Same disclaimers and italics as before.

Chapter 21: Misplaced

Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose as Kaldur yawned besides him. "Okay," he said, "Walk me through this just one more time."

On the holoscreen before them, Gyuki groaned. "Naruto, we've been over this three times already."

"Just one more," said Naruto, "I need to make sure I have everything down pat."

"Fine," muttered Gyuki, "Five days ago, while Aquaman was away from Atlantis, Black Manta and the Hyugas attacked Poseidonis. The queen and her students defended the Palace and the Conservatory while I assisted the Atlantis Royal Guard in pushing back the enemy. Aqualad and a few others intercepted Black Manta and the Hyugas at the Atlantis Science Center."

"There, we found the attackers trying to steal an echinoderm that Atlantis explorers recently discovered in the Atlantic Trench," Kaldur continued, "We managed to stop them from stealing it, but the Science Center and most of the echinoderm was destroyed. We still do not know what Black Manta wanted with the specimen, so what is left of it has been relocated to STAR Labs in Metropolis."

"And Hiruzen," said Naruto, "What did he say?"

Kaldur sighed. "With all due respect, Naruto, I have told you this already. I assure you that nothing has changed from the last time I answered you. When Manta ordered the retreat, Hiruzen got upset and said-"

"'We'll discuss this back in Fiji,'" Naruto finished.

"So, after the fourth time hearing the story, is there any change?" asked Gyuki dryly.

Naruto began to pace. "It is either a lucky slip up or a trap," said Kladur.

"Of course it's a trap," muttered Naruto, "My ANBU armor is homemade, but Hiruzen wears the real thing. That means he was a part of ANBU Black Ops back in Konoha. Probably the youngest since Itachi Uchiha."

"He may be a prodigy," said Gyuki, "But he's still nuts."

"True," said Naruto, "Hiruzen's a little crazy, but that doesn't mean he's reckless. Trust me; he wouldn't slip up like that unless it was on purpose."

"And even though you know it is a trap, you still fully intend to go to Fiji," sighed Kaldur.

"The Hokage Scroll is too important to me, too dangerous in the wrong hands," said Naruto, "If Fiji is a step towards getting it back, then it doesn't matter if it's a trap."

"Look, I have to get back to training," said Gyuki, "The Captain of the Guard doesn't like it when I'm late."

"Alright, Gyuki," Naruto nodded, "Thanks for all your help. See you on Sunday!" The line ended and the holoscreen sank into the floor of the Cave's main hall.

"I disagree with this," said Kaldur, folding his arms, "If anything, this should be a mission for the team. We are supposed to be covert specialists after all."

Naruto snorted. "Even M'gann couldn't sneak up on a Byakugan. When it comes to the Hyugas, there's no such thing as covert."

"Still, you should not go in without backup."

Naruto flipped his mask over his face and stepped towards the Zeta Tube. "Relax, Kaldur," he said casually, "I am my own backup. Computer, does the Justice League have any Zeta Tubes close to Fiji?"

"There is a Zeta Tube on a small, unmapped island thirteen kilometers south west of Fiji's main island," the computerized voice informed him.

Naruto blinked. "That's convenient.

"There was a large tsunami in the Pacific a few years ago," said Kaldur, "The League probably has a dozen Zeta Tubes scattered on unmapped islands that they installed around that time."

Naruto nodded. "Hold down the fort while I'm gone," he ordered back to Kaldur as he stepped through the tube.

A flash of light saw him stepping onto the soft sand of a beach. The waves rolled in slow and steady as he looked around. The island was more of an oversized rock surrounded by a small beach. It was only about an acre in size and its highest point seemed to be the sand dune that hid the Zeta Tube.

"Well it's about time." Naruto swiveled as two figures burst from the sand dune on either side of the Tube. One slashed forwards with a short blade and Naruto sidestepped out of the way, putting him directly in the line of fire of a volley of kunai. Naruto hit the sand and the kunai flew over him as he rolled out of the way of the second figure burying her sword in the ground where he'd just been.

"Do you know how long we've been waiting for you since I dropped the Fiji hint to your man in Atlantis?" demanded Hiruzen as he ripped off his mask and threw it to the ground.

"I dunno," snarled Naruto as he drew a kunai and stood up, "Five days? Give up and give me the scroll and this doesn't have to get ugly."

"Never!" Hanabi shimmered behind Naruto, ready to strike. Naruto dodged her first slash and countered her second, kicking sand into her mask. She backed off and growled as she prepared for her next assault.

"Why did you take it?" Naruto demanded as he blocked Hiruzen's Leaf Hurricane without even looking.

"That scroll belongs to the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf!" spat Hanabi, "A title you aren't worthy of!" Naruto crouched down and formed a clone that engaged Hiruzen.

"What do you want?" Naruto demanded as he locked blades with Hanabi, "Why did you drag me out here?"

"Hiruzen demanded vengeance," she snarled, "And I wanted to end the imposter who calls himself Hokage!"

Naruto spun back and formed a second Shadow Clone to replace the one Hiruzen slashed in half. "So this is your endgame, huh? I'm unimpressed. For the record, Lady Tsuande made me the Sixth Hokage! The title and the scroll belong to me!"

"You unleashed the Bijuu on this world, dooming it to destruction!" shouted Hanabi. She sheathed her blade and flipped through a series of hand signs. "Fire Style! Dragon Fire Jutsu!" Naruto's eye widened and he leapt into the air, propelling himself over the stream of flame that erupted from Hanabi's mouth. The fire twisted into the shape of a dragon and twirled through the air towards Naruto. Naruto snarled as he threw his kunai to the ground. He Hiraishined to it just as the flaming dragon shot through the space he had just occupied. The flame dispersed and he flipped through his own hand seals. Hanabi leapt to the side just as Naruto's shadow shot out from under him. She flipped backwards as it snaked towards her, leapt into the air, and tossed down a small ball that exploded in a flash of light. Naruto winced and looked away as the light blinded him and shattered his shadow. Hanabi took advantage of his temporary confusion and tackled him into the sand. Naruto landed with a grunt and turned his head to the side just as Hanabi brought down her blade. She drove it to the hilt into the sand as Naruto rolled out of the way.

"Enough!" Naruto snarled. He formed a dozen clones and they scattered amongst themselves. The one fighting Hiruzen back flipped into the group as well. After a moment, Hiruzen and Hanabi sandwiched a group of Narutos.

"You have to be kidding me," smirked Hiruzen, "Byakugan!" The veins around his eyes burst outwards as he activated his dojutsu. "You've evenly distributed your chakra between your clones," he said, "But that doesn't mean I can't find the real you."

"It doesn't matter to me if you find the real me," said one of the Narutos.

"I am the Jinchuriki of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Spirit!" one of them declared, "You're two ANBU agents in way over your heads."

