Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be picking up right where we left off last chapter, with Naruto and Satsuki meeting Batman and learning just who he is. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Naruto and Satsuki could only stare at Batman in shock, both at how he appeared, his appearance itself, and his introduction.
"Bat…man?" Naruto and Satsuki asked at the same, confused but also intrigued at how and why he gained a name like that.
"The fact neither of you seem to recognize either of my identities means that far more time has passed than I would've originally believed, it's likely even the 31st century has come and gone by this point. And judging by the state of the Batcave, it's no longer in its original location due to continental shifting and traveling across fault lines, possibly experiencing multiple earthquakes. If I had to guess, neither of you have heard of any places known as Gotham City, Metropolis, Star City, or Central City. Nor any countries called North America, South America, Asia, or Africa." Said Batman, working on a rough estimate of how much has passed since he created his A.I.
While the whiskered blonde and ravenette felt their heads spinning at everything he just said, only being able to slow shake their heads in response.
"Then it's possible something happened that left the Earth in a post-apocalyptic state, with humanity managing to survive before starting over. I'll need to work on rebuilding the database for how different this new era is compared to my own. But I'm sure you both have questions first." Batman said, looking at the two children, who nodded slowly.
"Uh…yeah, kind of…a lot of questions, actually. Like…why is your name Bruce Wayne, but you call yourself Batman?" Satsuki asked, having a lot of questions she wanted answered after everything they've just seen and heard.
"And what is this place? You called it the Batcave, but what does that mean? And what's all this stuff in here?" Questioned Naruto while motioning around to everything that's still intact or semi-intact.
"The Batcave was my base of operations when I operated as Batman, it was originally located under my home, Wayne Manor, just outside of Gotham City. As for why I refer to myself as Batman instead of my given name…it began when I was eight-years-old with my parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. We had gone out to see the movie The Mark of Zorro, but on our way home we were stopped by a mugger, who gunned them down in cold blood right in front of me. Some people say that I died that night too, and they were right, Bruce Wayne did die in that alley with his parents and I was born in his place." Batman revealed, much to Naruto's and Satsuki's shock and sorrow that he watched his own parents be murdered when he was just eight-years-old.
"That incident marked the end of my childhood, the only person I had left was my family's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, who raised me and became my closest ally and a surrogate father. But nothing could take away the anger that filled me, the desire for revenge on the man who killed my parents, on all criminals that walked freely throughout Gotham. I swore that I would eliminate all crime, so that no one else would suffer like I did. I immersed myself in training my body and mind to their peak, studying various arts and science. Learning from masters in the fields of escape artistry, martial arts and science from Nobel laureates. I travelled for years around the world before finally returning once my training was complete. Yet there was one thing I failed to master, making criminals fear me. If they didn't fear me, then I would only be seen as another man, I needed to become something else. It wasn't until something changed that I knew what I needed to become." Said Batman, looking up as he thought of the only time he ever considered giving up on his crusade.
"What changed?" Naruto asked, feeling amazed at everything he's saying.
"Another time, there's still plenty more information to go over without adding more to it. Just know that after this incident, I fully devoted my mind, body and soul to eliminating crime and I would never stop, no matter what. Even if my body was shattered, I would keep going until the mission was completed. That is when I became Batman and Bruce Wayne became just a persona to avoid suspicion. I had realized that criminals are nothing but a superstitious and cowardly lot, that they will fear something that isn't human and will constantly hunt them from the shadows. I was no longer a man in their eyes, I was their worst nightmare come to life." Batman explained, much to their amazement.
"I doubt criminals were eager to get on your bad side, unless they wanted to end up in the ground." Stated Satsuki, only to gulp when Batman narrowed his eyes at her.
"I never killed anyone, I refused to become the very thing I fought against, to let that darkness overtake me. Because I knew if I took even a single life, it wouldn't end there, I wouldn't be able to stop. That was the one rule I would never break." Said Batman, making the Uchiha quickly nod in response.
"But even if you didn't kill, the criminals probably didn't want to deal with you, since you could still put them in the hospital." Said Naruto, with the Dark Knight nodding at this.
"Yes, I didn't kill, but everything else was fair game. Unfortunately, it wasn't long after my mission began that stronger and more dangerous criminals began appearing. Whether it was those with powers of their own or their own talents and superior abilities that could rival my own. It was these supervillains that regular criminals flocked to, wanting to have someone to protect them from me and be part of whatever they planned. There were many who appeared, Two-Face, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Bane, Killer Croc, Riddler, Scarecrow, Penguin, and so many more. But the worst of them…was the Joker." Batman said, narrowing his eyes at the mention of his greatest and worst enemy.
With Naruto and Satsuki unable to deny a shiver going up their spines at hearing the name, even feeling like they could hear the echo of a deranged madman laughing in sadistic glee.
"Wh-who…who was…the Joker?" Satsuki asked, unable to help her curiosity at how he seemed to single out the Joker among so many enemies.
"The Joker was unlike anyone I ever faced; unlike anyone any hero has ever faced. He was a psychopath, a monster in the purest sense of the word. The only thing he sought was to cause as much chaos and misery as he could, no reason, no plan, the only thing Joker cared about was being able to watch the world burn. He would bend, twist and break a person's mind for his own amusement, having done so to his former psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel. Who became his partner, Harley Quinn, but while she became obsessed with him and convinced herself that she loved Joker. He only ever saw her as a plaything to abuse and break when she annoyed him, while knowing she'd always come running back no matter what he did." Said Batman, horrifying the Uzumaki and Uchiha, having a hard time believing anyone could be that twisted and insane.
