Naruto: Son of the Demon
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Batman or Teen Titans
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
The reviews have generally been very positive so I'm going to continue with it. I wasn't sure if a darker and more melancholy Naruto would go over but it seems to work. Here is Chapter 3. Enjoy!
[ ] designates hand signs.
{ } designates a foreign language.
Last Time….
Demon's Fist Rendezvous Point C
Mara al Ghul was sitting in grim silence with Stone as Plague and Nightstorm arrived at Point C outside of Jump City. Mara was roughed up but Stone looked like hell. Plague asked, "Where is everybody? Nightstorm and I were staking out Titan's Tower the whole time and never saw a sign of Naruto."
Nightstorm added, "We saw Raven, Starfire and Batgirl but they were just entering the Titan's Tower when we arrived. They weren't our primary targets so we waited in ambush for Naruto and he didn't show up. The Tower is pretty well defended. Do you think he was hiding from us?"
Mara hissed, "Naruto al Ghul doesn't hide from anybody. Blank got his head cracked open on a light pole and is in critical condition at the hospital. That has my cousin's name written all over it."
"My brother is in the hospital?!" shrieked Plague. "Why I'll-"
"You'll do nothing Minamoto." ordered Mara angrily. "Our agents will extract him once he's healed up. The same goes for Toxin."
Nightstorm asked in alarm, "What happened to Toxin? Where's Smelter for all that matter?"
"Toxin got his whip arm cut off." explained Stone. "I saw it on the news…As for Smelter; she's dead."
"DEAD?!" asked Plague. "What happened?!"
Stone said, "The crazy bitch blew herself up. She used her powers full blast while standing beside a tanker truck full of oil."
"Shit! This was a disaster!" said Plague. "I ought to-"
"You ought to shut up before I silence you forever." said Mara irritably. "We leave at first light in the morning. That is all…"
…
Chapter 3
Titan's Tower, Jump City, United States
It had been a few days since the Demon's Fist left and everyone in Titan's Tower was sleeping in…
Naruto woke up to the sweet feeling of his girlfriend lying on top of him and kissing him. They'd had an incredible night of passion and judging by Barbara's actions she was eager for more. Naruto smiled into her kiss and gently rolled over on top of the gorgeous redhead and started kissing her neck. She threw her head back and moaned as the two young lovers started grinding into each other…
…That's when the damn phone rang.
'ARRRRGH!' was the collective thought of the blonde and the redhead.
"Fuck the damn phone!" growled Naruto.
Barbara kissed his nose and smiled weakly. "You'd better get it. It could be important."
The blonde sighed and said, "Must you be so reasonable beautiful?"
She giggled and handed him the abominable phone. Naruto saw the number on it and sighed. It was his Mother…
…
Infinity Island, Indian Ocean
Talia al Ghul had been expecting a call from her son Naruto but ran out of patience waiting and decided to call him instead. After multiple rings she heard Naruto answer the phone and say, "Hello. What Do. You. Want?"
She wondered why Naruto sounded like he was speaking through gnashed teeth. "Good morning my son; It's your Mother! How are you doing? I made sure to call while it was morning there. Why haven't you called me? I've been waiting to talk to you."
Talia hear a muffled sound like a string of curses in Japanese before Naruto's voice became clear. "Good morning Mother; I'm sorry I haven't called. I've been very busy with things and haven't made the time."
"Busy with what kinds of things dearest?" asked Talia with a raised eyebrow.
Naruto wanted to scream he was busy fucking his girlfriend but remained calm and said conversationally, "Actually; Mara and several members of the Demon's Fist tried to kill me unprovoked. Unless there is a mandate out on my life I'm afraid I'll be obligated to kill them on sight. Blood for blood you know. As a matter of fact I maimed two of them without killing them out of the goodness of my heart. Is there a price on my head? I'm well and truly irritated about the situation."
His Mother's dark eyes glittered dangerously. "Is that how it happened…? Mara had different story to tell."
"I can assure you Mara's story was a complete fabrication." replied the blonde. "It's my guess she set me up against Slade as well but that's pure speculation on my part…"
"You have excellent instincts Naruto." said Talia. "I will look into this. If Mara is taking unsanctioned actions your Mother will take care of it for you."
Naruto asked, "Since you called; do you have need of my services?"
Talia laughed. "Honestly Naruto; does a Mother need a reason to call her handsome boy?"
"Now you are resorting to flattery Mother." said the blonde. "Does the League have a task for me to carry out?"
