As the Vale ship glided smoothly through the towering walls of Vale, Team RWBY settled into the cramped interior, excitement and apprehension mingling in the air. The low hum of the ship's engines filled the space, a comforting sound that contrasted with the tension simmering among the team.Rinko—Kakashi—leaned against the window, his gaze fixed on the landscape rushing by. Tall trees with vibrant leaves flanked the ship, and the occasional flicker of Grimm darting through the underbrush caught his eye. He scoffed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Turning away from the window, he glanced at the other passengers on the ship, his mind quickly assessing the team before him. "So, this is Weiss' crew?" he mused to himself, his voice was low, a playful glint in his eye. "Cute."As he took in the contrasting personalities of his sister's friends—Yang's boisterous energy, Ruby's unfiltered enthusiasm, and Blake's watchful demeanor—Kakashi felt a sense of satisfaction. Weiss was surrounded by capable allies, and that reassured him.However, he quickly noticed Weiss throwing him occasional venomous glances, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. 'Clearly not happy about this,' he thought, suppressing a chuckle.Kakashi met her gaze with an easy smile, unfazed by her silent reprimands. He knew better than to let her irritation affect him. This was part of the journey—he had made his choice to step into her life, and he was ready to embrace it."Don't worry, Weiss," he said casually, his tone teasing. "I'll try to behave.""Ugh! You better!" Weiss snapped back, crossing her arms defiantly. Despite her annoyance, a small part of her felt a flicker of relief knowing her brother was here.As the ship continued its journey through Vale, Team RWBY shared whispers and light-hearted banter, a stark contrast to the growing tension between the twins. Rinko's unexpected presence added an intriguing layer to their dynamic. While Weiss struggled to come to terms with the changes in her brother, Kakashi reveled in the chaos he had brought into her life."Just keep your eyes peeled," Blake advised her voice steady and calm, a reminder that danger could lurk anywhere. "We don't know what we might encounter out here."Kakashi nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression as he absorbed the gravity of their situation. "Right. The Grimm won't wait for us to be ready."With that, he turned his attention back to the window, prepared for whatever lay ahead, while the airship glided deeper into the heart of Vale, the horizon stretching out before them like an uncharted adventure."I guess I just never saw you as much of a fighter, Professor," Yang began, breaking the tense silence with her typical curiosity.Dr. Oobleck adjusted his glasses, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I admit I fancy myself more of an intellectual... But I can assure you that as a Huntsman, I've had my fair share of tussles.""Like the mushroom?" Ruby scratched her head, her innocent confusion eliciting a chuckle from the group."Those are truffles," Blake corrected her, shaking her head at Ruby's mix-up."...Like the sprout?" Ruby continued, clearly not grasping the conversation."Those are Brussels," Yang interjected with a teasing grin, relishing the light-hearted moment."Besides, given my expertise in the field of history, as well as my dabblings in the archaeological surveys, our dear Headmaster saw fit to assign me to this particular assignment," Oobleck explained, his excitement growing."What does history have to do with this?" Weiss asked, narrowing her eyes at Oobleck with skepticism."What a preposterous question, you silly girl! Why, history is the backbone of our society! And the liver! Well, probably the kidneys if I were to wager," he exclaimed, waving his hand dismissively as if the answer were as obvious as the air they breathed.The team exchanged amused glances, the tension slowly dissipating as they engaged with Oobleck's eccentricity. Kakashi couldn't help but smile at the interaction. The camaraderie among Weiss and her friends reminded him of his own bonds back in his world, a sense of unity amidst chaos."Let's just hope we don't need to rely on the history lessons when we encounter the Grimm," Blake said, shifting the mood back to seriousness."HAH!" Oobleck laughed, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "But if we do, I'll be sure to provide an exhilarating lecture on the evolution of the Grimm species!"Team RWBY groaned collectively, and even Weiss cracked a smile, grateful for the momentary distraction. Kakashi leaned back, observing the dynamic unfold with intrigue. Little did they know, the real test of their teamwork and resilience was just around the corner."Anyways, the southeast quadrant outside of