Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything from DC
"Talking!"
'Thinking!'
"Demon!"
Survival of the Fittest
Survival of the Fittest. Every creature alive has to obey that law; no matter if you are man, woman, or child. It is an instinct that drives everything to live; to survive. Humans try to suppress this instinct with logic, with reason. But when it comes down to it even the most innocent man will do anything to survive. Nothing will beat instincts, nothing at all.
-Tibet-
The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoes throughout the empty room. Tied to a chair by ropes and chains sits Naruto. His right eye is swollen, a broken jaw, and a bloody nose he stares definitely at his torturer, David Cain. David is a high ranking member of the League of Assassins.
You maybe wondering why Naruto is in Tibet? Why he is being beaten by David? Why he is captured by the League of Assassins? Slade ordered Naruto to find and infiltrate the League of Assassins, get captured and survive torture. When Naruto first arrived in Tibet he spent a few days looking for the best places to find signs that the League of Assassins was even there. Fighting in Liberia for two years you learn to look and notice signs. Knowing what an IED looks like, what a mine looks like, knowing when you're walking into a trap. Just looking around can save your life.
After finding a simple looking village the blonde soon discover that it was just a simple village. The village itself raises new members for the League of Assassins. Of course with Naruto never being in this village was quickly captured and brought to David Cain. With a few chose words about Cain's manhood could him to beat Naruto to what he looks like.
"Where did you come from?" demanded David.
Naruto simply spit in David's face. Cain punched Naruto in the face once more. Naruto spits some blood out of his mouth.
"Talk!" yelled David
"That's enough, Mr. Cain."
A man walks out of the shadows as if he was one with them. Naruto knows who this man is. The Demon's Head, The Master, Ra's al Ghul. Just by looking at how he walks, how he carries himself, he is a man that has lived more than a normal should of. Behind him is the most beautiful woman has even seen. She is nonother then Talia al Ghul, daughter to Ra's al Ghul. Naruto curses his growing hormones for being taken by her beauty as his cheeks gain a cherry-red color to them. Talia smirks at Naruto's redden cheeks.
"He won't talk no matter how much I beat him or how hard. No name, no identifications, no birth date, nothing." says a frustrated Cain.
Ra's stares into the boy's eyes. Trying to read him. Trying to figure him out. As Ra's was doing this Naruto was doing the same to Ra's. Then the blonde does what no one was expecting the boy to do; spit in Ra's face.
"If you're going to saw something, then say it!" Naruto says for the first time since he was captured.
Shocked that someone would disrespect their leader. Cain takes out his knife.
"Stop," says Ra's as he wipes the spit off his face, "Tell me, how did you find this place, Golden Devil?" asked Ra's.
Cain just stares at the boy. The assassin heard of the Golden Devil during the Liberian Civil War. There were only rumors about the Golden Devil. No knew what country he was from, why he was there, or where he got his training. To think the this ten year old in front of him is the Golden Devil. Talia was in the same boat as David. She heard of the named the Golden Devil. She heard from the assassins that went to Liberia to kill him, but they never returned.
"It's been two years since I'd last heard that name. I figured everyone thought I was dead after the new government raided out camp. To leave no evidence that they used us to win their war," explained Naruto
"I have heard of that raid. I sent one of my most trusted assassins to look at the dead. It seems more then a few manage to escape. Tell me, how did you find us?"
"Deathstroke,"
"Ah, I see now. I heard he hasn't been taking a many contracts as of late. You must be his apprentice. Why?"
"My mother. Enough said. Drop it!" growled Naruto.
Ra's raises an eyebrow at that. He can hear the hate in his voice. The look in his eyes are calling for blood. The boy's mother must have been killed right in front of him. And the boy knows who his killer is. Ra's came to the conclusion that the Golden Devil wants revenge. Ra's knows the thirst of revenge quite well.
"Why did Deathstroke sent you here? He's training you; why send you here?" asked Ra's
"So I can be tortured. He wanted me to learn firsthand experience to being captured and tortured for information," answered back Naruto
"Hmm, as a reward for not just finding us, but also resist Mr. Cain's torture. Talia, I want you to watch over the boy til I have his reward ready," says Ra's
"Yes, Father." said Talia.
Naruto was let out of the chair he was tied and chained to. His wounds were cleaned and bandaged. Throughout the whole time he blushed because Talia was close to him. Talia could see his blush.
"I too have lost my Mother," Talia says grabbing Naruto's attention away from her beauty
"How?"
"My Father met my Mother during Woodstock back in the sixties. I only knew her for a few years before she over dosed on the drugs that she was taking," explained Talia
"Why are you telling me this? You're mother died taking taking drugs. She died doing something stupid. My Mother on the other head was killed because of me."
