Naruto's House
Natasha awoke in bed with Naruto, the two spooning after they spent the day asleep, grabbing his hand she kissed his wrist and sighed smiling,
Looking over to the nightstand, Natasha saw the yellow stone in a small glass container glowing dimly, lifting her head she reached over and grabbed the container
Meanwhile Naruto's eyebrows knitted as his breathing picked up
Dream
Naruto stood with Natasha on a cliff both of them in deep thought while a figure floated behind them watching and waiting before Naruto turned to Natasha and received a palm thrust to the chest as Natasha with sage markings on her face used the Right Trigrams Sixty-Four palm technique to shut down Naruto, who she caught and laid down
"W-what're you doing?" Naruto asked blood leaking from his mouth as Natasha smiled softly
"Helping save our family." Natasha said before she kissed Naruto softly, "I love you."
"Nat." Naruto said weakly as Natasha stood up, his breathing picking up "Natasha! Don't."
"I have to." Natasha smiled as she walked away
"Natasha!" Naruto yelled as he tried to move his unresponsive body while she walked to the edge, speed force lightning began to spark off Naruto's body as feeling returned to him and he turned over with extreme difficulty to see Natasha smile at him and fall off the edge
"NO!" Naruto yelled as he exploded forward and sped down the cliff to get to Natasha who closed her eyes as Naruto jumped for her just fingertips away when she slammed into the ground
End Dream
Naruto gasped as RinneSharingan eyes snapped open to see the back of Natasha's neck as she held up the Mind Stone
"What is this?" Natasha asked as Naruto placed his face into the back of her neck, calming his nerves
"According to Baldur, It's one of the six Infinity Stones, the greatest power in the universe, unparalleled in its destructive capabilities." Naruto said
"Infinity Stones?" Natasha asked looking to Naruto
"Before the Universe began, six singularities existed. Some time after the universe exploded into existence, these were formed into the six Infinity Stones by the Cosmic Entities. Each stone represented a different aspect of the universe Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Soul, and Time. Baldur said that the stones, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength. These carriers can use the stone to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field."
Natasha looked to the stone, "Which stone is this?"
"The Mind Stone, the Tesseract contained the space stone. Thor is allowing Tony to examine the scepter, and while they were talking I snatched this."
"And what exactly are you going to do with this?"
"Study it, and figure out a way to track anything with a similar energy signature." Naruto said before Natasha put down the stone and turned to him,
Natasha smiled and kissed Naruto who returned it as he wrapped his arms around the small of her back and brought her closer, "I wish we can stay like this."
"Me too." Naruto said with a sigh, "But we have a date with Owsley."
"Let's get it over with." Natasha said getting a nod from Naruto
Midnight
Kitsune and Jurogumo we're at a parking garage, watching from the shadows as Leland Owlsley chatted with Nobu, "So Murakami's little bitch, has been revived, and he's laying out lots of money for something important. We'll have to look into that." Kitsune said watching as Nobu left
Kitsune was about to head of Leland when he heard the sound of a walking stick tapping and turned to see an old blind man, and a younger blind man but the most peculiar thing between the two was the smell of blood they carried
"Hello again, Mr. Uzumaki." the blind old man said causing Naruto to sigh
"Or is it Rand?" Matt asked
"Stick, Murdock. How long has it been?" Naruto asked as Leland got in his car and left
"6 years." Matt said
"Felt longer." Naruto said with a shrug before he looked between the two, "I'm guessing this isn't a personal call."
"No, we need to talk." Stick said
"Fine."
Meanwhile
Karen was sitting in a car with Ben Urich drinking coffee, "Paper trail on Union Allied's a bust. Whoever's pulling the strings busted up the one big corporation into a bunch of little ones." Karen said
"It's an old game. Spread the records far and wide, discourage investigation." Ben replied
"God. I mean, it's like It's like trying to straighten out a bowl of spaghetti." Karen sighed frustrated
"Well, you could always let it go." Ben advised
"Not gonna happen. I already told you that." Karen frowned
"Stop complaining. This is the job. Researching, gathering facts." Ben said
"It's long and boring and complicated, and half the time you still come up empty." Karen replied
"Well, you're just a little ray of sunshine. Just giving you the lay of the land. For every exposé I've had published, there were a dozen that didn't pan out." Ben lectured
"All right, all right, so I'm the new girl on the block, I don't know what I'm doing, I get it. What about you? What'd you find?" Karen asked
"Ah, bits and pieces. Yakuza,
"Wait, the Japanese mafia?" Karen asked shocked
"Triads, too. Drugs, I think. Then there's the bombings that took out the Russians." Ben listed
"And you think it's all connected to Union Allied?" Karen asked
"Doesn't matter what I think. Only matters what I can prove." Ben said
"Wait, what about the cops that got shot? I mean, you really think that was the vigilantes in the masks?" Karen asked as that was the rumor going around
"I was standing right next to one of them when it happened. Detective named Blake. Didn't like each other very much." Ben said
"Yeah, I met him when they brought me into the precinct. I see why you didn't get along." Karen nodded unsympathetic about Blake
"Did what I could. If he comes out of a coma, maybe maybe he'll thank me, tell me what really happened out there. Till then if the vigilantes pops up do me a favor, run the other way." Ben requested
"One of them saved my life, Ben." Karen said resolved to keep Naruto's secret
"How do you know he wasn't there just to, hurt somebody else?" Ben asked causing Karen to frown, " My experience there are no heroes, no villains. Just people with different agendas."