"We'll see about that," muttered Hanabi as she focused her chakra.

Naruto, the real Naruto, twitched his left pinkie, the signal for the others to move. Half the group leapt at Hanabi, their kunai drawn to keep her occupied. Naruto and the other clones circled Hiruzen threateningly. Hiruzen arched his eyebrow. "Are you gonna make a move, or should I?"

"Allow me," said Naruto, cocking his head to the side. His clones ran at Hiruzen and he drew his sword to counter them. Naruto crouched down and aimed his hands at Hiruzen as he twirled in the sand, his blade flashing in the sun as he slashed through the clones.

"Don't think I don't see you, Uzumaki!" he called as he fought, "What are you planning over there?" A clone made to punch him and Hiruzen sidestepped out of the way. At the last second, the clone grabbed Hiruzen's arm and wrenched it behind his back. Hiruzen grunted in pain and raised his blade to stab the clone.

Naruto smirked. "I don't think so, buddy. Mind Transfer Jutsu!" Naruto's mind left his body and drifted through the air into Hiruzen's body. Naruto blinked as he saw out of the Byakugan for the first time. "Guys, it's me, the original," he hissed through Hiruzen's mouth. The clones glanced over at Naruto's slumped over body and immediately understood. They slowly backed off, making it look like they were retreating from Hiruzen. "Follow my lead," he hissed before he flipped over them and landed with a flourish in the sand.

"Hiruzen!" shouted Hanabi as she cut and slashed around her to hold off the clones, "What's wrong?"

"They're too strong!" shouted Naruto, "Give me the Hokage Scroll! I'll fall back and hide it while you hold them off!"

"Right!" Hanabi spun around the clones and stood back to back with Naruto. "Clever ruse," she said as the clones surrounded them, "But futile. I saw you use the Mind Transfer Jutsu, but I can't risk hurting Hiruzen. I swear to you, Naruto, you'll pay for this!"

Naruto snarled and backed away from Hanabi. "Fine then. My scroll for Hiruzen?"

"Not a chance," said Hanabi immediately, "Hiruzen wouldn't want me to trade him for something as powerful and dangerous as the Hokage Scroll!"

Naruto's clones grabbed Hiruzen's body and held him down as Naruto returned to his body. "Let's make this easy then," he said as he rose up from the sand, "Give me the scroll or I'll break his mind." He moved his mask to the side as his clones forced Hiruzen to face him and pried his eyes open. "Don't make me do this, Hanabi," he said as he flipped up his eye patch and opened his Sharingan.

"Do your worst!" snarled Hiruzen.

"Please Hanabi," said Naruto softly, "Just give me the scroll and we can all go home."

Hanabi narrowed her eyes and dropped her sword. "Hiruzen, remember when we went to Kirigakure?"

"Why, as a matter of fact I do." Hiruzen cringed as he bit his tongue. He spat a discusting glob of phlegm and blood at Naruto with pinpoint accurately. Naruto's Sharingan alerted him to the spit and he leaned out of the way, the attack flying over his shoulder.

Hanabi moved fast. "Gentle Fist! Air Palm Barrage!" Her palms were a blur as she shot blast after blast of air into Naruto's clones. They shattered against her attacks and the real Naruto snarled as Hiruzen back flipped away to stand next to his aunt.

"This is pointless," said Naruto, "There's nothing your Byakugans can't see and no strategy my Sharingan can't reveal."

"So it's true then," said Hiruzen angrily, "You stole Lord Sasuke's left eye for yourself!"

"Who told you that?" asked Naruto, looking pointedly at Hanabi, "The same person that told you I killed your mother?"

Hiruzen roared and shot forwards. "Wait!" called his aunt, but he didn't show any sign of obeying her.

Time seemed to slow as Hiruzen leapt into the air, his sword drawn. Naruto raised his arm, preparing to use the weights on his wrist as a shield against the blow. The look on Hiruzen's face was one of pure rage and hate. It reminded Naruto of how Sasuke had looked when they battled in the Final Valley.

It happened faster than Naruto could have blinked. If he hadn't been using his Sharingan, he might have missed it completely. Hiruzen's body was enveloped by a white light and flickered out of existence, the image of his confused face burned into Naruto's memory. For a moment, he and Hanabi stood across from each other on the beach, staring at the space Hiruzen had occupied. "What…what did you do?" demanded Hanabi as Naruto blinked, "Bring him back!"

"I didn't do anything!" Naruto protested, "He just disappeared!"

Hanabi glared at him and readied her sword. Naruto began to back away. Kurama! What the heck just happened?

"No idea, kit. One second he was there, the next he was gone."

Naruto put out his hands in surrender. "Look, Hanabi," he said softly as he took a step back and Hanabi began to advance, "I don't know what just happened, but if we just calm down for a second-" He dodged backwards as Hanabi swiped at him. "Oh, forget this!" he snarled as he back flipped over to the Zeta Tube. He quickly activated it just as Hanabi tackled him, driving her blade into his back.

Naruto cried out as white hot pain spiked through his body and he teleported to the Cave in a flash of light. He tumbled into the main hall of the Cave and tripped to the ground with a hard grunt. "Shinobi!" barked a voice. He managed to move his head and saw Batman and Zatara running at him from the halls.

"Hey," he groaned as he grabbed his wound, putting pressure on it, "What's up?"

"At least you didn't disappear," sighed Zatara as he knelt down next to Naruto, "Can you stand?"

Naruto winced. "I heal fast. What's this about people disappearing?"

"The team is gone," said Batman with a grunt, "They were unloading the Bioship and they vanished right in front of our eyes. It's good to see one of you stuck around."

"The team?" Naruto leaned up and cringed as his wound bleed profusely, "M'gann?"

"Gone," said Zatara grimly, "We watched. They were just…gone. Zatanna too."

Naruto pushed himself to his feet and tumbled slightly as his body tried to compensate for the massive loss of blood. The floor was practically painted red from his body. "M'gann?" he whispered, "Gone?" He wasn't sure if he wasn't able to process this due to his blood loss or because he lost the woman he loved.

Batman wrapped him over his shoulder. "What happened?" he asked.

"Hanabi," said Naruto softly, "I wanted to get my scroll back. Hiruzen was there, but he just…stopped being there. I tried to get away, but…" he half-heartedly motioned to his wound and slumped against Batman. "M'gann."

"He needs medical attention," said Batman to Zatara and the magician nodded, lifting Naruto's body with a short incantation.

"I'm fine," he insisted slightly as he drifted behind Zatara to the medical lab, "I'll be totally healed in an hour or two."

"Naruto, you've been stabbed," said Batman dryly as he followed behind, "First prognosis: ruptured liver and cut large intestine. I don't care if you heal fast, if we don't operate soon, you might loose some organs."

