Jump City Assassin

by Shinobi of Greed

My name is Naruto Namikaze. Eleven years ago my father and sister were killed before my very eyes. Since then I've trained with an elite group, honing my skills in hopes of finding justice for my sister and father. But to avenge my family I have to become something else, someone else. I am the Black Fox!

6. Chapter 6 The Date and Favor

Chapter 6. The Date and Favor

(Nine years ago, Naruto age 7)

Deep within the Arabic Desert, there was a city hidden from the world. A place created by Ra's al Ghul himself, called 'Eth Alth'eban. Within its walls, was where the League of Assassins first took shape. To many this stronghold was nothing besides a fable, a made up story about a city of assassins that was passed down only to frighten young children. Though this city, like the ones who dwell within its walls, is very real.

However, to those who live within its walls, they refer to this place as home. A place where members of the League have refuge, a place where they can train and become better than what they are. 'Eth Alth'eban is a place where a weak individual can be forged into the strongest warrior. That's why two years ago, one Naruto Namikaze decided to leave Gotham and come to this very place. Though he quickly learned his new lifestyle would never be a pleasant one.

"Get up." A deep voice bellowed, anger riddled in his voice. While he glared down onto the beaten boy at his feet. "Or have you forgotten this is a fight to the death?"

Naruto heard the voice and tightened his knuckles, a sense of despair creeping over him. The blond had been ordered by his master to fight another member of the League, but Naruto wasn't ready. He was seven and his limited training along with his small body could only take him so far. While his opponent had decades of training, countless battle experience and was just flat out more powerful.

"I said get up!" The man roared, kicking Naruto in his rib cage. Causing the blond to go rolling across the cold stone floor.

Coming to a stop on his backside, Naruto coughed up some blood. Then as he took a deep breath he met the gaze of his master Ra's al Ghul who was watching from the side.

"Well boy, are you going to get up?" Ra's asked, his tone slightly disappointed.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto stumbled to his feet. Then as he swayed back and fourth, the assassin in training tried to strike a fighting pose. Though all he managed to accomplish was hold a stance for a second, before stumbling forward.

Ra's watched the boy hit the ground and sighed. "In two years what have you accomplished?" Ra's asked, while walking over to the blond. "Sure you can now call yourself an adequate archer, and your swordsmanship is subpar. Which is better than your prior nonexistent skill. Though you still have failed in two aspects, do you know what your failures are?"

Naruto looked down and pressed his head against the stone floor. "I've never once beaten one of your assassins in a duel." The blond answered in a weak voice.

Ra's nodded. "Yes and that's expected, you're young and weak. While my assassins have decades of experience and growth to use against you." Ra's explained to the blond, while folding his arms behind his back. "I never expect you to win against them, well not yet. I only wish for you to grow from the experience. Though so far I'm not seeing that growth."

"I'm sorry master." Naruto mumbled in a low voice. "What is my second failure?"

Ra's turned his back to Naruto, while walking over to the assassin who the blond had been fighting. "In the two years of your training, you have avoided taking one of the largest steps into becoming a true assassin." The man began, drawing his sword from his hip. "You have yet to kill someone." Ra's revealed, as he plunged his sword into his own assassin's chest. "See how easy this is?"

Naruto looked up and watched as his master effortlessly and without any emotion, killed one of his own men. Causing the assassin's body to hit the ground with a large thump.

"You've had ample opportunities to kill, though you've never beaten a full fledged member of the League. Out of your fellow assassins in training, you're the best." Ra's took a cloth and started to clean the blood off his sword, while a few assassins began dragging the dead body out of the room. "However, you always show mercy to your fellow trainees in spars. You never kill those who you do manage to beat, even though if the role was switched, they would kill you."

Naruto took a gulp and tightened his fists, his whole life everyone told him killing was wrong. His father and surrogate uncle Bruce Wayne along with his mother, always told him killing was bad. So Naruto could never bring himself to actually take another life.