"Yeah, and one of those was to kill me." Karen frowned getting a nod from Bem
"It was. And you're not careful, maybe they'll want a second crack at it." Ben said
"The only way I'll ever feel safe again is if the people that you are talking about are put away." Karen replied
"Then we better try harder to straighten out that spaghetti." Ben said causing Karen to smile
"So if we can connect the tenements, and the shootings, and Union Allied that something you'd take to your editor?" Karen asked causing Ben to chuckle
"Yeah. Probably bring home a Pulitzer." Ben joked causing Karen to smile, "But, uh, I think it's a long shot."
"Well, I was a mean three-point shooter on my high school basketball team. I like the long shots." Karen said
"This isn't a game, Karen." Ben frowned
"I know that." Karen nodded
"Anything happens to you it's gonna be on me, and, uh I don't want to be responsible for that. I can't." Ben said seriously
"I'll be okay. They're not gonna win." Karen nodded before she got out of the car and walked away while Ben drove the other way
Later, Naruto's House
Naruto, and Natasha sat on the couch watching the two blind men standing before them
"So, what do you want?" Naruto asked
"The Japanese guy from earlier."
"Nobu." Naruto said
"You know him?" Matt asked
"Pretty sure I killed him during a brief stint in Japan." Naruto said with a small shrug
"He's Hand." Matt said
"Duh." Naruto said before Natasha slapped his chest
"Do you know what he is doing in New York?" Natasha asked
"He is preparing to ship something very dangerous to your city." Stick said
"What is it?" Naruto asked
"They call it the Black Sky."
"The who?" Natasha asked
Naruto scoffed, "The Hand has been looking for a Black Sky for years, their prophesied weapon. It's just a bunch of bullshit."
"My organization has killed plenty of them in the past." Stick said
"The Chaste kills anything associated with The Hand so excuse me if that doesn't change my mind." Naruto replied
"Okay then, help us destroy the Black Sky, keep it off the streets, and I promise you Fisk will know the taste of fear the day he faces you 'cause he'll know that you kicked the guy he's afraid of right in the nuts. ?"
Naruto looked to Natasha, who nodded causing him to sigh
"Fine, just know I have one rule. You do this my way, if that isn't good with you, you can leave now." Naruto said
Later, Docks
Kitsune, Jurogumo, and Daredevil watched as Nobu arrived with other members of his clan standing guard as a container was being lifted to the dock
"How many do you read?" asked Daredevil
"A dozen. They're armed with MP7s fitted with suppressors." Jurogumo said cracking her neck
"Will that be a problem." Daredevil said
"Not at all." Kitsune chuckled
"Thin out the herd. I'll take care of the Black Sky." Daredevil said as Kitsune and Jurogumo glanced at him before they vanished in burst of wind
Daredevil no longer sensing the two beside him began to assemble his bow
3 men stood on the edge of the docks, when Kitsune appeared beside one and grabbed him in a full Nelson before pulling him back and with a jerk snapped his neck, before he took out the other two who were unaware of what happened with two neck breaking blows
Nobu and his men all stood watching as the container landed on the docks before 2 walked forward and began to open it, Jurogumo who had just took out 4 men paused and watched as the container opened, interested in seeing this Black Sky thing, since many members of the Hand have spoke of it in the past but never encountered one
Watching in anticipation Naruto and Natasha frowned when instead of a weapon there was a boy not even a teenager, with his hands bound as well hearing wind cutting against something sharp, Naruto saw Matt had a arrow aimed at the boy, bursting into the scene causing everyone to look at him before he caught the arrow
Matt stood up sucking his teeth
"KILL HIM!" Nobu yelled and his remaining men attacked
Kitsune tossed the arrow at a man, and as it tore through his eye socket, Kitsune rolled to the side when they opened fire
Nobu forced the boy into an SUV, "Go!" he yelled slapping the back of the truck before he got into his car and his driver followed behind the speeding vehicle