"Surgery?" Naruto sighed as his body bobbed slightly, "Where's Granny Tsunade when you need her?"

Batman glanced up at Zatara. "We don't know how anesthetics will affect his physiology and I don't want to give him a concussion. Can you knock him out with magic?"

"Of course," said Zatara, "Peels ot og!"

. . .

Tsunade pulled a scroll from her cleavage. Less than an hour before, it would have been well hidden in her impressive bust, but now, the form she'd kept up for multiple decades was slowly fading way as her chakra depleted. As such, her robes fell baggy around her slightly sagging chest. "Here," she whispered as she pressed it into Naruto's plam, "The Hokage Scroll…list of instructions…for every…hidden jutsu…in Konoha." She collapsed into Naruto's arms and he caught her, gently laying her on the ground. "Compiled…by Sarutobi…Sensei." Her breath was ragged as she clung desperately onto life.

"She's dying," panted Kakashi, "Sakura…can you heal her?"

"No chakra," she whispered as she struggled to stand, "Tsunade-Sama, I'm so sorry."

Naruto glanced down at the dying old lady in his arms. Kurama, can we lend some chakra to Sakura?

"Naruto, we just fought the equivalent of a world war with Kyuga and her son alone. Not to mention Madara, the Ten-Tails, and the facts that we've been fighting for 48 hours straight and that we've still not entirely compatible. I'm wiped. It's taking all I can to keep you standing up."

"Na…ru…to," Naruto held Tsunade close.

"Please, don't speak," he said softly, "Save your strength."

"I…Tsunade…make you…Naruto Uzumaki…the Sixth…Hokage."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. "You're not thinking straight," he said, "Just try to keep still."

"I was…going to do…it anyway," she sighed, coughing up a glob of blood, "When I saw…you on the…battlefield…I knew…you'd…be my successor."

Naruto trembled and tears filled his eyes. "I'll-I'll do my best!" he sobbed as he hugged Tsunade close, "I'll make you proud!"

"Don't be…stupid," she managed a soft smile, "You already…have."

Sasuke lay a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "We don't have much time. We have 45 seconds at most before the two portals start ripping each other apart. When that happens-"

"End of the world," sniffed Naruto, "Right. Got it." Sakura took Tsuande's shaky form from Naruto and he stood up, his fists clenching in determination. "C'mon," he said as he tucked the scroll into his jacket, "Let's go save reality."

. . .

Naruto groaned as light peeked through the crack between his eyelids. "I have to stop waking up like this," he said as he pushed himself up. He appeared to be on a cot in the medical wing. Martian Manhunter was observing several machines that were hooked up to Naruto's chest, arm, and bandaged wound. "How long was I out?"

"Twenty-four hours," said J'onn, "Your physiology is incredible. That stab would be enough to cripple a normal human for months, yet after little more than a day, most of your internal damage is healed and the external cut is visibly sealing. Tell me; are all people from your world capable of such speedy recoveries?"

Naruto ripped away the modules attached to him. "No, I'm just special. Is M'gann okay?"

J'onn turned to face him. "I'm afraid not. Apparently, everyone on Earth under the age of eighteen has mysteriously vanished. The League is doing what it can to research possible causes and maintain order, but it gets more difficult by the minute."

Naruto sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was worried about M'gann and his heart seemed to skip every few beats, but he was needed to help the League. "Right," he said as he hopped out of the cot, "Let's move." He winced as he took a step. His wound was mostly healed, but the unexpected pressure of the step made it sting slightly.

"Batman left specific orders for you to stay in the Cave until he returns," said J'onn, pushing Naruto back into the cot.

"But I can help," said Naruto, frowning, "I can make clones! I could be Batman's eyes and ears across the globe!"

J'onn stood firm and crossed his arms. "Batman's instructions were very clear."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And you do everything Batman says?"

J'onn leaned forwards, his red eyes peering deeply into Naruto's blue one. "Yes."

Naruto blinked and leaned back. "Point taken." J'onn turned away and began moving away the medical equipment with his telekinesis.

After a minute, he had cleared the med bay except for Naruto's cot and a spare rolling chair. "Since I have you here," he said, taking a seat in the chair, "I'd like to talk to you about your relationship with my niece."

Naruto blushed slightly and gulped. "Uh, what did you want to know about it?"

"I never met M'gann before she stowed away on my ship," said J'onn, "But she is my family, and therefore I love her and wish to see her happy and safe."

"A noble endeavor."

"M'gann is happier than I predicted she would be on Earth," J'onn continued, "I believe a good deal of that happiness has to do with you."

"Well, uh, she makes me happy too."

"I understand your feelings are strong for her."

Naruto smiled slightly. "You have no idea."

"Since she has vanished, I assume it is clear to you that she is younger than you and not an adult yet."

"That's highly debatable."

"And what are your intentions for the future?"

"I don't really know," Naruto shrugged, "Looking into the future isn't really my forte."

"I would reconsider your position," said J'onn as he stood up, "My niece is eager to see your relationship move forwards."

"Move forwards?" Naruto blinked, "What do you mean?"

"M'gann is still fairly new to Earth culture, so I am unsure of exactly what she means, but it is quite obviously she reciprocates your feelings, perhaps even more so."

"I know," said Naruto softly.

"As such," J'onn leaned forwards, "Anything that were to, say, remove her happiness and feelings for you would be, oh, I don't know," he leaned forwards to the point where his forehead was practically pushing against Naruto's, "Bad."

"J'onn," Naruto sank deeper in his bed, "Are you threatening me?"

"No," said J'onn calmly as he grabbed Naruto by the shirt and drew him in close, "I'm promising you. If you break my niece's heart, I'll break your spine, understood?"

Naruto gulped. "Understood."

"Good," J'onn dropped Naruto onto the bed and turned away, walking towards the door, "I'm glad we had this talk."

"M-Me too," said Naruto as J'onn left. Once the Martian was out of sight, Naruto slipped out of bed and rolled to the floor. He pushed himself up and cracked his neck. Peeking around corners to make sure nobody was there, he made his way to the main hall. "Okay," he murmured to himself, "Let's see where I'm needed." He pulled up a holoscreen map of the Earth. It was covered in splotches of red that signified riots across the world.

"What are you doing?"

Batman doesn't know what he's talking about. I can help the world keep calm until we can find a way to get M'gann back.

"And Hiruzen. The sooner you get Hanabi off your back, the better."

Why does that matter? I think she'd still hate me if I brought Hiruzen back, let alone give me back the scroll.

"True, but she also has the Byakugan and has been to the Cave. Even if Batman has this place on lockdown, if there's a single weak spot in this facility, she'll find it."

And since she thinks I have something to do with Hiruzen's disappearance, she'll come gunning for me. Understood. What's our next move?

