Panicked screams filled the air as the residents of Kuo Kuana ran for their lives. Lying in a heap inside the ruins of a now destroyed clothing shop, Shiro would use "Will" as a crutch as he stood to his feet. His left arm, hanging uselessly at his side, having been completely dislocated. A warm liquid trailed down the right side of his face, causing him to shut that eye as small droplets of blood hit the ground below...

[Shirokuro "Toji" Kumo: (Narrating) "Have I really been wasting away on this island for the last three years?"]

Gritting his teeth in anger, Shiro shuffled toward what used to be the shop's entrance, which was now reduced to nothing more than a splintered doorway with a bit of wall still clinging to it. Children, who would otherwise be playing happily with their friends and family, were now crying as they desperately searched for them amongst the debris and chaos. Bracing himself, Shiro would then slam his left shoulder into the doorframe, an audible pop could be heard as he forced his dislocated arm back into its socket. The pain was excruciating, causing Shiro to let out a muffled grunt.

~ SKREEONK! ~

The intense roar of a large creature could be heard throughout the entirety of the Island. In the distance, a combination of red and blue lights could be seen flashing. Shiro's eye widened as he observed the back of a familiar figure standing in mid-air as the blast from the creature was being redirected elsewhere. It's initial target...

"Whis?" Shiro uttered.

[Shirokuro "Toji" Kumo: (Narrating) "Just what in the hell... have I been doing all this time?!"]

Yesterday...

Ilia watched with bated breath as both Adam and Shiro sized each other up. The air became frigid, tension building with every passing second. Behind his mask, Adam's eyes burned with contempt. In comparison, Shiro's expression was one of focused anger...

"What do you want?" Shiro spat, his voice low and full of venom.

Feigning innocence, Adam smiled and raised both his hands up in a defensive manner before speaking.

"Such a murderous look on your face is unbecoming for a member of the Menagerie guard. You can relax Shiro... I'm just here to talk." he explained.

Shiro's eyes narrowed before he spoke...

"Will"

Adam cautiously rested his hand upon the handle of "Wilt" as the phrase left Shiro's mouth. Ilia's ears then perked up as she heard someone or something approaching their location at blinding speed. Ilia immediately jumped back near Adam who still hadn't broken eye contact with Shiro, even as "Will" came slamming down into the concrete, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. Grabbing the double-edged weapon by its handle, Shiro plucked the blade from the ground and pointed it towards Adam...

"Just here to talk? Fine, but if that's the case, then you can start by telling me... where exactly is Blake Belladonna?" Shiro growled, his question sounded like more of a demand than an inquiry.

Adam's expression remained unchanging, a sinister smile playing on his lips. He lowered his hands slowly, a mockingly calm demeanor contrasting with the tension in the air...

"Ah, the ever-elusive Blake Belladonna. It's crazy to me, you know? That even after all these years, you're still so damn loyal to her...

Gritting his teeth, Shiro took a step forward.

"Oh? You're not planning to harm me are you, Shiro? I'm merely having a conversation with an old acquaintance. Think about how that'd look to the people of Menagerie. An honorary member of the guard, attacking someone without just cause..."

Shiro stopped in his tracks, which only caused Adam to grin before continuing.

"...But to answer your question. Blake Belladonna is exactly where she belongs. Fighting alongside her fellow brothers and sisters of the White Fang. Fighting for true change, not sitting idly by, and waiting for that change, like you... a filthy good for nothing human still chasing after his own purpose." Adam finished.

Ilia wanted to step in, but as she opened her mouth to speak, Adam glared in her direction...

"What you seek, has never been 'change,'..."

Both Adam and Ilia turned their sights back to Shiro as he continued

"The tragedy that befell Vacuo seventeen years ago, had united both humans and Faunus alike, even if for a brief spell. Menagerie's contribution to the Vacuan relief efforts were a huge step, one that the world couldn't ignore. Mr. Belladonna even felt as though we were on the brink of that very 'Change' you speak of, but don't truly believe in...

Adam's features hardened.