Naruto didn't let Talia say anything before he runs off. Talia looked a little shock that someone talked to her like that. Being the daughter of Ra's al Ghul she was met with respect by those in the League of Assassins. Then she snapped out of it. She looks down at her hands. The daughter of the Demon knows the pain of lose. The pain in Naruto's eyes are there clear as day.
Sometime later Ra's is sitting in dinning hall in his private quarters. Naruto was brought to the dinning hall after Talia found him. Sitting at the table the Demon looks over to his daughter and the young boy. He can tell something happened between them as they aren't looking at one another.
"Tell me Naruto, if you could change anything in the world, what would it be?" asked Ra's
"Change anything in the world?" Naruto opens his mouth to say bring his mother back but stops, "I don't know. All I know is fighting. Deathstroke sent me to fight in Liberia to learn more about how harsh the world really is," answered back Naruto
"A very good answer if I say so myself," Naruto looks at Ra's strangely, "Someone of your age gave a very good answer. You don't know much of the world, yet you understand that is it harsh. You understand more than most of the world would. Most would answer with 'wanting for world peace' or 'ending world hunger' which are all noble actions, but one can do so much. You know that world peace can only be brought through the death of others. Hunger can only end when food is taken from others. Which others will fight back in turn start up a war. Both go hand in hand." explained Ra's.
Naruto knows that. Fighting in Liberia there were times food was hard to find. Any food was found after a battle that was on the dead, or was caught by the wild animals. The world is truly harsh. Survive of the fittest to its core.
"What would you do?"
"What would I do? I try to save the world just like anyone else, but in a different way. You see, I lead the League of Assassins to bring the world in a new age where there can be peace. Yes, some of the ways we do it bring the death of others, but all roads are paved with good indentations. Many would say the world is black and white, but the world is full of gray. Those that's seen both sides will know that all too well." Ra's finish as the food is brought out.
Naruto saw all the different type of food is set in front of him. But out of all the different food that was placed down; he saw one that brought back happy memories. Ramen. It was ramen. He hasn't had ramen since he was little. Remembering a time where his mother would make it for him. To cheer him up when he was sad.
Ra's saw this. He'd only seen that when someone had a food that they didn't have for a very long time; that hold great value to them. Seeing this Ra's understands that Naruto lived a life that no child should of lived. Yes his villages train child to become assassins but they go only so far. Taking hold of the bowl of ramen. Naruto quickly devours it.
He places the bowl down, "It's not the same…" says Naruto in a depressing manner
"What's not the same?" ask Ra's
"The ramen. It's not the same as Mom's."
Ah, now Ra's now knows why Naruto looked at the ramen liked he did. The boy's mother made it for him when he was younger. He remembers a time when his mother use to make his favorite meal. Then as quickly as his memories came they went when one of the servants came over to the Demon and whispers into his ear.
"Send her in." orders Ra's.
The left and soon came back with a woman. The woman has black hair the sits on her shoulders, a slider body that shows her hard work to making it into what it is today. She is non-other then Sandra Woosan, otherwise known as Lady Shiva.
Shiva walks over and sits down at the table, "What have you order of me, Master?" asks Shiva
"This boy here has down the same thing that you have down, Lady Shiva. He on his own found the League of Assassins. As a reward I want you to train him in martial arts." stated Ra's.
Shiva looks the boy over. She quickly can tell that the boy had some training, but for how much she does not know.
"Very well, I'll train the boy. My I ask if the boy has any training beforehand?"
"Yes, he fought in the Liberian Civil War. You may have heard of his name, the Golden Devil."
Shiva was shock was an understatement. She remembers taking a contract to hunt and kill the Golden Devil, but the war ended before she could kill him. She always thought that the Golden Devil was a man, not a boy.
"Deathstroke has also taken him as an apprentice," Talia chimed in
"I didn't know that Deathstroke was looking for an apprentice. When do you want me to start the boy's training?" asks Shiva
"Tomorrow. You just arrive not too long ago. Rest." said Ra's.
Evening quickly came. Talia showed Naruto where he'll be sleeping for the night. During dinner she thought long and hard about how to talk to Naruto. She can tell that Naruto is holding all his emotions inside like a bottle. Knowing full well that if he doesn't let them out, then he'll just explode.
"Naruto," grabbing his attention, "Earlier when I said that I lost my Mother the same as yours. I meant to say that I know what you're going through; the pain, the lost, the hurt. I can see the pain in your eyes. When was the last time you'd cried?" asks Talai before she hugs Naruto.