Vale is home to wild forests and deep caves, but it is also the location of one of the kingdom's greatest failures," Oobleck continued.Rinko, still looking out the window, nonchalantly chimed in, "Mountain Glenn."All eyes turned to Rinko, who remained calm and collected with his arms crossed."Oh, that's right!" Yang exclaimed. "It was an expansion of Vale, but in the end, it was overrun by Grimm and fenced off from the rest of the city.""Correct! And now it stands abandoned—a dark reminder," Oobleck said, lowering his head slightly."And a likely place for a hideout," Blake added, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully."Precisely," Oobleck affirmed, adjusting his glasses.Kakashi took out his small blade, the glint of the shiny steel catching the light. He observed the reflection of his own face staring back at him, a stark reminder of the man he once was and the life he had left behind."Maa... This really is my life now, huh? I'm starting to miss Icha Icha.." he muttered lowly to himself, the words barely escaping his lips. Unbeknownst to his companions, the weight of his new identity and the memories of his past flooded his mind like a tidal wave. The conflict within Kakashi was palpable; he was not just Rinko Schnee but also Kakashi Hatake, a shinobi navigating a world filled with danger, uncertainty, and the echoes of a legacy he carried with him."Get ready. We're here," Oobleck announced, his voice cutting through Kakashi's thoughts as they prepared for landing.As the ship neared the ground, everyone hopped off in quick succession. Soon, the airship left them at the desolate expanse of Mountain Glenn."There goes our ride," Yang said, her hands casually resting behind her head as she surveyed the bleak landscape."Focus, everybody. Since we're all here in this wasteland, ladies, you may still be students, but as of this moment, your first mission as Huntresses has begun. From this point forward, you need to do exactly as I say. Am I making myself clear?" Oobleck's voice rang out, commanding attention."Understood," Kakashi replied, nodding as he took out his blade, ready for action.Oobleck grinned, but his gaze fell on Ruby, and his smile immediately faded. "RUBY! I thought I told you to leave all your bags back at school?""But, uh, you hadn't told us to listen to you yet... so I didn't," Ruby retorted, a sheepish grin on her face.Yang smirked at Ruby's cheekiness, Weiss sighed in exasperation, and Blake remained unphased, her expression serious as she scanned their surroundings. Kakashi, however, was lost in thought, observing the eerie stillness around them.His eyes caught sight of a trampled flower on the ground nearby. Intrigued, he stepped closer to investigate. The flower was vibrant but crushed, its petals bruised yet still somewhat fresh. This wasn't a relic of the past; it looked like it had been trampled just moments before they landed.A sense of unease washed over him as he stood up, realizing the implications. They weren't alone. His shinobi instincts were proving invaluable for this mission."Something's off," he murmured, turning to face the others, his expression serious. "We need to stay alert. There's been recent activity here."As he turned to report his findings to Oobleck, he found the professor animatedly discussing the merits of K-9s. Kakashi took a moment to pause, allowing Oobleck to finish before he interjected."Dr. Oobleck, I have something to report.""Hm, go ahead, Schnee," Oobleck replied, his focus shifting back to Kakashi."There are signs of recent activity here," Kakashi explained. "The flower over there was trampled, and it's still fresh. It looks like someone was here just moments before we landed.""Hmmm..." Oobleck said, moving toward the flower to examine it. He nodded, confirming Kakashi's observations. "Good analytical observation, Rinko Schnee."He turned to Team RWBY, who looked astonished by the depth of Rinko's investigative skills. Oobleck could see that they were beginning to reassess their initial impressions of him.Yang let out a low whistle, "Wow. Just wow.""Alright, Team RWBY. Be on guard. Grimm are nearby; they most likely heard the ship earlier. So be prepared."Just then, Kakashi heard footsteps from behind him. He spun around to find a Beowolf emerging from the nearby building ruins, its growl echoing through the air as it charged toward Oobleck, who was still distracted by the flower."GRIMM!" Oobleck yelled, panic rising in his voice, but it was too late for him to react.Kakashi stepped forward with a swift and practiced motion, his blade gleaming in the dim light as he sliced through the Beowolf's neck in a clean, decisive arc. The creature crumpled to the ground, lifeless before its body even hit the dirt, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.Team