"But all of this will change, as I'm sending you on a mission." Ra's revealed with a wide grin. "You will be accompanied by my eldest daughter, who will oversee your mission. She will not assist you, but only observe and make sure you kill your target. Am I understood?"

Naruto nodded and slowly rose to his feet, only to take a bow. "Yes master, I understand." The blond mumbled in a low voice, his mind heavily conflicted about taking another life.

Ra's smiled. "Good, then go rest. Your mission will begin in a few days. So I will brief you over your assignment at a later time."

Naruto nodded and turned his body, he was headed back to his quarters. Though he kept asking himself over and over. Did he have what it takes to become a killer? He knew to avenge his father and sister he would have to, but Naruto was starting to question for the first time since his arrival, if he really could become a true assassin.

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(Present time, Naruto's Bookstore)

It was the day after Naruto had teamed up with Raven and rescued Shikamaru's mother. Currently the blond haired teenager was seated in his underground headquarters, his face glued onto the board of clues he had placed together.

He was studying the picture of Mizuki's face. Taking note to memorize ever key feature of the man's face, as he was the blond's current target. Mizuki was an overconfident looking man, as in his picture he was dressed in an expensive suit, and he was smirking into the camera. Though his defining features were his green eyes and his hair. The latter of which was shoulder length and completely white.

"According to a birth certificate Shikamaru grabbed off a hospital database, Mizuki is only twenty nine. Hair like that isn't common for men of his age, which would make finding him a little easier. However, there is hardly any other information on him." Naruto mumbled to himself, trying to think of his next plan of action. "Back to square one, but at least I now have a face to match the name."

Hearing a ding, Naruto turned his attention to the elevator. Where Shikamaru was just now coming out of.

"Bout time you showed up." Naruto mumbled, pretending to be annoyed.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Yeah whatever." The teen grumbled before taking a seat. "Troublesome blond, I don't do early mornings. You're lucky I decided to come and not sleep in."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah lucky me, but in all seriousness how is your mom?"

Shikamaru reclined back and looked to the ceiling. "She is a little shaken by the experience, but I feel she is gonna be fine. Especially after an unknown benefactor paid for her hospital bills and arranged for her to get the treatment she needs to become healthy again." The boy explained before looking back to Naruto. Already deducing who paid the bills for his family.

"Huh, guess you got off pretty lucky then." The blond replied in a casual tone.

"Yeah I guess we did, but after her recovery she is moving to Hub City without me. We have family there and she just wants to get away from Jump City." Shikamaru explained in a dry voice.

"And she is okay with you staying behind?" Naruto mumbled in confusion.

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah I made up some story about me finally attending a local college in Jump City. This should be an easy excuse as I can easily hack any network and make it look like I'm a student. I also said I'll be rooming with a friend so that could explain why I'm never on campus."

"That's good, I have way too much room in my apartment for one person, so you could move in. Besides if we are gonna be working together we need alibis, you could be my roommate who works at my shop and in turn I pay you with a place to live." Naruto proposed, causing Shikamaru to nod in agreement.

"That would be the best course of action, we don't want anyone else learning about your double life." Shikamaru pointed out with a smirk.

"You mean our double life, you're an accomplish now." Naruto shot back with a wide grin.

"Yea, so that means try to not land us both in prison. Killing and being a vigilante is pretty illegal after all." Shikamaru replied with little enthusiasm.

"Yeah I know, so you living here will be perfect." Naruto began, before standing to his feet and walking over to his evidence board. "But let's get down to business, what's our first move?"

Shikamaru stood up and walked over to the blond and pointed to a list of names. "These names are just different types of dog breeds. Now I doubt the drug dealer you stole this phone from raised dogs. So it's safe to assume these are his associates and the dog breeds are names to hide their identity."

"And one of these names should be Mizuki, but we don't know which one." Naruto summarized, causing his partner to nod. "Though that doesn't matter because now we are in the vigilante game. So we should just start crossing names off this list."

"That's a start, but there is plenty of more crime for us to handle. Speaking of which, how do you plan on fighting crime?" Shikamaru asked, earning a confused look from the blond haired assassin. "I mean so far everyone you faced you've killed, with the exception of last night. So what are you going to do?"

