W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

It had been a few months since Kakashi first reincarnated as Rinko Schnee, and those months had been filled with a mix of discovery, frustration, and quiet adaptation.
His body was gradually building strength, though by shinobi standards, it was still frustratingly weak.
The progress was there, evident in the visible "newbie gains" that marked his newly sculpted muscles. But even with his consistent training, the gap between what he once was and what he could currently manage weighed heavily on his mind.
Every stretch, every climb, every punch thrown in training reminded him of the strength he had lost.
Aside from his physical regimen, Kakashi had been forced into accompanying Jacques on several business trips. Not because he had any desire to follow the man around—No, no, no! He despised the very idea of working under Jacques Schnee.
But Kakashi had always been a pragmatist, and he saw these trips as a necessary evil.
By traveling, he learned about Remnant in ways no history book or news report could provide.
He wanted to experience the world and its people for himself, to observe how they interacted, whether in business or everyday life.
It wasn't the fighting, mission-driven life he had known as a shinobi, but there was a certain intrigue in navigating the complexities of this new world.
Despite himself, Kakashi found a part of him quietly enjoying the business side of things.
Negotiating deals, understanding supply chains, and observing how powerful families like the Schnee influenced entire regions were lessons he hadn't anticipated needing.
It reminded him of the old days in Konoha when he would sit in on high-level meetings, though the stakes here were less about protecting lives and more about controlling resources.
The world of commerce, as it turned out, had its own kind of battlefield.
Yet, it was always shrouded by the tension of Jacques' presence, a man Kakashi found increasingly difficult to respect.
Their last trip to Mistral had been particularly draining. The long silences during flights and meetings made the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension.
Jacques was all business, cold and calculating, while Kakashi silently observed.
He listened to conversations, gauged the intentions of potential partners, and mentally noted the cultural nuances of Mistral.
Despite the boredom, it was educational. And that, Kakashi supposed, was the silver lining.
Now back in Atlas, Kakashi was refocusing on his training, finding solace in the quiet rhythm of physical exertion.
At his request, a rock-climbing wall had been installed in the Schnee Manor gym, and he used it almost daily to push his limits.
It wasn't as grueling as the shinobi drills he was used to, but it was something.
As he reached for the last hold on the wall, muscles burning and breath heavy, Kakashi pulled himself to the top with a final surge of strength.
"One more," he muttered under his breath, a reminder of his old mindset—always one more step, one more push, never giving in to fatigue.
When he finally reached the peak, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, a brief smile crossing his face.
He released his grip and dropped down to the padded floor below, landing with a soft thud.
Lying there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, Kakashi flexed his arms, mesmerized by the improvement in his strength over the weeks. It wasn't much compared to what he used to be capable of, but it was progress.
And progress, no matter how small, was something. It reminded him that he was still Kakashi Hatake, even in this new world. The skills, the instincts, the drive—they were all still there, just waiting to be unleashed again.
Still, as he lay there catching his breath, he couldn't help but wonder. Was this the life he wanted? Training for the sake of staying strong, traveling with Jacques for the sake of learning, all while feeling disconnected from a larger purpose?
"Am I really going to be content with this?" he thought, staring at the gym's sleek, modern design.
His body may have been improving, but the mental battles were just as tough.
Would he follow his sisters' footsteps and become a Huntsman to continue fighting? Or would he stay tied to the business world, playing the role of a Schnee while silently resenting the family's patriarch?
He closed his eyes, his mind wandering back to a time when things were simpler.
When there were missions, comrades, and a clear sense of what needed to be done.
But here in Atlas, everything was so much more complicated.
Kakashi sat up slowly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "One step at a time," he muttered to himself, echoing a mantra he'd used countless times before.
He didn't have all the answers yet, but for now, rebuilding his strength and understanding this world was enough.
The rest would come later.
"Brother," a voice called from behind, breaking the silence of the gym.
Kakashi turned toward the sound, instantly recognizing it. "Oh, Whitley. What can I do for you?"