RWBY exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and admiration for Kakashi's efficiency. They quickly readied their weapons as the sounds of more Grimm echoed ominously from the surrounding ruins."Show me what you've got, future Huntsmen!" Oobleck declared, reclining against the ship's railing while taking a sip from his thermos flask, unfazed by the incoming threat."Got it!" Team RWBY responded in unison, adrenaline surging through their veins as they charged into action. Kakashi seamlessly joined their ranks, his presence adding a new dynamic to their battle.As the group pressed forward, they fought with coordinated precision, cutting through the wave of Grimm like a well-oiled machine. Oobleck watched, impressed by their teamwork and Kakashi's effortless integration into their ranks.In a fluid motion, Blake tossed a Beowolf into the air, its howls of fury echoing off the ruins. Kakashi anticipated her move, positioning himself perfectly to intercept the airborne creature. With a swift, lethal strike, he sliced it in half, the two halves falling to the ground in a gruesome heap.Blake and Kakashi exchanged a brief nod of acknowledgment, their silent communication a testament to their growing partnership. They surged toward the next cluster of Grimm, determination lighting their eyes.She summoned a flurry of ice shards, launching them with pinpoint accuracy toward the nearest Beowolves. As she noticed Kakashi approaching, she quickly formed a Glyph beneath his feet, propelling him upward.Kakashi soared into the air, a look of fierce concentration on his face. As he descended, he brought his blade down with lethal intent, severing the spines of the two Beowolves beneath him. The creatures convulsed momentarily before going limp, their threats extinguished.Using the momentum from his attack, Kakashi landed gracefully atop another rushing Beowolf. With a powerful push-off its face, he propelled himself into the air again, executing a spinning maneuver as he drew his short sword. He hurled it with deadly accuracy, the blade embedding itself in the skull of a third Grimm.The beast let out a final, agonized thud as it collapsed to the ground, and a sense of satisfaction washed over Kakashi. The sight of the lifeless creature reinforced his commitment to protecting his newfound allies.Weiss blinked, momentarily taken aback by his nonchalance. She had expected him to be just another inexperienced fighter, yet here he was, exhibiting skills that rivaled seasoned Huntsmen.As the dust settled, Weiss found herself reconsidering her earlier doubts about Rinko's capability as a fighter. While she still grappled with uncertainty regarding Rinko's personal character, it was evident that the individual before her was a formidable warrior, deserving of respect."S-Since when are you able to fight like that?!" Weiss exclaimed, her eyes wide with a look of surprise.Kakashi landed gracefully on the fading Beowolf, deftly retrieving his short sword from where it had embedded itself. He wiped the blade clean with a swift motion, his demeanor calm despite the chaos around him.Kakashi grinned at his sister's reaction, clearly enjoying her astonishment.But before Weiss could respond, a growl pierced the air. "Watch out!" Kakashi yelled, his voice sharp with urgency. In the blink of an eye, he struck his short sword at an incoming Grimm sneaking up behind her. He backed away just in time as the creature counterattacked, swinging its arms wildly. Kakashi had realized that his strike hadn't gone deep enough.Weiss, momentarily startled, quickly composed herself. With a flick of her wrist, she sliced through the Grimm, finishing it off with a precise blow."Hmph, I can handle myself," Weiss said with a sense of pride, though a hint of irritation flared toward Rinko. Despite her annoyance, concern for her brother lingered in her eyes; they were siblings, after all.Kakashi could only smile, brushing off Weiss's venomous glares. He appreciated her protective instincts, knowing all too well the bond they shared. "I know you can, Weiss."Weiss looked away, she was still not comfortable with how Rinko acted.As Yang delivered the final blow to the last of the Grimm, Kakashi felt a sense of camaraderie building within Team RWBY. Their combined efforts had proven effective, and the air buzzed with a shared exhilaration."Good. Great work, team! Now let's move on and investigate deeper into Mountain Glenn," Oobleck commanded, striding ahead with confidence while holding his thermos flask.The group nodded, the thrill of battle still coursing through their veins as they followed Oobleck, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Kakashi felt a renewed sense of purpose and belonging among them, invigorated by their collective strength and determination.[End]