Kazuma Ichigo stood with arms crossed, observing the fierce battle on the massive holographic screen. Beside him, a figure clad in an elegant dark blue coat, adorned with the iconic crest of Meijin Kawaguchi, watched in complete silence. His presence radiated authority, his keen eyes analyzing every move made by Team RWBY and JNPR.
The battle was a spectacle of chaos and strategy. Explosions flickered like stars across the void, gunfire and beam sabers clashing in a deadly dance. The Zamouth Nada-class battleship held its ground, while the relentless Mock units swarmed like drones, executing precise attacks. And at the heart of it all, the monstrous RX-78GP03 Dendrobium rained destruction.
Meijin Kawaguchi exhaled softly.
"This… is amateur work."
Kazuma raised a brow, smirking. "Harsh. They're still new to real battles."
"That is no excuse." The Meijin's gaze narrowed. "They have potential… but they lack the refinement of true warriors."
He pointed toward the screen as ARC Gundam weaved through enemy fire, Jaune issuing orders.
"He understands strategy," Meijin mused. "He leads well. But hesitation is evident in his movements. The longer he waits, the more he risks his team's safety."
Kazuma nodded in agreement. "He's still figuring out how far he can push them."
Meijin turned his gaze to the rest of the team, his critique swift and merciless.
---
On the battlefield, Death Rose Gundam darted across space, cutting down Mocks with its Twin Beam Scythe. Ruby grinned as she moved with breathtaking speed, her scythe spinning in elegant arcs.
Meijin sighed. "Too flashy. Too much movement. She wastes energy on unnecessary flourishes. A good fighter is efficient, not theatrical."
Weiss's Schneesturm Gundam provided covering fire, each shot precisely aimed. Yet, in the crucial moment, she hesitated—allowing a Mock to close in and land a glancing strike.
"She second-guesses herself," Meijin noted. "A fighter without confidence is a liability."
Blake's Hellcat Gundam moved cautiously, evading attacks rather than committing to them. Her Fatum-01 allowed for impressive mobility, yet she never took the offensive.
Meijin frowned. "She fights to survive, not to win. That hesitation will cost her in a true battle."
Then there was Yang.
The Solar Blaze Gundam charged in recklessly, swinging its Flügel Messer sword through enemy ranks. Yang's laughter echoed through the comms as she tore apart a Mock with a powerful slash.
Meijin shook his head. "She fights like a brawler, not a tactician. Passion without control is nothing more than recklessness."
---
Ren's Rōtasu Gundam executed clean, calculated maneuvers, firing its Twin Linear Guns with precision. Yet Meijin could see the flaw—he was too rigid, too focused on efficiency.
"He fights like a machine, unable to adapt to shifting conditions. Strategy must be fluid."
Pyrrha's Titus Gundam fought alone, taking on entire groups of Mocks with her Dober Gun and Beam Sabers. She was strong, disciplined—but isolated.
"She's used to being the strongest on the battlefield," Meijin observed. "But strength alone does not win wars. Coordination does."
Nora, in contrast, swung her Gusion Hammer wildly, cackling as she smashed enemy units into scrap.
Kazuma chuckled. "Well, she's definitely having fun."
Meijin's expression was unimpressed. "Uncontrolled strength is a double-edged sword."
And then, his gaze settled back on Jaune.
"The ARC Gundam… it is different."
Kazuma smirked. "You noticed?"
Jaune's ARC Gundam fought with a methodical, strategic approach. He utilized Fatum-01 for rapid positioning, weaving between attacks, covering for teammates when needed. And yet—
"There," Meijin pointed.
Jaune hesitated before taking a shot, second-guessing his decision. In that split second, an enemy beam struck his left arm, forcing him to disengage.
"He lacks confidence in his own ability," Meijin declared. "That doubt will break him."
---
The Dendrobium loomed over them, its I-Field Generator shielding it from attacks. A salvo of missiles erupted from its massive launchers, forcing RWBY and JNPR onto the defensive.
Jaune growled. "We need to take it down now!"
"Then stop holding back."
Jaune blinked as Kazuma's voice came through the comms.
"You hesitate too much, Jaune," Kazuma continued. "You have the skill, the plan, the instinct—so stop questioning yourself."
Jaune exhaled, gripping the controls.
"You're right."
His ARC Gundam shot forward.
"Ruby, Weiss—take out its missile pods!"
"On it!" Ruby's Death Rose Gundam accelerated, slicing through enemy fire while Weiss provided covering shots.
"Yang, go for the armor joints!"
"Let's burn this thing down!" Yang roared as her Solar Blaze Gundam slashed through the Dendrobium's lower armor.
"Nora, Pyrrha, hit it from below!"
"Boom time!" Nora cheered as her Asgard Gundam unleashed its Gusion Hammer against the Dendrobium's structure, cracking its defenses.
Jaune lined up the final shot.
