Man and Machine

"Human Speech" /"thought"

"Robotic Speech"/ "thought"

'Audio-log' and 'Notes/Book'

AN: …. You know those ideas that don't leave. Yeah, this is one of those. Enjoy the first Naruto/RWBY/Titanfall crossover. This beginning is also a two-part due to length. The rest will come ASAP.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

-50 miles southeast of the Kingdom of Atlas. 5 years from present time-

"Wow….!"

Bright, cerulean eyes stared in childish awe at what was in front of them. From behind the 12-year boy whom the eyes belonged, his father chuckled. The two looked nearly identical as they possessed the same colored and spikily-styled hair, peachy skin tone, and the same shade of eyes. In front of the pair were two humanoid mechanical frames that were held in a standing position by chains attached to the ceiling. These frames had a height of around 15 feet, and had empty spaces in the middle. The boy looked up at his father.

"Are these the robots your working on for the military?!" Excitedly asked the child, his father nodded an affirmative. The blonde man, Minato Namikaze, crouched down to his son's level. Excitement sparkled in his eyes.

"They will be the first of humanities new guardians- our Titans." Minato beamed with pride at his creation, the product of everything he, and those before him, had learned. For as long as the Namikaze name had existed, they had been determined to learn all they about the world around them to advance mankind. The house of Namikaze had been one of the families that had built the Kingdom of Atlas, it was often said that every technological achievement of Atlas was made possible by what the early Namikazes pioneered. All this research, all this learning was to make one of two dreams a reality: to destroy the creatures of Grimm that plagued Remnant, or one day flee the planet, and find a more suitable world to call home. Minato believed that the former of the two was a better goal, and so he spent many hours thinking of ways to rid the world of Grimm.

His answer came to him in the form of Titans. Robots that would work in a partnership with a new kind of soldier that Minato simply named pilots. One year ago Minato presented his plan to General James Ironwood, a close friend. The General was hooked on the idea. He knew exactly how to implement it as well. The General suggested that once the Titans were built, the Huntsman Academy of Atlas could be used to train pilots, and have them learn to operate and fight alongside the Titans in addition with regular soldiers and hunters. Minato agreed immediately. He had left the General's office that day with the largest grin.

"One day Naruto- the Grimm that have limited our species ability to move, and grow will be wiped out by these Titans and their pilots. The instruments that will fulfill the dream of our family stand in front of us." Minato stated with great conviction, his eyes fixed firmly on the bare frames. Naruto turned back to the mechanical skeletons, his father's certainty was infectious as Naruto started to see it too, the finished Titans.

"I want to be a pilot!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed. Minato arched an eyebrow yet also smiled when his son continued with a fire in his young eyes.

"I want to help make your dream a reality!"

Minato closed his eyes with a peaceful expression. Naruto had always wanted to make a difference, and just like every Namikaze before him, Naruto had been learning all he could to somehow make that difference. The young boy was very intelligent, and had a knack for machines, he had actually already built a few engines, along with some motherboards. Good thing Minato predicted this might happen, and already had talked to General Ironwood. The military leader gave his full support.

"I thought you might say that." Minato said knowingly, and stood up to his full height. He told Naruto to follow him as he began to leave the development bay were the frames were housed, and brought him to another mechanical bay. Inside was another frame, except this one was further developed, a few pieces of armor had been welded into place, and around the room on tables were other finished components that were ready to be added on. One object that caught the young Naruto's attention was a dome-shaped piece of metal with rounded edges that a person could easily fit under.

"The General thinks that I'm only building two types of Titans but I knew you'd want to be a pilot so I designed another type of Titan." Minato walked to a console, and quickly pressed a few keys which caused a holographic display to materialize near the unfinished mech. Naruto gaped at what was undoubtedly an image of the completed machine.

"I call it- the Ogre."

-Same location, 2 years from present time-

The last members of the Namikaze family accomplished much during the last three years. Naruto had begun the training to a pilot with the help of Winter Schnee, a female Specialist that General Ironwood believed would make a fitting tutor for Naruto who was unlearned in the ways of combat. Naruto proved to be a sponge as he absorbed the information, terminology, and skills the woman had to offer. In the first six months Naruto began training, his aura was unlocked, and he unlocked his semblance, a cloaking ability that completely hid him from view by bending the light around him, and masked his scent for total stealth. Naruto had also shown to be very proficient with firearms, and quickly learned how to build his own but preferred regular guns over the multimode weapons that had proven popular with most hunters.

Minato had noticed the high-speed, almost hit-and-run combat style Winter had been teaching Naruto, and had taken that into consideration when he designed gadgets for Naruto to use when he eventually attended the Atlesian Huntsmen Academy. The first of which was a small jetpack designed to be worn around the waist that allowed for sustained wall-running, and gave the wearer a "double-jump", Naruto had nicknamed it a "Jump-kit." Minato had also developed a rather useful tool for Naruto that he called a data knife, the latter half of the name being ironic since the knife was not meant for combat, rather serving the function of hacking into computers, or other electronics. Minato had also made a lightly-armored but durable uniform with plates primarily on the legs, arms, and hands with a chestplate that also wrapped around to his back. There were pouches, and pockets placed in the fabric underneath the armor.

Lastly, Minato had designed a unique helmet that had a built-in breathing apparatus, communications system, radar, and a Heads-Up Display function. The helmet was rounded with a small flat piece above the forehead with a small bluish-white visor that had four points branched in an "X" from an irregularly-shaped circle. The pilot uniform was a custom fit that Naruto would have to get tailored as he grew, and was colored with dull grays, and blues, the same colors that Naruto's Titan would be painted.

Speaking of the Titan, Minato had made a breakthrough discovery while he had been going through the notes of one of his forefathers in search of a way to efficiently, and effectively power the Titans. He had expected to find a different method that used Dust, the resource everything in Remnant ran on, but was shocked when he had discovered an entirely new source of energy.

Nuclear energy.

A few generations before him, Minato read that Aizen Namikaze had studied deeply into radioactivity, eventually learning about the process of fission. He had listed the elements needed, uranium 235, or 238, and had built a miniature reactor of sorts that proved sustainable, and clean. However, their were downsides, big ones at that. Aizen was not aware of the harmful effects of exposure to the deadly radiation, and soon fell ill, but before he passed months later, Aizen finished his notes by indicting that the radiation could be shielded against by metals such as lead, and had even written that 'The technology of our time is too simple to safely harness this amazing source of energy, one that would free us from Dust. May the Namikazes of the future use this information that I have dedicated my life to for the betterment of Remnant.'