"Despite the need to stay safe, I understand that Batman's being stubborn. I say you make some clones and send them out. Then, find a place to lay low until this blows over. The Tower maybe? Perhaps the Byakugan can't see through magic."

No, Hanabi has the scroll.

"So you want her to find you?"

I need that scroll, Kurama. What better place to face her than the Cave? It's my home turf, I know the layout, and all the security systems are coded to identify my DNA.

Kurama was quiet and Naruto took that to be silent agreement. He made a few dozen Shadow Clones and they ran into the Zeta Tubes, jetting off around the world to keep the peace. Naruto sat down and meditated, eventually entering Sage Mode.

After just a few minutes of waiting, a holoscreen popped up from the floor. "Batman to Cave," said the dark knight as his image appeared, "Shinobi, what do you think you're doing?"

"Helping out," said Naruto as he stood up, "Right now, my clones are mobilizing globally, putting people at ease and letting the world know that the Justice League has the situation under control."

"But the Justice League isn't in control," said Batman, "We're no closer to identifying the source of the children's disappearance."

"Seriously?" sighed Naruto, "No leads? None at all?"

"We've interrogated several prisoners at Belle Reve," sighed Batman, "None of them knew anything. Icicle Senior was particularly upset about the disappearances. It doesn't look like this is the result of alien interference. We're looking into mystical options."

Naruto smirked. "Do me a favor. Send Zatara over to the Tower to harass Dr. Occult for me. I'll tell him how to get in the back door when he gets there."

"Dr. Occult has made it very clear that his services will not be given under any circumstance," grunted Batman, "He's done."

"Kit," said Kurama urgently, "She's close. I can sense her anger. Less than a mile and closing fast."

"By the way," continued Batman, "Has Captain Marvel contacted the Cave?"

"No," Naruto frowned, "Is he missing?"

"Yes. He hasn't responded to any hails from Justice League channels."

Naruto rubbed his forehead. "He must have not been Captain Marvel when all the kids vanished."

Batman narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing," said Naruto quickly, "Not my secret to dish out."

"Naruto," said Batman, his face close to the camera, "If you have any indication of what happened and aren't telling me, I swear I'll-"

"Sorry!" Naruto quickly killed the connection and the holoscreen flickered away, "Bad line!"

"Kit, you just hung up on Batman."

Naruto groaned and slumped his shoulders. Yeah, he's gonna kill me for that.

The computer's monotonous female voice piped up. "Intruder detected at hangar bay entrance."

Naruto straightened up and snarled as he walked through the halls to the hangar. "Time to face the noise," he muttered, "Computer! Open hangar doors! Override code Shinobi B-zero-six!" As the doors to the hangar cracked open, two Shadow Clones burst up next to Naruto and they began forming a jutsu in his hands. "Wind Style!" he shouted as Hanabi walked through the open doors, "Rasen-!" He paused with the jutsu swirling over his head. "Um, what are you doing?"

"Surrendering." Hanabi tossed a large white sheet down the ramp and it landed at Naruto's feet.

Naruto narrowed his eye. "What's your game here?"

"No game," Hanabi walked forwards and brushed past Naruto as his jutsu dispersed, "You might be powerful enough to make Hiruzen disappear, but everyone on the planet under eighteen? That's way beyond your level of skill."

"But you came anyway?"

"Of course. If anyone has the resources to figure out what happened, it's the Justice League."

Naruto glared at her. "You think the Justice League will help you? You robbed me! And then you stabbed me!"

Hanabi shrugged. "You threatened to break Hiruzen's mind. I'd be thankful to survive and call it even."

Naruto snorted. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Justice League has no idea what's going on either, so I guess you should go. Bye now! Don't let the door hit you on your way out!"

"They're distracted," grunted Hanabi as she led the way back into the main hall, "Too busy try to placate the masses that they can't devote the necessary focus to the problem."

Naruto folded his arms. "And your suggestion is…?"

"These teleportation tubes," Hanabi rubbed the size of a Zeta Tube, "Can they take me to somewhere high up? Somewhere where I could potentially see the entire globe with my Byakugan?"

Naruto thought for a minute. "The Watchtower I guess. But we can't access it. I don't have the proper clearance."

Hanabi rolled her lavender eyes and bent down to the side of the Tube. "This is why you were never even made Chunin," she muttered as she began to mess with the wires, "You lack vision."

"Instead of insulting me, how about you do something productive and tell me what you're doing?"

Hanabi grunted as she began to hotwire the colored tubes of electricity. "One of the biggest differences between this world and ours is the level and importance of technology. One of the first things Hiruzen and I taught ourselves when we got here was basic hotwiring and hacking."

Naruto barked a harsh laugh. "If every punk who could steal a car though he could hotwire a Zeta Tube to reach the Watchtower, we'd have caught a lot more car thieves."

Hanabi glared up at him. "Most street thugs can't do what I do." She looked back to the wires ad activated her Byakugan. Naruto watched closely as she used her slender fingers to pluck individual strands of copper from the twisted wires and connecting them with bursts of chakra. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she twirled a few strands together with sparks of energy. "There," she said eventually, whipping away the sweat from her face, "Try your override code."

Naruto frowned. "Computer, redirect the Zeta link to the Watchtower. Override code Shinobi B-zero-six." The Tube glowed and began to start up as Hanabi walked over to Naruto and they prepared to walk through. "There'll probably be someone up there," said Naruto, "And we really shouldn't be doing this."

"Right. Stealth."

"Exactly," Naruto stared into the swirling light of the Tube, "Are you sure this'll work?"

"Not really."

"Oh, okay then." Naruto took a deep breath. "This is insane."

"Yup."

"Libel to get us killed."

"Most likely."

"But we're still doing this."

"Absolutely."

Naruto groaned. "Let's stop dragging this out." He grabbed Hanabi by the arm and pulled her into the Zeta Tube. Naruto winced as he stumbled into a bright room, Hanabi coming out of the Zeta Tube behind him. "Whoa," whispered Naruto as he got his bearings. He was in a huge, circular room made of glass and structural supports, but what got his attention was the massive expanse of blackness that stretched out for eternity, interrupted only by the sparkles of stars.

Hanabi stood next to Naruto and marveled at the inkiness that extended beyond even her eyes could see. "It's beautiful," she murmured in awe, "We never even considered venturing beyond the heavens, but these people have already reached their own moon, contacted life beyond their world."

"Ahem," a voice cleared. Naruto looked down and gulped as he saw Black Canary tapping her foot with her arms crossed, glaring at him accusingly.

"C-Canary!" he said, "It's not what it looks like!"

"Really?" she snarled, "Because it looks like you just hacked through League security and brought a known criminal and associate of the League of Shadows onto our super-secret space station."

"You forgot the part where I was supposed to stay in the Cave," said Naruto sheepishly.