Naruto shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

"I'll rotate between an arrow to the chest and a sword to the chest." Naruto answered without thinking to much on the matter. "I used to believe killing was wrong, but now it's the only form of justice I know. And it works, so I'm not changing anytime soon."

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome, but let's move on." The black haired teenager began as he walked over to Naruto's gear. "I need to order some supplies so I can update your arsenal. You know something like trick arrows and a more conventional costume."

"If you insist on it." Naruto mumbled while walking over to a chair and taking a seat. "Money won't be an issue, so order whatever you want."

Shikamaru nodded and went over to his computer. "So that takes care of living arrangements, alibis and updating your gear. However, there is another hurtle we have to talk about. The Teen Titans."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "They have proved to be quite the annoyance. Though things are complicated with the Titans. For one I'm not going to kill them, I may not like them or agree with their methods. But they do help this city and besides if I did kill the Titans, the Justice League will probably come knocking on our door." The blond assassin explained before taking a long drawn out sigh. "And without any control of my powers, I doubt I could last two seconds against powerhouses like Superman, Martian Manhunter and the Flash."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow. "You have powers?"

Naruto smirked and held his open palms a few feet apart. Then as he started to focus a twister of wind started to form between his hands, while lightning crackled around his body. Though this only lasted for a few seconds before Naruto stopped and took a deep breath and hunched over.

"I can... I can generate wind and lightning." Naruto wheezed out, while trying to catch his breath. "But as you can see I have no real control over my powers."

Shikamaru began to think and scratch his chin. "I could probably help you with that. After all, I have full control over my powers. So I could show you some exercises I used when training myself."

"That would work, but let's get back to the topic of the Titans." Naruto began, causing Shikamaru to nod. "They will try everything in their power to capture me, no matter how much good I end up doing. And there is the issue of them discovering who I am."

"Don't worry about them discovering who you are. Since we are working together I can take all the info I used to deduce your identity and make it impossible to figure out who you are." Shikamaru explained, but Naruto only chuckled nervously and rubbed his head.

"See there is an issue that you don't know about." Naruto admitted. "See Raven has had interactions with both Naruto Quinn and Theaelab. In fact me and her are going out for tea tomorrow."

"You're troublesome, you know that right?" Shikamaru asked, while massaging his forehead. "Okay you need to distance yourself as quickly as possible."

Naruto smirked and shook his head. "No I just need to show you how to fight." The blond replied casually. "After all I want her to figure out who I am."

"Okay I'm a genius and I don't understand what you're thinking. Which probably means it's a terrible idea." Shikamaru mumbled in a low voice.

Naruto shook his head. "Listen I have plans to take over my families company, but not yet. So that means the world will figure out I'm Harley Quinn's son. Which then people might wonder if I'm a criminal like her."

"And if they compare the time Naruto Quinn arrived in town to when Theaelab started killing people. Your cover could easily be blown." Shikamaru cut in, as he started to figure out where this was headed.

"Exactly but if I already get accused of being Theaelab and then get my name cleared. Well there is nothing to worry about." Naruto explained while standing to his feet. "So that's why I need to teach you how to fight. Because one day you might have to play the role of one dashing and highly skilled assassin."

"It's troublesome, but it's a good plan." Shikamaru admitted, causing Naruto to nod.

"I know, my mom came up with it after all. Though I was gonna phone in a favor from a friend, but you should do fine."

"Well first I'll place some orders for new gear and then we can start training your powers and my combat skills. Then at night we can start our little crusade for justice." Shikamaru explained as he started to type onto a keyboard. "Though I have one question, where did you disappear to for some many years? I managed to figure everything out about you besides where you have been for the last eleven years."

Naruto smirked and rose to his feet. "Sounds like a plan to me and sure I can tell you a little about my time in the League of Assassins. We are partners now after all."