Minato immediately began to run tests of his own, hoping that Atlas had finally come far enough in technology to use this source of energy. To his joy, he succeeded. He had built a battery of sorts that ran a modified Bullhead, the radiation properly shielded, and the aircraft ran perfectly, better in fact than it had with Dust. Minato had the factory he, and Naruto lived in outside of Atlas converted to Nuclear energy, a large reactor built in the center of the manufacturing building. Minato had developed the batteries that would power his Titans soon after, the robots themselves had come along wonderfully, the Ogre completely assembled and operational, it's AI installed, and ready, it only needed to be activated. The other Titans, which were classed as Stryder and Atlas were completely developed only missing their AI programs. Minato had labeled the first three Titans in an IS-series based on when he thought of the individual designs. The Stryder was simply IS or IS-1, the Atlas was IS-2, and finally the Ogre was called IS-3. During one of the General's visits to check on the progress, the rate of which elated him, Ironwood, who was still unaware of the Ogre-class, had recommended that Minato design a heavy-hitting Titan that could absorb massive damage while dealing out an equal or greater amount. Ironwood jokingly called it a "Destroyer-class". Minato however, thought long and hard about the General's recommendation.

He knew that there were unknown Grimm that could potentially tear even the Ogre apart easily. For the moment, Minato decided to see how well the presentation of the Titans to the General, and a private audience would play out, then he would go back to the drawing board, and design more Titans. He never guessed what would happen the night before the General was supposed to arrive.

"Sir."

Minato was stirred from a deep sleep by a feminine with a mechanical tone. The highly intelligent man lifted up his upper body from the desk he fell asleep on when he meant to take a short rest. The automated lights had been programmed to turn off past a certain time unless otherwise stated, Minato loved vocal controls. Right now, the only light available was from the soft glow of the multiple monitors.

"What happened Ash?" Minato asked noticing that it was much later than he remembered. The Spectre, a type of combat drone Minato designed two years ago to replace human foot-soldiers that had a wedge-shaped head, answered with a tinge of worry, the A.I. installed in that specific unit had learned, and experienced enough to develop a personality.

"The hidden long-range security cameras picked a large number of incoming White Fang units that seem to be equipped for assault, and siege. Auto-Turrets, and finished prototype Spectres have been deployed. Our forces however are insufficient, this battle is lost, recommend evacuation."

With a lowered head, Minato cursed as he slammed a fist on the desk below. Of course, right when he was so close to achieving his family's mission, the universe throws a wrench in his plans. Minato bolted upright, and quickly went to a nearby computer, and begun to type on the keyboard. As he did this, Minato gave instructions to Ash.

"I need you to escort me to the reactor."

As the Namikaze finished, a memory card popped out from the tower as gunfire announced the start of the already lost defense. The computer began to show live footage of the battle outside, the terrorist were well-equipped for raids, armed with heavy weapons such as LMGs, and some possessing rocket launchers, and riot shields for defense. Damn, these weren't the idiot fodder, they had actually received further training. That wasn't good at all. Minato couldn't risk the information that his family had collected over generations to fall into the White Fang's or worse still, himself and Naruto captured by the terrorists, forced to use their genius for a meaningless cause.

"What of young Naruto? Should I redirect a small number of units to retrieve him?"

Minato shook his head negatively. The forces they had should be focused on holding off the attack. The inventor/engineer turned around and went to another console that had wires extending out from the back. Minato breathed in, his eyes narrowed as he began to type with a single hand, the other held the memory card. When he finished inputting commands, Minato exhaled, and looked at what the wires were connected to. Then he hit the enter key.

Naruto was awoken by various crashing sounds, his location in the base too far inside for the gunfire to be heard through the thick, reinforced walls. Whatever sleep remained vanished as Naruto realized the proximity of those crashes, and that whatever caused them was big. With wide eyes, Naruto rolled off the side of his bed closest to the outer wall of his room, expecting the inner wall to smashed apart. Instead of his room losing a wall, Naruto heard a mechanical voice call out to him. It had an urgent tone, but also was calm, and composed.

"Naruto Namikaze, it is of grave importance that you exit your quarters, and allow me to escort you to the reactor. Please bring your Pilot gear."

Naruto didn't understand what was going on, but when he heard an explosion, he immediately complied. In under two minutes, Naruto gathered his Pilot uniform, jump-kit, helmet, and the Hack Knife along with a few unread journals that contained notes from his ancestors, one of which could be called the father of medicine. Naruto put on the uniform quickly, knowing that he had a better chance with the equipment on, and put the rest in a duffel bag along with clothes, and some other personal items such as pictures, and his scroll which he turned off as a precaution. The young Namikaze wished he had a gun since the Hack Knife wasn't meant for combat, but if what his dad sent to get him- there wasn't anyone else who could've sent it- was what he thought it was, then Naruto wouldn't need to worry about defending himself.

The blonde-teen went to the door, and pushed it open. What he saw confirmed what he been thinking.

"IS-3." Naruto breathed out, unable to not be awed by the masterpiece of engineering that towered over him. It's armored form was the personification of the term "Walking Tank" boasting more metal than a train, especially around the pouch-covered midsection. It's shoulders had thick, outwardly-rounded slabs of steel with rails on the top that acted as guards, and the rest of its arms were heavily reinforced with steel. The legs were also armored, obvious knee guards were placed in front of the joint, and the flat feet had two separate pieces of angled metal that guarded them, thick, rectangular studs lined those pieces. The thighs seemed to have the thickest armor, which was only because of another plate of steel that had rails on it. Lastly was the head/cockpit, a dome-shaped hatch that was heavily sloped upwards, perfectly able to bounce shots from any infantry weapon. There was also an optical-system on the left side of the Titan's head, a fully oscillating unit that had three cameras; possibly just in case one was damaged there were two others so the Titan wasn't blinded. Then again, the armor, and glass- Naruto doubted it was regular glass- were pretty thick, and sloped so perhaps that wasn't likely to happen.

"Yes, that is my designation Pilot." Replied the Titan as it- no, he- knelt down with it's wrist placed in front of his chest as a platform for Naruto to jump on. Catching the hint Naruto leapt as the hatch opened, and revealed a light-blue interior around cushioned chair surrounded by buttons, switches, and a few screens. Naruto breathed in before he jumped inside, twisting his body mid-air so that he landed with his rear on the seat. As the hatch closed over Naruto, blinking lights, and the glow of screens were the only things to illuminate the space inside. Naruto heard IS-3 speak through the comms system built into his helmet, probably to avoid speaking out loud, though Naruto didn't think it would make much difference. IS-3 had begun to slowly jog through walls again.

"Hostile environment combined with multiple systems still offline due to my rushed activation have rendered it unwise to link with Pilot until all systems are fully operational."

Naruto noticed a slight tinge of annoyance in IS-3's voice. The teenage Namikaze grimaced.

"Please tell me that your combat ready?"

"Negative. Minato Namikaze only activated my ocular, vocal, motor, and coordination systems." Answered the Ogre-Class, still slightly irritated.

"Targeting, shields- particle and vortex-, and weapon handling programming are inactive. The most I am capable of is punching." The Titan finished after he bashed his massive bulk through another wall.