Hanabi rolled her eyes and shot forwards. Canary dodged back, but Hanabi swept her legs out. Canary landed on her palm and twisted to kick at Hanabi. Naruto groaned and slapped his face as Hanabi and Canary fought. "Gentle Fist!" cried Hanabi as she struck Canary in the shoulder. Canary lept back, clutching her arm as it hung loosely at her side. "You may not have a chakra network," said Hanabi as she stepped into the traditional Hyuga Gentle Fist stance, "But you have nerve clusters and pressure points, and I can certainly exploit those."

Black Canary snarled and slowly backed away. "If we weren't in space, I'd permanently deafen you."

"Good thing we're in space," muttered Hanabi as she zigzagged forwards.

Naruto sighed. "Really? We're really doing this right now?"

"You're right," muttered Hanabi reluctantly, "We don't have time for this." She pivoted and slammed her palm into Canary's forehead, sending the hero tumbling back into the glass wall. As Canary sank to the floor, Naruto rubbed his arm nervously.

"Wow. I'm doing all sorts of things today that I'm going to regret later."

Hanabi walked over to the window and looked down on the swirling globe far below them. "Amazing," she murmured.

"Okay," sighed Naruto as he joined her, "So we broke into the Watchtower, and assaulted Black Canary. Why did we do that again?"

"So I could do this," Hanabi activated her Byakugan and gazed down at the Earth, "Incredible. I can see everything, everyone."

"That's both really cool and really creepy." Hanabi's eyes darted across the globe, scanning. "What are you looking for?"

"I'll know it when I see it," she said.

Naruto groaned and leaned against the window. "Hurry it up. It won't be long before the Justice League realizes what's happening."

Hanabi nodded and carefully focused in on a particular location. "Found it. Set the Tubes to take us to Metropolis."

Naruto ran to the Zeta Tubes and began typing in the coordinates. "What's in Metropolis?"

"I saw a large machine that's giving off a combination of chakra and mystical energy."

Naruto frowned. "Chakra? How can it give off chakra signatures?"

"Don't know," said Hanabi as the Zeta Tube turned on, "But if there's anything that could make approximately 25% of the Earth's population disappears, it would be that machine."

Naruto nodded and stepped through the Tube with Hanabi. The Metropolis Zeta Tube was in an old telephone booth in an empty subway station. Naruto stepped out and Hanabi stepped out behind him. "So where to now? I've never been in Metropolis before."

"I'll lead the way," Hanabi towards the exit of the subway.

"Can I just say that I disagree with everything that's happened in the last ten minutes?" Kurama piped up.

And you think I'm totally on board with all of this? Hanabi can't be trusted.

"So then why are you following her?"

If there's a chance of getting M'gann back, then I have no choice but to take it.

"What about the rest of the team?"

Yeah, them too.

Kurama paused. "You're really serious about this girl, aren't you."

Yeah. I never felt this way about any other girl.

Kurama lowered his head and rested on his paws. "Just make sure she doesn't cloud your judgment. Like, for example, make you work with Hanabi."

I don't have a choice, furball, I just don't have a choice. He followed Hanabi out of the subway and through the evening streets of Metropolis. It was certainly an impressive city, with catwalks connecting the buildings several stories up. It was almost like there was a second layer of the city above the ground.

Hanabi led the way through the winding streets, which were suspiciously silent. "Kinda empty," Naruto observed, "Where is everyone?"

"Shut up," said Hanabi, stopping abruptly, "Hear that?" Naruto turned his head and frowned as he heard a distant, rhythmic chanting.

"That doesn't sound good," he murmured, "What's your take?"

"We don't know what's going on," said Hanabi, "We'll take the high road." She dashed to a nearby building and ran up its wall. She did a back flip over a catwalk and landed with a flourish on it. "You coming?" she called over the side."

"Here." She turned with a startle and glared at the grinning Naruto standing behind her.

"How?" she demanded. Naruto smirked as he dug his kunai out of the balcony and twirled it in his fingers. Hanabi rolled her eyes. "Whatever, let's move."

Together, they shot through the city like they used to through the forests surrounding Konoha. As they drew closer to their destination, the chanting became louder and more distinct. "Give us our kids!" cried the voices, "Give us our kids!"

"The parents of Metropolis," said Hanabi as she landed on a walkway and stopped, "Assembled to protest." Naruto landed next to her and gasped slightly as he overlooked the entrance to STAR Labs. He didn't know exactly how many people lived in Metropolis, but it certainly looked like an entire city had swarmed the building. Police with riot shields were pushing the crowd away from the doors and windows, but their luck appeared to be limited. What worried Naruto the most was the three figures at entrance to the labs. Flash was darting around the entrance, helping the police push back the crowd where he could. Superman stood in the doorway, stopping anyone who broke through the police barricade. Next to him was one of Naruto's clones.

"Oh jeez," sighed Naruto, "We have to sneak by an entire crowd of angry parents, the Flash, Superman, and myself."

"Make a Shadow Clone," hissed Hanabi, "It'll let your clone know we need him to distract Superman."

Naruto nodded and made a Shadow Clone. It folded its arms and glared at Hanabi. "What's the plan then?"

Hanabi rubbed her chin. "Okay," she said eventually, "Your clone will distract the heroes. While they're busy, it'll get inside the building and we'll use the Forth Hokage's technique to get to him."

The clone nodded. "Good plan," he said reluctantly before bursting into smoke. Naruto watched as his clone next to Superman blinked in understanding.

"Superman!" he said suddenly, "Look there! I think I saw an explosion!" He pointed away from where Naruto and Hanabi were hidden and Superman looked in that direction. As soon as his head was turned, the clone slunk back into the building.

"Let's go," hissed Hanabi.

"Wait," Naruto flipped up his eye patch and glared into the building. He watched the chakra of his clone move around until it stopped and threw something on the ground. "Now," said Naruto as he grabbed Hanabi around the waist. With a flash, they appeared inside what appeared to be a storage closet. Naruto nodded to his clone and it dispersed. "Okay," he said, "Now what?"

Hanabi smirked. "Step one; exit the closet."

Naruto grunted and pushed open the door. Beyond was a hallway lined with doors and glass windows. Scientists in lab coats darted every which way in a panic, trying to figure out what had happened. "Hey!" cried a sudden voice, "There's a kid!" All eyes widened and turned to Naruto as they observed his presence.

Hanabi wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Sorry guys!" she called, "He's eighteen!"

All the scientists groaned as they immediately went back to their hustling and bustling. "Huh," said Naruto, "That was weird."

"Whatever," Hanabi glanced around with her Byakugan, "Ah! There it is. Wait here, I'll go get it."

"Wait, but-!" Hanabi had already disappeared, vanished into the crowd. "Oh, okay, I'll just stay here then," Naruto sighed as he leaned against the wall.