Whitley, standing just inside the gym doorway, shifted awkwardly. "Father called you again. You both are going on another business trip... back to Mistral."
Kakashi stifled a groan. 'Seriously? We just got back from Mistral...' He shook his head, exasperated but unsurprised. "Alright, I'll see father in a second."
Whitley, still lingering by the door, gave a brief nod before turning to leave. The boy wasn't exactly a fan of these trips either, but he'd never say it out loud.
"Whitley," Kakashi called out before he could leave the room.
Whitley stopped, looking back at him with mild curiosity. "Yeah?"
"Thank you," Kakashi said, draping a towel over his shoulder as he began drying off. "And... don't be so rough on yourself. You're doing better than you think."
There was a pause in the air. Whitley blinked, clearly taken aback by the unexpected words. His shoulders, usually weighed down with tension, relaxed slightly. He wasn't used to hearing that kind of reassurance.
"Yeah... Thanks, Brother," Whitley finally replied, his voice quieter than before. He gave Kakashi a small, appreciative smile, then turned and exited the gym, closing the door behind him.
Kakashi watched him go, his own expression softening for a moment. Whitley was young, still grappling with his place in the Schnee family.
In some ways, it reminded Kakashi of how he'd once felt growing up as a shinobi, carrying the weight of expectations and responsibilities while navigating the harsh realities of the world.
Kakashi sighed as he stretched his arms, feeling the tension in his muscles from the climb. He didn't particularly relish the thought of another trip with Jacques, especially not to Mistral again. Yet, part of him acknowledged the necessity of it.
He needed to understand the intricacies of the business world in this new life—how power shifted, who wielded influence, and how he might be able to use it for something beyond just wealth.
But most of all, these trips gave him time to think, to observe, and to understand what kind of life he wanted to lead here in Remnant.
For now, he would go along with Jacques, keep learning the game, and maybe, just maybe, figure out how to take control of his own fate in this new world.
Hours Later, Mistral
A few hours later, the private Schnee ship soared through the skies of Mistral, the green forests below sprawling like an endless sea of trees.
Kakashi—Rinko in this life—sat next to Jacques, who was engrossed in his own thoughts, likely about business deals and profits.
Meanwhile, Kakashi watched the occasional Grimm move among the wilderness below, their dark forms flickering in and out of sight.
Mistral's natural beauty was a sharp contrast to Atlas. Despite how many times he'd been on these business trips, Kakashi couldn't help but feel drawn to the kingdom's vibrant, untamed atmosphere.
It reminded him of places from his past—places where life was less restrained, more chaotic.
Just as he began to lose himself in thought, the ship jolted violently, knocking Jacques from his musings. His eyes went wide, his grip tightening on the seat as the ship shuddered again.
"What—what's happening?" Jacques stammered, his voice strained with panic, his businessman's cool demeanor cracking at the seams.
Kakashi barely flinched, his senses sharpening. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
The pilot's voice crackled through the speaker on the passenger board, "We're crashing down! The right wing exploded! Prepare for impact!"
Panic spread across Jacques' face as the ship violently shook, but he said nothing to Kakashi, who he still believed to be the arrogant and dismissive "Rinko" he knew. Jacques muttered curses under his breath, gripping the seat harder.
Kakashi, calm and collected, instinctively scanned their surroundings.
Outside, the treetops were getting dangerously close, and the ship's descent was accelerating. There's no stopping this now, Kakashi thought.
Without waiting for Jacques, Kakashi strapped himself securely into his seat, ignoring the man's growing panic.
His shinobi instincts kicked in, but there was little to do.
He couldn't just leap out of the ship in a world where he had none of his former jutsu.
He would have to ride this out.
The ship lurched again, dropping suddenly as the engines screamed in protest.
The world outside the window blurred as the ground rushed toward them. Jacques was pale, gripping his seat with knuckles white as snow, muttering prayers and panicked exclamations under his breath.
The ship crashed into the treetops, a cacophony of screeching metal and snapping branches filling the air.