"After such a display of kindness and humility, there was a massive push for equality. No more shops refusing service to Faunus, no more unequal pay, or harsh labor. Of course, there were those in positions of power that wanted to keep things as they were... more specifically, a high-ranking member of the council. His opposition to such change posed a threat."

Ilia listened intently as Shiro spoke. She'd heard tales of this before but never quite knew the details. Adam on the other hand, was uncharacteristically silent, before finally speaking

"The Menagerie Expansion Project... yeah, I remember. He was the deciding vote. It's a real shame what happened to him." Adam replied.

Sighing, Shiro continued

"He was found decapitated in his study. No sign of a struggle or forced entry. The top of his chair was also severed, perfectly aligned with his neck. His killer was never found. But the message was clear. The councilman's death marked the end for any significant push for change within Menagerie." Shiro's voice was filled with a mix of bitterness and sorrow as he recounted the events. Ilia, looked equally as taken aback, though, not by the story itself...

"Like I said before, 'such a shame,' but tell me something. Everyone knows that story, so why are you bringing it up now?" Adam asked, though he knew the answer.

Scratching the back of his head, Shiro looked to the ground for a few seconds before locking eyes with Adam. "It's simple really, because I've got reason to believe it was you." The revelation hung heavy in the air, the tension between Shiro and Adam reaching a new peak. Ilia's eyes widened in shock as she processed Shiro's accusation. Adam's smug demeanor faltered for a moment, being replaced by a much more serious one.

"That's a bold accusation to be throwing around. I was a mere child at the time of his murder. How could I have gotten close to such a heavily guarded individual? I couldn't have. Plain and simple, and even if that were true... Why all the fuss? Menagerie... it's nothing more than a glorified cage." Adam continued, his tone dripping with defiance. "Making the cage bigger doesn't solve the problem. It certainly doesn't stop the rest of the world from treating us like animals! Ghira Belladonna... never had our best interest at heart. Instead, he'd rather bend over backwards to a bunch of filthy humans like you!" Pounding his fist over his heart, Adam continued "I'm what our people need! True change! It's why Ghira stepped down! And its why Blake chose to follow me over her own father!"

~ BEEPBEEP BEEPBEEP BEEPBEEP ~

The sudden alarm pierced through the tension, causing Ilia to pull out her scroll. Her heart pounded as she could see Adam's grip on "Wilt" tightening. Checking the message on the device, she turned to her leader and spoke...

"Adam...I-It's time to go."

Trying to avoid a potential brawl, Ilia tugged at Adam's sleeve. The older Faunus stared down at her for a moment. Adam Taurus was many things; a fool wasn't one of them. He knew when to pick his battles. There had always been a noticeable gap in strength between both himself and Shiro. A fight right here would throw a large wrench into future endeavors of the White Fang. Taking a deep breath, Adam collected himself before addressing Shiro once more...

"There's going to come a time, where the people of Kuo Kuana— no, Menagerie, will turn its back on you, and rightfully so. When that time comes, I'll be the one to step forward, with Blake at my side. Have no doubts about it, Shiro. Change is coming, and it'll be in the form of a storm. So, until then... just sit back and keep watching" Adam spat.

Having said his piece, Adam turned on his heel and began walking away with Ilia following close behind. Shiro was left standing there, his hand trembling as his grip on Will tightened...

~ BZZZZZ ~

His scroll began to vibrate in his pocket. For a moment, Shiro contemplated ignoring it, running after Adam, and driving will straight into his che—

"No..." Shiro muttered to himself, shaking the murderous thoughts out of his head. His gaze shifted to the weapon in his hand, "...It'd be easy, but... it wouldn't solve anything." he stated, almost as if he were reasoning with his weapon. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the small device before checking the message he'd just received from Kali.

[Mrs. Belladonna: A friend of yours is here. He dropped off the goods from Mrs. Weiler's shop. Something important must have come up for you to have left them alone like that. Anyhow, come home safe, and try not to eat too much. I'm making dinner tonight.]