"That could still kill mostly everything in Remnant." Naruto commented in a deadpan. His dad told him that when finished, an Ogre-Class Titan would weigh around 60 tons. IS-3 was the last thing Naruto wanted to be punched by.

"It is ineffective."

The explosion of another rocket would've made Naruto jump had he been standing up.

"Who's attacking? How did they find the factory?" Naruto asked, confused since the only person who knew where he, and his father lived was Ironwood and the council of Atlas, that information was to be kept private for the Namikaze family's safety. Previous generations had contributed much to Atlas and mankind as a whole but, their methods weren't always… humane. Three in particular had the most morbid ways of conducting research.

"Surveillance camera footage showed that multiple White Fang elite units were heading for this base with obvious intent. How they came to know this location is unknown." Answered IS-3 as another wall was smashed through. The Titan slowed down, his pace a walk now. Naruto heard the hatch release as it began to open.

"We have arrived."

The chamber where the reactor was had been built to also serve the future storage of Titan batteries, of which only three existed with only one installed in a Titan. The room used to be a perfect circle, but an IS-3 sized hole ruined it. The circular room was lined with metal panels that contained the pipes that led the water that was used to cool the hellish heat of the reactor that was in the center of the room and prevent overheating. The chamber was large given that Minato planned to convert this area to also be where the Titans would have their batteries installed, he figured that it might be better to have all the hazardous materials in one place. The room was large enough for IS-3 to move around in as it lumbered towards the center of the reactor where Minato stood at a console with Ash next to him. Naruto had already leapt out of the cockpit, and rushed to his father.

"Dad, you got a plan?" Naruto asked with a slightly calm, but also frazzled tone. Minato flashed his son a reassuring smile yet didn't hide the stress in his eyes. What he hid was the guilt he felt for what he was about- what he had to do to preserve the Namikaze line.

"Yeah, I do." Minato confirmed as he quickly tapped on the keyboard of the console he stood next to. The console was primarily used to monitor the condition and stability of the small but powerful uranium-powered reactor housed in the chamber. The reactor itself was cylindrical, and connected to both the floor, and the ceiling, the water pipes connected to the top. The materials used for the reactor both absorbed, and prevented radiation from escaping so the chamber was safe for people to be in for prolonged periods of time. Still, Minato was a cautious man, so as a little bit of insurance, he had something else built in case the reactor was ever compromised or a detonation was unavoidable.

Everyone in the room felt the floor shudder as a large section of it began to quickly slide away, and reveal a staircase. The movement made a hole big enough to fit IS-3. Minato walked over to Naruto, the memory card in his hand.

"Here's what going to happen." Spoke the elder Namikaze, all attention on him.

"That hidden stairway leads to a tunnel that goes to a bunker two miles away from this location. I designed it just in case the reactor was going to blow. The floor here is made of five-foot thick titanium, and the bunker is far outside of the blast, and fallout zones." Minato stopped for a quick breath.

"You three are going to head to that bunker while I cover your tracks." Minato finished.

"But with the White Fang attacking you'll be taken prisoner!" Naruto objected, followed by IS-3.

"I agree. Your capture is a 99.999% certainty."

Despite the situation Minato smiled. They weren't even linked, and they already were on each other's side. Ash had stayed silent until now.

"You plan to scuttle the factory don't you, creator." She stated with a tinge of apprehension.

Minato only nodded with a sullen expression much to Naruto's shock.

"I refuse to allow those terrorists to turn my guardians into their weapons to make a false 'Equality'" Minato spat in disgust. Ash nodded, as did IS-3. They understood that if this base was allowed to continue, the White Fang would find destructive tools to aid them in their endeavors. That could not be allowed.

"His logic is sound." Both machines thought.

"Dad can't you-" Naruto tried to find another way to avoid the step his father felt was needed, but before he could say anymore, Minato pulled him into a tight hug.

"Stop. Don't make this harder for me." Minato sniffled as his shoulders began to tremble.

"I don't want to leave you, but there isn't another way. Ash can't make the reactor blow in time, and I need IS-3 to protect you." As Minato spoke his tears began to fall while Naruto embraced his father.

"You need to keep the Namikaze mission alive." Minato reluctantly broke the embrace, and held the memory card in front of Naruto. It was so small yet carried generations worth of knowledge.

"This- this is our family. Generations worth of research, theories, and discoveries all for the purpose of eradicating the Grimm, or getting Humanity off this planet. My Titans were built for the first option Naruto. Please," Minato pleaded for his son to cease his resistance.

"Don't let my- don't let our family's dream die."

With his eyes red from tears, Naruto took the memory card with a shaky hand, reluctantly accepting the torch passed to him. Naruto took one last look at his father, the man who taught him so much.

"I love you." Naruto choked out as walked away from his father, both aware that this was the last time they would see each other.

"You'll always have me with you, just look into my notes, and you'll feel me there." Minato said as reached the console.

"All friendly turrets, and Spectres destroyed. We must escape now." Ash announced as she climbed on the back of IS-3's massive frame. The Titan bent down, and gently picked up it's Pilot, and placed him inside the cockpit. As the hatch closed, Naruto kept staring at his dad's face, Minato smiling the entire time before it closed, and the Titan jumped down the hole. The floor began to quickly close soon after the Titan landed. Minato touched the metallic shielding of the reactor with a sigh, all this work… and now he had to destroy it.

"Now I know how great-great granddad felt when he learned that he wasted a decade of his life researching for a difference between humans and Faunus only to find there's nothing major outside the obvious." Minato spoke dryly as the reactor began to glow blue, his eye twitched a bit too much. Minato had a bit of a dangerous semblance, one that he sometimes lost control of when he got annoyed, particularly at certain council members of Atlas when they tried to slow the march of progress with their greed. Minato smiled as recalled what happened during one meeting where that happened, the Namikaze got his way in the end, and the council let him have this facility. Granted he had to design a robot solider for them to mass produce, but that wasn't too big of deal to him, he didn't put much thought into the Knights' design anyway.

Soon, Minato saw the forms of the Faunus radicals coming through the blackened hallway. The last few generations Namikaze family had a mixed heritage thanks to Minato's great-great granddad, and great granddad, both decided to marry Faunus despite the stigma of their times so most Namikaze had excellent night vision, and heightened senses, but not to the degree of full-blooded Faunus.

"Well that took long enough." Minato said loud enough for them to hear. The elite unit was surprised that the human target saw them, but hid it. Their uniforms were much darker than the foot solider variant, and their masks customized to the individual.

"Human, step away from the console, and get down on your knees." Ordered the one upfront, his revolver/dagger held in gun-mode. He didn't want to damage the target, they needed him to learn how to use this factory. After that, he didn't care.

"You know, the first mecha-shift weapon was built by my grandma when she was in her twenties- two revolvers that combined into an twin barreled SMG." Minato said as he complied.

"That's nice." Spoke the same Faunus, deciding to humor the man. He looked at the glowing reactor.

"What's that? A nightlight for your brat?"

