, I am. Yamon's finally using his Semblance."

"Semblance, huh?" Qrow raised an eyebrow.

"It's called Pride," Lendy explained, her tone tinged with amusement. "The longer he fights, the faster and more precise he gets. It's like his ego fuels his abilities."

Qrow smirked, taking a swig from his flask. "Figures. Fits his personality."

"Yeah, it does. Shame he's still such a prick though." Lendy quipped, her eyes glued to the fight.

Back in the makeshift arena, Yamon's attacks became a blur, his strikes relentless.

Rinko weaved and dodged, his calm composure unwavering but his focus sharper than ever.

'This fight is getting intense,' Rinko thought. 'If I don't end this soon, he'll just keep getting faster.'

Yamon lunged forward, his blade cutting through the air with blinding speed.

Seeing the opening, Rinko shifted his weight and drove a quick, calculated punch into Yamon's gut.

"Argh!" Yamon gasped, his aura flickering slightly as he staggered back, the blow landing with pinpoint precision despite his protective field.

Rinko didn't let up. Seizing the moment, he grabbed Yamon by the head and delivered a devastating knee strike to his face.

Yamon stumbled, his balance wavering, but Rinko wasn't done.

In a flurry of taijutsu, Rinko pummeled Yamon with a series of rapid punches and elbow strikes, each blow landing cleanly on his face and torso.

The onslaught was relentless, each hit delivered with surgical precision.

The final strike was a powerful spinning kick to Yamon's chest, sending him flying to the edge of the arena.

Yamon hit the ground hard, his body rolling to a stop near the edge. He struggled to push himself up, his breath ragged and his aura flickering weakly.

Rinko stood firmly in the center of the makeshift arena, his expression calm and collected.

His eyes followed Yamon, who was staggering but determined to continue.

"Still think I don't have what it takes?" Rinko asked, his voice cutting through the tense silence.

"I'm not done yet!" Yamon shouted, surging forward with renewed speed.

As Yamon charged, his strikes became a blur—faster and more aggressive than before.

Rinko sidestepped the first slash, ducked under the second, and leaned back to avoid the third.

Timing his movements with precision, Rinko crouched low and delivered a devastating uppercut to Yamon's jaw.

The force sent Yamon airborne.

Before Yamon could recover mid-air, Rinko leaped after him. With a swift, well-placed kick, he struck Yamon's chest, sending him flying backward.

Yamon crashed into a tree near Oscar, who flinched at the sudden impact.

BAM!

The tree shook violently, and Yamon groaned as he slid to the ground, his aura flickering weakly.

Rinko landed gracefully, his gaze steady as he turned to face Yamon. "It's over. Yield."

Yamon struggled to stand, his body protesting every movement, but he couldn't find the strength to rise.

The fight was decided.

Pyrrha, Jaune, Ren, and Oscar exchanged glances, the silence heavy with finality.

"I think it's safe to say Rinko won this match," Sienna declared, crossing her arms. The group nodded in agreement, the tension in the air dissipating.

"Welp, guess that's that," Lendy remarked with a casual shrug, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

Pyrrha and Jaune approached Yamon, who was still groaning as he tried to push himself up.

"I-it's fine. I can stand on my own…" Yamon muttered, trying to save face.

"Uh, no, you can't," Jaune replied bluntly, shaking his head. "You're lucky you're still conscious. Just rest inside the house for now."

Ren quietly picked up Yamon's fallen swords, his calm demeanor unwavering as he walked alongside Pyrrha and Jaune, who helped Yamon limp back toward the house.

Rinko stood relaxed, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. His expression remained unreadable—calm, commanding, as if the fight had been nothing more than another day's routine.

Yang watched him from a distance, arms crossed. Though she said nothing, her gaze lingered, a flicker of admiration and curiosity lighting her amber eyes. Slowly, a small smile formed on her lips.

King let out a low chuckle. "I never once doubted the young man's capabilities."

"Kid's got the skills to back up his talk," Qrow added.

"Uhh guys, Ozpin mentioned he still needs to clarify a few things," Oscar said, glancing at the others.

The group nodded in agreement, the weight of the impending mission settling heavily over them again.

As everyone made their way back to the house, Qrow paused mid-walk.

He glanced back, noticing Rinko hadn't moved.

The young man's gaze was fixed on the sweeping view of the Mistral mountains below, the upper levels bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.

"Rinko?" Qrow called out, his tone curious.