Talia thought with a sweat drop, 'He saw right through me…' "Naruto; it's time you met your Father."
"…Why?" Naruto asked. "I have no interest in him and he doesn't know I exist."
"You are his heir Naruto." she replied. "And don't try to tell me you couldn't handle his money. You may live in a hovel and claim you have meager funds but the fact is you are a very shrewd investor. You started with nothing and you're already a millionaire at seventeen years old."
"You've been spying on my bank accounts?" asked the blonde irritably.
"You're my son." Talia stated. "Call it protective surveillance. Anyway; we are getting off track. I want you to pack your bags and head back to Gotham within the week. We are going to meet there and go see your Father."
"I already said I have no interest in the man." said Naruto. "I don't see why you are so insistent about it."
Talia growled, "And you are being stubborn just like your Father! Just do as I ask. I am your Mother and I want what's best for you. You are the heir of two mighty empires and I'm not about to see you squander it."
The blonde sighed in defeat. "Where do you want to meet?"
"Don't look for me; I'll find you Naruto." replied Talia in a pleased tone. "I love you and I'll see you soon. Goodbye my son."
"Goodbye Mother." said Naruto…
…
Titan's Tower, Jump City, United States
As Naruto turned his phone off, Barbara saw how weary he seemed. "Are you okay Naruto?" she asked concerned.
The blonde kissed his lover and said, "My Mother wants to see me for League reasons. It's not what I needed. I'm happy being a Private Detective and she wants to throw a wrench in it."
"Is it a hit?" asked Barbara worriedly.
"No; nothing like that… She wants to introduce me to my Father and I have no desire to meet him." explained Naruto.
"Do you hate him or something?" she asked.
The blonde shook his head. "It's not that. I've grown up without him and he doesn't know I even exist. I'm seventeen and now Mother decides I need to meet him. I wonder what her real purpose is…"
The redhead looked concerned. "That sounds suspicious."
"Mother moves in strange ways." agreed Naruto. "I can't pretend to know what her actual motives are…"
…
Infinity Island, Indian Ocean
Talia al Ghul went to see her beloved niece Mara with vengeance burning in her eyes. Mara was dressing her injuries she got while battling Robin when Talia came in. The young head of the Demon's Fist heard a knock and said "Enter." Talia came in and Mara looked surprised. "Auntie; I wasn't expecting you. What brings you by?"
"I came to check on my niece and see how you are doing." said Talia. "You Grandfather told me you had a rough battle against the Teen Titans."
Mara let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and said. "Yes, it was fierce. I will have to up my training and that of my team."
That's when Talia backhanded Mara senseless and sent the girl sprawling into the floor. Talia got face to face with her shocked niece and hissed, "You are a hundred years too young to fool me Mara al Ghul. You tried to set up my son against Deathstroke the Terminator and when that didn't work you tried to use the Demon's Fist to kill him. You lost three valuable underlings as a result! Mark my words Mara; if you go after my son again I will place a mandate on you and slay you myself! Do you understand me?!"
Mara was shaking in fear and said, "Y-yes Auntie! Please forgive me! I was j-jealous of Naruto. I will never do it again!"
Talia glared at Mara with so much malice in her eyes that the teen nearly wet herself. "Don't forget what we've discussed today Mara…Your Grandfather may let these games go on but I will not!"
Naruto's Mother stormed out and slammed the door behind her leaving Mara to cry angry tears the rest of the evening…
…
Titan's Tower, Jump City, United States
Robin called his former mentor, Bruce Wayne who was also known as Batman. "Dick; is that you? It's been ages." answered Bruce.
The younger crimefighter said; "Yeah, it's me Bruce. I wanted to talk to you about Barbara. She's out here at Titan's Tower. Her boyfriend is with her and he has me suspicious. Have you looked into him?"
Bruce paused and the said; "I had my people do a routine background check. He's an immigrant from Japan and goes to college with her at Burnside. He seems very bright. What have you found out Dick?"
"His name is Naruto Uzumaki but I think it's an alias." Robin replied. "He's with the League of Assassins and came out to California to take out Slade Wilson."
"Deathstroke?! The boy must be fearless or just plain stupid." said Batman with a bit of shock in his voice. "So what ended up happening?"
Robin grimaced and replied, "Slade dumped his body in the La Brea Tar Pits and left Naruto for dead. It turns out Naruto is a metahuman who has a healing factor. He was fully recovered within a week. I'm more worried that he's a threat to Barbara than anything. I want to send you the files I dug up on Uzumaki and see if there is more to find."
