I don't own Naruto or DC Comics.


1-02: Locus


Batman glued his eyes to the screen before him. It had been nine hours now since the Team went dark and ceased any communication with the Cave. The only thing to go by was the visual updates provided by Justice League orbital satellites. Exactly twenty-seven minutes ago, the satellites revealed a burning factory with a crashed cargo helicopter inside of it.

"Robin to Brother Eye, do you read?"

Finally.

Batman pressed a button on the holographic keyboard. He was joined by Red Tornado and Black Canary. "Loud and clear. What's your situation?"

"Gold mission, I repeat again, gold mission."

The heavy weight on top of him disintegrated. There had been a couple of moments three hours ago where he almost forgot to breathe. To hear confirmation of their success gave Batman some assurance that they may able to pull this thing off after all.

"…but there is a caveat."

Batman stood firm, "Elaborate."

"Bioship has plus one crew. He is active and independent, over."

Red Tornado pressed a button to pause communication with the Team. Red Tornado turned to Batman, "The Team must change their destination. Policy dictates us to screen unverified actors."

"Agreed," Batman replied to Red Tornado. Batman pressed the button to reestablish their cave communication with the Team once more. "Robin, change course. Fly to Hudson. We'll meet you there."


Sixteen hours passed by since the Team's arrival on the Hudson Outpost. At the moment of their arrival, the Team was separated from Naruto immediately. Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Flash escorted Naruto to the living quarters while the Team was ushered to the gym to report to Batman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary. Ever since then, they were given restricted access to the Hudson Outpost. The Team was free to leave but they were barred from interacting with Naruto at all.

M'gann found herself near the squat racks walking back and forth. For a good thirty minutes she had been doing her best trying to warm up her hands. Alternatively squeezing each hand, stimulating the blood flow within.

"Are you okay Miss M?" Robin camped on a flat bench.

M'gann felt her cheeks heating up, "I keep thinking about the mission and what I did. I didn't think things would get complicated so fast. Everything was so quiet for a minute, then it was dialed up to a hundred. Batman's feedbacks were… harsh and intense."

"What he said didn't bother me," commented Superboy.

Wally smacked Superboy good on the bicep, "She was referring to herself, prick! Batman, is a different kind of beast. It took me two years to warm up to him."

Robin agreed, "It takes a while. Then, you'll start to hear his criticisms as they are. It's kept me alive and has never brought me down since I started as his partner."

"A year ago, Killer Croc terrorized Cape May." Kaldur joined in. "My king, Batman, Robin, and I confronted him on an old pier. I thought I was stronger than Killer Croc, so I did not heed to his attacks as strongly as my partners. Unbeknownst to me, Killer Croc's bite was strong enough to pierce through Atlantean skin. I was careless. When I was injured, the team apportioned another focus on protecting me. After they defeated Killer Croc, Batman did not hold back. And, I never made those mistakes again."

Robin put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't linger on it too much. Take it in then shelf it. That's what exercises are for. Eventually, it'll be just like breathing when we're out on the field."

"Thanks guys," M'gann's hands weren't as jittery as before. Now, a different thought dominated her mind. "I wonder if Naruto's doing okay…"

Wally was sitting on a gray exercise ball, munching on a chicken quesadilla. "Guy's got five leaguers in there with him. Wouldn't want to trade places with him. He's gotta be sweating buckets."

"They must be thorough," Kaldur illuminated. "The Cave cannot afford another vulnerability. Especially since we are now the primary occupants. And, the Cave stands as a trial for us. Test us on how long we can protect a valuable asset."

Superboy hummed, "I can listen in and give you the play-by-play if you want."

"Yes!" Robin jumped at Superboy's proposition.

"No," Kaldur shut it down immediately.

Robin aggressively huffed.

Kaldur's eyes landed on Robin's disappointment, "It is wrong. They asked for privacy."