"Tell me you at least killed him?!" Satsuki asked, refusing to believe anyone, no matter who they are, would let a maniac like that keep breathing.
"…Part me wished I did." Batman confessed, especially after what Joker did to Tim, torturing and breaking his mind, then trying to take over his body.
It made him wish he put the insane clown down years ago or had even let Andrea finish him off, when she had the chance.
"Wh-what about the other villains?" Questioned Naruto, wanting to change the subject from a less dark one.
"I fought all of them multiple times over the years, some were harder than others. But I learned and adapted, defeating them every time, no matter how many times they came back. But not all of them were truly bad, there were some that were only trapped in bad circumstances or were extremists. It's another reason I refused to kill, to take away the chance of them being redeemed and being better. It hardly ever worked, but I wasn't going to be the one to cross that line." Replied Batman.
"And you did all this alone?" Satsuki asked, amazed that he'd take on criminals and supervillains, which she guessed must be like Missing-Nin, all by himself, all without any Chakra or powers of his own.
"For years, yes. But I didn't carry on my mission alone forever, I gained partners and allies in the forms of Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Commissioner Jim Gordon and Alfred. For a time, there was a Batwoman, but the identity was created more for a personal vendetta and was never used again. They helped me in keeping Gotham safe. But there came a time when I alone wasn't enough to keep the Earth itself safe, when I needed help from the other heroes to stop an alien invasion." Said Batman, making both kids gain surprised and eager expressions to hear more.
"What other heroes? And what invasion?" Said Naruto.
"An alien race known as the Imperium, shapeshifting, parasitic conquerors, that survived by preying on peaceful civilizations and wiping them out. It wasn't until they came to Earth that they were finally stopped by the combined efforts of myself and five other heroes. With us having been called together by the last Martian, J'onn J'onzz who would later became known as the Martian Manhunter. Including me, there was Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Superman, together we stopped the Imperium and saved the world. But that's when I learned of the dangers beyond Earth and that they would one day come for us, so I created an orbiting space station called the Watchtower to monitor any incoming invaders, with the Watchtower also serving as the base of the Justice League. The group we founded to fight the threats no single hero could handle." Batman said, much to their amazement.
"And you were a member." Satsuki said, not believing he helped save the entire Earth.
"No. I was never really a people person, but I was a part-time member and always helped when I was needed, and usually I was always needed. Together we were able to stop more inter-galactic threats from endangering the Earth, both on-and-off-planet. But it wasn't until after the Thanagarians, Hawkgirl's own people, came to try and conquer Earth that the Justice League was expanded. Now including dozens of heroes from all across the world, allowing us to deal with threats more easily with the expanded roster. However…" Said Batman before closing his eyes, with Naruto's and Satsuki's expressions slowly turning into ones of worry.
"It…didn't last, did it." Stated Naruto as the Caped Crusader shook his head in confirmation.
"No, it didn't. More time passed and I was getting older, slower, but I still kept fighting with the help of my allies and partners. Until…the Joker crossed a line. He and Harley had kidnapped my partner and adopted son, Tim Drake. Who became Robin after Dick Grayson, the original Robin, left and became Nightwing. For three weeks, Joker had tortured and injected him with different serums while subjecting him to intense electric shocks, Tim's mind finally broke and he told Joker all his secrets, including my identity. He then spliced their DNA, turning Tim into a miniature version of himself, calling him Joker Junior. That was the last time we fought, the one time I came close to breaking my own rule, but Tim was ultimately the one who killed the Joker. Joker wanted Tim to be the one to kill me, but he couldn't do it, instead he shot the Joker and finally put an end to his madness. But his mind was still broken. He eventually recovered after extensive therapy with Dr. Leslie Thompkins, a close friend of my parents and one of the few people I trusted my identity to." Explained Batman.
"But even if he recovered, I forbid Tim from being Robin before cutting ties with all my allies and continued fighting alone, refusing to let anything like that ever happen again. It wasn't long until Alfred passed away, leaving me truly alone. But I still kept fighting, even when the years of crime-fighting finally started catching up to me. Something that lead to the creation of a new and advanced Batsuit to augment my physical abilities and allow me to keep fighting for longer periods of time. Yet even then, the suit couldn't compensate for long, so I created an exosuit of armor only for it to put even more strain on my heart. It wasn't until the daughter of an old friend was kidnapped that I was finally forced to surrender." Batman said, looking down at the reminder of his greatest shame.
"What…happened?" Satsuki asked in concern.
"I had gone to save her, dealing with the kidnappers until I began suffering a mild heart attack and they began beating me to death. I was forced to do the one thing I swore to never do, I picked up a gun and threatened the kidnapper to save myself. That's when I had to accept that I couldn't keep going, that I could never be Batman again." Batman replied, with Naruto and Satsuki unable to help but frown sadly.
While they didn't know every single detail, with what they're hearing now it was really saddening to hear how Batman was forced to retire. Not going against some supervillain, an invasion, or stopping some plan to take over or destroy the world. Instead, having to defend himself with the weapon that killed his parents from an ordinary criminals. Criminals that he's likely dealt with hundreds of times over with no problem, prior.
"Is that…is that when you created your A.I.?" Naruto asked, only for Batman to shake his head.
