Damn…you, plot bunnies.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or RWBY or Katekyo Hitman Reborn. They are owned by their rightful creators. Any other crossovers or references are likewise owned by their rightful creators.

The past is history, alien, and unknown

For one cannot truly tell what happened

Down to the last detail.

It's impossible; there's always missing pieces.

It's a puzzle that can never be finished;

A puzzle that only makes most of the image,

But not its whole.

Much like the past, a Hero of the past

Is alien and unknown

for nobody knows who he or she is like;

Only legends supplement his or her life.

It's a puzzle as well, but hidden in half truths and lies.

The image made is not what it seems

Because not only is he or she partially true,

but also terribly, incorrigibly false.

And so I say to thee:

Names come and go. There can be many of one, or unique on its own

A name is only famous or infamous for the deeds done by one who bore it.

However, a name like that is a legend when it is not forgotten.

So let me direct you to one such name -legendary in origin, but close to forgotten in an age far more advanced than the age of barbarous warfare and malicious deceit. However, be warned, for what you hear is not like what you know. For you see, this individual is not like his namesake. Quite...underwhelming to say the least. Drown your knowledge of what you know because it will lead to many disappointments. Only when the story reveals its contents will you find truth in this individual's origins.

Prologue: The Interview

A man with messy gray hair and a pair of spectacles examined the résumé in his hands. Quite a lot of odd jobs for one the same age as the students who first enter his academy. All of them were things the applicant was at one point good at until he changed into another job. From what the previous employers have said, the applicant was dedicated to his work, however menial the task. That being said, he did not stop satisfying his urge to have a little fun. The man certainly knew that a young adult needed to cling on their last footholds of childhood. The man lowered the paper that held his client's job history, then leaned forward in interest. His midnight black suit's creases ever so slightly moved into their new positions. "So…tell me why a young man, who has his whole life ahead of him, want to wash it all away in a demeaning job as a custodian?" The applicant did not answer. "I see. Let me rephrase that. Why are you limiting that raw potential you have as a Huntsman?

The man handed down a tablet so that the applicant could see what he saw in the younger man. It was a camera recording of what transpired several nights ago: the apprehension of two gangs in a turf war in Vale's main plaza. Among the sea of gang members, one who stood out was the applicant himself holding several bags of groceries in the middle of all the madness about to ensue.

The applicant, a young man with a golden mane of spiky hair, shook his head. He crossed his arms, and attempted to bounce off the question. "I thought I was being interviewed whether or not I get the job?"

"You are." The man replied. The recording continued playing. The two mobs who were parted before had converged on the young applicant's position. Whatever words were said in between were insignificant. On screen, the young man was hounded by enemies from all around. Swords, axes, batons, and guns were drawn. The young man evaded the melee attacks without any wasted movement, then countered by disarming them one by one via the breaking of clavicles, elbows, or wrists. When it came to the offensive, it was there that the young man showed his sloppiness. His punches weren't proper, and were akin to mindless flailing due to the fact he added too much force onto a hit that would not land. Despite it, he knew how to move in and out of range. He was quite wily too; he ducked and weaved right into their guard, and tripped them down before he stomped on their faces. Crude, but effective enough. He stopped the recording, and continued his speech. "As Headmaster of this prestigious Academy, I'm supposed to evaluate both aspiring students as well as staff." The Headmaster took a sip of his coffee, then continued after he set the mug down on the table. "What boggles me is that you're the first of your age group to ever file an application to work here in my school. Most people your age who come here send their transcripts -not their résumés."

"And this is important why?" The young blond asked irritably. "I'm here for the job. I'm not here to become a student. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Many would think otherwise that you were at the right place at the right time." The Headmaster said critically. "You sent a hundred men in jail. Not a small feat for inexperienced fighters. You've potential, boy. Why waste it?"

"Because I'm not capable. Because compared to them, I'm nothing. Because I have better things to do. Because I don't need to fight Grimm to make the world a better place." The young man snarled honestly. Ozpin was not intimidated by the young man's rising anger accentuated by his feral appearance.