Wally turned to Robin, "You think he would'a done it? He had Kobra right where he wanted him. I'm sure if Robin, me, or anyone else wasn't around…"

"I don't know," Robin responded, dipping his chin low. "I've only known the guy through Monroe's video logs. I don't know him well enough. He could be and we're playing right into his hands…"

"The fact of the matter is, Naruto did not follow through." Kaldur disagreed. "Before crossing the line, he stopped. We should give him a chance. Guide him to our creeds. He has earned that from us."

"Yeah, you're right." Robin threw in the towel. "But, he's on thin, thin ice."


Naruto held onto the glow rope of destiny with his right hand. At least that's what he liked to refer to it as. A man dressed in a bat-themed armor and a tall, goddess of a woman came up to him. Totally tactless on their part since he was enjoying his new form of freedom, droning around, watching a cooking competition on tv with snacks, candies, chocolate, and cans of Sprite.

He took his feet off the coffee table, sat up straight on the couch, dusting off crumbs of cheese puffs on his new grey tracksuit, and tried to match their energy. Batman and Wonder Woman were waiting on him. They probably wanted him to grasp the glow rope of destiny with both hands for it to be effective. So he wiped his left fingers clear of chip crumbs with his grey trackpants and whatever he couldn't rub off was licked clean. He then grabbed onto the glow rope of destiny for dear life.

Wonder Woman's right eye was twitching.

"What is this?" inquired Naruto.

"The Lasso of Truth," supplied Wonder Woman. A low growl was interwoven with her answer.

Naruto rolled his eyes. Sapphire eyes stared hard at Wonder Woman's armored top, "Yeah, got it. And, I supposed that's the chest plate of endowment." His head jerked up. "Oh, shit! This is the Lasso of Truth."

He swiveled his attention to Batman, "I hope you understand. I would never say something like that in front of her face."

Naruto just realized what he said out loud.

"Goddamnit!"

A boisterous laugh entered the living room. A green hooded man with domino mask similar to Robin's was accompanied by Flash and Black Canary. They were dressed in their Justice League uniforms. Flash wore a red tactical suit. Meanwhile Black Canary chose to keep her head free of any sort of mask. Opting to wear casual denim jacket over black top, gray leggings, and black combat boots. Naruto liked her black chocker and her fingerless bracers.

Black Canary disapproved of Green Arrow's amusement.

"What? The kid, kid's out there," defended Green Arrow.

"Hey, where did you get that ramen?" Naruto requested from the speedster.

Flash smiled, "My favorite spot in Queen's Row. I can take you there when we're finished here."

Naruto stuck his tongue out in disgust, "Don't bother. It tasted like shit."

Flash's shoulders slumped.

Naruto threw the Lasso away.

"For the love of—I hate that this thing is making me say stuff that I don't want to say out loud."

"Good," Batman picked it up and handed the Lasso back to Naruto. "Start from the beginning and don't leave anything out."

"Fine," an undignified huff expelled from Naruto, "So when I was born, there was this—"

"I meant when the Kult of Kobra imprisoned you."

"Oh, right, duh! Well everything's fuzzy when I was transported to Santa Prisca. The only thing I can remember is knocking out when I was in the hospital because Sakura gave me these pills that were super strong, helped me fall asleep and numbed the pain—woah that almost sounds like she drugged me or something. But, she's not a bad guy because she's my best friend! Well, Sasuke's my best friend too and he's been doing a lot of shitty things recently—"

"Naruto…" Black Canary shepherded him back on topic.

"Right, Santa Prisca." Naruto moving along, "We get to the facility—"

"We?" This time it was Wonder Woman.

"Kobby, Shimmer, Mammoth and the rest of his goons," Naruto cleared up. "We get to the facility. It actually looked like they got invited in because everyone's being nice. Bane's people and Kobby's guys they're all shaking hands, drinking beer, probably jerking each other off, the complete rundown."