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(Titans Tower)

Revan was having a peaceful morning, her fellow teammates Beast Boy and Cyborg were nowhere to be found, so it was quite. Starefire was still asleep and that meant she wasn't up and about cooking some horrendous breakfast. While her leader Robin was absent as well, so she was left with nothing besides her book and a warm cup of coffee.

Even though Raven was having her ideal morning, she could not get the events of last night out of her head. Sure she managed to save a woman's life, but she did so as an accomplice to a murderer.

However, what made the entire situation unbearable was that Theaelab was right. There was crime in Jump City that her team didn't even bother with stopping.

Raven always had a firm belief that her team handled every threat and problem within the city, but she was terribly mistaken. Crime was all around her and neither she or her team have done anything to combat it, but Theaelab has. Hell he is the soul reason Yoshino Nara was still alive. Not Raven, regardless if the hospital staff had praised her for the rescue last night.

"I have to do more." Raven mumbled as she gripped her coffee mug tightly. "It's time I start acting like a real hero. I won't let a killer be the one who saves this city."

With that declaration made to herself, Raven heard the opening of sliding doors. This caused Raven to look up and meet the gaze of her leader Robin. Just by his body language she could tell he wanted to speak with her and he wasn't pleased.

"Morning." Raven greeted softly, her eyes fixed on Robin as he slowly walked in her direction.

"You were busy last night." Robin began before he tossed a small tablet before Raven. "You made this mornings headlines, mind filling me in?"

Raven looked the tablet over and fought the urge to release a groan while reading the headline. 'Raven of the Teen Titans Saves the Day, but Was She Alone?'

"It's not what you think." Raven began.

"It's not?" Robin yelled in response, while he slammed his hands onto the countertop. "It says right here you saved a woman who was being held hostage, which is great! However, the crime scene was filled with mobsters' who were dispatched by an archer! Now last time I checked you fought with your powers not arrows! Though we both know someone who does!"

Raven tightened her fists and matched Robin's glare with one of her own. "Just say it all ready."

"Fine I will." Robin retorted as he pointed a finger at Raven. "You ran into Theaelab last night and instead of capturing him you helped him!"

"I had no choice!" Raven yelled back as she slammed her hands onto the counter and leaned over, she she was a few inches from her leader. "It was either his capture or a woman's life. I made my decision and I stick by it."

The two remained silent for a moment while the tension in the room started to build. Robin's anger was clearly starting to boil over.

"You could have contacted the rest of the team, we could have saved the woman and captured Theaelab. But instead you let him get away for the second time!" Robin shouted loudly.

"You know what? Maybe I was afraid of Theaelab running away if I called for help and then that would have left the woman for dead. Or maybe I let him go because he did something good. Maybe I let him go because he showed me that our team turns a blind eye to so much crime in this city!" Raven yelled as her powers spiked and her coffee mug shattered.

Robin could only shake his head in disappointment.

"Letting you take night patrol was a mistake, one that I won't make again." Robin growled, before he backed away and turned his back to Revan. "I'll be handling night patrol by myself, and Raven. If you help a killer like Theaelab again, then you're off this team."

Raven took a deep breath and watched Robin leave the room. She was pissed off and needed to take some time to mediate in her room, but first she needed to clean the mess she had made.

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(The Next Day, with Naruto)

Today was the day that Naruto and Raven had agreed to have their "date", and to say Naruto was a tab bit nervous was an understatement. So many things could go wrong while he was out with Raven and Shikamaru had nailed it into his skull to avoid giving himself up as Theaelab before the time was right. By saying something stupid and getting caught.

Currently the blond was in his bathroom and was staring at his own reflection.

"Get ahold of yourself." Naruto told himself while bouncing on his heels. "You've killed dictators, invaded secret compounds, hell you handed the Teen Titans their collective asses on your first week in Jump City. You can handle spending time with a beautiful girl... One that just happens to be hunting down your alter ego."

Naruto looked himself over and hoped he was dressed in a fashion Raven would like. Naruto was dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. While also wearing a red and black button up shirt, which he left unbuttoned to reveal a small necklace his mother had given him. It was a small necklace with three red metal diamond shaped charms hanging off of the chain.