Jurogumo and Kitsune made short work of Nobu's goons and looked over to where Matt was only to see he had vanished causing them to grunt,
Naruto's House
Naruto and Natasha were at their home, with Naruto pacing, "I should've known." he said shaking his head
"Naruto, " Natasha began but both looked to the doorway when it opened and Matt and Stick entered
"We've come to talk." Stick said the two had their hands up in surrender
"What the hell was that?" Naruto asked glaring
"The mission." Stick said
"That's what your war's come to? Killing children?" Natasha asked
"That thing in the container was not a child. The Hand found that thing in some village in the Phillipines. We can not let the Hand get their hands on one." Stick said
"Anyway it's to late, I caught up with the van while you were dicking around with Nobu's men. I put an arrow in that thing's heart." Matt said
Growling Naruto was about to attack but Natasha grabbed his arm, "We sense you in this city again, we will kill the both of you." Natasha growled before the two left
"You should've let me kill them." Naruto said
"They could prove useful in the long run." Natasha said
"Doubtful." Naruto replied before his phone rung, "Hello?" he asked answering his phone, "Jen? Where are you?... Karen is doing what?...Ok, I'm on the way."
Naruto hung up and sighed, "What is it?" Natasha asked
"Karen may be in some kind of trouble. Jennifer is following her now, and she wants me to meet up with her." Naruto said before he kissed Natasha's cheek, "I'll be back."
"Have fun." Natasha waved
With Karen
Karen brought groceries for Elena who had a bandage on her forehead from her head wound, "How's your head?' Karen asked
"I'm alive. It's enough. How much do I owe for the groceries?" Elena asked with her purse
"No, no, no, no, no. Put that away. I don't want your money." Karen said
"No, I don't take charity." Elena frowned
"All right. You can pay me if you want with information?" Karen asked
"What can I tell you?" Elena asked confused
"A lot, I hope. I'm working on a legal case,"
"Oh, yes, yes with the handsome lawyer." Elena smiled
"Yeah, um, Naruto." Karen blushed
"I see the way he looks at you. Never is a man more good looking than when he is in love." Elena said causing Karen to gasp
"Oh, Christ. Oh, uh I'm sorry. Moving on, um I'm trying to make a connection between a construction company and the repairman that did this to your apartment." Karen said
"Why don't you ask Mr. Tully?" Elena wondered, "He sent them."
"I can't find him. His lawyers say he's on vacation." Karen said
"I live like this and that fat shit is lying on a beach?" Elena asked upset before she calm down, "Ugh. Oh. Excuse me."
"No, no. I think it's pretty damn appropriate in this case. Do you have papers from the repairs? Receipts? Anything you had to Sign?" Karen asked
"No, I'm sorry. I just called Mr. Tully, and he sent them over." Elena said
"Can you tell me what they looked like?" Karen asked
"Yes. One was bald. And the other had a big tattoo on his arm."
"A tattoo?" Karen asked interested "Of what?"
"Not a picture. It was like a pattern." Elena said drawing the pattern in the air, "Ugly. Went up to his neck. Thank God he's no son of mine.'
Karen laughed, "Thank you, Elena. That might help." Karen said
"All of this makes me worry." Elena frowned
"No. No, no, no. Elena they're the ones that should be worried. If I can find a connection to the men that did this and the company then we will have their dicks in a vice." Karen said getting a look from Elena, "Sorry."
"How long have you been like this, Miss Page?" Elena asked
"Um Ever since I got to New York." Karen said getting a nod from Elena before the two exchanged goodbyes
Karen was walking down the road, aware of a big bald guy following behind her, so she grabbed her keys that had a canister of mace, attached when suddenly a man with a tattoo came from the corner and grabbed her and held her against the wall,
"So, why you bothering the old woman?" the man asked
"Get off of me!"
"Hey!" Naruto asked walking up with Jennifer
"Naruto, Jennifer? Oh, my God. What are you doing here?"
"What are we doing here? What are you doing here?" Naruto asked
"Are you both following me?"
"She was." Naruto said pointing to Jennifer who elbowed him im the ribs
"Why?"