"No, that didn't come until decades later. After I retired, I became little more than a recluse for the next twenty years, hardly leaving my home aside from my yearly visit to pay my respects to where my parents died. The only companion I had was my pet dog, Ace. Who helped save me during one of my visits from a Jokerz gang member that tried mugging me." Said Batman.
"Jokerz?" Questioned Satsuki.
"Even if he was dead for decades, there were petty criminals that admired the Joker and began dressing like clowns to honor him, but they were nothing but actual clowns honoring the memory of a madman. Ace helped save me from one of them and I took him in." Batman replied, with neither of the kids being amused that anyone would want to emulate the Joker after everything he'd done.
"It wasn't until I happened to meet a sixteen-year-old boy named Terry McGinnis that I came out of retirement. While I became a recluse, my company Wayne Tech was bought out by a man named Derek Powers, who was using my company to create a deadly viral mutagen that causes a person's body to begin breaking down until nothing was left. Terry's father, Warren McGinnis, learned of it. Only to then be killed, with it being staged to look like the Jokerz killed him. By that time Terry had discovered I was Batman and took my advanced suit to avenge his father. At first, I tried forcing him to return it, but he was determine and stubborn, refusing to quit until Powers was brought down. After that, I allowed Terry to carry on the legacy of Batman, becoming his mentor and acting as support from the Batcave." Explained Batman, with them smiling at hearing how Terry became Batman and avenged his father.
"But while he carried the name, he still had a lot to learn, working to defeat new enemies and villains. As well as dealing with some of my own enemies that were still around, including the Joker." Batman revealed, much to their shock.
"He was still alive?!" Satsuki said, not believing the Joker was still alive.
"Not in the normal sense, Joker had implanted a chip into Tim's body with his DNA, allowing him to take over Tim's body while leaving him completely unaware. At first, I refused to let Terry fight him, not wanting history to repeat itself, but like I said, he was a stubborn kid. In the end, he not only defeated the Joker for good, but saved Tim while doing so. He even earned a chance to join the iteration of the Justice League that was operating at the time, but it turns out we were more alike than he thought, and much more than I originally believed." Said Batman.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked in confusion.
"Terry wasn't Warren McGinnis's son, at least not biologically. He was mine." Batman revealed, shocking Naruto and Satsuki.
"What?!" Said Satsuki, wondering how that could be possible.
"I learned the truth that one of my old…acquaintances, Amanda Waller, had created something called Project Batman Beyond to ensure the world would always have a Batman. She was able to acquire some of my DNA and found a young Neo-Gotham couple with almost identical psychological profiles to my own parents, Warren and Mary McGinnis. Warren had been injected with a nanotech solution that overwrote his reproductive DNA with my own, making it so Terry was genetically my son. I kept this a secret, out of respect for Warren's memory, but Terry eventually learned the truth after I suffered kidney failure and he turned out to be a perfect match as a tissue donor. Terry believed I organized the whole thing and that his entire life was a lie, that I trapped him into becoming Batman until he learned the truth from Waller, that his life was still his own. In the end, Terry remained as Batman, accepting who he was." Said Batman, amazing both kids, feeling admiration for Terry at making his own destiny and choosing his own path.
"What happened next?" Asked Naruto, eager to hear more.
"It wasn't long afterwards that I created this A.I., knowing it wouldn't be long before I finally passed away, so Terry would still have me to guide him when he needed it. And when the time finally came, I was assured that Gotham and the world would be in safe hands, knowing there was a Batman to protect it." Batman said, with the two looking at him in amazement.
Unable to help but admire everything Batman had been through, yet still kept fighting and pushing forward no matter what obstacles he encountered. Then helping Terry on his journey to becoming Batman and letting him carry on the mantle.
"That's…really amazing. But there's one thing I don't understand, how is any of this stuff still work?!" Satsuki said, motioning to the lights, computer and the generator, wondering how any of this stuff could still be working after all this time.
"The Batcave possesses a nuclear reactor that helps power it, but usually it's powered by a hydro-electric generator thanks to the underground river, allowing it to remain completely off the grid. However I created another generator to ensure that if anything happened to the other power sources, it'd still remain functional as the generator is powered by Kryptonite." Replied Batman, confusing them at what Kryptonite was.
"What's Kryptonite?" Questioned Naruto.
"It's a radioactive mineral made from the fragments of the planet Krypton, Superman's original homeworld before it blew up. The radiation from even the smallest piece, if harnessed correctly, can provide a source of infinite energy. No matter how much has passed or the damage done, the Kryptonite Generator would still be able to work." Batman said, surprising them that he could create something like that and had an infinite energy source.
"Now if you don't mind me asking some questions of my own. Who are you two? And how did you find the Batcave?" Questioned Batman, wanting to know how two children managed to stumble onto the Batcave, even if it's likely no longer as well hidden as it once was.
This made Naruto and Satsuki look at each other, hesitantly. Unsure if they wanted to tell him anything about themselves as despite everything he just told them, he is still an unknown to them and weren't sure it'd be a good idea to share anything.
Though when they thought about it, the two realized that anything they told Batman wouldn't really be dangerous as there's nothing he could do with the information. Given that he's actually dead and they doubted he was capable of leaving the Batcave on his own.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki and this is Satsuki Uchiha." Naruto introduced, with Satsuki nodding in greeting.