"It's now or never." Naruto mumbled as he left his bathroom and walked into his living room.

Shikamaru who was seated on a recliner and tinkering with a small gadget looked up to Naruto. "So you're really doing this, troublesome." The teen began before turning his attention back to the device in his hand.

"What no words of advice?" Naruto asked with an awkward chuckle.

Shikamaru snorted. "Yeah don't get us both arrested."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Wow, what great advice." The blond mumbled sarcastically.

Shikamaru twirled a screwdriver around in the air. "What do you want me to say? I don't have much experience with girls, but I would assume neither do you."

Naruto folded his arms. "Please the League trained me in the art of seduction. So a date should be simple, I just skip the part where I kill Raven after sex." The blond replied, causing Shikamaru to giggle as he continued his work.

"Oh yeah, then you're fine." Shikamaru replied offhandedly while motioning for Naruto to go away. "Go get her lady killer."

"Yeah whatever." The blond grumbled before walking off and making his way down the stairs which lead to his bookstore.

Once he emerged in the front portion of his store, Naruto strolled over to the front door and unlocked it. Then by opening the door and stepping outside, Naruto locked the door once more and leaned against his store.

Next the blond causally grabbed his cell phone and checked the time, his nerves growing worse as he noted Raven should be coming around in the next minute or two. Though as Naruto waited for Raven to arrive, he felt his phone vibrate. Signaling that he received a text message.

'I'm calling in a favor you owe me, call me for the details- Cheshire.'

Naruto arched his eyebrow at the message and began to type his reply.

'I can't call you, I'm meeting up with Raven... How did you get this number anyway?'

'Met up with your mom during my last visit in Gotham, she gave me this number... She's nice, a little crazy, but nice.'

Naruto rolled his eyes, of course his mother was involved somehow.

'Figures, just tell me what you want Jade.'

'Nah call me after your little date that way I can call in my favor and tease you.'

Naruto sighed and pocketed his phone, he was interested in what Cheshire could want. Though at the same time he really didn't want to deal with her teasing him over the phone about his time with Raven.

"I swear between Jade and my mom I have no normal women in my life." Naruto grumbled to himself while slumping his shoulders.

After almost a minute of being slumped over and watching people pass by. Naruto heard someone clear their throat and cough, almost like someone wanted his attention.

Glancing to his right, Naruto's face turned red and his heartbeat started to beat uncontrollably. His blue eyes focused on the hero and his date for the day Raven.

"Hey." Raven began in a slightly flustered voice.

Naruto shook his head and looked Raven over, she wasn't dressed like Raven the superhero. Instead she was dressed like a normal teenage girl.

Raven was wearing simple blue shirt with a black low cut jacket overtop. She was also wearing a pair of black jeans and matching black boots. While finishing her assemble off with a necklace with a small red charm.

"You look amazing." Naruto admitted truthfully.

Raven blushed and looked down. "You don't look so bad yourself." The dark haired hero replied softly.

Naruto smiled wide and stood there looking at Raven, the latter of whom returned his gaze. Both teens standing in silence for a few seconds while looking each other over.

"Should we get going?" Raven finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Naruto nodded and motioned for Raven to walk. "Lead the way, you know where we are going after all."

Raven nodded and started to lead Naruto to where they were going for their first date. The walk itself was relatively short and quite, as neither teen didn't really know what to say. Though as Naruto and Raven walked to their destination they did earn the looks of many passing by citizens who recognized the hero. Many of which figured that Raven and Naruto were on some form of date by the way they were dressed.

"Well." Raven began as she stopped walking and stood in front of a small shop. "Here we are."

Naruto grinned and opened the door to the shop for Raven. "After you."

Raven cracked a small smile and passed the blond, then by finding a secluded table in the back. Raven and Naruto both took their seats and ordered some tea from the shop owner.

"This place is nice." Naruto noted, his eyes scanning around the decor of the shop. "I'm glad you picked to come here."

