If there was one thing that Sasuke hadn't expected to happen since his mother passed away, especially after a decade, it would be to be scolded like a child again for doing something wrong.
It would be nostalgic if it weren't annoying and degrading.
Certainly, Kakashi tried something similar when he confronted him back in Konoha about his growing hatred and resentment for a teammate, but it wasn't the same.
That time, Naruto and he almost killed each other on the terrace of that hospital, so it was an understandable response coming from Kakashi, given his role as Sensei. Recently, after Sasuke attacked the 5 Kages, crippled one and killed another, Kakashi tried to lecture him again, and honestly, he was lucky to still be alive.
It just so happened that Sasuke was exhausted after fighting non-stop against Kage-level opponents, one after the other, when this encounter took place.
Heck, he had to kill Danzou ten times for that piece of garbage to actually die. Otherwise, Kakashi would be dead now.
If Kaguya hadn't gotten rid of him at this point.
That aside, as much as Sasuke didn't like to admit it, he had lost his mind on those two occasions and deserved to be reprimanded for it. Here, on the other hand, all Sasuke did was ignore some instructions and explore the premises of a school without permission... after forging a multitude of documents and infiltrating the society of an alien world.
Be that as it may, his point remained that Sasuke was no longer a child, much less a mentally unstable criminal who only wanted revenge and destruction. He was beyond that now. If anything, Sasuke was a demigod, the most powerful non-Jinchuuriki shinobi who had ever lived, and a savior more than capable of influencing the course of history of different worlds with his power.
Still... He winced with the girls when Glynda hit the table in front of them with her riding crop and shouted again. This woman is quite intimidating.
Just like his mother used to be when she was angry, to the point where Itachi and their father seemed harmless in comparison, which must be why Sasuke was putting up with this nonsense.
Something recurring since he arrived in Remnant the other day, and a necessity to avoid escalating things further. If not for him, then for the girls who found themselves in this situation by getting involved with him.
While Sasuke couldn't care less about his stay at this school, these three had dedicated years of their lives preparing for this opportunity, and the mere possibility of them losing it all showed in their reactions.
With that in mind, Sasuke not only had to endure but also take the blame and assume all responsibility for this incident.
Having a conscience might have been troublesome, but it was better than the maddening alternative.
Sasuke knew that better than anyone.
As for Ruby and Yang, a part of them wanted to say that they were used to being scolded like this by their father, but Glynda managed to be worse. Certainly, there was the weight that this little incident could have on their careers, which were yet to begin, and being branded as a problem... or maybe it was just the guilt they felt at disappointing the woman who had saved Ruby from that pervert.
Just thinking about it made them feel even worse, but not as bad as Weiss.
Somehow, this girl seemed even paler than usual and completely terrified.
While Glynda was scary, to the point where even Ozpin had a nervous smile and didn't dare interrupt, it wasn't that much, and that confused them.
After all, it wasn't as if they were going to be expelled for ignoring some instructions and exploring the school without permission... right?
The mere possibility made them swallow dry, and their hearts sank, soon understanding why Weiss was terrified.
They weren't wrong.
Weiss wasn't reacting like this just because the Headmistress looked like a combination of her sister and father when they were angry, but because of what could come of this.
Being turned down at Beacon would be like one of her worst nightmares come true, being up there with being used as a bargaining chip to create an alliance through an arranged marriage, falling into the hands of someone just as bad as her father, and never again being able to escape from a prison called home.
The freedom that Weiss had won after so much effort, having to fight, bleed, and even permanently mark her face, would be taken from her.
All because she couldn't contain her curiosity and suspicion against someone who didn't want to show his face.
Given the semblance that Sasuke had and the possibility that occurred to her about his left eye being stolen, doing what he was doing felt like the right decision.
Again, with a power that allowed him to copy other Semblances, even if only some of them, Sasuke was bound to become the center of attention and a potential weapon in the hands of the world to be used against the Grimm until he broke.
Nobody wanted that, to be treated like an object.
That's why Weiss couldn't bring herself to blame Sasuke, even more so when it would be nothing more than her trying to find excuses for the inexcusable.
Weiss was the one to follow him of her own free will, after all.
In fact, even Yang was only dragged by Sasuke until he left the main hall. After that, he had left her free to go if she wanted.
With that in mind, Weiss had to maintain her dignity as the Schnee she was and deal with the consequences of her choices!
Or so it should be.