Shiro raised a brow, who the hell delivered the goods? and did she say...?

"Friend?"

Pocketing his scroll, Shiro looked straight forward, Adam and Ilia having completely vacated the area. Heaving a deep sigh, he made his way out of the alleyway. As he did so, Shiro paused, stopping to assess the damage he'd caused in his pursuit of Ilia...

"Tch"

His mood soured by the day's events, Shiro exited the alleyway and into the busy streets of menagerie once more.

"The hell are you doing?!" A White Fang grunt asked in an incredulous whisper to his assigned partner, the one in question currently digging a small hole in the sand of Menagerie's beach. "Just shut up and keep watch, will you? Adam will have our heads if we screw this up." The other grunt replied before reaching into his pouch pulling out a large and dark crystal sphere. An ominous purple aura emanated from the sphere as the grunt carefully placed it into the hole in the sand. Having covered the crystal with the surrounding sand, he stood, dusting himself off...

"What is that thing anyway?" asked his partner.

The grunt shrugged before replying.

"Some sorta lure, that's all I know, hell, that's all I want to know."

The second grunt frowned but decided not to press the matter any further. They'd completed their task, now the only thing left to do was vacate the island before whatever was to come next...

"Shiro! What took you so long?!" Whis asked as he waved excitedly.

Shiro deadpanned.

"What are you doing here? Do I need to file a restraining order?" Shiro asked.

Setting down her now half empty cup of tea, Kali looked up at Shiro with a smile as she gestured over to Whis...

"Whis here was just telling me some fantastic stories while we were waiting for you to return. He was the one who dropped off the goods. I figured I'd return the favor and have him join us for dinner once you returned." Kali explained.

The bemused expression on Shiro's face didn't waver as he turned to face his newfound "friend," Whis still smiling in return. Almost as soon as Shiro was going to open his mouth to speak, a heavy set of footsteps caught his attention. Ghira Belladonna entered the room, his deep yet soothing voice booming through the air...

"And I'd say you returned just in time." He finished.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Shiro responded

"I see, look, I'm not really all that hun—

Shiro would immediately go tight lipped at the glare being sent his way by Kali as she took yet another sip from her cup...

"..."

Kali Belladonna tried her best to stifle her laughter as she listened to Whis' retelling of events during his stay in Menagerie...

"Funnily enough, the guy was just a mole-rat Faunus. You should've seen her face, once she realized the guy was blind, Mrs. Weiler started apologizing like crazy. Then, he turns to her and goes "It's okay, this wouldn't be the first time I've been scolded for feeling up some lady's melons."

Ghira watched on with a smile, chuckling to himself before his gaze landed on Shiro, who seemed to have been lost in his own thoughts throughout the evening. Concern evident in his eyes, Ghira decided against probing the young man. Coughing into his hand, Ghira gained the attention of both Kali and Whis, their laughter slowly coming to a halt before the man began speaking...

"Whis, was it? I must say that I'm pleased to hear that your stay in Menagerie has been positive thus far, and from what you've shared, quite eventful as well. However, if you don't mind my asking, what interested you to travel here in the first place?" Ghira inquired.

Whis spared a glance over at Shiro for a moment, and then turned his attention back to Ghira.

"I'm on a mission." Whis answered.

Ghira raised a brow, he and his wife now listening intently. Shiro, who was resting his head on his fist, listened in as well, though he already had an idea of where this was going.

"A mission? So, you're a hunter in training?" Kali asked.

Whis nodded.

"Yup, I'm currently attending Beacon academy." Ghira's expression morphed into one of intrigue as he leaned forward, resting both arms upon the table and interlocking his fingers in a manner that reminded Whis of Ozpin...

"Beacon Academy. That's the most prestigious school in all the four— three kingdoms. You must be very skilled and very powerful to have been admitted. Tell me something Whis, this mission you've been sent on, should I be worried? Are there any potential threats to the people of Kuo Kuana that I need to be wary about?" Ghira asked, his voice taking a much more authoritative tone. Kali, sipping her tea, looked back and forth between the two before Whis smiled and waved both hands dismissively...