Bruce frowned as he looked at the files. 'I can't believe I missed this. It looks like there's a fox in the henhouse.' "Dick, how much of this does Barbara know?"
"She knows everything." said Robin. "Half of it she told me herself. She says he's a good person and is convinced he could become a crimefighter like us."
"Have you seen any evidence of this?" asked Batman in a hard tone.
Nodding; Dick said, "He fought and disabled two members of the Demon's Fist who attacked the Teen Titans. He told us about them and that they were probably after him. It seemed to be infighting within the League of Assassins."
Bruce asked, "Are you sure it wasn't all staged so Naruto could gain your confidence?"
"Naruto gave one of them a skull fracture that led to a coma and cut the arm off of the other." replied the Boy Wonder. "The guy almost bled to death before we staunched the wound. I'm pretty sure it wasn't staged given the brutality of it all."
"I'll look into this Dick. Count on it." said Bruce. "We'll keep Barbara safe…"
…
Infinity Island, Indian Ocean
Ra's al Ghul was surprised to see his beautiful daughter Talia come storming in and pointing directly at his face before growling, "How long have you known Mara was trying to kill my Naruto old man?! How long?!"
Her Father chuckled. "I put the puzzle together fairly quickly…the business with Slade Wilson I mean. That was fairly well planned but her second attempt with the Demon's Fist was disgraceful. She will be assigned some rather unpleasant tasks until she's learned her lesson. How long have you known daughter?"
Talia glared. "I found out from Naruto when I called him earlier today. He's so much like Bruce it's frightening at times."
"There is a reason he is my chosen heir Talia." said Ra's. "If he were to fall to Mara then he wouldn't be worthy of the title. His blood is the purest. Besides; if Naruto gets irritated as he is known to say…he will execute Mara mercilessly. I don't see why you are worried daughter. This situation will keep Naruto on his toes." The patriarch looked over a folder he was reading. "This is the full, truthful report on Mara's attempt to kill your son in Jump City. You ought to read it. Naruto nearly put two of Mara's group in body bags. If they hadn't been so close to a well equipped hospital they certainly would be dead."
Talia took the file and thumbed through it. "So Blank nearly had his head caved in and Toxin is now a lefty. I wonder how much effort Naruto actually put into it."
"According to my observers Naruto didn't even break a sweat." said Ra's al Ghul.
"Magnificent." said Talia. "That's my boy."
Ra's asked, "How does Naruto feel about meeting his Father? Is he excited?"
Naruto's beautiful Mother sighed. "He's indifferent about the whole thing. He has no interest in meeting Bruce Wayne. I would have thought that his curiosity would at least be piqued."
"Remember he was the same way with you when he returned from his training with Jiraiya." Ra's reminded his daughter.
Talia cringed. "It took me forever to form a bond with him when he came home from Japan. Who exactly is Jiraiya Father?"
Ra's al Ghul rubbed his chin. "Gama Jiraiya is a ninja of the ancient ways. He took Naruto as his apprentice solely because he owed me a favor. After about a year of training Jiraiya told me Naruto had potential to become a Sage someday. He said little else."
"I'd like to see just how good of an assassin Jiraiya is someday." said Talia.
"He defeated me in single combat with ease." admitted Ra's. Talia was gawking like a fish at her Father. The patriarch coughed and said, "Why do you think I asked him to train Naruto to begin with…?"
…
Wayne Manor, Gotham City
Late that night; Batman went to see Commissioner James Gordon regarding Naruto. The two men were standing on the roof near of the building with the Bat Signal upon it. Jim Gordon was a bit surprised that Batman was asking about the blonde. "Naruto Uzumaki? He saved Barbara's life on that train last winter. He works as a Private Investigator when he's not in school. The boy is really brilliant as a detective. Naruto unraveled several cold cases that we'd long since written off as unsolvable. When I first met him I thought he was taciturn but he loosened up eventually. I eventually gave him permission to date Barbara. He's a good, reliable young man. Why do you ask?"
The Caped Crusader replied, "Since both you and Barbara were targeted by the Joker I just wanted to look into it. You can never be too careful these days."
Jim replied, "I'm glad you care Batman but from my experience the boy is good as gold. He's really helped a lot of people out with his criminal investigations besides the Police."
"Sounds like you wouldn't mind having him on the Police Force Jim." said Batman.