"You guys go ahead," Rinko replied without looking back. He stepped closer to the fence railing, leaning lightly against it as the breeze tugged at his hair. "I'll stay out here for a little while."

Qrow observed him for a moment, then nodded and headed inside without another word.

Yang remained rooted in place. After a brief hesitation, she walked over, her boots crunching softly against the ground as she came to stand beside him.

"Couldn't help but notice you're still out here, not going in?" Yang said, her voice soft with a teasing edge as she leaned against the railing beside him.

Rinko didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the distant peaks. The fading sunlight painted his profile in warm hues, highlighting his calm demeanor.

"Sometimes it's easier to think when it's quiet," he said at last, his tone thoughtful and measured.

Yang turned her eyes to him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, I get that. But you know… you're not alone in this, right?"

A faint smile touched Rinko's face. "Ever since the train incident, I never once thought I'd be alone. Not anymore."

Yang's breath caught as she turned fully toward him. His words were casual, yet they struck a chord deep within her.

"I have you guys by my side—Team RWBY, Team JNPR…" Rinko added, his voice light and steady. He paused for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully.

"It's a rare thing, you know… having people you can count on, people who'd stand by you no matter what. I've been on my own before, and I know how empty it can feel. But now…" He glanced at her briefly, his expression softening, "now I know I don't have to face things alone anymore. You all remind me of that every day."

'Atleast, in this world, I really thought I'd be alone again.. Guy.. Obito.. Everyone..' Rinko—Kakashi thought, silently thanking everyone he knew and loved as Kakashi Hatake, honoring his past, not forgetting it but simply moving on.

Yang felt her heart skip a beat.

His words weren't dramatic or overly sentimental, but they carried a quiet depth that resonated with her.

She looked at him, the warmth of his sincerity pulling her closer in ways she couldn't quite explain.

Without thinking, Yang leaned a bit closer, her shoulder almost brushing his.

It was a small movement, subtle, but enough to feel the steady presence of the person beside her.

"We've got your back, Rinko," she said softly, her voice steady but tinged with something more. "Always."

Rinko turned to Yang, his eyes narrowed. He smiled. "Thank you, Yang."

Yang's head rested lightly on Rinko's shoulder, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the scene, making the moment feel timeless.

Rinko didn't flinch or pull away. Instead, his gaze softened, and a rare sense of peace washed over him.

From the distance, Team JNPR observed the pair from behind the house, their expressions ranging from shock to excitement.

"HOLY SHIT, IS THIS HAPPENING?!" Nora blurted out, barely containing her excitement as she shook Ren's arm.

"Nora, keep it down!" Jaune hissed, frantically gesturing for her to quiet down. "They'll hear us!"

"But look at them!" Nora whispered loudly, pointing at the two. "It's like a scene from one of those cheesy romance novels Rinko has been reading!"

Ren, ever the calm one, raised an eyebrow but couldn't hide the faintest smile. "No wonder why Yang gets red more often. It is… unexpected."

"Unexpected? It's adorable!" Nora countered, practically vibrating with glee.

Pyrrha chuckled softly, her cheeks tinged pink as she watched. "I think it's sweet. Yang deserves someone who understands her, and Rinko seems to have that quiet strength she admires."

Jaune scratched the back of his head, a goofy grin forming. "Yeah, but who'd have thought Rinko had it in him? The guy's smoother than I gave him credit for."

"I'm just glad Nora didn't try to interrupt them," Ren added, giving her a knowing glance.

Nora gasped in mock offense. "What kind of person do you take me for?!"

"A very loud and impulsive one," Pyrrha said, laughing softly.

As the group continued their hushed commentary, Rinko and Yang remained unaware, lost in the quiet serenity of the moment.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the two figures standing together, sharing a rare and fleeting peace amidst the chaos of their lives.

Somewhere, Dense Forest

After days of meticulous work, the sound of the ship's engine roared to life, breaking the forest's eerie silence.

Watts wiped the grease from his hands, a rare smirk tugging at his lips as he inspected the humming machinery.

"Finally," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, his voice tinged with both satisfaction and exhaustion.

Nearby, Roman Torchwick leaned lazily against a tree, gripping his cane. "Took you long enough," he drawled, rolling his eyes dramatically. "I was starting to think we'd be stranded here forever. What a hassle."

Watts turned to glare at him, his patience clearly worn thin. "You have the audacity to complain, Torchwick? You didn't lift a single finger to help. You're as useful as a screen door on a submarine."

Torchwick feigned offense, placing a hand over his chest. "Hey, I was supervising! Someone's gotta keep morale up around here."