"Oh my god," Black Canary shook her head at Naruto's rendition of a double, wrist-twist, cyclone.

Green Arrow laughed again and louder.

"That's the same reaction I had! It was nauseating! Hearing them congratulate each other on fighting and escaping the Justice League. Bunch'a losers! Anyways, a couple of weeks in and Bane starts asking all sorts of wrong questions. What's Project Scarlet, how much money was he getting out of this, meeting with Kobby's partners. It started to throw Kobby off. Plus, Kobby was digging a big hole. When they began doing experiments on me, everything was on him. But nothing really took off. He was in a lot of stress. Then, Monroe came in to the picture. She's in the middle of a possible break up because I once heard her say something like, 'I'll focus on science because at least science won't let me down!'. I'm not a scientist or anything, but I'm pretty sure they've been unsuccessful in regard to Project Scarlet at that point so I don't know what the hell she was talking about."

"What is Project Scarlet?" probed Batman.

Naruto arched his brow, "Robin didn't tell you? He's a good kid. But he's walking around like the whole world's on his shoulder. He definitely needs two-three years off the grid type vacation. I've been on it. Does wonders for your skin and soul."

"I want to hear it from you."

"Don't know how much I can make it clearer for you," Naruto remarked. He looked up at the ceiling for any inspiration on dishing out a satisfying answer. "Project Scarlet was finding out what chakra can do. Kobra sucked. He was more into pain and torture than he was into the science. Kept rambling on about ushering in the Kali Yuga. And, his guys would eat it up too! Fucking terrifying! But, not in the physical kind of way 'cause I curb stomped the shit outta his ass. Monroe, on the other hand, was a different type of player. She observed chakra in her microscopes for weeks, measured it in all kinds of tools, and for the last few days there she was able to extract it from my blood. Don't know how she was able to do it—really curious on how. She's pretty good man. Exactly why I couldn't let her leave that island with even one vial."

"You mentioned that Kobra had partners," Wonder Woman noted.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, Monroe. Weren't you paying attention? Why am I even holding on to this thing if you're not gonna listen?!"

Wonder Woman and Batman looked at each other.

Naruto was thrown off, "What was that?"

"Nothing," batted Batman.

"No," Naruto wouldn't let go though. "There was definitely something. You guys were looking at each other like you just solved the world's greatest mystery."

Their silence confirmed his educated guess.

Naruto snapped his fingers, "Oh, you're hiding something from me!"

Batman revealed a holographic picture of Monroe and Kobby from his hulking right forearm bracer. "Doctor Marcia Monroe and Kobra are in a business relationship. But, there is a gap in their introduction. Monroe was born in Bialya and Jeffrey Burr was born in the United States. While Kobra was operating in southeastern Asian countries, Doctor Monroe was finishing her doctorates in biology. Then, Monroe was a researcher for the Bialyan government while Kobra moved on to India. As far as I know, their sphere of influence never touch."

A universe expanded within Naruto's mind, "So, someone else came along and brought them together. I smell a conspiracy!"

"Naruto, if there's anything else we should know, anything that will help us." Black Canary hinted at.

"Hmmmm," Naruto sunk into the cushions, cupping his chin. "Memory's playing hooky, brought to Santa Prisca, experimented on by Kobby, Kobby-Bane fallout, experimented on by Monroe, rescued by Justice League juniors, beat the living shit out of Kobby, Monroe got away with Sportsmaster... That's it. That's all I know."

"What about the hospital?" Flash asked. "Why were you admitted to a hospital?"

Sapphire eyes sparkled, "Oh, you know how I created the Sexy jutsu?"