"No!" Minato answered, suddenly a crazed grin threatened to split his face.

"That's a bomb I made with my semblance that's going to kill us all!"

With that said, Minato laughed as the glow increased, and then…. Nothing.

30 feet under the ground, dust fell from the reinforced titanium ceiling as everything shook. IS-3 stopped for a few seconds before Ash told the Ogre to keep moving. The female-voiced machine could hear Naruto wails from outside IS-3's hull.

"Something happen to get me out of here."

That thought belonged to General James Ironwood as he stood away from the crowd of people at the rather grandiose "Charity" event he was attending. The General was surrounded by black and white, the chosen colors for the decorations of the ballroom, multiple couples in the center while most stood along the tables that were filled with exquisite delicacies native to Atlas. The ballroom was filled with classical music and the chatter of the upper-class. For a new comer, this would seem to be quite a normal if lavish party, but Ironwood knew better.

Despite the polite words, and gentle music that was played, the General recognized this as a warzone. Behind every smile here was an agenda. Every greeting would lead to a favor, or bribe, and gossip ran wild. In this setting, an accidental revealing of one's business trouble was the equivalent of a surprise ambush if said in front of the right people. So while not a literal war, this ballroom was certainly a battlefield of pride, and business.

It filled the tall General with disgust. He made a note to have his uniform- which consisted of a white overcoat that covered a gray undercoat, and a black sweater with a red necktie, while his legs were clothed by a white pair of suit pants that were tucked into sliver boots with gray accents- washed, and dry cleaned. Still, things could definitely be worse mused the mostly black-haired military leader as his sharp blue eyes noticed the plight of one of his lieutenants.

While her superior officer could at least withdraw away to unoccupied corner, Winter Schnee was more or less forced to sit with her dysfunctional family to keep up appearances. At least she wasn't forced to be a dress, her military uniform saved her from that fate. Winter was tall, attractive pale-skinned woman with slate-colored eyes, and hair the same shade of white as freshly fallen snow. Said hair was styled in leftward bun that caused her bangs to fall across the right side of her face. The female specialist sat with her two younger siblings, Whitley and Weiss, at her sides with their father across the table, instructing them for the umpteenth time on who to avoid talking to, who to talk, how to act, how to speak, etc.

Ironwood shook his head. That man really needed to learn to relax, no wonder why Winter left. Oh dust, another one of those women whose rich husband was about to, or already had lost it all was coming to where stood. Her intent obvious.

"I would rather deal with a crisis than be here!"

Careful what you wish for, Jimmy. They usually end up backfiring.

Right before the woman could open her mouth, two Atlesian soldiers in full body armor came into the opened doors, and immediately zeroed in on their commander. The General noticed the quick, urgent pace they walked towards him, which furrowed his eyebrows. This wasn't good.

"Report." Ironwood commanded calmly, with his hands held behind his back. The party had been silenced as all payed attention to whatever was going on.

"Sir, we need you, and Specialist Schnee to come with us." Answered the closest one, his voice attempted to sound calm yet he failed to hide how shaken he was. Winter had to stop herself from leaping out of that chair, and cheering when she heard her name.

"You both need to see something immediately."

The General nodded, and moved at a quickened pace towards the opening of the room.

"Schnee! Let's move!" Ordered Ironwood, the Specialist instantly complied, and gave her siblings a short farewell, while Jacque only received a simple "Goodbye". Whitley, her youngest brother frowned at his sister's retreating back.

"She never spends time with us. It's either work or she's with the Namikaze heir." Spoke the only male of the Schnee children, jealousy in his tone. His father barely restrained a smirk.

"That's what happens when you join the military. You lose sight of what's important." Jacques stated with partial contempt, but mostly mock sadness. He believed that Ironwood had stolen his eldest away, and now refused to let him have another. Weiss remained silent though she felt the same jealousy as her brother, but to a less degree. She just wanted her sister back.

-With Ironwood and co.-

Once outside of the building where the party was held, the General saw a Bullhead waiting for them on the street.

"Soldier, what's going on?" Ironwood asked the one on his right.

In response, the man simply pointed southeast. Both Ironwood, and Winter looked in the direction indicated, and their mouths fell open in shock. The General's hands fell to his side while Winter's covered her mouth. Because the windows of the building they were previously in had opaque white curtains over them, no one inside was able to see the sight that the two currently saw, and Ironwood knew that was good thing. Every single person would have panicked if they saw the impossibly large explosion that resembled a mushroom rise in the distance.

"I want our boarders to have twice as many men guarding them, and our ships on standby." Ironwood ordered, still in disbelief. He turned to the stunned Winter, her mind obviously had the same thought he did. There was only one place where that explosion could have originated.

"Schnee!" Ironwoods stern voice snapped Winter out of her frozen state.

"Get on the Bullhead. We're going to the Namikazes."

-Back to Naruto. Inside the bunker-

"We are here." Announced IS-3 as he stopped in front of a heavy-duty, reinforced bulkhead. Ash had leapt down, and quickly went to a panel that slid open as soon as the Spectre got close. Her metallic digits quickly punched in the word 'Ignorance' on the keypad that was inside. A green light flashed as the bulkhead began to open, revealing a shelter of sorts: there was a bed, boxes labeled with the word 'food', and a console hooked up to a supercomputer. As soon as the opening was wide enough, the only Titan walked inside, the ceiling just barely taller than him. Both machines noticed an elevator of sorts that was large enough to fit IS-3, and at least three other Ogre-Class Titans. They concluded that their creator truly did plan for everything. The bulkhead had closed, and a hissing sound was heard as the stale air was removed, and replaced with clean, filter air, the life-preservation systems coming online. Ash noticed the computer activate, and decided now was the time to completely activate IS-3. But first, the memory card was needed.

"IS-3, is Naruto in a stable state?" Inquired Ash, hesitant to bother her creator's offspring. Despite being a machine, the Artificial Intelligence that was called "Ash" had experienced enough, and learned enough to begin to grasp at emotions, hence why it identified herself with a gender based on voice. Right now, Ash could only calculate the emotional state that young Naruto was in.

The Titan didn't respond as the hatch that concealed the piloting compartment opened and Naruto himself crawled out, his Titan knelt down to lessen the distance to the hard floor. The 15-year old's eyes were red with still unshed tears, and his body trembled as he shakily walked to Ash. IS-3 carefully observed his pilot's movements, aware of the potentially volatile state Naruto was in.

"Wh-what do you need, Ash?" Naruto's voice was hoarse from his wails that were ready to start again at a moments notice. His world had just been shattered, he had already lost his mother to the Grimm, and now his father to the White Fang?! What next?!

"I require the memory card. It is needed to fully activate IS-3's programs." Ash quickly explained, the machine could tell that Naruto was at the breaking point. Despite being physically unharmed, Ash knew that the emotional scarring was enough, and now she needed to wait. Just wait and observe. How Naruto dealt with this tragedy would show just how much his family's curse would affect him. Every Namikaze had some sort of trigger, along with some sort of obsession, and a deficiency, always being mentally unhinged to some degree. That was the price they payed for their almost superhuman intelligence. Nothing had it's drawbacks.