"Something's fishy here, kit."

No kidding. What kind of negative emotions is she giving off?

"Honestly? There's so much fear and anger in the air right now that it's hard to sense individual people in all the noise."

It's okay. I can take it from here.

"Naruto?" Naruto turned and paled. A tall blonde with blue eyes and glasses was approaching him. It was the woman he hadn't seen since he had protected her in Happy Harbor.

"Dr. Roquette!" he greeted shyly as the scientist approached him, "Long time no see!"

"That would be your fault," she said as she crossed her arms and arched her eyebrows, "You never called me."

"Yeah, sorry," Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "I kinda have a girlfriend."

"'Kinda' have a girlfriend?"

"Sorry, really have a girlfriend."

Dr. Roquette sighed and dropped her arms. "Ah, well. You can't blame a girl for trying."

Naruto frowned. "What are you doing here anyway?"

Dr. Roquette brushed some hair out of her face. "Aquaman brought in some kind of deep sea creature that they believed might be compatible with my nano-robotic technology. I was here when everything went crazy. What are you doing here?"

"I have a friend who says this is where this whole thing started," shrugged Naruto.

Dr. Roquette frowned. "What are you talking about? We've already determined that the epicenter of the vanishings started somewhere on the central eastern seaboard. In the Carolinas, we think."

Naruto's eye narrowed. "Oh really?"

"Really."

What do you make of this, Kurama?

"I think I trust Roquette a lot more than I trust Hanabi." Naruto spun and punched the wall, leaving a web of cracks.

Dr. Roquette frowned. "What's up with you?"

"Sorry, doc," snarled Naruto as he slipped past her, "Gotta go!" He flicked up his eye patch and scanned the building for chakra. "There!" he hissed to himself as he spotted a blaze of blue chakra a floor beneath him and a few meters ahead. She was running towards him with something in her hands. Naruto spun around and dashed back through the crowd, vaulting over some of the scientists. He slid between the legs of one and reached his destination: a door marked with a picture of stairs. Naruto kicked open the door and flipped over the railing, landing on the floor below.

He pivoted and slammed his heel into the door, blasting it open and smashing Hanabi across the hall. She grunted and pushed the door off of her as Naruto walked into the hall. The busy scientists quickly disappeared into the rooms and labs. "You!" snarled Naruto, pointing to a silver briefcase lying next to Hanabi, "You lied to me!"

"And the penny drops," she sighed as she picked up the case.

"It was all a trick!" Naruto raged, "You stole the scroll so I'd have a reason to come look for you! Then you and Manta attacked Atlantis to get the sea creature they discovered, but the attack was meant to fail so that the creature could be brought to the surface! You made sure to drop that hint about Fiji so I'd know where to go! After Hiruzen disappeared, you pretended to be in the same boat as me so you could trick me into helping you steal the creature!"

"At least you were smart enough to figure it out eventually," sighed Hanabi, "Maybe you were worthy to be Hokage."

"But why did you need to go to the Watchtower? You must have known it was here!"

"I needed to sell the illusion," shrugged Hanabi, "And you fell for it hook, line, and sinker."

"Doesn't matter," snarled Naruto, cracking his knuckles, "You're not leaving here with that briefcase!"

"I doubt it," yawned Hanabi, "You know how much planning went into this? I know your every move, Uzumaki. For example, I know you won't chase me when I leave."

"Oh? And what makes you say that?"

Hanabi grinned. "A witch friend of mine used divination to see that Batman will call you in ten seconds to say he's found a way to fix everything. So you can go to him and help bring back your team, or you can stop me and risk never seeing your lady friend again."

"Witch friend?" Naruto blinked and snarled as he realized what had happened, "Klarion! He's back!"

"Correct."

"How could you?" snapped Naruto, "You were Leaf ANBU!"

"And this is what ANBU taught me." Naruto shook with rage as Hanabi walked by him with a smirk. "Look on the bright side," she said, "I don't need this anymore." She took something from her back pocket and tossed it to Naruto.

He caught it and sighed as he glared at the Hokage Scroll in his hand. "Hardly worth it."

His communicator beeped. "Batman to Shinobi," the message came through, "Are you available?"

Naruto slowly raised a hand to his earpiece and glared at Hanabi as she smirked and turned to walk away. "Definitely."

"We've found Captain Marvel. Apparently, the world was split in two; one world of adults and another of children. Captain Marvel can travel back and forth between the worlds. Zatara found the source of the schism on Roanoke Island. He, Red Tornado, Captain Marvel, and I are planning a joint, simultaneous attack with the team. The rest of the League is busy maintaining peace across the world, but we need all the help we can get. Interested?"

Hanabi turned back to Naruto and winked before she turned the corner, disappearing from sight. Naruto flipped down his eye patch and growled. "I'll be there. Don't start the attack until I arrive."

"Understood. Batman out."

Naruto glared at the scroll in his hand and sighed. I should have put a Hiraishin Formula on her.

"I'm not going to say I told you so."

Much appreciated.

"Don't thank me yet. I fully intend to say it later, but right now you need to focus on getting the worlds back together."

Agreed. If one world is split into two, then there's a risk it could break Kent's barrier to our world. We can't afford to let this world fall to chaos.

"So, to Roanoke?"

Naruto crouched down and grabbed his ankles, ripping off the weights there. He lay them gently on the ground, but their sheer weight cracked the tile floor anyway. He stood up and cracked his neck, flexing his leg muscles and letting them unleash their full power for the first time in weeks. Rock Lee wore his ankle weights for years before he took them off and his speed had rivaled that off Flash. Naruto had been wearing them for only about a month, but he felt a rush of energy and power as his legs were released.

To Roanoke.

. . .

"Ready?" Naruto crouched down at Batman's question. He poked his head out of the rows of corn and glared at the four villainous mages that stood in a glowing circle in the crossroads of a farm on Roanoke Island.

"I'll just consider this anger management therapy."

"Then let's move out." Batman shot out of the corn and charged the sorcerers. Naruto wove behind him as a dark tree shot out of the earth and wrapped its branches around Batman. As Red Tornado and Captain Marvel landed on either side of the circle and began their assaults, Naruto made a dozen clones and they charged forwards as one. The closest sorcerer, a tall, gaunt in purple robes and a golden coronet turned towards him and launched a massive fireball from his palms. The Narutos dodged the flaming projectile and two of them darted forwards, grabbing the magician by the arms. He burst into flame for a brief moment and the two clones turned to smoke as his fires quenched and he brushed some dirt off his shoulders.

"Felix Faust, right?" said Naruto as he and the rest of the clones approached, "The guy who sells his soul?"