"If you intend to punish someone, I hope it's not them," Sasuke interrupted Glynda and even ignored the menacing glint in her green eyes, surprising everyone. "I'm the one who disobeyed the instructions; they only followed me to keep an eye on my actions."
A half-truth, he knew, but a believable one given how suspicious he looked with the way he was dressing.
Besides, Sasuke was sure that these professors were there for him. Otherwise, why would the Headmaster come in person for such a trivial task as reprimanding a few troublesome students?
Unless he was like the third Hokage and had plenty of time on his hands.
Whatever the reason, what this man had to say bothered Sasuke deeply.
"How heroic of you," Ozpin commented as he stepped forward and interrupted Glynda, who was about to go ballistic with her lecture. "Taking responsibility and protecting your friends."
All the more so for such a mysterious and enigmatic young man who had no problem getting involved with criminals like Hei Xiong, also known as Junior.
Perhaps he didn't have a problem on his hands, but someone desperately in need of guidance, of purpose. This seemed especially true considering the countless books this young man had collected, showing just how lost he was.
Now, Ozpin just needed to know if Uchiha Sasuke was worth the effort or if he was just another problem on an endless list. At least, he would say that his first impression of this boy was relatively positive... a far cry from the peculiar darkness that concealed his face.
It's not magic or the work of a Semblance. Ozpin couldn't feel any power from the boy himself, but from his surroundings, from the natural energy that flowed from the world itself. The hood?
An object enchanted with runes?
This was a rarity and an art lost in time whose mere existence only raised more questions.
Hopefully, this boy had no connection to Salem.
As for the words spoken by Ozpin, they had quite an effect on the girls, especially Ruby, whose little heart was jumping again.
Sasuke really did have the name of a hero! That and strong feelings for her... heheheh.
Being loved by someone incredible like that was so cool! Only as cool as it was to love him back... and that's exactly why Ruby couldn't let Sasuke take all the blame!
Yang wasn't reacting to this unexpected development much better than her little sister, clenching her hands tightly and trying to suppress her emotions, but they still showed in the form of a small smile.
In the end, it seemed that the princess was right, and she really did have feelings for this boy that went beyond what she would have liked to admit.
Especially because of Ruby.
Yang didn't want to have a thing for the boy her little sister was interested in, especially when it could end badly.
Fortunately, it was still too early to worry about these feelings, and this chush of hers could well be something fleeting, strongly influenced by the events of last night.
Regardless, Yang was no damsel in distress, and the last thing she wanted was to see Sasuke take the blame for everything.
Weiss had an expression of pure shock, one that soon turned into something more shy and happy.
With that, she could understand why these two sisters had fallen for Sasuke.
He was a good person, which, in her experience, was a rare thing.
After all, this was the first time anyone other than Winter had come to her defense like this... the first time someone was openly considered a friend.
While Weiss knew it was still too early for that, the mere fact that Sasuke had confided information about his Semblance to them meant a lot.
In that case, if this really was the start of a meaningful friendship, then she couldn't let this boy be blamed for everything!
Sasuke, on the other hand, contrary to these girls' thoughts, didn't appreciate being considered a hero or friends with people he intended to leave behind very soon.
First, there was Ruby, with her comments about the meaning of his name, where even now she looked at him with adoration and...something else that Sasuke preferred to ignore, especially since she wasn't the only one. Yang's feelings were much more evident now, and even Weiss was showing acceptance towards him. Lastly, this Headmaster seemed to be mocking him and his conscience, his desire to do the right thing, just as a decent human being should.
Certainly, Sasuke would admit that he wasn't taking on the role of a savior just out of the goodness of his heart. The hatred he felt for Konoha and the cursed will of fire was still there, urging him to destroy that corrupt system and change for something better, something permanent.
In addition, Sasuke needed to give meaning to his life, to validate his family's sacrifice, and prevent other people from going through the same kind of hell he had experienced.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be wasting his time looking for an answer to the problem infesting the Elemental Nations, but training to defeat Kaguya.
Something that Sasuke intends to prioritize very soon.
Then, just as he was about to say something and possibly regret it, the girls stood up and took the initiative before he could.
"P-please don't expel him!" Ruby was the first to speak, her voice trembling a little, but resolute. "We're all guilty of ignoring instructions and exploring the school without permission!"
Even though Sasuke was the one leading the whole thing, it didn't change the fact that they followed him and loved every second of it!
"Yeah!" Yang was there too, supporting her little sister for the sake of the boy they liked. "And it's not like we set the school on fire or anything!"