"Absolutely not sir! And even if there were, the problem would have already been dealt with, after all... I'm the strongest." Whis stated, his signature confidence kicking in at full force.

Ghira allowed himself to relax as Kali poured him a cup of tea.

"That's quite the statement, young man. The Grimm aren't anywhere near what they used to be, so you must be very capable. I apologize if my demeanor just now seemed a bit... intense, but the safety of Menagerie is my top priority." Ghira explained before bringing the cup of tea up to his mouth and lightly blowing on it before taking sip.

Kalia giggled softly before turning to ask Whis a question of her own.

"Okay, enough about missions and duties and whatnot. Tell us more about yourself Whis. Shiro refuses to socialize with anyone, and making friends is basically a foreign concept for him—

Shiro huffed, the nonchalant jab irking him as Kali continued

"...So, I've gotta know more about you." She explained, a youthful cheerfulness in her voice.

Whis grinned before replying.

"Well, let's see, for starters, I grew up in Atlas, born and raised. It's okay I guess, but man is it boring. Don't get me wrong, it has a lot of glitz and glamor, but once you've been around it for so long, it begins to lose its luster... know what I mean...?" Whis explained, before looking up at the ceiling above him and narrowing his eyes, slightly annoyed at the thought of his home...

"It's like a fancy painting that you've stared at for hours, and suddenly, you notice a tiny crack. Once you see it, you can't unsee it, and the whole masterpiece begins to lose its charm." Whis explained. There was a subtle bit of sadness in Whis' tone, almost as if he was recounting an unpleasant memory. "Besides, the world outside of it has always seemed so much more interesting..." Whis finished.

Kali smiled.

"I see. Well, you've certainly got an adventurous spirit. Though now that I think about it, there are certain perks that come with being a hunter, namely traveling. Is that part of why you chose such a dangerous profession?" She asked.

Whis waved one if his hands dismissively.

"Nah, I could travel pretty much anytime I wanted." He stated.

Kali covered her mouth in surprise.

"Oh? So, your family must be well off."

Whis shrugged before bringing his own cup up to his mouth...

"A bit of an understatement... I am a Schnee after all." Whis stated nonchalantly before taking a sip of his tea, only for Ghira to choke and spit his out in shock. The liquid itself stopped just a few feet short of Whis, before falling onto the table below. Both Belladonna's turned their attention to Shiro, who based on his expression, wasn't surprised in the slightest. "A Schnee? Here? In Menagerie?" Ghira uttered as he looked back at Whis sitting across from him. Pulling off his shades, Whis revealed a set of eyes that reflected the clear blue sky...

"Heh can't say I blame you. A Schnee randomly showing up at your doorstep isn't something that just happens every day. Though I suppose this would be the second time I've pulled a stunt like this." Whis replied, muttering the last half under his breath as he offered both Belladonnas a warm smile. "I thought Jacques only had two children." Kali chuckled nervously, exchanging a puzzled glance with Ghira. "Three, actually. Me and my old man don't exactly see eye to eye and being paraded around in public like a trophy never really sat right with me, so I usually bail on social events." He explained.

Regaining his composure, Ghira leaned forward to address the heir sitting before him. "I'm... at a loss for words, to say the very least. As you're probably aware, my people's view on your family is rather... complicated. Having a Schnee here in Menagerie is bound to stir up some tens– ugh!

A sudden jab to Ghira's leg, courtesy of Kali's foot, cut him off before he could finish his sentence. Ghira began to nurse his leg as Kali turned her attention back to Whis. "Regardless of upbringing, it's nice to know that Shiro has found such a wonderful friend. Becoming a hunter or huntress takes a great deal of selflessness and courage. It's been wonderful getting to know you Whis, now, if you'll both excuse us..." Kali said as she stood, grabbing her husband's arm, and dragging him out of the room. Whis watched the spectacle with his head tilted to the side as Shiro leaned back in his chair, fixing Whis with a scrutinizing gaze...