Without a word, Naruto robotically handed the small yet precious object to Ash. She guessed that she was pleased to see that he wasn't possessive of it seeing as it was all he had left of his family's history aside from a few journals. Naruto silently went to the bed while Ash signaled IS-3 to come to her. As Naruto carefully removed the armor that was crafted for him, his tears silently fell. The armor, helmet, and bodysuit were neatly placed on the floor, the metal sections placed on top of the durable fabric. With the armor off, Naruto laid down, the emotional drainage immediately threw him into a deep, and thankfully dreamless sleep.

The two machines felt relief as their charge lost consciousness, though IS-3 kept a close optic on him, just in case. The Ogre was motionless as it stood near the console, Ash quickly connected wires to his CPU that would link him to the high-tech computer. Once finished Ash immediately inserted the memory card, and searched for the files she required. Once found, Ash began the process of unlocking all of IS-3's systems, the back-up reactor Minato had built to power the bunker boosted the already speedy process.

Within ten minutes, all of IS-3's protocols, and equipment would be online. The Ogre would soon be fully awakened.

Ten minutes would have made the difference, and Minato would still be alive since even without a pilot, IS-3 undoubtedly would have decimated the entire invasion force. But, as Ash went to check other functions of the console and computer, she recalled that it no longer mattered, and that it was pointless for a machine to waste it's time calculating different results to what already happened. Time could not be reversed, and influenced for other event to occur.

As the machine calculated, there was a also communications system installed in the computer, one able to send signals outwards despite being underground. No doubt Atlesian personnel had noticed the explosion, and were on their way to investigate. Ash speedily tapped in a number, IS-3 more concerned with watching over Naruto which was fine since the Spectre was the only one of the two HE would recognize. With the volume lowered to setting that would not disturb the asleep Naruto, Ash contacted Minato's closest ally, General James Ironwood.

A few seconds went by before Ash saw the General's face appear on the screen.

"Ash! What the hell happened out there?!" Immediately demanded the General, the Bullhead had just made it to the hangers were the Atlesian airships were stored, all ready to launch.

"In response to the unexpected, and successful siege of elite White Fang squads, Minato Namikaze was forced to use his semblance, Explosive Contact, to detonate the reactor that powered the future Titan manufacturing factory in order to prevent his research, and the two fully-built Titans from falling into their hands."

Ironwood couldn't believe it! How the hell did the White Fang know were the Namikaze lived?!

"Did she just say 'White Fang'?" The cold voice of Winter Schnee spoke from her place next to her superior officer. James grit his teeth. He didn't need this right now! As he, and a uncomfortably calm Winter hurried to a frigate, he asked a question that he knew would break Winter off from the White Fang.

"Where is Naruto? Is he safe?"

"Affirmative. Naruto Namikaze was brought to the reactor room by the 'Ogre' Heavy-Class Titan IS-3 on orders of Minato Namikaze. I accompanied them to a bunker two miles away from the blast radius, safe from the deadly radiation undoubtedly poisoning everything within a mile distance."

Both military personnel breathed a sigh of relief. Than a certain detail hit Ironwood.

"Ogre-Class?" He repeated incredulously.

"Minato only told me about the Atlas, and Stryder!"

Ash's voice continued from Ironwood's scroll as he, and Winter reached the bridge of the frigate 'Ice Blade', the ship about to launch.

"Yes, this one was supposed to be a surprise. Minato had secretly designed, and started building the Heavy Titan as a personalized partner for his son. It was meant to be unveiled during your next visit."

The bridge was silent as the ship launched into the night sky, the captain ready to receive orders.

"Where's our heading, sir?" Respectfully inquired the captain. Ironwood almost didn't hear him while Winter was dead to the world, the intel Ash gave was all that mattered.

"Ash, where is your exact location. I'm in the 'Ice Blade' heading straight for the factory."

"The bunker is two miles south of the factory but due to the hazardous radiation undoubtedly in the air, I recommend going around the base by two miles then correct course, and rendezvous at our location. Sending coordinates." Ash advised Ironwood, the crew also took heed of the warning, and immediately did as instructed.

"Ash, is Naruto…" Ironwood wasn't sure of what to say.

"…I believe it would be better for you to see him yourself." Ash stated. James simply nodded as he received the coordinates, and relayed them to the navigators. Winter stood away from everyone else, her most likely in overdrive from concern over her prized student. Ironwood knew however that after this, Naruto would never be the same. He just prayed that the Namikaze curse didn't affect him as greatly as did some of his ancestors. The General grit his teeth, and clenched his fists. He had no idea how those terrorists knew where the Namikazes lived, but this would not go unpunished.

"The Namikazes are the very reason Atlas is as technologically, medically, and militarily as advanced as it is! This attack on the very foundation of Atlas will cost them dearly…" Vowed the General internally. From here on, eradicating the White Fang would not just be a priority, it would be a personal mission of the General, and he would use everything at his disposal to ensure that goal was accomplished.

-Back to the bunker-

"The link must be established." Ash told IS-3. The process had finished much quicker than expected, and a quick diagnostic showed no flaw, or bug in IS-3's programming. The Ogre was now completely activated. Now, a other step had to be taken, a rather risky one given Naruto's state of mind. After, when neurologically connecting a human mind to a machine, it was best for the participant to be in the best state of mind. Right now, Naruto was anything but in a right state of mind, both machines stood over the sleeping blond, their voices lowered to avoid awakening Naruto.

"While I would prefer to be linked with Naruto as soon as possible, waiting until he has had some time to compose himself would be better." Offered IS-3, the Titan in favor of holding off for now. The Spectre however, was against waiting.

"That may take months. There is no telling where Ironwood will place Naruto, or if we will be permitted to stay with him." Ash retorted, using the uncertainty of their situation to convince the Titan.

"During the mental simulations Minato had Naruto undertake to see how the Titan link would effect the human mind, Naruto reported that he felt that there was someone watching his back. That he was never alone." Ash paraphrased the actual report.

"The young Namikaze is unstable, and needs an anchor to hold him steady as he deals with these unfortunate developments. You are the anchor he needs."

The Spectre knew she needn't say more when IS-3 went silent, obviously calculating the risks, and benefits in light of the new information.

"Outcome is uncertain." IS-3 finally stated.

"There is a chance that the mental stress from Minato's death could cause the link to have a negative effect on his mind, possibly resulting in mental damage."

Ash made a sound that could have qualified as a sigh.

"As a Namikaze, he was born with 'screws loose' as humans say, what happened will show how many, and how loose they are." Ash spoke, the data on the Namikazes history of mental issues archived in her memory banks. Unhealthy obsessions, murderous, and sociopathic tendencies were most often the case. That was why Ash saw it as imperative to link Naruto with IS-3 immediately, so that the young Namikaze would have some sort of mental rock to rely on. Of course, the General, and Schnee would also be welcomed supports to reduce the damage, granted most of it was already done.