The ship jolted as it tore through the forest, pieces of the hull ripping off and scattering into the greenery.
Jacques let out a panicked yelp as the ship skidded, throwing him forward against the restraints.
Kakashi clenched his muscles, bracing himself for the final impact as the ship tore through the underbrush, finally coming to a bone-rattling halt with a deafening thud.
Everything went still.
The once-pristine ship was now a crumpled mess, half-buried in the forest floor.
Silence.
Kakashi exhaled, his body tense but unharmed. He glanced at Jacques, who was shaking, still pale with shock, and completely oblivious to how close they had come to disaster.
With a sigh, Kakashi unbuckled his seatbelt, his movements steady despite the chaos. "Are you okay, Father?" he asked calmly, his gaze turning to Jacques, who was clearly unraveling.
"W-what? I'm terrified!" Jacques yelled, his voice breaking under the weight of fear.
Kakashi merely sighed.
His father's reaction was expected, but there was no time to indulge in it.
Without a word, he leaned over and unfastened Jacques' seatbelt, guiding him out of his chair with surprisingly gentle hands.
He took a moment to inspect Jacques, checking for injuries. Remarkably, aside from the panic, his father appeared unscathed. "You're fine," Kakashi muttered, almost to himself. They were lucky—extremely lucky, given the state of the wreckage.
Leaving Jacques behind, still pale and trembling, Kakashi moved through the shattered remains of the ship.
His expression darkened as he checked on the crew.
One man had been impaled by a splintered tree, another lay twisted and broken—his body mangled beyond recognition from the impact.
The others, motionless, showed no signs of life.
It seemed only he and Jacques had survived.
Kakashi returned to where he had left his father, preparing to break the news, but the moment he arrived, his senses went on high alert.
Jacques was no longer alone.
A figure stood behind him, pressing a knife against his throat.
Bandits.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, his body immediately tensing for action. His muscles coiled, ready to strike if necessary.
"Great work, Vernal," a smooth, commanding voice called from the trees, sending a chill through the air.
Kakashi's gaze shifted to the source of the voice as a woman emerged from the foliage.
She wore a red cloak, a mask concealing part of her face, and a sword hung at her waist. Her posture was confident, almost regal, as though she was fully in control of the situation.
Raven Branwen.
Kakashi recognized her from the stories—the dangerous and ruthless, leader of the Branwen Tribe.
He quickly calculated his options, realizing he was at a disadvantage with Jacques as a hostage.
Vernal grinned, her grip on Jacques tightening as she pressed the knife closer to his neck. Jacques flinched, his fear palpable.
"Please!" Jacques stammered. "I-I can pay you! Anything you want, just—"
"Shut up," Raven said coldly, cutting off Jacques' plea without hesitation. Her sharp gaze remained locked on Kakashi, analyzing him with a mix of curiosity and calculation.
She tilted her head slightly, something about him catching her attention. There was something different in his demeanor, something she couldn't quite place.
"You're not like the others," she mused, her voice steady and controlled. "Something's different about you."
Raven's eyes narrowed as she took in the similarities between Rinko and Jacques—the sharp jawline and the Schnee features that ran through the family.
But there was a sharpness to Kakashi, a depth in his gaze that spoke of experience beyond what a mere corporate son would have.
And then, realization dawned on her.
"Oh... You must be Rinko Schnee," Raven said, a smile curling beneath her mask. "The famous son of Jacques. I've heard stories."
Kakashi didn't respond.
Instead, his body shifted into a fighting stance, his muscles coiling as he prepared for whatever would come next.
He knew Raven was dangerous, not someone to underestimate. And Vernal, still holding the knife to Jacques' throat, was equally poised, ready to strike.
"Give up. This isn't a fight you can win." She warned.
Her words hung in the air, but Kakashi didn't falter.
His mind raced, scanning for an opening. Jacques' life hung in the balance, and though the man was insufferable, he couldn't just abandon him.
There had to be a way to get them both out of this alive.