Neo, standing silently by Torchwick's side, twirled her parasol with a sly smirk, clearly enjoying the banter.

She didn't say a word—she never did—but her amused expression said everything.

"Morale?" Mercury scoffed, stepping into the conversation with an incredulous look. "More like getting on everyone's nerves. Seriously, shut up. You've been nothing but dead weight this whole time."

Torchwick's grin faltered for a moment before he straightened his hat and shot back, "Big talk for someone who spent most of this trip whining about the heat."

"Rgghh!" Mercury growled.

"Excuse me, junior," Torchwick shot back, narrowing his eyes. "I'd like to see you fix a ship. Oh wait—you're too busy sulking whining than to actually contribute."

Mercury stepped closer, his tone sharp. "I'm not the one whining, YOU are. At least I know when to stay out of the way."

"Enough!" Watts snapped, his voice cutting through their bickering.

He adjusted his gloves and scowled at both of them.

"If either of you imbeciles had even half a brain, you'd realize we're on borrowed time. The longer we stay here, the more likely it is that someone finds us."

Emerald emerged from the ship's cargo hold, arms crossed, her tone dripping with exasperation.

"He's right. Can we focus on leaving before you two start throwing punches? We're already behind schedule thanks to this delay."

Torchwick waved her off, clearly uninterested in her reprimand. "Relax, sweetheart. The ship's fixed, isn't it? All's well that ends well."

Neo smirked, mimicking Torchwick's words by making exaggerated hand gestures, drawing a chuckle from him.

Watts pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath, "I swear, working with children would be less infuriating than this circus."

Mercury gave Torchwick one last glare before turning to Watts. "So, we're good to go now? No more 'unexpected complications'?"

Watts straightened, a glint of pride in his eyes. "The ship is fully operational. As long as no one here decides to sabotage it with their idiocy, we'll be in the air within the hour."

Torchwick gave a mock bow, twirling his cane with exaggerated flair. "Well then, good doctor, lead the way. Let's get out of this miserable jungle."

Neo gave a thumbs-up, her parasol resting on her shoulder as she followed Torchwick toward the ramp.

Emerald trailed behind, muttering under her breath about the absurdity of their group.

Mercury cast one last glance at Torchwick before shaking his head and boarding the ship.

The ship's engine roared again, a sound that promised escape—and perhaps more chaos to come.

Calavera's Household

"Thank you so much for training me, Miss Maria!" Ruby said, bowing deeply. "Thanks to you, I can finally use my Silver Eyes with confidence!"

Weiss smiled graciously. "And thank you for offering us a place to rest. Your hospitality has been invaluable."

"I also appreciate the new cooking techniques you've shared with me," Selene added with a respectful nod. "I promise to keep practicing until I've perfected them."

The three bowed in unison. "Thank you for everything!"

Maria chuckled, her weathered face softening with warmth. "Oh, please, there's no need to be so formal. You're all young and full of potential. Remember, life will throw obstacles your way, and there will always be those who take shortcuts or choose the easy path. But don't let that deter you. Trust in yourselves and let your hearts guide you. The right path is often the hardest, but it's worth walking."

She paused, her wise eyes sweeping over the group. "Stay healthy, stay strong, and keep moving forward. Until we meet again—good luck on your journey, young Huntresses."

The trio nodded, their expressions resolute as Maria's words sank in.

With one last wave of gratitude, they stepped out of the house, the cool mountain air welcoming them as they prepared for the next chapter of their journey.

And so, Selene Marbol, Weiss Schnee, and Ruby Rose began their trek toward the upper levels of Mistral, the sun casting long shadows over the rugged landscape.

"Weiss! Look what Maria taught me!" Ruby suddenly exclaimed, bounding ahead like an excited puppy.

Weiss glanced at her, slightly bemused. "What is it now, Ruby?"

Ruby's eyes glowed softly, the light faint but noticeable, with her pupils still visible. She grinned mischievously. "Flashlight eyes! Cool, right? Now I can light up the dark and look awesome while doing it!"

Weiss let out an exasperated sigh but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're such a goofball, Ruby. But… I'll admit, it is practical."

"See? You're impressed," Ruby said, puffing out her chest dramatically.

Selene chuckled softly from behind. "Just don't blind us while we're walking, Ruby."

"Noted!" Ruby chirped, switching off the glow with a wink. "Let's go, team!"

The three shared a light laugh as they continued up the mountain path, their spirits high despite the challenges ahead.

[End]