"How far away is the General?" The deep voice of IS-3 took the Spectre out of it's musings.

"Two minutes and decreasing. He must have slowed his ship down so not to pass over our coordinates."

The Titan knelt down. Ash saw that her reasoning broke through.

"The linking process should take approximately one minute." Ash told IS-3 as the Titan very gently nudged at Naruto's sleeping body. It took a few tries, but soon Naruto had woke up. Groggily, the last Namikaze sat up in the bad, and turned to see the machines, the painful events still fresh in his mind.

"Why did you wake me up?" Naruto asked gloomily.

"The General is almost here," Ash answered, Naruto's head lifted up. He wasn't aware that Ironwood was coming.

"Naruto, we need to link you to IS-3. I have hypothesized that since you said that the simulation link made you feel more relaxed, then the actual Titan link may help you cope."

Naruto paused before responding. He was thankful that the female-sounding Spectre didn't go further, and he knew what she was getting at. Right now, he was pain, and the Spectre saw a way to at least take some of it away.

"Ok." Naruto took the blanket off his body and got out of the bed. IS-3 had stayed in it's kneeling position, the hatch open, and mechanical arm held in front of it's armored chest.

"The helmet is the only required object. This process will only take one minute." IS-3 informed his soon-to-be linked Pilot. Naruto picked up the helmet, the visor faced him as Naruto stared at it. His father made this for him. His father designed IS-3 for him. This is what he would want.

"I will make our family's dream a reality." Naruto swore as he placed the helmet on. For some reason, it seemed to fit better now, like it belonged on him. Naruto leapt on the arm, and once more sat inside the cockpit of IS-3. When the hatch closed, Naruto's heard IS-3's speak as the Heads Up Display (HUD) installed on his helmets visor started to show multiple green lights.

"Protocol 1: Link to Pilot."

The lights consumed Naruto's vision before they disappeared, and a familiar feeling of safety swelled within Naruto. It didn't completely take away the heart-wrenching pain that consumed Naruto's heart, but it took away the feeling that he was alone. Then again, Ash was there as well, and wouldn't leave him.

"Protocol 2: Protect the Pilot."

Naruto saw a message flash onto his HUD that said 'Link Established' that soon blinked away.

"Neural link successful." IS-3 stated as the hatch opened once more which prompted Naruto to jump out. He took the helmet off, and sat on the bed, his mind fully awake. He supposed he'd wait for Ironwood to arrive which didn't take long. The computer screen flashed on, and the General's face appeared.

"Ash, we've arrived at the coordinates, copy?"

Naruto went to the console the second he heard Ironwood's finished.

"General!"

Upon seeing Naruto on the screen, Ironwood breathed a sigh of relief. Naruto was visually confirmed to be unhurt physically. Winter heard Naruto's voice, and was about to walk over , but Ironwood waved her off. He mouthed 'Wait for him to be on the ship' at her. The Specialist nodded, and headed down to the cargo bay.

"Naruto, exit the bunker with Ash, and the Titan." Ironwood instructed the blonde, who nodded an affirmative.

"We're bringing the ship lower, and opening the cargo bay doors."

"Got it." Naruto stated before the call was cut. IS-3 was already at the elevator while Ash had gathered Naruto's armor, and put the pieces in his duffle bag. She then went to console and tapped on a few keys before the Spectre quickly went to the elevator, and hit the up button. As they rose higher, the roof slid open, the rest of the elevator shaft revealed. When the car of the elevator passed the roof-opening, it resealed itself.

"Dad really was thorough when he designed this place…." Naruto sadly observed with a sorrowful smile.

"Yes, he even made a self-destruction function that will destroy the bunker from within." Ash shared. Naruto couldn't help but to shake his head, leave it to dad to think that far ahead.

"It will activate soon after we leave the elevator."

Both Naruto and IS-3 turned to Spectre.

"…" Naruto was silent.

"Is that a necessary action?" Asked IS-3. All the Spectre did was nod, and say two small sentences.

"You may see it as overkill. It is."

The Ogre moved a bit closer to his pilot, unsure of how stable the Spectre was.

After the lift had reached the top exit, cleverly hidden inside of a boulder, the trio left, and soon saw the massive airship just barely above the treetops. As Ironwood said, the cargo bay doors were opened, and men had grappled down with heavy-duty steel cables that were more than able to pick up IS-3. When the cables were hooked onto IS-3's frame, Naruto embarked the Titan while Ash rode on it's back. After confirming the stability and strength of the cables, the winches inside the airship reeled in IS-3 like a fish, the mech quickly lifted into the cargo hold. Once inside, a magnetic crane was used to hold the Titan above the opening in underside of the ship until it closed, much to IS-3's displeasure.

Ironwood had walked down to the cargo bay, Winter already there, the two watched silently as the Titan was let down. They couldn't help but feel slightly awed at how advanced the walking tank looked, it's armored for seem to radiate dominance. The Ogre began to move towards them in large strides, the gap between them soon closed as the 15 foot tall mech stopped in front of them, and knelt down while Ash climbed off it's back.

They saw the top open, and out climbed Naruto who tried to look happy to see them, but failed when tears began to fall, and his knees buckled. The emotional drainage forced him to his knees.

"It's alright, let it out." Winter had gotten down on her knees, and tightly held Naruto, his head was on her shoulder. Twin rivers began to flow from Naruto's eyes as he silently let it all out, his sorrow, rage, his confusion, everything came out. Ironwood had drew closer to the silently crying Naruto held by Winter, and got down to one knee. Winter, her shoulder soaked with tears temporarily removed herself from Naruto's body as Ironwood put a comforting hand on the mid-teen's shoulder, the broken glaciers that were Naruto's eyes looked up at the General as the military leader stared straight into his eyes and spoke with conviction.

"I promise you Naruto, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety. You are my top priority."

Naruto tried to thank the General, but his voice wouldn't work, the sobs choked it. James assured Naruto that he didn't need to say anything.

"Minato… he was my friend. I'll be damned if I let his son die before me." Ironwood stood up, and offered Naruto a hand, which the blonde took. Together, Winter and James lifted Naruto to his feet, the Spectre and Titan had stood silently. Ironwood gave Naruto a last glance, and flashed him a reassuring smile, and squeezed the blonde's shoulder.

"Winter take Naruto to your quarters. I doubt he'll want to sleep alone tonight." James softly requested. Winter nodded, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Ironwood let his face fall when he turned his back to the leaving teacher and student.

"You care deeply for him." Observed IS-3 as the Titan knelt closer to the General's level.

"Minato was like a brother to me." Solemnly admitted Ironwood as he lifted his face to look at the taller machine in the… optic.

"And Naruto is like a son. I refuse to allow anything more to happen to him."