"We're from Konohagakure in the Land of Fire. We, or at least I am, a student at Konoha Academy where we train to become Ninja." Said Satsuki, making Batman frown in thought.
"Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. And your names are Japanese in nature while you're training to become Ninja." Said Batman, confusing Naruto and Satsuki a little.
"Uh…yeah. We learn to use Chakra to perform Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, along with training in Taijutsu. And when we graduate from the Academy we get the rank of Genin." Satsuki said.
"I see. And do your families know you're likely skipping your classes or did you both sneak away?" Batman said, only to frown when both kids flinched and looked away.
"My…my parents are dead; my entire clan is dead. They were wiped out almost two months ago." Said Satsuki, clenching her fists while the Dark Knight's frown deepened.
"I don't even know who my parents are, I tried asking the Hokage, the leader of the village, but if he knows then he's never told me. The last time I asked, he just said knowing wouldn't matter, that it wouldn't bring back the dead." Naruto muttered bitterly, making the ravenette look at him in shock, with Batman narrowing his eyes.
"And neither of you have any guardians? No one looking after you?" Questioned Batman, wondering how bad things could be in this era, that two children weren't being looked after.
"Not really, I'm able to take care of anything I have to worry about on my own." Satsuki replied with a shrug.
"I've been on my own my entire life, I used to stay in the forest until the Hokage found me and gave me an apartment, along with a monthly stipend." Said Naruto, with Batman nodding at this while still frowning.
"As for why you two are out on your own?" Said Batman.
"That's…my fault. I was tricked by one of our classmates Hibachi, he told me that he and his group would be my friends if I went into the back hills to bring back something from a battle that happened there. But it was just a lie, he sent me here to be killed by enemy Ninja that were still in the area, just to get payback for scaring him with one of my pranks. And I probably would be dead if Satsuki didn't follow me." Naruto said, clenching his fists in anger.
"We ended up falling into a river off a cliff before being knocked out when we hit the water, the next thing we knew we woke up here." Said Satsuki, making Batman look between them before settling on Naruto.
"Why would you agree to go to the sight of a battle just to bring something back? It would have been obvious that it was a trap to get you hurt or killed." Batman stated, much to the Uzumaki's annoyance.
"I know! I know now after Satsuki had to tell me! But I was desperate to finally have some friends, okay! Everyone else in the village either hates me or acts like I don't exist! Only seeing me as a nuisance or some kind of freak, like I don't belong! Even the teachers at the Academy ignore me, the last one even told the other students to ignore me! So I wanted to hope that I wouldn't be alone anymore…that someone would actually care." Naruto said, muttering the last part to himself.
Batman couldn't help but frown at the sight, thinking that this could've been how Dick would have turned out if he hadn't taken him in, to not have anyone there for him who understood his pain and grief.
"Well…I'm here and…I care. I did risk my life to save you, so I'd say I care a lot." Said Satsuki, putting a hand on his shoulder and saying the latter in a joking tone, with Naruto nodding at her in thanks before he looked up at Batman.
"Does it…ever get better? Being alone?" Naruto asked, wondering what he felt after retiring as Batman and having no one around, the Caped Crusader's frown deepened.
"I wish I could say it's a definite yes…but it does get better. Though it helps more, when you learn to be able to let people in again." Batman replied, knowing it helped him when he found Ace, even more so when Terry came along, giving him a chance to try and right some of his wrongs.
Most noticeably making amends with Barbara and Tim after cutting them out of his life, even seeing Clark again had been good despite how he was controlled at the time.
"So…what do we do now?" Satsuki asked, looking at Batman along with Naruto, wondering if he'd be able to help them get out of the Batcave.
This made the Dark Knight frown thoughtfully at what to do next, he'd created this A.I. as a means to continue guiding and helping Terry as Batman until he no longer needed him. But another reason was in the event there wasn't anyone to take up the mantle of Batman after Terry. That if anyone ever discovered the Batcave, he would still be here, to see if they would have what it takes.
As one thing he would agree with Waller on, is that the world would always need a Batman.
He just never expected the world would change so much, but knew that criminals would always be the same regardless of the era.
"…I will give you both a choice. One, I show you where the exit is and you continue on with your lives however you see fit, as long as you shut down everything in the Batcave before you leave. Or two, you stay here and I will train you." Batman said, much to their shock.
"Train…us?" Said Satsuki, not expecting that.
"Yes. If there's one thing Waller's Project Batman Beyond taught me, it's that the world will always need a Batman to fight against those who prey on the weak and defenseless. To ensure that criminals share the dread of those they hurt. And she was right about one thing, Batman is born from tragedy, to understand the feeling of pain and helplessness, to embrace vengeance and justice." Said Batman, with Naruto and Satsuki looking at him with wide eyes.
"But know this, if you accept, there will be no turning back. I won't hold anything back in preparing either of you, you may even hate me for what you'll be put through. But when you've completed your training, you will have become a symbol of fear to all those who stand against you, to remind all criminals why they should fear the night." Batman said.
"The choice is entirely yours; I won't force you to accept it if it's not what you wish." Said Batman, with Satsuki looking unsure at the idea of carrying on a legacy like that.
As on one hand with everything he's been through, it'd be crazy to not accept being trained by Batman and learning everything he had to teach. But given what her goal is, to find and kill Itachi, and the fact she's already killed someone, Satsuki wasn't sure she could do it or if she even deserved it.
"I'll do it." Naruto said without hesitation, making the ravenette look at him in shock.