"Me too, this is one of my most favorite places in all of Jump City." Raven replied, sharing a bit of herself with Naruto.

Naruto nodded with a smile and folded his hands over the table. "I have to be honest with you Raven, I've never really been on a date before." The assassin revealed causing Raven to laugh.

"That makes two of us." The hero admitted.

"Well that's reassuring, at least you won't have high expectations for me." The blond joked before leaning into the table a bit. "Hey I have an idea, lets play a small game."

Raven arched her eyebrow. "What kind of game do you have in mind?" The teen asked.

"It's simple, I will ask you a question and you must answer it. Then you ask me a question and I will answer it." Naruto explained, causing Raven to nod.

"Why don't you go first then." Raven proposed.

"Alright no problem." Naruto replied, while his inner persona of Theaelab smirked within his head. "Tell me, what's your real name? After all I'm sure your name isn't Raven and you don't really try to hide who you are with a mask. So why don't you tell me your name, besides you know mine it's only fair."

Raven bit her lip, no one really asked to know her name. Even her team didn't know her name, while she didn't know her teammate's real names. Though Naruto was right, she really didn't have anything to hide. So why not tell him her real name.

"Rachel, my name is Rachel Roth." The now properly named Rachel revealed, causing Naruto to smile.

"That's a beautiful name Rachel, you don't mind if I call you by your name do you?" Naruto asked.

"Only when we are alone, but when other people are around call me Raven." Raven explained causing Naruto to nod. "I don't want everyone knowing who I really am. Especially a certain annoying assassin."

Naruto couldn't help himself from giggling at the mention of an annoying assassin.

"I can agree to that Rachel." Naruto agreed before pointing a finger to Raven. "Alright your turn, ask away."

Raven fiddled with her fingers and wondered what to ask. There was so many questions she could ask about the blond, but she didn't know where to start. Though after a minute of thinking an idea came or her.

"Your bookstore." Raven began, causing Naruto to tilt it's head. "It's called Mito's bookshelf, what is the meaning behind that name?"

Naruto frowned, as the memory of his sister started coming back to him. He had half a mind to lie to Raven about Mito, but he needed to start laying a breadcrumb trail that he was Harley Quinn's son.

"I had a family." Naruto began in a low voice, his eyes zoning out as he looked at their table. "I had a great father, a beautiful mother and a wonderful twin sister Mito." Naruto looked up to Raven with a disheartened expression. "Like I said bad men took them away from me. The name of my store is my way of remembering her."

Raven reached over and placed her hands over Naruto's. "I'm so sorry." The Titan began in a low voice. "I shouldn't have brung the subject up."

"It's fine Rachel." Naruto replied honestly. "You didn't know, so don't beat yourself up. But let's move on to another topic. Tell me about yourself, what was your childhood like?"

Raven looked down. While an emotion appearing on her face that Naruto had seen in the mirror for years, the look of pain and suffering.

"I didn't have much of a childhood." Raven answered simply, causing Naruto to nod.

"I see, I don't want to overstep my boundaries. So why don't we change the subject?" Naruto asked.

Raven nodded in agreement. "Yeah that would be for the best, I really don't want to talk about my father right now." The hero replied, speaking with venom in her words when she mentioned the word father.

'So she has issues with her father.' Naruto noted in thought at Raven's small slip up. 'That could be useful information for the future.'

"Well why don't we talk about ourselves? You know our likes and dislikes." Naruto proposed with a small infectious smile, causing Raven to crack a smile of her own.

"I would like that." Raven replied softly.

Naruto happily went first and started to tell Raven about all his likes, dislikes and funny little quirks. While she joined in and shared her own interests with the blond haired male.

Their conversation lasted for hours and both teens enjoyed one another's company, as neither could remember a time when they had as much fun with another individual.

Eventually they decided to leave the tea shop and make their way back to Naruto's bookstore. Though the sun had went down and the two teens found themselves walking together under the cover of night. While the busy nightlife of Jump City was going on all around them.

"I had a lot of fun today Rachel." Naruto admitted to the girl who was walking very closely beside him.