Raven, noticing his silence, took a step forward, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her sword. "You're not what I expected," she admitted, her tone shifting slightly, almost intrigued. "But I wonder—are you willing to die for him?"
Kakashi's eyes flickered towards Jacques for a brief moment before returning to Raven.
His face remained unreadable, but internally, he weighed the options.
His training had taught him many things, but at this moment, his instincts were telling him to be patient, to wait for the perfect moment to strike.
"I'm not here to die today," Kakashi finally said, his voice calm but firm. "And neither is he."
Raven chuckled softly, her grip on her sword tightening. "We'll see about that."
"Rinko!" Jacques yelled, panic evident in his voice as Raven lunged toward him with blinding speed.
Kakashi reacted instinctively, dodging the initial slash from Raven's sword.
The sudden movement startled both the bandits and Raven herself, allowing Kakashi to seize the moment.
He grasped her wrists and yanked her forward, using her momentum to slam her into the ground with surprising force.
A loud thud echoed in the wreckage as Raven hit the ground, her sword slipping from her grip.
The bandits gaped in disbelief at the unexpected strength Kakashi displayed. This was no mere businessman's son.
Raven was taken aback, her mind racing to process the sudden turn of events. As she opened her eyes, she was met with a swift kick to the face, the impact momentarily disorienting her.
Kakashi seized the opportunity. With precise, fluid movements, he snatched up Raven's sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. He hurled it toward Jacques, who instinctively flinched, but the sword struck true, embedding itself in Vernal's shoulder with a sickening thud.
"W-what?!" Jacques yelped, his eyes wide with shock as he turned to see Vernal groaning in pain, her grip on him loosening.
"RUN, FATHER!" Kakashi shouted, urgency fueling his command.
Without hesitation, Jacques took off, bolting toward safety.
The moment of distraction was all Kakashi needed. He prepared to face Raven, who was now scrambling to regain her composure, fury flashing in her eyes.
"You shouldn't have done that," Raven growled, pushing herself up from the ground, blood trickling from her lip. She drew a second sword from her back, its blade gleaming menacingly in the sunlight as she leveled it at Kakashi.
"Get him!" Raven barked, her voice commanding authority. The remaining bandits, eyes gleaming with malice, nodded and sprinted after Jacques, their blades ready.
Kakashi's gaze snapped to his father, who was desperately fleeing the scene.
With lightning speed, Kakashi intercepted the first bandit just as he was about to grab Jacques.
His fist connected with the bandit's face in a powerful blow, sending the man hurtling into a nearby tree with a sickening crack.
"W-what the—?!" the second bandit stammered, startled by Kakashi's overwhelming strength. He unsheathed his sword, preparing to strike. The blade sliced through the air, aiming to cut Kakashi down.
But Kakashi was faster. With a swift dodge, he sidestepped the attack, fluid and precise.
Grabbing the bandit's wrist, he twisted it in one smooth motion, disarming him in the blink of an eye.
With his free arm, Kakashi delivered a devastating elbow strike to the bandit's throat.
The impact was brutal, leaving the man gasping for air before crumpling to the ground, unconscious.
Kakashi didn't give himself time to breathe. His eyes darted back to Raven, who was now fully on her feet, watching him closely. Her expression had changed, now a mix of intrigue and cold fury.
"Impressive," she sneered. "But you're far from finished."
Behind her, Vernal gritted her teeth as she pulled the sword from her shoulder.
She hadn't activated her Aura in time, and it frustrated her to no end.
Everything had happened so quickly, catching her completely off guard. None of them had expected Jacques Schnee's son, the aloof Rinko, to be this skilled in combat.
Kakashi wasted no time disrupting another bandit's approach, blocking a punch and countering with a knee to the gut.
The bandit doubled over, winded and clutching his stomach as he fell to his knees.
"Yes, son! Go hell on them!" Jacques yelled from behind a tree, his voice trembling but laced with a strange, almost proud enthusiasm.
His fear had turned to desperate hope as he realized Rinko—his son—was the only thing standing between him and the bandits.