"Correct," rasped the man, "I sold it so I could do this!" He opened his mouth and a wave of fire swept towards Naruto. As the fire swept down the road, a single Naruto leapt above the flames and launched a massive Demon Wind Shuriken at Faust. The warlock sighed lazily and stepped aside as the shuriken spun past him. "Please, young man," he snickered, "You're going to have to use something more sophisticated than large knives to beat me."

Behind him, the massive shuriken burst into smoke as the clone dropped the transformation. The doppelganger of Naruto shot out of the cloud and slammed into Faust from behind. "Rasengan!" it cried as the swirling attack drove into the sorcerer and it blasted him towards the real Naruto. Faust screamed in pain and surprise as Naruto grabbed him by the neck and slammed him hard into the ground. His eyes fluttered for a moment before they closed and his breathing became shallow and consistent.

"There," he muttered as his clone dispersed. He looked up and frowned as he the others still in combat. Batman had ripped himself out of the grip of the tree and was dodging one of the sorcerer's mystic blasts. "I took out one of them," Naruto groaned to himself, "Why didn't it break the spell?"

"The spell is being maintained," Zatara drifted down on a magic platform, protected by a glowing shield of mystic energy, "See that gem in the middle?"

Naruto looked into the center of the glowing pentagram. Indeed, a small yellow crystal was half-buried into the ground. "I'm guessing that's not just some bling?"

"It is the conduit of this sorcery," explained Zatara as he helped Naruto onto his platform and into his shield just in time for it to deflect a bolt of flaming lightning, "Without it, nothing can keep apart two worlds meant to be one!"

"You want me to destroy it?"

"No! We need it to reconnect our worlds."

"Have you told Captain Marvel?"

"He's already on the other side."

"SHAZAM!" A bolt of lightning rained down besides them and Naruto winced at the sudden light. As the light quickly faded, Captain Marvel emerged from it.

"Guys!" he said urgently, "I told the team about the gem, but…" he glanced nervously at Zatara and Naruto rolled his eyes.

"Spit it out, kid!"

Captain Marvel sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Zatanna put on the Helmet of Fate," he said softly.

Zatara and Naruto stared at each other and turned back to Captain Marvel. "SHE DID WHAT?!" they shouted as one.

"Go back!" Zatara cried, "Right now! Get her out of there!"

"Is she insane?!" demanded Naruto, "I'm the only one who can safely wear that helmet! That's why I keep it locked in my room! Captain, after you rip that thing off her head, slap her a few times for me!"

"No," said Marvel firmly, "The sooner we end this here, the sooner we can help Zatanna."

Naruto groaned. "Fine! But that means I'm cutting loose!" He hopped off the floating platform and dropped through the shield to the ground amidst a hail of magic spells.

Kurama! Boost me up!

"Nine Tails Chakra Mode, coming up!" Naruto's body was surrounded by boiling red chakra and he crouched down as his skin turned to orange flames. With a grimace, he dart forwards.

The pentagram was covered by a golden shield. Naruto formed two chakra claws on his shoulders and dug his claws into the shield. A screeching sound filled the air as he struggled to rip into the shield. "Impossible!" cried one of the sorcerers, "Someone stop him!" As Naruto slowly wrenched a hole in the shield, a stream of mystic energy blasted by his head. Naruto growled and fell back as the shield closed behind him. He snarled like a feral beast and raised his chakra claws. With a grunt, he slammed them into the earth, sinking them into the rough soil. Their arms extended and his paws tore through the ground, several feet under the surface. A second later, his claws ripped up from the ground next to the gem and grasped it in both hands.

"No!" cried a sorcerer as Naruto pulled the gem under the ground and dragged his hands back to his body. With a smirk, he tossed the gem to Zatara and the flames faded away from his body as he reverted to his human form. Zatara uttered a quick spell and there was a blinding flash of light as the two worlds fell back into one. As the light faded, Naruto looked around to see the team standing around the pentacle. The sorcerers fell to the ground in exhaustion as a fifth one winked into existence.

"Klarion," Naruto growled as he glared at the fifth mage, "Why am I not surprised?"

The witch boy sighed. "Boy, they don't make evil sorcerers like they used to." Naruto crouched down and prepared to lunge, but Klarion vanished in a puff of black smoke and was lost from Naruto's sight.

As the smoke faded, he felt a cold metal on his neck and a harsh voice whispered in his ear. "The operation is complete," hissed Hiruzen, "Your part is played. So, is it time for you to die?" He pressed his kunai into Naruto's neck. Naruto snarled and spun out from under Hiruzen, kicking him in the chin, shocking him into dropping the kunai. He grabbed Hiruzen by the neck, raising him off the ground.

"You have really bad timing," hissed Naruto, "Hanabi played me today. I hate being played." His grip tightened and Hiruzen struggled in his hand. "I should snap your neck," Naruto growled, "But I need you to send a message. You listen to me and you listen good. Since you and your aunt both know that the Bijuu in the custody of the League of Shadows still work for me, and you have made it evident that you're throwing your full support behind the Shadows, I have to make sure you don't blow their cover." Black markings snaked across Hiruzen's neck and Naruto smirked. "I just marked you with a Hiraishin Formula. No matter where you go, I can be next to you in a second. Let your aunt know that if anything happens to my Bijuu," he drew Hiruzen close, "Then I break your mind, rip you to shreds, and burn what's left to ash. Then I burn the ashes."

Hiruzen gasped for breath and kicked at Naruto, but missed wildly. "I thought…you couldn't kill," he wheezed.

Naruto grinned cruelly. "For you, my friend? I'm willing to make an exception." He tossed Hiruzen away and the younger ninja scrambled back and to his feet. "Go," Naruto ordered, "I've had enough of the Hyugas for one day." Hiruzen scowled, but turned away with a shimmer that left the space he stood in empty.

Naruto felt a tight grip on his shoulder and he looked over to see M'gann's hand there. "You okay?" she asked softly.

Naruto sighed and looked into the sky. A few meters above them, Zatanna floated with her arms folded. She was in blue and gold robes and her head was covered by the gilded Helmet of Fate. "One problem at a time," he muttered to M'gann, "One problem at a time."

Zatara stepped forwards and glared up at his daughter. "Fate!" he called out, "Great Nabu! Release my daughter."

There was a brief pause before the Lord of Order tilted its head down to glare at Zatara. "No."

Zatara gapped up in horror and Naruto pushed him aside. "Nabu!" he roared, "Let her go! Now!"

Fate turned his head and glared down at Naruto. "You. You promised to find me a suitable host body, yet you didn't even attempt to locate one for me."

"I know!" snapped Naruto, "I haven't looked for a body for you and I'm sorry for that, but if you just give me more time-"

"You have had months," said the Lord of Order dryly, "You have failed in your task by not even taking the first step. I already viewed you as a problem, but you have exceeded all my expectations and become a sheer, unreliable catastrophe. Kent would be so disappointed if I hadn't released his soul into the afterlife."