"What?! You're going to do it…just like that?! Why?!" Said Satsuki, wondering how he could accept the offer without even thinking it over, especially with how he's dreamed of becoming a Ninja and Hokage.
"Why not? What would I have in Konoha if I went back? I can't become a Ninja since I'm never going back to the Academy after dealing with Iruka. And it's pretty clear that no one even wants me around, I can't even buy a mask without being pushed out of the shop and having it thrown at me just to get me to leave. Someone even tried getting me killed over a prank!" Naruto exclaimed in frustration, breathing heavily before looking away, while Satsuki looked at him with wide eyes.
"And what about becoming Hokage?" Satsuki asked, only for the whiskered blonde to look at her.
"Be honest, do you really see anyone in Konoha willing to accept me as Hokage? Would they finally see me as me or just as the Hokage they don't want?" Naruto said, making the Uchiha look away as after what she's seen, even she knew how unlikely it'd be anyone would accept him as Hokage if he ever got the chance to get the title.
"So, yeah. I'll accept the offer because maybe if I can become stronger, if I can prove I can be even close to being like him…" Said Naruto, looking at Batman before turning back to Satsuki.
"…then I'll take the chance to try and help people everywhere I can, to stop criminals and Missing-Nin from hurting the innocent. So that no one else has to experience the same sadness and loneliness that I have." Naruto said, with Satsuki looking at him in surprise at his words and the determination she saw in his eyes.
"Then…I'll accept too." Satsuki said, turning towards Batman, knowing she couldn't say no after all that.
The idea that maybe she could save even just a single person from going through what she did, it's not something the ravenette could or would ignore. And she also wasn't going to leave Naruto alone either, she had gone to a great length to make sure he was alright, and she wasn't planning to leave now.
While the Dark Knight looked between the two for a few moments, looking for any signs that they were hesitant or would waver later on. Only to see nothing but determination, knowing that neither of them were planning to back down.
"Very well then, Naruto Uzumaki, Satsuki Uchiha, welcome to my world." Said Batman, with the two feeling like they were about to step into an entirely new world.
"Now the first thing to do is have both of you registered in the Bat Computer before deploying the Bat Drones to begin gathering information." Batman said, motioning them over to the Bat-Computer.
"Bat Drones?" Questioned Satsuki.
"Miniature drones that resemble bats, I created them after Terry took up the mantle. They help in gathering information while being unnoticeable, being equipped with cameras, speakers, scanners, camouflage, and hacking equipment that lets them connect into any surveillance systems." Explained Batman, having worked on creating several new gadgets once Terry became Batman.
Knowing it never hurt to have new equipment and gadgets to use out in the field, even better with the advancements made in technology since his early years as Batman. Not to mention the alien technology he'd been able to gather over the years, to learn how it works, counter it, and improve on it.
"And we're sending them into Konoha." Naruto said, with the Dark Knight nodding in response.
"Not just into Konoha, but the out into the rest of the world as well. We'll need to gather any and all information we can, and I need to see what's different and what's the same from my time and that of Neo-Gotham." Batman said, knowing he'll have a lot of information to gather in this new world.
Naruto and Satsuki simply nodded, figuring he's done this enough times and knew what he was doing. Before he told them of the voice activation commands for the Bat Computer and how to activate it, allowing them to deploy the Bat Drones to get to work.
*Hokage's Office*
Meanwhile, within the Hokage's Office, the Sandaime looked a solemn Iruka, Hibachi's father, and Hibachi himself who was currently being held in place by Anbu. Not because they believed he was a threat, but as they needed to forcefully drag him to the Hokage's Office.
With all three having been brought in after Kakashi reported that he wasn't able to locate Naruto or Satsuki anywhere, with their scent trail ending at a river. While there were no signs they had swam across or even got out of it. Meaning it's unlikely either of them would be found, much to Hiruzen's anger and sorrow, with the former being directed at the three currently in front of him.
"Not only did you knowingly send a fellow student to enemy Ninja, but have gotten two of them killed out of petty spite from a prank. Be thankful all I'm doing is permanently expelling you from the Academy and five years in Konoha's Juvenile Correctional Facility. Because what you've done is treason and punishable by death. Anbu, take him away!" Sarutobi ordered coldly, making Hibachi scream and kick as the Anbu dragged him away.
"Fuck you! Fuck you, you stupid, worthless old man! And I hope that pathetic germ screamed as he died, I hope he suffered! Along with that Uchiha bitch! I hope the rest of you suffer just like them! I only regret not seeing them die!" Screamed Hibachi as he cackled madly when the Anbu dragged him out of the office, with the Hokage then turning to Hibachi's father.
"And you, you are hereby dishonorably discharged for failing to properly discipline your son, who's actions have now cost Konoha its Jinchūriki! And just like him, you should be thankful it's not execution and that The Foundation has been disbanded, otherwise I would've personally handed your son over to Danzō as compensation! Which you should be very grateful for, as he would simply have you and your entire family executed if it was his choice! Now get out!" Sarutobi said as he glared at the now disgraced former Ninja, who quickly left, being smart enough to know not to argue with the Hokage.
Once he was gone, Hiruzen then turned towards Iruka, settling on a cold, neutral expression at seeing he was genuinely saddened at what's happened. But that didn't mean he would be let off easily, as the Hokage entrusted him to teach and guide Naruto. Only to betray that trust when he ignored him and encouraged the other students to do the same, which set all this into motion.