"A Schnee huh? Are all of you this persistent, or are you a special case?" Shiro asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Would you believe me if I said it was just me?" Whis asked. Shiro folded his arms before replying, "Oddly enough... yes." Whis chuckled at Shiro's response, there was small silence between the two before Shiro spoke up.

"Why me?" He asked.

Whis broke his gaze from "Will" which was currently resting against the wall off to the side, looking back over at Shiro as he continued...

"You said it yourself, 'You're the strongest' and if that's the case, why come to Menagerie, why seek me out?" Shiro asked, though his question wouldn't receive an immediate answer. He watched as Whis stood, making his way over to the balcony doors before looking back at him. "Mind if we take this outside?" Whis asked, gesturing towards the balcony. Shiro sighed but nodded in agreement. Standing up, he followed Whis out onto the balcony, the cool night air hitting his face as they stepped outside. Whis walked forward, leaning against the railing, and admiring the moonlit scenery of Kuo Kuana.

"It's exhausting you know. Constantly having to protect the weak." Whis' voice held a hint of weariness, as if he'd shouldered this burden for far too long. Shiro listened quietly as Whis spoke, his words carrying a weight that resonated with him deeply. For the first time since they'd become acquainted, Shiro felt a sense of understanding with the Schnee. Leaning against the railing beside Whis, Shiro gazed out into the distance as Whis continued...

"I came to Menagerie in search of a strong ally. Sure, I am the strongest, but I can't always be there to save everyone..." Whis paused, his thoughts momentarily shifting to that of his younger sister before shaking his head. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Shiro took a deep breath before speaking. "So, you do have some humility... that's good." Shiro said with a slight smile, causing Whis to chuckle. "Hey now, I happen to be a nice guy who values the lives of his friends and family."

Shiro's gaze fell.

"I owe the people of this island... everything. I was eight years old when I arrived on Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna's doorstep. They gave me a home, gave me a purpose. The people of Menagerie rest easy because I'm here..." Shiro explained.

Whis folded his arms and contemplated his next few words. Once he finally had them, he spoke.

"And what happens to them when you're not here...?"

Shiro's eyes widened. Seeing this, Whis continued

"Sure, they're all safe now, nice and content, not having to raise a finger because they know that as long as you're here, they don't have to..." Whis stated, his tone now dripping with years of experience as he unfolded his arms and turned to face Shiro.

"...But what happens when you're gone? Will they be able to protect themselves? Or will they die because they were too content with staying weak?" Whis finished.

Shiro's gaze fell to the floor as he clenched his fist.

"The Grimm are growing stronger every single day. You can only take down so many of them before you reach your limit, and when that happens..." Whis started.

Shiro's shoulders slumped.

"Everyone will die." Shiro finished. Whis nodded before placing a hand on Shiro's shoulder, causing him to meet Whis' eyes as the older of the two spoke.

"There's still a lot of things about this world that need changing, and I've got a feeling you know that too, Shiro. The Grimm are one thing, but right now I'm offering you a chance to make a real difference. However, no matter what I say, the choice is ultimately yours. So, what is it that you want, Shiro?" Whis asked.

Shiro remained silent as he took hold of Whis' hand, removing it from his shoulder, and stepping back. His mind had been racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions since his encounter with Adam, but amidst the chaos, one thing was becoming clear...

"I... I can't keep sitting on the sidelines. I know that. I've... known that, for a long time now. I just need a bit more time to think. A day, just give me a day to gather my thoughts, and then you'll have your answer." Shiro said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Whis nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face before he grinned.

"I guess that's better than nothing." Whis thought to himself before walking over to the edge of the balcony and jumping up onto the railing with both hands inside his pockets. Peeking over his shoulder, he glanced back at Shiro with a confident smile...

"Next time I see Ozpin, I'll have him extend an invitation to Blake as well..." Whis stated in a low but genuine tone.

Shiro's breath hitched for a moment. He immediately looked to where Whis was standing previously, only to find that he was no longer there...