Naruto narrowed his eye and his hands curled into fists. "You know, this hasn't been the worst day of my life," he growled, "But it definitely ranks in the top ten. So if I were you, I'd release Zatanna. Otherwise, I'll just rip your stupid helmet off her!"

"Which would take her head along with it," said Nabu, drifting down to his level, "Do you truly believe you can threaten a Lord of Order?"

Naruto ripped off his mask and scrunched up his face. "Do you truly believe I can't back it up?"

Nabu hesitated before turning his head to the side slightly. "Yes," he said, "You are certainly powerful enough to viably fight me. But you'd never risk killing your friend."

"Then I'll find a less conventional way. I can force you off her from the inside out." Naruto turned to M'gann, "Ms. Martian, get me in his head."

"Naruto," she said softly.

"Now, M'gann!"

"I can't," tears began to tumble down her face; "He's blocked me out."

Naruto roared in frustration and Dr. Fate rose back into the air to address the assembled heroes. "This has made it quite clear that the world needs Dr. Fate," he called out, "And the girl's natural affinity for the mystic arts makes her the perfect candidate to select as my host body."

"You can't do that!" shouted Robin, "She has her own life to live!"

Naruto walked forwards and stood next to Zatara. "I'm assuming Zatanna told you about me?" he whispered so only Zatara could hear him.

"She didn't have to," he sighed under his breath, "I sensed what you were the second I met you."

"Then I don't have to tell you what I can do," Naruto murmured, "Your daughter is slave to Nabu, her sheer existence is nullified."

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious."

"I can destroy Nabu," Naruto murmured, "I can crush his helmet in my bare hands."

"You'd kill Zatanna! I forbid it!"

Naruto fixed Zatara with a steely but sympathetic gaze. "Your daughter's heart is beating," he said, "But so long as that helmet's on her head, she isn't really living."

Zatara looked up at Fate and closed his eyes. "There are other options," he said as he stepped forwards, "Great Nabu! Take me instead!"

Naruto stared at him. "Really?" he sighed, "This is your idea? It sucks."

Zatara ignored him and continued. "My skills are already at their peak!" he cried, "My body is stronger, better able to withstand your power!"

"All true," said Nabu thoughtfully, "But if I remove the helmet, what guarantee have I that you will don it?"

Naruto put a hand on Zatara's shoulder. "Don't say it," he warned, "Don't you dare say it!" Zatara brushed his hand off and uttered a quick incantation, magically binding himself to his word.

Nabu drifted down and stared at Zatara before removing the helmet from Zatanna's head. She blinked as the mystic robes faded from her body and she was brought back to reality. "Dad!" she cried out as she embraced her father, hugging him close to her.

Zatara smiled down on her as he stroked her hair. "Remember," he kissed her forehead, "I love you." He took the Helmet of Fate and turned to the other heroes. "Take care of my daughter."

Naruto nodded glumly. "You have my word," said Batman softly.

"Before you go," said Naruto, "I have to know. My father did something similar for me. How does it feel to sacrifice everything for your child?"

Zatara glanced at the helmet and back at Zatanna and smiled. "It is the greatest feeling in the world."

Naruto nodded. "Then at least he died happy," he stepped forwards and offered his fist to the magician, "The Will of Fire burns in you, Zatara of the Justice League."

Ready, furball?

"Ready Naruto."

Zatara awkwardly placed his fist against Naruto's and he took a step back, raising the helmet over his head. Zatanna sobbed as realization overtook her. "Wait! No!" she screamed, but it was too late. Zatara lowered the helmet over his head, transforming into Dr. Fate with a flash of golden light. Zatanna fell to her knees as the new Dr. Fate turned and helped the other Justice League heroes teleport the captured sorcerers to a prison. The team knelt around her and Robin held her close as she sobbed. Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a long, well-pent up sigh of exhaustion and frustration. It had been a very long, very trying, very tragic day.

. . .

Naruto leaned against the wall, watching as Conner, M'gann, and Robin helped move Zatanna's things into her new room in the Cave. "My room's right next door," said M'gann, "If you need anything…"

"Thanks," sighed Zatanna, "I could, ah, use a little alone time."

"Of course," M'gann and Conner left the room. Robin stayed in the doorway, glancing back at Zatanna sadly before he left as well. Naruto pushed himself off the wall and made to follow them.

"She deserves to know, kit."

I don't want to give her false hope. We don't know if it worked.

"It's her father, Naruto, she deserves to know. She needs to know."

Naruto stopped in the doorway and groaned as he turned back to Zatanna. "Look," he said, "I don't want to get your hopes up or anything, but I may have set a little failsafe." Zatanna looked over at him with an arched eyebrow. "When your father and I fist-bumped," he explained, "I transferred a little bit of demonic energy into your dad. Not enough to be used practically, but enough that there's a chance he could repress Nabu when he really needs to. So…yeah." Naruto turned away and his shoulders slumped. "I'm not gonna pretend that I knew your dad that well, but from the few times we met, he seemed like a stand-up guy. I…I'm sorry. For everything."

He closed the door behind him, but that didn't stop the sounds of Zatanna's sobs from reaching his ears. "So, what now? The Hyugas have played their hand, you've smartly covered your bases with the Bijuu, you got the scroll back, and Nabu agreed to let you keep Chomei's cocoon in the Tower of Fate until he hatches."

But he let that jerk Dr. Occult stick around, Naruto mentally grumbled as he made his way to his room, I have to find a place for Isobu. I'll see if Kaldur can take him to Atlantis with Gyuki. Then I want to find out what the League of Shadows wants with that sea creature Hanabi stole. Also, how did they aquire the helps of four high-level evil magicians, one of which was locked in Belle Reve, and a Lord of Chaos?

"We already know that super villains are mobilizing world wide. Maybe those guys owed the Shadows a favor?"

No, I think that they're all working towards the same goal, a final endgame for one purpose or another.

"Regardless, it appears you can match the Hyugas in terms of power. Are we going after them?"

Honestly? I need a break. Naruto pushed open the door to his room and closed the door behind him. It'll a lot more time wearing these weights until I'm able to open the first Inner Gate, so I may as well learn another jutsu from the scroll while I wait.

"What did you have in mind?"

Naruto opened the scroll and pooled through it. Maybe I should start learning some elemental ninjutsu. Doesn't look like there are many options in the way of wind style.

"You could always try and see if you have a second chakra nature."

How would I do that? I don't have any of Kakashi-Sensei's chakra-sensitive paper.

"Trust me, there are other ways."

. . .

Thanks for the reviews! Almost 400! Keep 'em coming!

Also, we've hit 100,000 views! (Whistles appreciatively.)

So, I actually want to kind of poll you guys. What second chakra nature should I give Naruto? It won't affect the story, but it'll decide what kind of techniques he learns.