"Because you were acting weird. I was worried about you." Jennifer said
"Ok, we can discuss this away from the maniacs, okay?" Naruto asked the two who nodded
"Good." Naruto shot forward as the man holding Karen released her and tried to punch Naruto who sped under him and judo flipped the man onto his back before a downward strike to the face caved in his nose and face as blood leaked from his ears,
Naruto ducked under a hook from man2 and jumped, man2 turned around to see Naruto with his legs tucked in modaor before they shot forward into his face, amd slammed his head into the wall
"Oh shit." Karen gasped as the man with a broken nose fell to the ground unconscious
"Now, let's talk." Naruto said
"I'm investigating Union Allied." Karen said
"You can't be doing that." Naruto replied
"Why not?" Karen asked
'For starters, you signed legal papers and took money to leave it alone." Naruto said
"No, she signed papers saying that she wouldn't go public." Jennifer corrected
"And I won't. I have someone lined up for that part." Karen said
"What part?" Naruto asked
"Breaking the story. Look, whoever is behind Union Allied, or whatever they call themselves now, they are trying to strong-arm people like Elena so that they can sweep their homes away from them and build condos no one can afford."
"And what do you think's gonna happen when these "whoevers" find out what it is you're up to?" Naruto asked pointing to the two unconscious men in puddles of their own blood
"I can handle myself."
"Karen, you can't be doing this, you're gonna get yourself hurt." Naruto sighed
"No, I have already been hurt by those bastards. You know, I don't care what I signed or how much money they paid me to forget. I don't. And I'm not just going to stick my head in the sand and let it happen to somebody else because I am scared. Which I am a lot." Karen said getting a nod from Naruto and Jennifer
"Who's helping you break whatever it is you think you're gonna find out?" Jennifer asked
"Ben Urich, from the Bulletin."
"Well then lets go pay Mr. Urich a visit." Naruto said heading for the Bulletin
"He seems like a good guy." Karen said
"Yeah, everybody does, until they aren't." Naruto frowned
"No, I trust Ben as much as I do you or Jennifer, Naruto. I know what I am doing. I am not some kid-"
"Then don't act like one." Naruto interrupted turning to Karen before he sighed, "I know you're just trying to do the right thing here, but we have to be smart about this."
"We?" Karen asked smiling
"First rule, no more skulking around, asking to get hurt. We do this, it's gonna be on our turf. The legal system."
"That's not nearly as heroic as you might think." Karen said
"What Nat and I do in our spare time isn't exactly legal. You're going after white-collar criminals then you have to do it by the book if you want to put them away. I don't want anyone to be a hero, Karen. I want you to be safe. And I want to protect this firm and everything Jenn, and Jess are trying to build here. We know the law. We can use it to our advantage. Agreed?"
"Do we have a choice?" Jennifer asked
"Not so much." Naruto said
"Yeah, okay. So, what's the second rule?" Karen asked
"I don't know, I'm making this up as I go along."
Bulletin
Ben walked to the door to see, Naruto, Karen, and Jennifer before he let them in, "What part of "Don't tell anyone about this" didn't you understand?"
"Jennifer, and Naruto are not just anyone all right? They're kick-ass attorney, and sooner or later we're gonna need one of those. And they just plain kicks ass."
"When the need arises." Jennifer said
"You can trust them, Ben. They the good ones." Karen said with a nod, causing Ben to sigh, "Show them the board.'
Ben motioned for her to take over, so Karen walked to the board and turned it around to reveal cards tacked to it with writing on them, "All right, Ben has everything laid out all of the, uh, possible connections starting at the bottom and moving up."
"The king of diamonds?" Jennifer asked
"The man at the top." Ben said
"Any idea who he is?" Naruto asked
"No. But I think he might have been the one behind Union Allied. There's 2 other players on the field." Ben said attaching another King and a Queen to the board, "Our fox and spider mask friends."
"You think they're working for the king?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow
"No. No, he never would have helped me expose Union Allied if he were." Karen said
"If that's the case they're working against each other. So the question is which one trumps the other?" Ben asked as Naruto looked at the board
Meanwhile, Deep Space
The Other and Ebony Maw walked toward a structure, "Do you have it?" The Other asked Maw
"Of Course." Maw said revealing a basketball sized yellow stone, "With this stone, or father shall be brought back and shall kill the traitorous Asgardian that dares think he can rule in the mighty Thanos stead."
The corpse of the last Titan Thanos came into view, " Our father, reduced to a puppet to cloak Baldur's schemes. No longer."
Maw extended the stone amd its energy began to swarm the corpse and breath life back into it, and after a moment the eyes of the Mad Titan snapped open as he took a deep breath
Finished