"As for you Iruka, you will be discharged as well. I had hoped you would be capable of looking past your biases in regards to the Kyūbi, but instead it was your own actions in ignoring Naruto that lead to all this. Now we haven't only lost our Jinchūriki, but the last of the Uchiha Clan as well." Hiruzen said, knowing it wasn't just Satsuki they lost, but Itachi as well.
Having no doubt that once the older Uchiha learns what happened to not just his sister, but his godbrother as well, then Konoha will lose their spy in the Akatsuki. The only relief being that what happened was beyond his own control, so at least Itachi won't damn all of Konoha for their deaths.
"I understand, Hokage-sama." Said Iruka, accepting his punishment without complaint, knowing it's the least he deserved for getting two of his students killed.
The now former Chūnin blamed himself and his failures for getting Naruto and Satsuki killed. That if he tried to look past his biases from the start and acted as the teacher Naruto needed, then he wouldn't have lost the Uzumaki's trust and respect. He could've convinced him to come back to the village or even prevent any of this from happening in the first place.
Nodding at seeing Iruka wouldn't fight his decision, the Sandaime dismissed him from his office before turning and facing the Hokage Monument out the window. The Sandaime only being able to sigh sadly as his anger drained away, looking at Minato's stone face solemnly.
'I'm sorry Minato, Kushina, I'm so sorry. I failed both of you, and more importantly I failed Naruto by not doing more, by not being better.' Sarutobi thought, wondering if his list of failures will ever stop growing.
*Academy*
While within the Academy, despite only a few hours having passed, word had already begun spreading of Naruto's and Satsuki's deaths. Much to their shock and unease that two of their classmates had died, even more so that Hibachi was the one responsible.
With one student who was the most devastated was Hinata, the bluenette currently fighting back tears, not wanting to cry in front of everyone.
'Naruto-kun is…gone…he's gone…and not coming back! And Satsuki…she went to go help him…while I didn't do anything…she tried helping and I did nothing!' Hinata thought, feeling shame and devastation that she didn't try going off to help Naruto like Satsuki did.
Before everyone's attention turned towards the door when a Chūnin none of them recognized entered the classroom.
"Uh…who are you? And where's Iruka-sensei?" Questioned Ino Yamanaka.
"I'm afraid that due to the loss of two students, Iruka has been discharged and relieved of his duties as your homeroom teacher. While I will be your new instructor for the duration of your time at the Academy." Answered the Chūnin, much to their growing shock that Iruka was also fired, before their new teacher soon began the lessons for the day.
All the while no one in the village was aware or noticed as a Bat Drone flew through the sky towards the abandoned Uchiha District.
*Batcave*
"Right there, that's the Uchiha Clan's Jutsu Library." Said Satsuki, directing Batman on where her clan's Jutsu Library was located, with the Dark Knight sending the Bat Drone towards the building she pointed towards.
The two watched through the camera in the Bat Drone as it flew into the library, revealing dozens of scrolls the Uchiha Clan had collected over the years.
"Your clan certainly amassed quite the collection." Batman stated as the drone began scanning and uploading all the scrolls into the Bat Computer.
"Our Sharingan helps with that, all we need to do is see a Jutsu and the handseals needed to perform it once to perfectly copy and perform it ourselves, along with writing it down and adding it with the rest. Then there's the Spoils of War collected over the years. My parents and Itachi actually told me that a lot of the jutsu in Konoha's possession were actually donated from our clan." Replied Satsuki, knowing her clans been able to gather up a large amount of Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Kenjutsu.
It didn't take long for the Bat Drone to finish scanning everything before Batman began directing it to the next location, the Naka Shrine. With Satsuki having revealed the existence of the Stone Tablet, wanting to have it scanned as well and see if Batman could reveal what was written on it.
"What's so important about this stone thing, anyway?" Naruto asked, wondering why Satsuki would care to find out what it said, if she couldn't read it in the first place.
"That's what I want to know, what it says. But I was never able to read it because I haven't awakened my Sharingan yet." Said Satsuki, wanting to know what Itachi had been able to read on the Stone Tablet that was so important, he'd tell her where it is.
"In my experience, when it comes to writings that can't be read, it usually means they contain important information that someone either wants kept hidden or in this case, information that only certain people can decipher and read." Batman said, having encountered things like this before and knew the information always proved to be valuable either at the moment or later on.
"Yeah, and if only the Sharingan can read it, then it has to be important. Over there, the seventh tatami mat from the far right, the entrance is under there." Said Satsuki, pointing to where the entrance is, as Batman directed the drone over and had it remove the mat, opening up the underground passage.
Flying the drone down to the Stone Tablet and beginning to scan it, Batman began deciphering what the Stone Tablet said.
"It may take a while, whoever created this wrote it in a way only they would be able to understand, I'm guessing they also possessed a Dōjutsu of their own, perhaps an even more evolved form of the Sharingan. However it does have similarities to ancient Japanese writings, so the translation we get should still prove accurate." Batman said, as they watched the writing be deciphered and translated.
"What's the…Infinite Tsukuyomi?" Said Naruto in confusion at what that could be.
"The Tsukuyomi in a Genjutsu, one that only someone with the Mangekyō Sharingan could potentially awaken. But I don't know what the Infinite Tsukuyomi could be, maybe…like a permanent version." Satsuki said, though she wasn't sure herself.