Naruto is lost for words. The last time someone ever hugged him was when his mother did. He nearly forgot what it felt like. The warmth and the sense of security. The times when he was scared his mother would him. Whispering into his ear telling him that everything will be alright. That everything will be fine. And just like that, the dam broke. Naruto started to weep. The lose of his mother, all the lives he'd taken, and the lose of his comrades in the Small Boy Unit. Everything just came rushing out from all the buildup over the years. Talia just holds Naruto and he cries in her arms.
In the morning Lady Shiva took Naruto with her for training. Ra's and Talia watched as they left. Talia was sadden that Naruto had to leave. After he finished crying they talked and learn a lot about each other.
"Talia, I have found my heir," said Ra's as stares at Naruto
"But what about my beloved?" asked Talia
"Batman would make a perfect heir, but he will not make the hard decisions that need to be made. He will not be swede to our thinking. He will not take a life. But young Naruto has already taken a life, more then once. He has seen the world for what it truly is; and for that he is already walking down the path for the better. He shall be my heir," stated Ra's
"But Father, what if he doesn't?"
"Talia, the Lazarus Pits are taking longer for them to revive me. It will be only a matter of time before they stop. Death is coming for me; I can already feel it. He will be the heir, or he will help with making the heir."
And with that Ra's heads back to his chambers. Talia just stands there thinking over what her father has said. She understood what he meant that if Naruto doesn't become the Demon, then she is to have a child with him. Talia stands at a standstill. To choose between Batman the man she loves, but who won't make the world a better place by doing the dirty work. Or Naruto, someone who she just met, but will do what will be needed done.
-Manchuria, China-
It has been a few weeks since Lady Shiva took Naruto with her for training. They left Tibet on foot and traveled to Manchuria, China. During their travels Shiva learned that Naruto is a kinetic learner. Learning through his body. With years of fighting already learned through instincts. Shiva spent most of the time training Naruto to think before acting in a fight. Instincts that were forge in war are now being forced to hold back.
They arrived at a dojo. Which is strange since they are in China and the dojo is clearly Japanese. The placed looked like it hasn't been taken care for sometime. Vines have overgrown the walls that surround the dojo and the trees haven't been trimmed back.
"Why are we here?" Naruto asks Shiva
"Here you'll learn from one of the greatest martial arts in the world,"
"But I thought you were going to train me?"
"I am, but O-Sensei can train you to you fullest." said Shiva.
As they walk through the front gate Naruto can here what sounds like flesh hitting wood. They continue to walk through the courtyard passing a koi fish pond. They came upon a training area with an old man sitting on the ground sipping some tea watching a young boy punching a wooden pole with thick ropes wrap around it.
"Ah, Sandra what brings you here?" says the old man as he looks at Shiva and Naruto
"I have brought you a student,"
"I can see that, but why? You should be able to train him?"
"Because I believe you can give him the training that he needs."
The old man looks at Naruto. In all his years of training young pupils he can remember all of them. He remembers them all like they are his children in a since. He remembers one of his old students returning with a student of his own that had Naruto's hair color and style.
"What's your name?"
"What's yours?"
Smiling, "You may call me O-Sensei!" said O-Sensei
"O-Sensei!" called out the boy, "When will you teach me the advance forms?"
"When you stop over thinking everything, Sasuke. Naruto, why don't you go and punch the other wooden pole?" said O-Sensei.
Shrugging his shoulders Naruto walks over to the other wooden pole. He punched it which his fist breaks through the thick ropes and into the wood. Sasuke saw this and punched his wooden pole, trying to do the same thing.
"Natural super strength. Where did he come from?" asked O-Sensei
"I don't know just that Master Ra's called for me to head back to Tibet. I didn't know what, but when I'd arrive there Naruto was there. He found where the League of Assassins were located and as praise for finding them, I am to train the boy," said Shiva
Rubbing his chin, "The boy reminds of someone I met years ago. Stay for a few weeks and I'll help you train him. Afterward head to Aokigahara for that is where Jiraiya is located,"
Shiva pitches the bridge between her eyes, "Sigh! Do I have to see that pervert?" Shiva regrets asking.
O-Sensei just laughs at Shiva's pain. He knows about Jiraiya's perverseness can drive any woman with the urge to kill him. O-Sensei trained Naruto to the best of his ability. The old man took pride in that Naruto is a difficult student to train. Unlike Sasuke who can understand and learn quickly; Naruto takes time to learn the basics. Shiva told him how Naruto fought in the Liberia Civil War and took lives before. Instead of breaking down to rebuild Naruto, O-Sensei just build on top of what Naruto already knew.