The Commissioner chuckled. "I won't deny it. I've told him time and again I could get him in once he's eighteen but he said he prefers to work alone…Naruto reminds me a lot of you in that respect Batman…"
The Dark Knight nodded, "Good to know. I'll be in touch." With that, Batman vanished into the night.
'How the hell does he do that…?' wondered the Commissioner for the thousandth time…
…
San Francisco International Airport
The next morning Naruto Uzumaki and Barbara Gordon boarded the plane going back to Gotham City. It was about a six hour trip and both of them were eager to return home. Naruto quietly meditated while Barbara listened to music on her phone. The trip was uneventful and the two young lovers eventually fell asleep holding hands. Hours later they were awakened by the announcement that they would be landing at Gotham City Airport…
…
"Home sweet home." said Barbara sarcastically as a TSA Agent patted her down and ran her through a metal detector. "There's nothing like having your personal space invaded to make you feel welcome."
The TSA Agent said, "You can go Miss. Please move along."
The gorgeous redhead stepped forward and watched as her blonde lover went through the same process with a bored look on his face. 'How does he get that katana through airport metal detectors? I need to ask him one of these days.'
"You can go sir" said the TSA Agent as he motioned Naruto forward.
The blonde shrugged and grabbed his luggage. He quickly came over to Barbara and kissed her. She smiled and said, "Dad has a car waiting for us."
"Let's go then." said Naruto with a grin. "It's been a long trip."
They saw an unmarked Police car pull up and soon enough they were riding to Barbara's home…
…
Jim Gordon welcomed his daughter home with a hug and a kiss. "Welcome home Barbara! Naruto; it's good to see you." he said as he shook hands with the blonde. "Come on in and tell everyone about your trip. I hear California is nice this time of year."
Barbara was glad to be home and the three enjoyed a nice meal together before Naruto bid them goodnight and caught a taxi to his humble abode.
…
Naruto's Loft Apartment, Gotham City
Naruto came home to his loft apartment which was located directly above his little Private Detective's Office in the East End*①. It was near the Immaculate Virgin Mission, a nunnery near the notorious Crime Alley*② which was where many of Naruto's Investigations took place. One might wonder how a Private Investigator would survive in such an area but Naruto kept himself safe with a plethora of fuinjutsu seals which he had learned from his master Jiraiya. The blonde arrived home, checked his messages and went to bed.
Around 2 AM Naruto heard gunfire and sirens outside. It was so commonplace for firefights to break out in the area that the blonde hardly batted an eyelash. However; Naruto threw his clothes on and decided to investigate when he heard a woman's voice yelling and the bullets ricocheting off of his office door. 'It's probably some poor prostitute trying to get out of the gunfire. I feel so sorry for these girls out street walking.' thought the Private Investigator. Naruto donned his coat and stepped outside only to find two minor gangs trying to obliterate one another in the rain.
The blonde was going to leave them be when he saw a young black haired woman unconscious in the street. She had on a costume that looked like a cross between a leotard and a Samurai outfit and a cowl with a Japanese rising sun upon it. The woman was obviously in bad shape. She also had a distinctive pair of swords; they were both Muramasa*③ Katana. Naruto really wasn't much of a Good Samaritan but figured he should at least get her to safety. 'I guess I should pull her out of there before she is raped, killed or worse…' he thought to himself. Naruto focused his chakra and body flickered over to where the young woman was lying. He drew his sword and cut a bullet aimed for him in half before unleashing a monstrous mass of killing intent.
The gunfire stopped completely when one of the gang members said, "SHIT! It's the guy with the sword!" Naruto wanted to face palm as the two gangs quickly withdrew in opposite directions.
Naruto picked the young woman up and hauled her back across the street bridal style before dressing her injuries which were fairly minor. The worst he could see was a knot on her head that probably knocked her out. She was laying on his little office couch sleeping while Naruto slept at his desk after having some hot sake.
An hour later the young Japanese woman awakened rubbing the bruise on her skull and noticing that she had been bandaged up. She saw her swords sitting on a traditional Japanese sword stand beside her within arm's reach. There was also an oilstone and oil sitting beside them should she desire to oil and sharpen them. The young woman also smelled a faint scent of sake in the air. This was Tetsu Yamashiro, otherwise known as Katana.*④
It was still raining outside and Tetsu saw Naruto was asleep with his feet propped up on the desk. She listened to the thunder rolling by and tried to decide what to do. The young Japanese woman was in an unfamiliar place and had stumbled into Crime Alley after taking a blow to the head while fighting a group of Yakuza that were trying to build a power base in Gotham City.