It was early morning as Shirokuro Kumo lay staring up at the ceiling of his room. Outside, the chirping of birds served as little more than background noise as he'd finally come to a decision. Sitting up, he made his way over a desk that was situated in the corner of the room. Opening one of the drawers, he retrieved a small envelope.

"Please come again! And don't forget to tell your friends!!!" Mrs. Weiler shouted to the group of young women who had just bought a collection of various products in a desperate attempt to converse with her newest assistant. Unfortunately, the elderly woman's words would fall on deaf ears as one of the young women waved back at Whis...

"Bye Whis! Don't be a stranger okay~?"

Whis himself offered a dopey smile as he waved back, "Okay! ~" he replied sarcastically in a mocking tone. His smile would immediately fade as two figures stepped forward...

"Good day Mrs. Weiler. It appears business has been booming for you as of late." Said one of the men.

Mrs. Weiler crossed both arms and nodded "Why yes, it has indeed. Though if we're being honest, I couldn't have done so without my newest employee. He's such a handsome young man, don't you think, Corsac?"

Corsac's gaze then fell onto Whis who shifted ever so slightly but maintained his friendly and calm exterior. Corsac extended his hand outward, to which Whis accepted...

"...?!" Whis grimaced as Corsac offered a deviously deceptive smile, his hand tightening as he spoke.

"Forgive me friend. It's not often we get human visitors on this little island of ours. What is your name? If you don't mind my asking?"

For the first time in his life, Whis Schnee felt vulnerable in this man's grasp...

"Whis Schnee, nice to meet you!"

Corsac immediately released his grip upon Whis' hand and stepped back. Fennec, who'd been standing only a couple of feet behind his brother, placed a firm hand upon his shoulder as if to say, "Keep your composure, brother." before turning to Whis...

"A Schnee? In Menagerie of all places? This sure is an 'unexpected' turn of events. I do hope you're enjoying your stay..."

Mrs. Weiler was at a loss for words herself, however something told her this wasn't the time nor place. Whis himself was too preoccupied around the moment, seemingly analyzing the hand he'd just used to shake Corsac's...

"What the hell was that? A cursed technique? No, six eyes would have picked that up the moment it was activated. Was... was that his sem–

"Whis?" A familiar feminine voice called out. The concerned look from Mrs. Weiler, and confused expressions worn by both the Albain brothers, was enough to bring Whis back from his state of internalized shock.

"Y-Yeah... it's been pretty nice so far." Whis replied.

Fennec nodded.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, if you'll excuse us, my brother and I have some rather urgent matters to attend to. Good day, Mrs. Weiler, and to you as well... Whis Schnee."

Whis narrowed his eyes as he responded.

"Yeah... good day."

"You're seriously quitting Shiro?!" Asked one member of Menagerie's guard, a young hawk Faunus named Scout, as he kept pace with Shiro, traversing the main hall of the guard's headquarters...

"More like a leave of absence." Shiro replied, his tone firm but with a hint of uncertainty. He stopped in front of a bulletin board, scanning the various notices and assignments pinned to it. Scout raised a brow, crossing both arms in front of himself, his wings twitching ever so slightly as he spoke, "A leave of absence? What for?" Scout inquired; curiosity evident in his voice as Shiro continued past him. "Beacon Academy." Shiro muttered loud enough for his junior to hear. Scout paused for a moment, closing his eyes, and nodding as he took in the information from his soon to be former captain. "Ah yes... Beacon Academy..." Shiro braced himself as he continued his trek towards his superior's office, and surely enough...

"DID YOU SAY BEACON?!"

Shiro halted in his tracks as he came face to face with Scout who was now flying in front of him. Shiro peered over his shoulder, catching a lone feather that had come loose from one of scouts' wings before handing it back to him. "Yes, and keep your voice down, would you?"

Planting his feet on the ground, Scout gave a quick nod and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Sorry," Scout said as he and Shiro stopped in front of a large office door. "Shiro?" Shiro took a deep breath, steeling himself before opening the door and entering his superior's office. Inside, sat the head of the Menagerie Guard, a heavyset Boar Faunus named Boaralius...