This situation seemed to be blown out of proportion based on the crime committed, and that wasn't fair!
"I have to agree." Weiss was the calmest of the three, showing a side of herself that had been trained for years by the coldest person in the world. "We haven't done anything to warrant such punishment, especially Sasuke."
If anything, they should be praised for trying to revise some teaching materials and getting to know the school's premises better.
This gave the two Professors pause, not expecting to see new students going out of their way to defend one another in this way. Although considering the way these girls were behaving, there seemed to be something "more" influencing their actions.
Ah, young love.
It would be beautiful if it weren't so complicated.
"The problem is not what you did, but the timing." Glynda sighed as she let go of her anger, almost proud to see the shadow of an excellent team forming before her and the beginnings of a love conflict. "We already have enough things to worry about, even more with..."
She didn't finish, Ozpin wouldn't let her, and for good reason.
"I think that's enough, Glynda." He still had a small smile, but one that carried a touch of seriousness and authority capable of making this woman obey without question. "As for you." His attention was on these four, and the tension was almost palpable, but only until his smile turned into something more natural. "I would never expel students with such potential just for being a little curious."
As long as that curiosity kept its distance from more delicate matters, of course.
This was enough to remove a tremendous weight from the girls' shoulders, soon to be replaced with a wave of happiness.
Sasuke, on the other hand, didn't share all this excitement, and for various reasons. The conflict these girls caused in his heart aside, Ozpin's response basically confirmed that he was there for him.
Just as expected.
"Now, with that out of the way," Ozpin continued and turned his attention to the girls. "Miss Schnee, Xiao Long, and Rose, you three can go ahead and join the other students." His eyes were now on the enigma in hand. "I need to have a small conversation with Mr. Uchiha."
This gave the girls pause; their smiles died and were replaced with concern almost instantly.
"W-what?" Ruby didn't understand. "I thought everything was fine?"
Then why was Sasuke getting into trouble?
"And everything is fine," Ozpin assured her, keeping his smile as comforting as possible. "This is about a different matter, but nothing you need to worry about."
Hopefully, he wanted to say.
Everything depended on the answers this young man had to his questions.
"Don't make more trouble than necessary," Glynda said, noticing the hesitation these girls were showing. "Mr. Uchiha will be joining you soon."
Probably, she meant.
With Ozpin, you never know.
With that, it seemed that they didn't have much choice but to obey. Otherwise, they could really get into trouble and drag Sasuke into it.
"All right..." Ruby agreed with a sad nod and then looked at Sasuke with her silver eyes. "I'll save you a spot!"
That way, they could sleep together, but not "together, together"... for now.
Just thinking about it made her face flush, and she couldn't bring herself to look at Sasuke anymore!
"A spot that will make all the other boys bite themselves with envy~" Yang had a teasing smile, but one that seemed more shy than usual. "How lucky, huh?"
Hard to say for which of the two.
After all, with Sasuke sleeping next to her, maybe Yang would finally get the chance to see his face!
"Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't try anything weird." Weiss was starting to believe that girls like Yang could be more dangerous than most men and that she had to protect this new friend. "Just don't take too long."
Only then could they have a proper sleepover... not that she had been dreaming about it for years or anything.
It's just that experiencing such an event at least once wouldn't hurt.
As for Sasuke, he could only nod to these girls, not knowing what else to do or say.
It seemed that he would no longer be able to spend the entire night studying, as planned.
With that, the girls left the room with a certain level of excitement.
"You seem surprised," Ozpin commented, gaining the boy's attention. "Although it's hard to tell with that hood hiding your face."
Then, as soon as the door closed behind the girls, almost without hesitation, the boy before him removed his hood and revealed his face completely.
As a result, Glynda's eyes widened, her heart fluttering in a way it hadn't in years, to the point that her face flushed.
Just like in the photos circulating on the internet, Uchiha Sasuke was extremely handsome in a way that seemed otherworldly.
The mere fact that he could move her heart like that and make her fantasize about things she shouldn't with a potential student was a testament to his transcendental beauty.
Glynda could only be thankful that this boy was aware of his good looks and hid himself away to avoid hormonal girls. Otherwise, his mere presence would turn Beacon into pandemonium.
"So," Sasuke began, getting straight to the point as he focused his one visible eye on the man before him. "What do you want to talk about?"
Time to find out if his stay at this school had come to an end or if this was just the beginning.