During the weeks that Naruto trained with O-Sensei he also became friends with Sasuke. He learned that his family sent him to O-Sensei to learn martial arts so that he can become a police officer. With Naruto's natural super strength and Sasuke learning speed they became rivals to best one another.
-Aokigahara-
Shiva leads Naruto through Aokigahara, making sure that the boy stay close to her. The forest has many names like the Sea of Trees or its more famous name the Suicide Forest. There are many myths and legends about the forest like how the spirits of those who committed suicide never leave the forest. With that being said, why in the world would Jiraiya be here of all places?
"I don't like this place. It feels like I'm being watched." said Naruto as he clings to Shiva's coat.
Shiva agrees with Naruto. Ever since they stepped foot into the forest it felt as someone or something is watching them. She heard of the rumors about the spirits that haunt Aokigahara. The spirits try and cause those who wander deeper and committee suicide. Shiva stops walking. The deadly assassin narrow her eyes at the trees. She focuses, staring at the trees with killer intent.
"You can come out now!" demands Shiva
"Ah, you found me!" a voice echoes through the forest
"After I filter the sense of dread I can fell the stares of a pervert. Come out Jiraiya!" Shiva demands once more.
Stepping out from behind a tree is a man with spiky white hair in a long low ponytail. He is wearing a headband with the Japanese characters for oil.
"What brings you here to my lovely little forest, Sandra?" asked Jiraiya
"I'm on the job! Call me Shiva," Shiva says with venom in her voice, "O-Sensei told me to come here,"
"Why would he do that?" Jiraiya asks with a raised eyebrow
"Because of him," Shiva pushed Naruto in front of her like a shield, "O-Sensei said that you brought a student that reminds him of this boy."
Jiraiya kneels down to get a better look at Naruto. He hums as he takes in the boy's features better. Seeing the blonde spiky hair and the blue eyes cause his eyes to widen. He'd knew only one person that had that hair and eyes.
"Where did you find him?" Jiraiya says with a sense of dread.
Shiva told him how she was called to Tibet by Ra's. There she learned that Naruto found the location where the League of Assassins is located and as a reward, she is to train Naruto for a short while. Jiraiya just stands there staring at Naruto. He can't believe it. It's been ten years since he'd last seen someone that looked like this. He dare asks the question that's been on his mind.
"Is your father Minato Namikaze?" asked Jiraiya
"I don't know. I never met my father. My Mom said that he died ten months before I was born."
Thinking about Minato. He knows that Minato would never just up and leave someone that would be carrying his child. And with Naruto saying that he died before he was even born shows that Minato is dead. For all these years he hoped and prayed that somewhere Minato was alive. Happily married and has a few kids of his own. Even though Minato wasn't even his own he'd still seen him as his own son. It breaks his heart that his student and pseudo son is dead.
Jiraiya sighs at his depression, "What of your mother?"
As soon he asked that Naruto lower his head, "She's dead…" mutters Naruto.
Kicking himself for asking that stupid question, "Where have you been for the last ten years?"
Shiva went and told the Toad Sage what she learned about Naruto. From how he and his mother had to hide from being caught and killed, from Slade taking Naruto in and training the boy, to his time fighting in the Liberian Civil War, and finding the League of Assassins, and training with O-Sensei for a few weeks.
"And because Sensei remembers the time when I brought Minato with me to meet him; he sent you to me," Jiraiya looks at Naruto once more, "Oh, I can see Minato at him alright! I was afraid that the boy would be a virgin for the rest of his life! Any woman that hit on him just went right over his head it was almost sickening." explain Jiraiya.
Then a sense of dread washed over him. He pales to an unhealthy shade of white, he starts to sweat, he starts to hyperventilate. Jumping over to Shiva and grab her by the shoulders.
"I'm fucked! You're fucked! He isn't fucked!" screamed a panicking Jiraiya
Shoving Jiraiya away, "What are you talking about?" demands Shiva
"Minato's mother!" screamed Jiraiya, "She needs to know, but she'll kill me! She'll think that I corrupted Minato and caused him to have a child! I'm too young to die! Oh, spirit of Aokigahara protect me!" screams the man while on his hands and knees.
For whatever strange reason there was an eery "No!" that could everyone to jump back. Giving up and knowing full well that his death is going to happen. The Toad Sage takes out a letter and gives it to Naruto.
"This is my will. You will have everything that I own from my money to my books. Come! I march to my death!"
Seeing nothing better to do Shiva and Naruto follow Jiraiya.