Naruto cracked open one eye and said in Japanese, {"You are safe here. Please rest until your head eases up Miss. I will keep watch while you sleep."}
About that time there was an almighty THUD against Naruto's office window. He looked out his office window. The blonde smiled and said, {"Be at ease. I'll take care of this…"}
…
Kensuke Kekaru had hit the window with his metal bat and it bounced off of the window instead of crashing through it. He was a man of extraordinary strength and couldn't believe that it felt like he just hit a piece of armor plate. Cursing up a torrent of Japanese swear words; Kensuke saw a young blonde man poke his head out the office door and say with a friendly smile; {"Ah, good morning to you my friend. Is it not more polite to knock than attempt to break one's window? I am Uzumaki Naruto; what might your name be?"} Naruto's smile was stretched to the point that his eyes were squinted.
{"Don't mess with me man. Hand over that bitch and I won't have to kill you."} said the thug. He picked up his metal bat and held it out threateningly. {"You don't want to fuck with the Yakuza."}
Naruto continued to smile and replied, {"So you are Yakuza then? Please do not threaten me. I am but a humble swordsman."}
{"You seem to have manners more like a barber than a swordsman with your smile."} said Kensuke with an obnoxious chuckle.
Naruto's eyes opened into menacing slits. {"Perhaps if you are referring to Sweeny Todd."} The blonde drew his sword so fast that Kensuke didn't react until his throat was slit wide open and he fell over dying.
{"How pathetic."} said Naruto as he flicked the blood off of his sword and sheathed it. The blonde kicked Kensuke's corpse into a sewage drain in the rain. The blood was already washing off of the street. There would be no signs of Kensuke's death in the morning. {"Good thugs are so hard to find these days…"}
…
Naruto stepped back into his office and saw the lovely Tetsu was up and alert. "You know Iaido.*⑤" she said in perfect English. "Kensuke Kekaru was a dangerous Yakuza with superhuman strength. I am impressed that you defeated him so easily."
The blonde grinned at her. "I had a slight speed advantage. I was never able to introduce myself. My name is Naruto Uzumaki."
She smiled back. "I go by Katana. The last thing I remember was being hit in the head before I collapsed. It seems I am in your debt Mister Uzumaki."
Naruto waved his hands and said; "No worries; just stay safe Miss Katana. If you ever have detective work that needs to be done; please remember me."
"I will do that. Sayonara." said the Japanese vigilante as she took off into the night…
…
Three days later Naruto was finishing up a case for the Gotham City Police Department. He sighed. 'Another case that can be attributed to a crooked cop… Commissioner Gordon is going to be less than thrilled about this.' The blonde Private Investigator brought a picture up on his computer screen and thought to himself, 'Gotham City Police Officer Steven Grog. Age 32. Multiple cases of sexual assault against streetwalkers he was supposed to arrest. Child pornographer and human trafficker. This nasty son of a bitch deserves a slow and painful death. I wonder if I should turn him in or draw the line personally.'
He heard a gentle knock on his office and saw a gorgeous woman on his camera. 'So she's arrived.' He pressed a button on his desk that unlocked the door and said into the speaker, "Hello Mother; please come in."
Talia al Ghul smiled into the camera before she came in and said acerbically, "Hello my handsome boy. Is this the pathetic pit you call home?"
Naruto heard the door latch behind her and didn't bother to look up from his computer screen. He replied, "I've been expecting you Mother. This is my pathetic office I work in. The pathetic pit I call home is upstairs."
She smiled at his sarcasm and said, "I've missed you Naruto. You should come home and visit me from time to time."
"You know I have a business to run here in Gotham Mother." replied the blonde. "My income depends upon it."
Talia scoffed. "You could be living in a penthouse with a small harem if you wanted to. It's not like you need the money."
Naruto looked up and said, "I prefer to keep my funds for emergencies thank you very much. Changing subjects; must I meet Bruce Wayne? I don't know what your real purpose is but it's certainly not family bonding."
"You really know how to make me feel welcome my son." replied Talia in a dark tone.
The young blonde man looked up and said, "My apologies. I have a particularly disgusting example of humanity I'm investigating and it has put me in a foul mood."
Talia brightened up. "Oh, is that what it is? Do tell me about it." Clearly her curiosity was piqued.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Well; let's see here… a crooked cop that is into sexual assault, human trafficking and child pornography."