"It's the worst type of prison you can imagine." Said Batman, frowning gravely as more information was translated, making Naruto and Satsuki look at him.
"What do you mean?" Questioned Satsuki.
"During my time in the Justice League, I encountered a plant-like alien species called the Black Mercy. It's a telepathic species that latches onto a host body, reads their mind and then traps them in a waking dream world, creating a world fulfilling their deepest desires and wishes. Whoever the Black Mercy latches onto remains trapped with no way of knowing what they're experiencing isn't real. The only way to be released is realizing the world is fake and wanting to leave." Batman explained, much to their shock at something like that existing.
"Who would want to leave their own perfect dream world?" Questioned Naruto, not sure if he'd be able to resist something like that, to have the perfect world he'd want.
"Exactly. But never forget this, no matter how good a dream is, it will always come to an end eventually, and you'll have to face the truth of reality once more. And trust me, the dream is much worse." Said Batman, with Naruto and Satsuki looking at him, realizing he must've been forced to experience a Black Mercy attached to him.
"Then…this Infinite Tsukuyomi is the same? Trapping a person in a dream world." Satsuki stated with the Dark Knight nodded in response.
"Yes, only it acts on a much larger scale, being able to affect the entire world. As the way the Infinite Tsukuyomi is cast, it reflects off the moon itself, trapping all those who are hit by the moon's light, leaving them trapped and immobile. It seems like the creator of the Tablet left this as a warning, to ensure that no one would ever try casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi. However…" Batman said, narrowing his eyes.
"What? Is there something else about it?" Questioned Naruto, with Batman giving some voice commands to the Bat Computer, causing part of the translation to be separated from the rest.
"It seems like someone must've changed and altered the Stone Tablet. As this translation here says that the Uchiha Clan would be saved by the Infinite Tsukuyomi, making it out as if it would their salvation. Yet with the rest, it's only a warning of how dangerous the Infinite Tsukuyomi is. So, it seems the original creator left the Stone Tablet as a warning for the Uchiha Clan, as I believe the Sharingan likely plays a part in activating the Infinite Tsukuyomi. While another person came along and changed it, likely believing an Uchiha would one day come along and be able to read it, becoming an unknowing pawn in initiating a plan they were masterminding." Batman explained, causing the ravenette to frown and clench her fists.
"So someone has been secretly manipulating my clan, for who knows how long, all just to have one of us activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi." Said Satsuki, furious that whoever did this is likely the real reason her clan was massacred.
Given as far as she knows, Itachi only planned the massacred of their clan after reading the Stone Tablet, so this could be the reason it happened. Whether to ensure no one else would be able to do it and try initiating the Infinite Tsukuyomi, or if he was being manipulated to do it himself. Either way Satsuki now knew he didn't just kill everyone to test his power.
"It would seem so, and whoever changed it is either still around to this very day or had recruited followers to pass down their plan, which would one day be realized. We may learn more once the translation is finished, for now though it's time your training begins." Said Batman, giving a few voice commands to have the Bat Drones continue observing the village, while giving them a command to return once they've completed their observations.
"What're we going to start on first?" Naruto asked as Batman got up and guided them over to the terminal that controlled the obstacle course set up in the Batcave.
"The two of you will be starting at the basics and will require more training, given your Chakra. As for that you'll be working on at the moment, Chakra Control. Which seems to be one of the most important aspects to ensure you don't overexert yourselves. The first thing you'll be doing in working on the Surface Walking and Water Walking Exercises. Once you both have a mastery of both and can do so instinctually, we'll move on." Batman replied, knowing that control would be one of the most important things to learn, as it'd also teach them restraint and patience when they get frustrated.
"I can also help you get caught up on the basics of everything we learned in the Academy, and what I learned before joining." Satsuki said, aware that the whiskered blonde wasn't caught up on everything that everyone else in the Academy had already learned.
"Thanks." Muttered Naruto, not liking the reminder at how far ahead Satsuki already is compared to him.
"We'll also focus on non-Chakra related training, and we'll start with giving both of you a general education. Reading, writing, history, science, and arithmetic. As well as martial arts or Taijutsu as you know it, strategizing, chemistry, escape artistry, forensics, psychology, tactics, and machinery. Though most of that, and more, will come later once we've finished your standard education." Said Batman, with their eyes widening at each thing they'll be learning, though Naruto couldn't help but frown as the education part.
"Will we really need to learn all that education stuff?" Naruto asked, preferring if they went straight to training to get stronger.
"Yes. Everything you learn, no matter what it is, will all be skills you will need. They will help set the foundation for everything you'll learn late on. Consider this your first lesson, raw strength can only get you so far, knowledge and wisdom will be needed just as much, if not more so in certain cases." Batman replied, knowing for all his physical abilities, his mind was his greatest tool.
"Okay, okay, I get it." Said Naruto, still not liking it, but relented to what they'll be doing.
"Then get started on Surface Walking, run up and down the cave walls until you're exhausted, and then keep going until you can't move." Said Batman, seeing it as good endurance and stamina training as well.
Nodding in response, Naruto and Satsuki went over to one of the walls, the Uchiha beginning to tell Naruto everything he missed to get him caught up. Before helping him in what he needed to do to perform Surface Walking.
While Batman stayed by the obstacle course terminal, bringing up some holographic controls he can use, setting up what he felt would be a good training program for both Naruto and Satsuki. Along with reactivating the training drones he created to replicate the fighting styles of all his enemies and allies. Though programmed them to fight at the level of trained grunts. Doubting either of them would be able to go against any supervillains or heroes just yet, even on the easier settings.