A blonde woman in a white, collared, long-sleeved shirt that puffed at the wrists, and revealed a sizable cleavage. She wore a black business skirt that ran from her thighs to just beneath her bust, where the buttons to keep it in place were. She stepped forward with footsteps signaling her every intention.

The boy knew the intention a person had towards him by the footsteps they created. Loud, heavy steps with erratic rhythm signaled anger or something along the lines. Soft springs in their steps meant they were happy or at least relieved by something. This woman…she was angry. Her sharp tone easily confirmed his guess. "I would not speak with that kind of attitude, Mr. Uzumaki. You are still being interviewed. It's unwise to speak to your possible employer like that."

The young man leaned back into his chair. "But it really has nothing to do with the situation, lady. I'm trying to get it back into that topic, not go deeper into why I can't enter your school."

The two executive members of the Academy stared at each other. "Ozpin…"

Ozpin seemed to deviate from the woman's hidden suggestion to not press further into the issue. "'Can't,' you say?" The applicant sent another bout of silence. "Pray tell can you not come to my Academy normally?"

The young man raised an eyebrow. "I thought you want experienced students for that?"

"Are you not?" Ozpin fired back. "You carry yourself as a capable fighter."

"If you can call surviving in the red-light district experience, sure. Yeah, sure. Let's go with that." His snappy and disheartened answer irritated the woman. While it was normal; the way the boy talked irked her for some reason. The boy waved his hand as a way to dismiss or undermine whatever skill he has. "I have experience, but not against Grimm. I only know how to fight people. It's not even a proper or clean way. My methods are dirty with no style to them. I use anything and everything I can to win in a fight. I don't even have a proper weapon; just my fists and some fancy pair of gauntlets that don't do anything."

Ozpin was interested at that. "A weapon you own, but don't know how to use? Peculiar…"

"I'm not here to learn, sir." The young man reiterated. "I'm here for a job."

"Why is it important for you to get this job?" Ozpin wondered.

"I'm broke for one." The blond answered snappily. "By the way that's another reason why I can't come into your precious academy." Ozpin diligently listened whereas the woman, Glynda, forced herself to stay calm. "Tuition is a bit too much; several digits more than what I get biweekly or annually. Other than that, I want to get this job because it pays far better than any janitor job in any place in Vale."

"And what will you do with that money?"

The young man turned away, and faced the cityscape of Vale outside the window of the Headmaster's office. "Survive for one. Being an orphan for your whole life will teach you that." Neither Ozpin nor Glynda showed any signs of reacting to his self-disclosure. "Another is that I have to repay my debt to the lady in the orphanage. If it weren't for her guidance, I'd be stuck being a petty thief that stole people's wallets and snacked on leftovers while I slept in cold warehouses. She also helped me write that piece of paper in front of you."

"Hm?"

"I can barely read, sir."

"You're talking pretty decently for one who can barely read." Ozpin noted. "Shall I chalk it up to your experience in the streets that made you knowledgeable?" A nod. "Well…that's most interesting. Why have you not had the chance to learn?"

"Well again…I-"

"There are public schools, you realize." Ozpin pointed out. "You could continue your education there; it's free after all… How have you not done that?"

"The orphanage is in shambles, Headmaster." The young man explained. "The monthly bills to keep water pumping in there as well at the Dust needed for heating and air are some of the utility problems we have. Space is another; there are so many in the orphanage now that there are three to a bed and five on the floor in a four-person bedroom." A fist hit the table. "The landlady needs that money to expand and get space. And with that many mouths, food is another problem. I've been working three jobs to keep it up and running. A few of the older ones are doing the same. I then gave it up to get into this one because it paid far better than the others combined. We owe our lives to that woman and the orphanage she allowed us to live in. So from the moment we could talk and do small work, we did everything we could to make that orphanage better. We didn't have time to learn because we chose to help her."

"You're serious about repaying debts, it seems." Ozpin mused.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" The applicant sarcastically questioned.