For the first time, Jacques wasn't criticizing or scolding his son—he was depending on him, cheering for him with genuine urgency.
Kakashi didn't respond. His focus was entirely on the fight. Raven, her eyes narrowing, started advancing on him once again, her sword flashing in the sunlight.
"This time," she said, her voice dark with intent, "you won't catch me off guard."
Her palm opened as her sword came flying towards her.
She lunged at him with calculated precision, her speed and strength deadly.
"Let's go!" Kakashi carried Jacques from behind him as Kakashi hopped from tree to tree, attempting to escape the bandits.
"AHH!" Jacques let out a startled yelp, his fear escalating as they shot upward. The sudden change in altitude and movement made him cling desperately to Kakashi's back, his heart racing.
Kakashi's movements were smooth, almost effortless, as he hopped from tree to tree, his agility and precision honed from years of shinobi training.
Every leap took them farther away from the wreckage, but Raven and Vernal were relentless. They pursued from below.
"Keep running, son!" Jacques yelled, though his voice wavered, torn between terror and awe at his son's unexpected prowess.
The branches shook as Kakashi bounded through the treetops, each movement calculated to avoid leaving any traceable path.
From below, Raven narrowed her eyes, watching his movements carefully. "He's fast," she muttered, more to herself than Vernal. "But he can't run forever."
Vernal, still nursing her injured shoulder, grunted in frustration. "We won't let him. Let's corner them."
Suddenly, Kakashi shifted his course, leaping down from the trees and into a narrow ravine, using the rocky walls to his advantage.
The dense forest opened up, and they were now weaving through sharp turns and natural obstacles.
It was a gamble, but Kakashi knew they couldn't outrun Raven for long.
As they reached a small rocky clearing near a waterfall, Kakashi skidded to a halt, setting Jacques down carefully but swiftly.
Jacques, panting and wide-eyed, looked at his son with a mixture of confusion and relief.
"Why did we stop?! They're still chasing us!" Jacques panicked, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he scanned the area, his sharp eyes locking onto the path ahead. "We're not running anymore. Not yet."
Jacques blinked. "What do you mean we're not running—"
Before he could finish, Raven and Vernal appeared at the edge of the clearing, their weapons gleaming under the sunlight.
Raven's gaze was locked onto Kakashi, a predatory smile curling her lips.
"You made a mistake stopping, Rinko," she taunted. "Now you've got nowhere to go."
Kakashi's stance remained unwavering, his expression focused and calm. His narrowed eyes betrayed no fear, only determination. "I didn't stop to run," he said, his voice low yet resolute. "I stopped to finish this."
Raven and Vernal exchanged wary glances, the realization dawning on them. Kakashi had led them into a carefully calculated trap, one they hadn't seen coming.
From behind Kakashi, the sky darkened as a massive Grimm—an ominous Nevermore—descended from the clouds, its wings cutting through the air with a powerful whoosh.
It had been drawn by the intensity of Kakashi's emotions, his silent fury and tension overshadowing even the panicked fear radiating from Jacques.
Vernal, trying to keep her cool, muttered under her breath, "The timing's really not in our favor."
"Don't jinx us," Raven snapped, her eyes fixed on Kakashi, but there was a hint of frustration in her voice. She could sense the gravity of the situation shifting.
The atmosphere grew heavier as the Nevermore's enormous shadow loomed over them.
Its piercing screech echoed across the clearing, sending a wave of unease through Jacques, who stumbled back, his face pale with fear.
How had things escalated so quickly—from dealing with dangerous bandits to now facing one of the deadliest Grimm?
Raven's cocky smirk faltered, just for a moment, as she tracked the Nevermore circling above. But her confidence didn't break.
She drew her sword once more, its blade catching the light as she locked her gaze back on Kakashi. "This changes nothing," she said icily, as though speaking both to Kakashi and the Grimm.
Kakashi's response was calm, almost dismissive. His eyes never left her, "On the contrary," he said, his tone steady and unbothered. "It changes everything."
[End]