She laughed. "I see; what are his good points?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. He has two good points: He goes to church every Sunday and he's not a cannibal as far as I can tell."
Talia had malice glittering in her dark eyes. "I suppose the question is; what are you going to do about this my son? You could turn him in and let the so called justice system take care of it… or you could deliver swift justice yourself. Which will it be?"
"He works nights." said Naruto with chakra flashing in his blue eyes. "I could deal with him easily enough. Why so interested?"
"Let's just say… I want to observe my son at work." answered Talia.
The blonde frowned. "At nightfall I hunt then. Follow along if you want but don't interfere. This prey is mine."
Talia smiled darkly. "Wonderful. I'm going to enjoy this little excursion. Your Father can wait until tomorrow night…"
…
3 AM Gotham City, Crime Alley
…Steven Grog was in hell. He'd been methodically hunted since midnight by a predator with a sword. The swordsman had gradually carved him up just enough to cause him agonizing pain but not enough to kill him. He was in a demolished area of Park Row hiding in the darkness and praying to his god for deliverance from the monster hunting him…
Naruto was perched above the crooked Police Officer and glaring down at the so called man. As far as Naruto was concern his prey was an animal; not a human being. He'd carefully; slowly herded Steven Grog into this particular area to dispose of the evil creature. Finally Steven reached the destination Naruto wanted. It was a place where you could see across but not down. Naruto flapped his long coat in the wind to make noise and the terrified Officer Grog turned around rapidly only to look up where Naruto was crouched with his coat flapping in the wind.
Steven was sweating heavily and said, "Are you the Batman?" he held up his badge in the moonlight. "I-I'm a Gotham City Cop. You've got the wrong guy. I fight criminals!"
The blonde's voice echoed around the area. He growled out, "You prey on young women and children Steven. You are a criminal of the worst kind. Tonight it ends."
"N-no!" squealed the animal. "I'll never do it again. Just let me have another chance! I'll make it right; I swear to god!"
Naruto said, "There are no second chances." He darted a throwing star and cut Steven's cheek badly causing the criminal to stumble backwards off of the platform he was on.
Steven fell off the platform in slow motion and it seemed like hours to him as he tumbled two stories and hit the ground hard enough to break several bones. "Oh god help me…" whispered Grog. "I'll play dead! That way Batman will leave me alone."
"I can hear you breathing Steven." said Naruto from thirty feet up. "You're still plenty alive."
"What do you want from me?!" cried out the crooked Police Officer.
The blonde growled "Look around you."
That's when Grog saw hundreds of tiny red eyes and the incessant chattering of rats…
Steven's eyes widened in horror as the back wave of vermin slithered out of every crack and crevice in the pit having scented his blood... Grog screamed and screamed until there was nothing left to scream with. By morning even the bones of the evil man would be gnawed away and Steven Grog's last rites were whispered on the wind…
…
Naruto stealthily returned to his abode knowing his Mother would be there waiting. When he entered his office Talia al Ghul was laughing melodically and said, "You are wonderful! I'm so proud of you my son!"
…The Private Detective Naruto Uzumaki turned in the data to Commissioner Gordon about the crimes of Police Officer Steven Grog the next morning but when the Gotham City Police Department raided his home that evening the crooked cop had apparently skipped town. An APB was put out for Grog but no traces of him were ever found.
It was as if Steven Grog simply ceased to exist…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: The East End: The East End is a notorious region of Gotham City's northern island which encompasses Crime Alley. The Area is famous for its muggings and street walkers.
*②: Crime Alley: Officially named Park Row; this area is both the home of some of the most affluent citizens of Gotham City while also being known for criminal activities and extreme poverty. Batman's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne were murdered here.
*③: Muramasa was said to be one of Japan's foremost sword smiths. His blades were said to be cursed.
*④: Katana: See her full story in the DC Database Wiki under Tetsu Toro. It's way too long to go into here.
*⑤: Iaido: Iaido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks. To simplify; quickdraw.
Man, this chapter got a bit darker than planned. It was originally my intention to have Talia and Naruto go to meet Batman this chapter but the hunt for Steven Grog turned out to be much longer than I planned. We also met Katana from Birds of Prey. Other characters will be making cameos from time to time as Naruto builds up his network of friends and allies. Next chapter Talia will introduce Bruce Wayne to his son Naruto. See you next time. Blue out. 5/16/21