"FOR THE LOVE OF— WE DO NOT OFFER THAT KIND OF SERVICE YOU DEGENERATE! CALL HERE AGAIN AND I'LL HAVE YOU LOCKED UP!"

Boaralius abruptly slammed the receiver of his desk phone as he noticed Shiro standing near the entrance of his office. His face flushed with embarrassment before coughing to clear his throat and compose himself. "Shiro? I thought you'd be out on patrol already. If you're here, then I'm guessing it's something rather important?"

Without a word, Shiro reached into his jacket and pulled a neatly folded note, handing it to Boaralius. The older Faunus unfolded the note and read its contents, his expression morphing from confusion to realization as he took in the words. After a moment of silence, Boaralius set the note down on his desk and looked up at Shiro...

"Are you sure?" He asked.

Shiro nodded.

The man sighed before taking the paper and slipping it into his desk.

"Sir. Before I leave. I'd like to make a recommendation." Shiro said, his voice steady as he met the man's gaze, who in turn, raised a brow.

An agitated Whis Schnee traversed the crowded streets of menagerie with both hands in his pockets, mulling over the brief exchange between himself and Corsac. Throughout his seventeen years of life on Remnant, he'd never considered anything would shake him, let alone someone's semblance...

"I couldn't read that guy at all. That's a first. Aura isn't all that different from Cursed Energy though, right? Maybe...

Whis stopped as he realized.

"I never did get around to unlocking my own aura. It just felt so damn pointless, I've got enough power as is, but... something tells me I shouldn't keep underestimating semblances."

Whis began to recount the events of past life. Hours upon hours spent being taught the ins and outs of Jujutsu Sorcery. Learning how to utilize the limitless technique, as well as blue. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. This was an entirely new world he was being thrusted into, and he still had lots of answers. Whis Schnee was many things, but a fool wasn't one of them.

"Least I know now what my next move is once I get back to Beacon... hmm?"

It was vague, but in the distance, Whis could feel the faintest amount of cursed energy emanating from Menagerie's beach. Deciding he had nothing better to do, Whis took a step forward only to be stopped by a familiar voice calling out to him from behind...

"Blake Belladonna."

Whis turned to see Shiro standing only a few feet behind him, the young man's expression somewhat serious as he continued.

"You said something about her attending Beacon Academy?" He asked.

Whis now turned fully to give Shiro his full attention, his own expression taking on an air of seriousness as well...

"Yeah, that's right." Whis replied.

Shiro huffed.

"Then I'll be taking you and Ozpin up on that offer."

Whis smiled.

"Well, alrighty then, but first, there's something I wanna check out if you don't mind." Whis said as he motioned behind himself in the direction of the beach.

Gleeful laughter filled the air as a small group of children ran along the shore, firing off their squirt guns at one another while their parents watched on intently. Other beachgoers lounged on towels, soaking up the warm sun and enjoying the gentle breeze...

"Hey so I've been meaning to ask, but... what's up with that weapon of yours?"

Shiro, who'd been keeping pace with Whis as they walked along the beach, turned to the Schnee whose gaze was currently transfixed on his weapon. "Will? What about it?" Shiro asked, curious as to what Whis was getting at. "Yeah, that's right... you don't know squat about Jujutsu Sorcery, let alone what a cursed tool is." Whis stated in a low tone. "Cursed Tool?" Shiro asked.

Whis nodded.

"Mhmm. Cursed Tools are basically weapons that are imbued with the cursed energy of jujutsu sorcerers. They each hold special abilities and can be wielded by just about anyone. That giant double bladed buster sword you're lugging around is one of 'em, though... it's definitely unique." Whis explained as he scanned the blade thoroughly. An impressive amount of cursed energy shrouded the large weapon. However, what piqued Whis' interests the most was that it gave off more than one cursed energy signature. It was as though the creation of this weapon was a group effort.