"Acknowledged. Permission to stay with Naruto as a guardian." Requested the Titan.

"I never intended to take you or Ash away from Naruto." Ironwood assured the machines. They were all Naruto had left of his father.

"But there is something you do require." Ash assumed. She wad proven correct when Ironwood nodded.

"All I want to know is if the plans for the other Titans, Minato's notes, and if the Namikaze Library- all the information they've collected, is that destroyed? Lost forever?"

"No." Ash answered much to the General's relief.

"Minato managed to copy all of that information on a single memory card that is now in the possession of Naruto Namikaze." Ash explained.

"Minato entrusted Naruto with the family legacy."

"And in his hands it will remain." Ironwood stated definitively. He knew how badly Atlas could use that information, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It would be like betraying the promise he made to Minato.

"Naruto will be the first pilot, Atlas is strong enough to wait. While not Namikazes, there are others with minds capable of keeping us on the march of progress until Naruto is ready to take up the mantle of his family, and lead the way in human advancement.." The General thought to himself.

"General." The deep voice of IS-3 brought Ironwood out of his thoughts.

"We need to address the issue of how the White Fang knew where the residence of the Namikazes was located."

The General nodded. That had been in the back of his mind, how did those thugs know? The only people who knew that information were on the Atlesian council. Ironwood cupped his chin.

"The Atlesian council does know were the Namikazes… used to live," Ironwood had to correct himself mentally before he spoke physically. "But while they did disagree with Minato on more than a few occasions, in the end, they trusted him, or at least, they trusted the money he made them."

"Did they know of the Titan or Spectre programs?" Ash asked. The General nodded, and spoke again.

"They applauded after Minato announced the projects. He stated that the Spectres would blow the Knights away, and that the Titans and Pilots would dominate the ground."

"Could someone have told an outside person?" IS-3 offered. The General slapped his forehead with his uncovered hand. The Titan tilted it's torso to the side, unsure of the General's gesture.

"Is that a negative?"

"No, it's an affirmative." Ironwood breathed out. Of course some of the council members would open their big mouths! At least Ironwood knew that the idiots who did speak only told their financial backers, high military personnel, or leaders of industry.

… Leaders of industry.

"Minato had no shortage of rivals, after all he is- was leading in the race of robotic advancement for military, and civilian usage."

"General, have you come up with something?" Inquired IS-3, to which Ironwood crossed his arms over his chest.

"Not entirely, but I believe that it is possible that one of Minato's economic rivals could have arranged for the attack."

"Minato Namikaze cared not for money. He only saw it as a tool to further the advancement of Atlas." Ash immediately pointed out.

"We all know that he didn't, but quite a few of the leaders of industry do, especially when it's from military contracts." Ironwood retorted with a head shake. He hated that most of the people in positions of political and economic power were greedy bastards that were constantly in competition with each other. Both the Schnee, and the Namikaze families were always at the top, first place shared between the two because the mutual reliance they had for each other, a symbiotic relationship that even Ironwood didn't know how deep it went. That alliance proved to be a powerhouse throughout generations, those two families were always at the top, they had built Atlas.

"And now it seems that someone finally couldn't stand it anymore. But who?"

"So what now, General?" Ash asked, her mechanical limbs folded on her steel upper torso.

"All we know is that a person with a high level of influence, wealth, and connections arranged an invasion that ended the life of our creator, and could also have put a price on young Naruto's head."

Ash walked forward, the optics of her wedge-shaped head level with Ironwood's eyes.

"Is it safe for Naruto to stay in Atlas?"

The question caught the General off guard, and it showed. James turned to the side, he hadn't considered what Ash brought up. IS-3's next sentence added to how unsure the General was of his ability to keep Naruto safe.

"It is logical to assume that both Namikaze were the targets, Naruto is next in line, and already shows signs of being an engineering, and mechanical genius."

"What do you propose we do then since I have no other plan other than keeping the fact that Naruto's alive secret, and keep him hidden somewhere in Atlas." It had already been agreed on without words that Naruto's status was to be hidden until his safety was guaranteed, or he was strong enough to fend for himself without IS-3's assistance. The captain, the crew on the deck and those that had helped hoist up IS-3 were some of Ironwood's most loyal soldiers, and they had sworn to keep Naruto's survival a secret. Not even the council would be informed so that the obvious leak couldn't tell the person who perpetrated the attack that there was still a loose end that needed attention.

"Send him outside of Atlas, to someone you can trust to watch over, and protect him." Ash suggested. IS-3, unsurprisingly, reacted to the last two words the smaller machine spoke.

"Minato Namikaze entrusted me with Naruto's safety. What is needed is a place where no one would expect to find him." IS-3 interjected. Ironwood made a note that the Titan seemed to respond negatively to it's abilities being questioned, even if it wasn't the intent of the speaker. Still, what the Ogre said made sense. IS-3 was built to dominate the battlefield, and knowing Minato, that Titan was probably equipped to do just that. The General seriously doubted the three massive guns on it's back were just for show. Or that the missile pod was a confetti cannon.

"Ok so you've ruled out every one of my contacts outside of Atlas." Ironwood stated with an annoyed tone. "Who do you recommend?"

The question was supposed to be rhetorical, but of course Ash had an option.

"Were you aware of Kushina's half-brother in Vale?"

"…" Ironwood was silent. He actually wasn't aware of such a person, after his wife died, Minato rarely talked about her.

"Has Naruto ever met this person?" James asked cautiously. Ash nodded slightly.

"Whenever Minato went to Vale on business, he and Naruto stayed with her half-brother as a way to keep close to her." Ash answered, aware of what Ironwood tried to do. The General knew nothing of this new variable, and had tried to eliminate it from the course of options but Ash knew that this was the proper course. Ironwood grimaced, completely uncomfortable with leaving Naruto with someone unknown to the Atlesian General. Yet, there was no other option outside of keeping Naruto locked away in a gilded cage that wasn't guaranteed to be safe.

Ironwood sighed. Winter was going to be pissed.

"Who is this half-brother?" Ironwood at least wanted some knowledge of the man. IS-3 stepped forward, palm held out. A green glow appeared on the Titan's hand as a holographic image of a rather tall man in a white dress shirt with a red tie under a black vest. This man also wore black dress shoes with matching pants, and he had neatly trimmed beard/moustache combination that was black like his hair. The man's gray eyes had a noticeable intelligence, and he wore black biker gloves. Ash began to share the information she knew of this man.

"Hei Xiong. Surviving half-brother of Kushina Uzumaki. The two were separated when Kushina's mother fled to Atlas from their father, the notorious boss of Vale's underground until his assassination by a rival gang. After his father's death, Hei decided to live a mostly clean life as an information broker, claimed by many to know everyone in Vale. He owns a club to make ends met while his information business is largely kept as side work when he needs it. He hires those with criminal records that are trying to change themselves for the better but are unable to find work due to their criminal past."

"I still don't like this." Ironwood stated when Ash finished.