Flash looked exhausted, "Sure…"

"Well I tried my hand again at being an inventor, so I created the Rasenshuriken. Badass ninjutsu, man. Like, way better than any jutsus in Sasuke's arsenal. It has the presence, dishes out massive payload, it has the zzzzhheweezz that you can hear from a Land away. Anyways, I used it on an Akatsuki member. I can't remember his name, and I don't really care about him. But, I found out from Granny Tsunade that the Rasenshuriken got this huge blowback. It's too powerful that if I get caught by it, the jutsu turns on me and starts shredding me to pieces. My arm was in a brace. Luckily, I heal fast because—"

Green Arrow held a palm out, "Wait a minute, you stopped someone using the Rasenshuriken? And the Rasenshuriken was shredding you? To literal pieces?"

"Yeah. After I used it on…" Naruto snapped his fingers at a hundred beats per minute. "Man, I'll never be able to sleep if I can't get his name right… Kazuki, I think that's what his name was. Anyways, Ino came over to perform first aid right away and it was freaking gnarly. Tore bits of my skin right off. You could see my bones! It was worse for Kazuki because the Rasenshuriken is thorough. But, Kakashi had the final kill. Kazuki had five hearts apparently. The Rasenshuriken took care of two hearts. The rest of the hearts was a combined effort between Kakashi and Shikamaru. Can you imagine that?"

"Okay," Wonder Woman massaged her forehead as she reeled her Lasso in. "Let's take a break."

"Oh, sweet, sweet free will! I have missed you so." Naruto hugged himself tightly. Rubbing his arms brought him comfort. Naruto turned to Batman, "We done here?"

Batman sighed and surrendered.

Black Canary gave him a heartful smile, "There are other things we need to clear up with the Team. Can you wait out in the kitchen? I'm sure Captain Marvel will bring you something to drink."


Green Arrow waited a good five minutes for Naruto to completely vacate the living room before turning to the group huddled behind the large sectional. "Kid's bubbly, even though he went through something gruesome for months."

"None of you guys want to comment on what the hell the Rasenshuriken is about? Or that the person Naruto fought against had five hearts? Or that this Kakashi and Shikamaru individual killed the person Naruto fought? It seems like everything that's coming out of Naruto's mouth belongs to LooneyTown. " Flash listed out. "Am I getting a stroke?"

"I will verify his statements," Batman reassured Flash.

"I'm more concerned with the fact that the Kult is in the business of human experimentation now," curtailed Black Canary. "They need to be higher in our red list after this. What if there are more kids?"

"Agreed," Wonder Woman acknowledged. "We squeeze any information out of Kobra."

"About that... our submissions were ceased by an affidavit. Court, investigators, Justice League cannot come into contact with Jeffrey Burr until he himself has given consent for our case to continue." Black Canary disclosed.

Anger was written all over Wonder Woman's face, "Who allowed this?!"

"Quentin Gallows," Black Canary, crossing her arms. "He's the judge proceeding over this case."

Batman explored the devil's advocate for the group, "It's the law. Jeffrey Burr isn't in a stable condition to consent. So, his power of attorney steps in and do what's best for Kobra."

"What's best for Kobra," repeated Green Arrow with spite.

"I know that it's frustrating—"

"His legal goons are stalling. Trying to gather what they can to shave off years of what he deserves!"

"We have to follow our charter," Batman reminded Green Arrow. "We established the rules with UN Security Panel for times like these. They gave us their trust, now it's time we do the same. Plus, we know where we stand."

"That's a new one for you," said Flash. He was clearly spoking to the Batman. "I didn't hear you once ask Naruto about where he came from, his abilities, his friends, nothing about his personal life."

"Batman wasn't allowed to," Wonder Woman replied. "He was voted out."

"And, why was he voted out?"

Wonder Woman stood tall, "The Lasso of Truth is meant to be used on criminals and malevolence. I agreed to use the Lasso to confirm the Kult's evils. I refuse to take part in anything more than that."

Martian Manhunter entered the conversation, "We must tread carefully with Naruto. His mind is guarded. Far better than any Earthian I have ever encountered. When Miss Martian added him into the mental link, she told me that his mind was accessible."