Though after a few moments of gearing grunting and one of them hitting the ground, the Caped Crusader looked only to narrow his eyes. Seeing Naruto falling to the ground from the wall cursing as he hit the ground. While Satsuki just ran up the wall before being propelled back from using too much Chakra. Batman watched as she seemed to explain Surface Walking again, only for Naruto to simply nod along as if he understood.
'It doesn't seem like he's good at understanding instructions or demonstrations.' Batman thought before putting in another setting to test a theory he's developing.
"Naruto, come here." Said Batman, getting both kids attention before Naruto went over to him.
"Did you need me to do something?" Naruto asked, only to be surprised when a panel on the ground opened up and shelves of training equipment rose up.
His surprise only growing as multiple holographic targets appeared and began flying around the Batcave, along with a blue ring not far from him.
"You'll be running an obstacle course. Move through the rings as they appear, while using the shuriken to hit the targets as they fly around. And you'll be channeling Chakra to your feet the entire time. You have five minutes. Go." Said Batman, activating the course, the Uzumaki looked at him in surprise before he immediately grabbed as many shuriken as he could and channeled Chakra to his feet before he took off running.
Satsuki came over, intrigued at what Batman was having Naruto do, only to be surprised when she saw him doing the obstacle course. Running through each ring as they appeared, and throwing shuriken at the targets as they flew past him. Missing most of them, but the ones he hit looked as if he was seeing where they'd go and aimed accordingly.
Though the Uchiha was really shocked when the rings began appearing along the walls, with Naruto not even seeming to notice where they were, only that more were appearing. With Satsuki's eyes widening as Naruto managed to actually go almost ten feet up the wall, before falling back to the ground.
"Ah! Damnit, I was almost…huh." Said Naruto, annoyed that he failed again, only to stop as he realized what he just did.
"Naruto…you actually managed to go up the wall!" Said Satsuki, not believing how he was able to do that without realizing.
"I…I did…I actually did it!" Naruto said, smiling excitedly that he was able to do Surface Walking, before his smile turned into a frown.
"How'd I do that?" Said Naruto, looking at them, while Batman kept observing the Bat Computer.
"You're a kinesthetic learner." Batman stated as he began adjusting Naruto's education to fit with this new information.
"A what learner?" Naruto asked in confusion.
"Kinesthetic learner. It means that you learn something better by performing physical activities, by being an active participant as opposed to learning through a lecture or demonstration. By having you run an obstacle course, you began thinking on the fly, acting the way you know you're supposed to when you needed to get to the rings on the wall. Go again and remember to not think about it, just act." Said Batman as he reset the obstacle course, with Naruto nodding in response and going back to the begin, eager to learn much more than he did back in the Academy.
While Satsuki watched in amazement as Naruto started the obstacle course again, seeing he looked even more prepared the second time. The whiskered blonde managing to hit more targets than he did before, along with once again running up the wall. Only now he was prepared to fall off and flip through the air, throwing a shuriken at another target as it flew past him.
'He reminds me of Itachi, a little.' Satsuki thought, seeing how quickly he's picking things up, remembering how her brother was the same, before she quickly shook her head of those thoughts.
Though it did make Satsuki realize that all of Naruto's failures at the Academy weren't because he was actually bad. It's because the teachers had neglected his training and didn't try to understand that he needed different training compared to everyone else.
'Then let's see what you can really do, Naruto.' Thought Satsuki as she went back to working on Surface Walking, refusing to let herself fall behind.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto and Satsuki learning who Batman is as he explains his life from the moment his parents died, all the way up to the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue", which is when he created his A.I.. Before then asking them who they are, which the two reveal after a few moments since anything they tell him wouldn't be dangerous. With Batman then giving them the offer to become his students, having learned the world would always need a Batman, something Naruto immediately accepts, knowing there isn't anything or anyone in Konoha waiting for him and that he'd be able to do more good if he can become the next Batman. With Satsuki agreeing as well after hearing his reasoning.
Then we go to the Hokage's Office where we see Hibachi, his father, and Iruka being punished for their parts in Naruto's and Satsuki's "deaths". Hibachi for being responsible, his father for not disciplining his son, and Iruka for betraying the Hokage's trust in teaching Naruto. Along with showing more of how psychotic Hibachi is (seriously watch the episodes he appears in, every time he's on screen he's either laughing like a lunatic or smiling like he's watching someone be slowly tortured to death). Before we get a short look at the Academy, with word already beginning to spread of their "deaths", with Hinata being devastated while the students get a new teacher.
Next we see a Bat Drone heading to the Uchiha District and scanning their entire Jutsu Library before going to the Stone Tablet and scanning it as well, with Satsuki guiding Batman on where both locations are. With the three then beginning to learn what was written on the Stone Tablet, starting with the Infinite Tsukuyomi and that someone had altered it to get an Uchiha to initiate the Genjutsu.
Finally we see Naruto and Satsuki begin their training under Batman, starting with Surface Walking and Water Walking, with Batman soon realizing Naruto's a kinesthetic learner and adjusts his education accordingly. While Satsuki is surprised at how quickly Naruto begins advancing, realizing that he wasn't really bad in the Academy and only had neglectful teachers. Before she continues her own training, not wanting to end up falling behind. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out