"If this was under any other circumstance, I wouldn't even have listened to this option, but I am not willing to risk Naruto's life just that so I'm comfortable." Ironwood knew that as a former crook, Hei would mostly definitely know how to hide someone. Right now, that was what they needed. Atlas wasn't safe for Naruto to stay anymore. No one could be allowed to know of his survival, or what really happened here. That, and Hei was Naruto's family, and someone Minato obviously trusted, those facts vouched that the man deserved a chance.

"I need to come up with a cover story for the explosion. If the public were to learn that the White Fang were responsible for Minato's death, then all of Atlas would rise against the Faunus species." Ironwood could already see it: Lynch mobs, and anarchy. If that wasn't enough of a shout out for the Grimm to come then the General didn't know what was. Granted, the news of the loss would shock the population, but that would fade as soon as it came. Anger was something that stayed much longer than sadness.

"I have a suggestion." Offered the Titan. Ironwood gave the Ogre his attention.

"A simple cover that hides everything while also being believable is to say that the explosion was caused by accident. You were aware but kept secret that Minato had harnessed a new form of energy correct?"

"Yes, Nuclear energy. He learned of it through one of his forefathers notes. He asked me to not inform the council, it was supposed to be a part of the Titan presentation."

"Then it would be rather simple for you to merely say that while working on a way to harness this energy, Minato accidentally caused the explosion that was undoubtedly seen by masses."

"Though I'll have to refine that the official statement, you've eliminated one problem." Ironwood thanked the Titan. The General's mind was comparable to a warzone with how many thoughts fought for dominance in his head. One that Ironwood chose to focus on was how to get Naruto to Vale. Ironwood left the machines company with a short farewell, the Spectre, and Titan saluted before they found a good spot to power down, and wait for the next day. Ironwood hadn't noticed that he was last organic in the cargo hold, the crew left after IS-3 was brought up. When the General left, he felt the ship land back in the hanger, but instead of getting off, he went to the barracks where the crew slept. James heard light snores from inside various rooms, the crew must've decided to crash on the ship instead of going home. Ironwood planned on doing the same, but first he wanted to check on Naruto one last time.

True to Ironwood's earlier statement, Naruto was not keen on being along, his arms held fast to Winter's body as he slept, nestled in her bosom. Winter herself was asleep, one arm over her charge while the other was placed underneath the pillow in the small room the two occupied. Ironwood had silently cracked the door to peer inside, and was a bit surprised to see them in that position.

"What most men would give to be in Naruto's place right now." Ironwood shook his head as he silently closed the door, and went to find a room not in use. Once inside of one, he removed his shoes and both coats. Once the article were neatly folded on the ground next to his shoes, Ironwood removed the glove on his right hand, examining the metallic prosthetic for any cosmetic wear before he settled on the thought he held onto earlier.

"I can't escort Naruto myself nor use Atlesian warships to transport him to Vale without anyone important looking into it." Ironwood hummed in thought as he tried to overcome this obstacle. Sometimes Ironwood wished he had Ozpin's-! Ozpin!

Ironwood couldn't help but smirk as a plan unraveled itself before him.

Since Ironwood couldn't use military resources to send Naruto to Vale then why not have someone from Vale come, and bring Naruto there? Ozpin was someone that Ironwood felt comfortable enough to leave Naruto with for the flight to the other kingdom, and Ozpin would definitely monitor Naruto's mental state as time passed, ensuring that the Namikaze curse didn't affect him too badly, or completely cause him to snap.

"Tomorrow I'll call Oz, and explain everything to him to solidify this course of action. Afterwards I'll tell Naruto and Winter. Hopefully Winter won't blow up on me." Ironwood knew that while Naruto may be hesitant to leave everything he knew, the young Namikaze would do it for the sake of his family's mission. That did sadden Ironwood given the obsession that every Namikaze had with advancing that mission, but it would work in his favor this time. Winter however, may be more than a bit adverse to trusting Naruto to- to her- an unknown man., but Ironwood knew she would trust his judgment in the end.

"I'll have Winter be the one to escort Naruto to Ozpin so they can say their goodbyes. It'll be a long time before they ever talk again." Ironwood shook his head to clear that thought from his mind. Now, how to get IS-3, and Ash over there without anyone seeing.

"… Ozpin and I can figure that out tomorrow. I need sleep now." Ironwood declared to no-one as he lifted the covers up, and placed them over himself.

Tomorrow was going to be long.

CUT! CHAPTER OVER!

Well, that's that! Now to write the rest!

I hope that you all enjoy this reading this as much as I did writing it! I tried to really establish, and an similar, but alternate history of Remnant where Atlas was advanced by a scientifically-minded Namikaze family that worked closely with the Schnees. I don't want to say much regarding that as it plays a role later on, and as for the Namikaze family themselves, I didn't want them to have no drawbacks to their intelligence so I settled on mental instability, and obsessions over their fields of research. Later on there will be four particular members that will be focused on. That's all on them for now, don't wanna say too much.

Now, let's talk about the Titan. I have already decided on weapons, and IS-3 has access to three cores, but can only use one then has to wait for a cool down to use another. I know that some of you may disagree with Minato not using Dust to power the Titans since this is RWBY that the story takes place in, but I used that to help establish that the Namikazes have explored alternative energy sources, and aren't like the rest of Remnant that believe in fairy tales. Back to IS-3, I will be accepting ideas regarding certain equipment that you think would be needed or desirable on the Titan, and ideas for executions that the Titan can pull off on Grimm or human/Faunus. And as for why IS-3 only has two protocals is because he was made to be Naruto's Titan, and therefore is more like his bodyguard. And yes, IS-3 is named after the Soviet heavy tank, the IS-3. So he has Russian bias. :P

Another topic is Naruto's pilot loadout. He wears the IMC Assault Pilot gear, and I have selected his weapons and other gear that I have limited to being from Titanfall 1 save for the Fire Star. Again, if there is equipment or weapons you want to see Naruto use, feel free to say so in the reviews.

Lastly, I made Naruto related to Junior because I really like the members of the club, and am rather disappointed that they don't have more screen time. Well, it's my fic so I'm building on the underused characters! I also saw that since Junior is an information broker, it's not too much of a stretch to say that he has contacts that'll make it easier for Naruto to get his hands on materials for new equipment or building his own weapons. Junior isn't completely clean, but he's not flat-out evil, he strikes me more as neutral.

Also since Naruto lives at the club this does mean he's with the twins.

Oh, and yes I do know that Ash was originally human, but since it wasn't shown what she looked like as a human, I'm going to have her start out as a Spectre that upgrades itself to have a slightly modified body of the Ash we see in Titanfall 2.

Finally, I know how popular RWBY reading fanfics are so if someone wants to make one for Man and Machine, give me a pm.

Now please remember to review, point out any thing I missed or screwed up, and offer suggestions! You're opinions matter to me.

Later! Greyblueflames burning out!