His Beam Magnum charged—glowing with raw energy.
"Firing!"
A single, devastating blast struck the Dendrobium's core.
A massive explosion followed.
BOOM!
The battlefield fell silent.
---
As the simulation ended, the teams stumbled out of their pods, sweat dripping from their foreheads. The battle had been intense, exhausting—but they had won.
And then, the doors slid open.
The room fell into stunned silence.
A man stepped forward, his coat swaying slightly. His eyes, sharp as blades, surveyed them.
Ruby blinked. "Uh… who's this guy?"
Weiss furrowed her brows. "He was watching us the whole time?"
Blake studied him. "He looks important."
Jaune whispered, "Wait… is he one of Kazuma's staff?"
Kazuma burst into laughter. "Wow, you guys really don't know?"
The man merely smirked. "Typical."
Kazuma gestured toward him. "Guys, meet Meijin Kawaguchi."
Dead silence.
Then—
"WAIT, WHAT?!" Ruby practically screamed.
Weiss paled. "The Meijin Kawaguchi?! The legend himself?!"
Blake stiffened. "That's impossible."
Yang let out a low whistle. "Okay, that's kinda badass."
Jaune swallowed hard. "The Meijin was watching us… this whole time?"
Meijin's gaze swept over the group.
"You won," he said simply.
Silence.
Then he smirked.
"But victory is not mastery."
He strode forward, his sharp gaze locking onto each of them in turn.
"Jaune Arc—your leadership is commendable, but you hesitate. Doubt is your greatest enemy."
Ruby stiffened as he turned to her.
"Ruby Rose—speed is your ally, but your movements are wasteful. Refine your technique, or it will be your downfall."
Weiss held her breath as his piercing stare met hers.
"Weiss Schnee—confidence is key. Hesitation on the battlefield will kill you."
Blake felt the weight of his words as he looked at her.
"Blake Belladonna—fear of failure will hold you back. Commit to your attacks."
Yang crossed her arms, but Meijin's smirk didn't fade.
"Yang Xiao Long—control your aggression, or it will control you."
He turned to Ren, Pyrrha, and Nora, giving each a similar assessment.
Then, stepping back, he crossed his arms.
"You all have potential. But potential alone is worthless without refinement."
His expression hardened.
"If you wish to become legends, you must earn it."
A heavy silence filled the room.
And then—
Jaune clenched his fists.
"We're ready."
Meijin smirked.
"Then prove it."
The air was thick with tension. Team RWBY and JNPR stood at attention, still processing Meijin Kawaguchi's critique. Their bodies were exhausted from the battle, but their spirits burned with determination.
Kazuma leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing the scene with a smirk. He had expected Meijin to be blunt, but seeing Jaune and the others rise to the challenge brought a sense of satisfaction.
The Meijin took a step forward, his presence commanding. "Your victory against the Dendrobium was commendable. But simulations only test your ability to react. True mastery demands foresight, adaptability, and precision."
Jaune, still catching his breath, met the Meijin's gaze. "Then… how do we improve?"
Meijin's smirk widened. "With a test."
A large holoscreen flickered to life behind him, displaying a new battlefield—a ruined space colony drifting in the void, debris scattering the battlefield. In the center, two towering Gunpla stood motionless.
Ruby squinted at the screen. "Wait… are those…?"
Kazuma chuckled. "Oh yeah. This is gonna be good."
The Meijin turned to them. "If you wish to prove your worth, you must face an opponent beyond your level."
The screen zoomed in on the two waiting Gunpla. One was sleek and menacing, dark blue armor gleaming under the simulation lights—a Build Strike Exceed Galaxy. The other stood like an unshakable titan, gold accents glinting—a Hyaku Shiki Kai.
Weiss took a step forward, eyes wide. "You want us to fight them?"
Kazuma grinned. "Oh, not just them."
A third Gunpla materialized on the screen, landing between the first two. Unlike the others, its form was regal, almost mythical—sleek white armor trimmed with red and gold. Its V-fin glowed, its massive wing binders flaring outward.
Ruby gasped. "That's—"
Meijin Kawaguchi's voice was calm, unwavering.
"Behold… my Legend Gundam Kawaguchi Custom."
The room fell into silence.
Yang let out a low whistle. "Welp. We're screwed."
Jaune, however, only clenched his fists tighter. The doubt that had plagued him before was still there, but this time, he refused to let it control him.
Kazuma pushed off the wall. "You guys have ten minutes to adjust your Gunpla if you want. After that… the match begins."
Meijin's sharp gaze met Jaune's.
"Show me what you've learned."
Jaune exhaled and turned to his team. "Alright. Let's do this."
They rushed to their workstations, tweaking, adjusting, and preparing for their greatest challenge yet.
And as the countdown began, Meijin Kawaguchi merely smiled.
"Let's see what you're truly capable of."