"I will allow an honest man an honest job." Ozpin remarked. "And you have been awfully honest with me." The man stayed silent for a few moments after. "I shall hire you, Naruto Uzumaki." The young man's eyes brightened. "However, a condition if you will." The young man dulled instantly. "You will continue your basic studies here in Beacon. I will not force you to take any classes, but there is the library you can go to in order to advance yourself no matter how small the triumph. You're even free to enter the gymnasium if you are inclined to keep yourself fit."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, suspicious of the condition. "…Really?"

"I only want to help you." Ozpin replied sincerely. "And if giving you an education is the only way I can, then I will give it to you. So…will you take the job, Naruto?"

Naruto considered it. While he needed the job, he didn't need to learn. He was already far behind everyone else; he couldn't catch up no matter how he tried. Saddening yes, but it was a truth he admitted to himself by making his sole purpose in life to help the lady and her orphanage. But to get this job, he had to learn at his own pace. It didn't need to be overly difficult in concept at all or even too advanced for his literacy level. What to do… He hummed as he wondered whether or not the deal was worth it.

"I'll do it."

Ozpin smiled as he handed a tablet and a set of keys. "Then you will need these. A Scroll here is like an electronic key and identification here for this academy. The actual keys there are for your room and for the various custodian closets found in the several buildings on campus. Refer to you map on your Scroll for navigation."

"What about my uniform?" Naruto asked. "Don't I need one to separate me from the students? It would be quite confusing for others to think of me as one of them."

"Already supplied in your room."

"Seems like you expected me." Naruto observed.

"I have no idea what you mean…"

"Is that it?"

"Indeed. Congratulations on getting the job, young man." Ozpin said. "May your time here with us be of benefit to you. You can use the rest of your time to familiarize yourself with the place if you so choose." He outstretched his right hand. Naruto took it, and firmly grasped the Headmaster's hand. Soon, the young man left the room with a skip in his steps. The young man's retreating back showed the heavily used orange crop jacket and black tee-shirt. His black pants were somehow still in good shape, but they've seen quite a bit of action. The extra pockets on the thighs were almost torn apart, but still capable of carrying something. The elders could see the content Naruto had through his body language, and it brightened the Headmaster's day a little.

Glynda on the other hand was concerned. She was the first to speak her mind. "Was it wise of you to do this?"

Ozpin lowered his head. He took the Scroll on the table, and replayed the scene he showed to Naruto. "I pray it is. Naruto's existence is a problem. His guardian already explained that clearly to us." He paused the video right when Naruto brandished his so-called useless weapon: a pair of vibrant red gauntlets that shamed the brightest of reds with its color and form that fit perfectly on Naruto's hands and forearms. Intricate designs of flame wrapped around the wrist and forearm, where a piece of it was structurally different compared to the rest of the armament. Right at the elbow looked to be a set of thrusters. On the back of each hand was a crystal dome that bore unreadable text on its surface. "He is able to wield the Cielo Fiamma, but cannot activate its famous combat ability."

"He has not unlocked his Aura yet?" Glynda guessed.

"It seems to be since Aura consumption is the only way to summon the flames of Cielo Fiamma." Ozpin answered. "The manifestation of his soul is his weapon; it is the flame itself. Lupa has explained this already. Fiamma Primo's weapons only worked because it was linked to his Aura. Fiamma iridescente, pulire tutto." Ozpin recited. "Iridescent flame, cleanse all." Glynda was confused about the random phrase. "The activation code of Cielo Fiamma. He has half of the weapon's potential awakened. All he needs is his Aura to release its full power. If what she said is true, and that Naruto is a direct descendant of the first leader of the White Fang, then his Aura would be uncannily similar. Famous Huntsman families are known to have a specific Aura, Naruto would be no different. With the way the White Fang previously handled succession, Naruto would be the one currently at the helm. In the event that the current White Fang finds out there is one, true heir to the seat of leadership in their organization, they will stop at nothing to kill him at his weakest. They will stop at nothing to prevent a peaceful coexistence."

They will stop at nothing to extinguish the flames that united a people.

I say again…damn you, plot bunnies. Since this is a prologue, these's not much to say other than what do you guys think of this premise? Naruto's weapon comes from a certain character in one of the many manga in Shōnen Jump.

So review, follow, favorite, I don't care.

This is Azure signing off.