-Okinawa, Japan-
The sun is out. The weather is hot. Okinawa is known for staying warm all year long. Salt in the air from the warm breeze from the sea. All three of them stand in front of a small clinic.
"Why are we in front of this clinic?" asked Shiva
"This is where Naruto's grandmother lives and this is where I die. Let's get this over with so I can enjoy the afterlife." said Jiraiya as he walks inside the clinic.
Both Shiva and Naruto follow Jiraiya inside. A woman is standing behind the front desk looking through several files. She has short black hair and wearing a nurse outfit. The bell from the front door grabs her attention.
Welcomes them with a bright smile, "Hello and welcome to Senju Clinic…" once she saw who walked in lose her smile, "Jiraiya, what are you doing here? If Tsunade-sama learns that you're hear she'll kill you Jiraiya!"
"Calm down, Shizune! Tsunade is going to kill me anyway once she learns what I'd learn only a few days ago. Go call her." said Jiraiya.
Shizune just sighs before heading to the back.
"Do I want to know what you did?" asked Shiva
"Let's just say Tsunade blames me for Minato's death is an understatement,"
"You damn right it is!" says a woman as she storms into the room and punched Jiraiya in the face sending him through the wall.
Naruto gets a better look at the woman. He can see that she has blonde hair in two ponytails that run down her back, a purple diamond on her forehead, and honey-brown eyes, along with a large chest. Raising an eyebrow Naruto turns his head to look at Shiva's chest. Noticing that her chest is quite large too.
"What are you doing here? The last time I told you that the next time I see you, you would be dead! Why are you here?" demanded Tsunade
Moaning as Jiraiya walks through the hole in the wall, "I found someone you should see,"
"Who?
"That boy right there is Minato's son." said the Toad Sage.
Tsunade turned her head and looked at Naruto. She immediately saw the same shade of blonde that Minato had and his eye color, but the shape of his face and eyes aren't his, most likely from the mother. But there is one thing that Tsunade knew that no one else knew, beside herself and Minato himself knew.
"That's not Minato's son." Tsunade outright said.
The room became dead quiet. Naruto just left the clinic. Shiva just stared at Tsunade before going after Naruto. Training Naruto for a few months had made Shiva care for the boy.
"What do you mean he isn't Minato's son?!" demanded Jiraiya, "That's his son! The hair and eyes are the same as Minato's!"
"That boy can't be Minato's son because Minato couldn't have children. He was born without the ability to have children of his own. That's why Minato never married," explained Tsunade
"How… How come I was never told of this? How come I'm just learning it now!?" demanded Jiraiya
"Because Minato didn't want anyone to know. Now get out!"
"No! Naruto is Minato's son! O-Sensei believe that he is Minato's son. And you know how O-Sensei is about these things. Do a blood test,"
Tsunade just stares at Jiraiya and just says, "Why should I?"
Jiraiya not backing down, "Because he is your grandson. If you truly believe he isn't your grandson, then take a blood test. Prove me wrong." said Jiraiya.
After Naruto ran from the clinic he found a small dock. He stares out onto the ocean lost in thought. Once Jiraiya said that he still have someone who he could call family was still alive. The former Golden Devil jumped at the chance right away, but after learning that Tsunade said that he isn't his father's son made the boy run away. The chance to finally to have a family is gone. The chance to gain what he lost that day his mother was killed was gone.
"Naruto…" says Shiva was she walks behind him
"What is it, Master Shiva?"
"I've came to see if you're alright,"
"How can I be alright!" yelled Naruto "I thought… I thought that I had a family once!"
Tears flow down Naruto's cheeks. Shiva does the only thing that she can think of and hugs the crying boy. Seeing him cry reminds her of her child; the one see gave to Cain. She never got a chance to raise her daughter. A chance to be a mother.
"It'll be alright. It'll be alright." gently says Shiva.
This is the third time that Naruto has been hugged. First his mother, then Talia, and now Shiva.
"Naruto, let's go back to the clinic. Before you say anything, let's talk this out with Tsunade first. To see if there was some misunderstanding, okay?"
"O- Okay…"
they go back to the clinic. When they got there Tsunade apologize to Naruto and took some of his blood. Tsunade had some of Minato's old blood before he died to be used for the blood test. As they waited for the blood test to finish Tsunade learned about Naruto. What he went through, the battles, the training, and the blood that covers his hands. To say that Tsunade was shock was an understatement. Shizune hugged Naruto for his pain. Finally the blood test ended.
Looking over the paperwork Tsunade looks up at Naruto, "You are my grandson, but how?" asked Tsunade
"I believe I can answer that." says Slade as he walks through the door.
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