Shiro peaked over his shoulder at Will before turning his attention back to Whis.

"Unique? I suppose you could say that. After Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna took me in, it just appeared out of nowhere. Look, I don't believe in the supernatural, but something about Will has always felt... alive. You said something about Cursed Tools having special abilities, correct?"

Whis nodded, which only served to confirm Shiro's theory.

"That explains... a lot." Shiro muttered, his mind flashing back to he and Adam's confrontation the day prior, and how Will appeared at the mere utterance of its name, an ability it always seemed to possess. At a young age, Shiro assumed that this was his semblance at work, however...

"I've never been able to access my Aura, and by extension, my semblance. What's up with that? Since you're in such an educational mood."

Whis stopped only a few paces in front of Shiro before speaking.

"You were born with a Heavenly Restriction; meaning that in exchange for being able to harness cursed energy, or even Aura for that matter, you were given insane levels of physical strength. Some would probably hear that and think it's a curse but take it from me Shiro... you're strong."

Squatting down, Whis dug his hand into the sand and began shifting through it, his fingers eventually brushing against the smooth surface of the crystal. "That's what you were so interested in? Just some crystal?" Shiro asked. Whis stood, clutching the sphere with a quizzical expression. "There's a lot more to it than that. This isn't 'just some crystal' there's a small trace of cursed energy pouring out from it. From a distance it looks like some sort of smoke signal."

Whis narrowed his eyes as he scanned the beach. There didn't seem to be any suspicious characters wandering about, much less anyone gifted with cursed energy. He turned to Shiro, handing him the sphere as he spoke.

"You've got a fair number of enemies in Menagerie don't you, Shiro?"

Shiro shifted his gaze from the crystal to Whis.

"I guess you could say that, but nobody on this island would be foolish enough to try anything," he stated. "Unless they were a hundred percent confident that they could beat me. Wait, you said something about it leaving a smoke signal? Like some kind of lure. If that's the case, then who or what was this thing trying to attract?"

A small child patted away at her crudely built sandcastle; her giggles echoed softly as she worked on her creation. She'd just finished sculpting out a reasonably sized moat. However, without water to surround her castle, it felt incomplete. The girl stood and grabbed hold of her small red bucket before sprinting towards the shoreline. As she reached the edge of the shore, the gentle waves lapped at her feet.

Without hesitation, she dipped her bucket into the water, filling it to the brim with the cool, refreshing liquid. Satisfied, she stood and began making her way back towards her sandcastle when something caught the child's eye. Laying halfway buried in the sand was a pristine looking conch. Intrigued, she set down her bucket and reached for the conch until—

~ THUD! ~

Out of nowhere the girl would immediately lose her footing as a giant tremor shook the very ground beneath her feet. She stumbled, barely managing to catch herself before falling face-first into the sand. Confused and startled, she looked around searching for the source of the sudden tremor. To her horror, saw a massive, shadowy figure emerging from the depths of the ocean. Its dark silhouette loomed ominously against the backdrop of the sun, sending a chill down the girl's spine. She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest. She tried to scream but her voice caught in her throat...

"WHA-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!!!" One of the beachgoers shouted in a mixture of disbelief and fear.

~ SKREEEEOOONNK!!!!!!!! ~

As panic began to set in, both Whis and Shiro turned to see a massive Leviathan in the distance as it screamed, its terrifying roar echoing across the beach, followed by a large gust of wind that sent sand swirling into the air.

Whis squinted, tilting his head to the side.

"Gojira?"

Gritting his teeth, Shiro grabbed hold of Will before making a beeline towards the giant monstrosity. "EVERYONE CLEAR THE AREA AND HEAD BACK TO YOUR HOMES!" Shiro shouted as sprinted through the crowd...

[Shirokuro "Toji" Kumo: (Narrating) "I refuse..."]

Getting into a stance, Shiro clutched the handle of Will with both hands as he shouted.

"...TO LET ANYONE HARM THE PEOPLE OF MENAGERIE!!!"

https://youtu.be/aDmvm2D_lhQ