"Miss Martian is very talented," Black Canary recognized Miss Martian's superior skills.

"She is, but that is not what I meant." Martian Manhunter paused to reevaluate his words appropriately. "When she included Naruto to the Team's mind link. His mind had been prepared."

"I don't like how that sounds," remarked Flash.

"Indeed," Martian Manhunter agreed, ominously.

"He isn't in our database," Batman pointed out. "Even if Kobra wiped his profile from all the databases in the world, I still would've had a biography of him. No birth certificate, no fingerprints, no kin, no financial accounts."

"What, are we dealing with a ghost," Green Arrow presumed, sarcastically.

"No," Batman nixed those considerations completely. There were other methods he had on mind in finding out more about Naruto. "He can still be measured. I just need other instruments. Until then, we place him in a safehouse and get him to assist the Team."

Wonder Woman interjected, "You would add him to the Team?"

Black Canary was taken back, "Are you insane?"

"Only as a coordinator," Batman laid his cards out for the group to see, "Naruto used the Team to eliminate Project Scarlet and escape Santa Prisca. The Team naturally established a connection with Naruto. Small one, but it's there. I fully intend to use that connection. We will get the Team to bond with Naruto as much as possible, while we watch the Team. It's a good way to earn his trust."

"You mean the fastest way to earn his trust," Green Arrow clarified.

Batman reluctantly agreed, "We shepherd him to our beliefs. Hopefully, there will be a day he accepts our ideas and help us protect and provide good for the world. He's part of the world. I'm just trying to hit two birds with one stone."

Martian Manhunter voiced what was on all of their minds, "And, if he rejects our mission?"

Batman remained silent.

Wonder Woman soldiered through, "We need to know, Batman."

Batman took a few seconds for himself. He didn't like what he was about to say. But, for the respect of his colleagues, he had to address the looming elephant in the room. "I'm designing countermeasures."

A pin drop could be heard in the room.

"He's just a kid!" Green Arrow yelled.

It had a bitter taste to it, but Batman had to justify his agenda. "That's why we have to succeed. He's more than just a kid. He suffered through painful procedures for months, then defeats the Kult of Kobra. I don't have a gauge on him, but from my experience, kids like him don't walk away… bubbly. Something has been taking away from him. And, it's going to stay with him forever. We don't know where his compass will point him towards. But, I will be prepared for every road he decides to take."


Naruto moved his Sprite off to the side, tracing an imaginary river down the table. "No, no! You don't ever want to put a campsite next to the river! That's the first thing they'll follow when they're trying to track you down. You wanna have some distance from the river so that it's accessible and get some elevation. If you have the highest of high grounds, then you've already won before anything has ever started."

Captain Marvel frowned, "We're talking about regular camping, fun camping. It has nothing to do with—"

"We need to talk."

Naruto looked up to his right. Batman stood next to the table, looking down on Naruto. Naruto met the Batman less than a day ago but he could already tell that this person was all work and no play. From the soulless eyes to the structured frown, this man painstakingly sculptured the personification of ferocity.

Naruto voiced out what he perceived to be the only natural reaction to Batman's entrance. "Uhhh, rude."

Batman appeared dissatisfied.

Naruto relinquished with an exhausted sigh, "Okay, what about?"

"You."

"I'll do my best, I guess."

Batman pressed a button on his glove computer similar to Robin's toolset. "Currently, we're in the Hudson Outpost. While it has utilities to stand as a living quarter, Justice League has it resourced as a forward operating base in the eastern coast of the United States. Because our policies require us to be transparent with the UN Security Panel, you can't stay here for security reasons."

Naruto understood where Batman was getting at. Kobra's partners could easily infiltrate during the mandatory checkups. The better solution was to hide in a regular apartment where Naruto could easily forge an identity.

Naruto concurred, "Yeah, I figured I was going to get the boot once you got everything you needed from me."

"No," Captain Marvel was steadfast. "The Justice League wouldn't do that, Naruto."

Batman continued, "While Kobra and his followers have been confined, their partners are still lurking in the shadows. They will not withdraw in their efforts to recapture you. To them, your chakra is valuable. And, from Robin's reports, they refer to it multiple times as being lucrative. Which is why I'm organizing a safehouse outside the books for you and your family. I just need their contact information and we will reunite them with you at the safehouse."

"Oh, that's easy. Lucky for you, I'm an orphan." Naruto remarked with a mischievous smile.

"That was a little dark," Captain Marvel supplemented.

"What about your grandmother?" Batman probed. "You mentioned her earlier."

"Tsunade's not my real grandmother," answered Naruto. "I just call her that to get on her nerves. And, between you and me, it makes her really happy."

"If they find out your relationship to her, they will go after her."

Naruto shook his head, "They won't be able to reach her. She's too far."

Captain Marvel interposed, "Naruto, I don't have to tell you the lengths that these people will go to make sure they get what they want. That's been your reality for the past few months. You can't leave it to chance that they won't find out about Tsunade."

"Look, just trust me. Even with planes, boats, or rockets, they won't turn up on her doorstep. They have a better chance landing on the surface of the sun. And that sounds like I'm being a smart ass but the funny thing is that I'm telling you the truth. I just can't explain it in detail."

"Why not," asked Batman.

"I'm still trying to process everything that has happened," Naruto was careful not to dish out any sensitive information that could be traced back to Konoha. Circling around the truth might grant him space to work around. "I don't even know where to begin."

"Take your time, Naruto." Captain Marvel reaffirmed. "We are not in a hurry."

"This could take more than a few days," prospected Naruto.

"Like I said, we're not in a hurry. Isn't that right, Batman?"

"Of course," Batman acknowledged. "Take all the time you need. We will be here to listen to you when you're ready. Meanwhile, I will arrange your living quarters."

"Thank you," said Naruto, genuinely. "There were some days there where I, for sure, thought it was a sealed deal. I couldn't find any options, and I'm sure Mammoth was there to reign me back in. So, I really appreciate all the things you're doing for me."

"You're welcome." The way Batman responded to him gave him warmth.

The last thing in Naruto's concern was the chief scientist that slipped past his grasp. "What about Monroe? I'm pretty sure she still has her notes."

Batman nodded, "The Justice League will prioritize in locating Doctor Monroe. There will be some hurdles since she's a Bialyan citizen. But, we have other solutions we could explore."

The Justice League was organizing a task force in place to locate Monroe and he was just hearing about it now?

Naruto soldiered through, "Then, I want to be in it from the get-go. Let me help. Hopefully, you heard from the Team on how I operate. I will follow your rules of engagement."

"The whole point of this is to keep you away from Kobra's partners," Captain Marvel reminded him. "Justice League won't allow you to participate in any missions. It will cause more harm than good."

Naruto's mind flashed back to Kid Flash and Robin's findings on the chakra's potential to be catastrophic. His mind traversed onto other destructive scenarios in which innocent people were caught in the crossfire from the Kyuubi's chakra. Naruto felt his spirit pulling him. His impulses screaming for him to prevent those futures.

"I can't let Monroe get away," Naruto stood firm.

Naruto felt the air around Batman changed. The Dark Knight proposed a compromise. "Give me time to find out more about Kobra's partners. When I deem it safe, we will proceed in apprehending Doctor Marcia Monroe together. In the meantime, can I ask that you support the Team?"

Batman held out his hand.

Naruto closed in on the handshake. He accented it with a good, solid motion to transcribe his intentions. Naruto beamed a foxlike grin, "When do we start?"


AN: I got super excited from the feedback that I was getting! Thank you for the reviews, DMs, favorites, and follows.

I'm working on a new writing style. I try to minimize on the big, block expositions. I would appreciate any feedback or tips to make it read better.

Thank you for reading my story! =)