"Me too." Raven replied with a small blush. "I'd like to spend more time with you."

Naruto laughed and nudged Raven's shoulder. "Look at you, not even done with this date and you're already asking for another."

"Maybe I am, got a problem with it?" Raven asked with a small amount of confidence.

"I would love another date." Naruto admitted before stopping in front of his store. "You're a real special person Rachel, and I like being around you."

"You're sweet." Raven began, but she stopped as Naruto gave her a small peck on the cheek.

"And you're beautiful." Naruto replied while giving the blushing hero a wink. "Remember now, I gave you my number earlier so you better use it."

Raven grinned ear to ear. "I'll think about it."

Naruto shared a grin with Raven while placing a hand on the door to his shop. "I'll see you around Rachel." The blond spoke softly, causing Raven to nod as she walked away.

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(Naruto's apartment)

Naruto walked into his living room with a happy grin on his face and a pep in his step. This action of course was noticed by Shikamaru, who was seated on the couch.

"So it's safe to assume that you didn't screw things up." Shikamaru began before releasing a loud yawn. "Or should we run off to the panic room?"

"Things went perfect." Naruto admitted truthfully.

"So you really do like her? That complicates things doesn't it?" Shikamaru asked.

"Yeah I do like her, we are a lot alike after all." Naruto revealed while taking a seat besides his friend. "But you are right about there being complications, I am technically her enemy since her team is hunting me down."

Shikamaru waved the blond off. "It's all too troublesome, lets focus on our task at hand. We have a name to cross off our list tonight, are you ready?"

Naruto sprung off the couch and started to stretch. "Yeah let's go to work, I've been itching for some action."

Shikamaru slowly stood to his feet. "Well let's go then." The black haired teen replied, as he and Naruto both made their way down to their secret HQ.

Though once they made it into the elevator, Naruto sighed in frustration.

"Ah, I almost forget." Naruto spoke up, while grabbing his phone and beginning to dial a number. "I gotta call Jade."

"Who?" Shikamaru asked in confusion.

"One of my few friends from my days in the League of Assassins." Naruto explained while placing the phone to his ear.

"Troublesome." The teen mumbled, knowing a little about Naruto's time in the League.

Naruto waited in silence for a moment, but soon someone finally picked up on the other end.

"What took you so long? Were you busy rounding third base with that Raven girl?" The voice of Cheshire asked over the phone.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Cut the crap Jade and just tell me what you wanted to talk about."

"Awww you're no fun." Jade whined in response. "Just give me some small details."

The elevator dinged followed by Naruto and Shikamaru both walking into their hideout. The latter of whom started to prepare for the work they would be doing tonight.

"Listen Jade I have a lot of work to do, so please just get to the point." Naruto begged as he started to massage his forehead.

"Fine." Jade huffed out. "You remember me telling you about my sister?"

"Yeah I do, from what you told me she lives in Gotham with your crippled mother." Naruto answered while taking a seat and fiddling with an arrow laying on the desk in front of him. "What was her name again?"

"Artemis." Jade spoke in a low voice. "Her name is Artemis."

Naruto nodded and started to inspect the arrow in his hand. "Okay so what does your sister have to do with the favor I owe you?"

There was a sigh through the phone. "I told you I met your mother during my last visit to Gotham. Well I also caught up with my own mother, she told me that my sister has been doing some vigilante work... I'm worried about her Naruto, she isn't properly trained like you and me. She could get herself killed."

"I thought you were distant with your family." Naruto pointed out.

"I am, but that doesn't mean I don't care." Jade fired back quickly. "Anyway here is my favor, I want you to go to Gotham and take my sister under your wing. If she wants to live the life of a vigilante I at least want her to be properly trained. Besides who else would be better to teacher than one of the best up incoming vigilantes I know?"

Naruto placed the arrow in his hand down. "Jade.."

"Oh no, don't you Jade me!" Cheshire cut in loudly. "Your ass owes me!"

Naruto took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right I do owe you, so I'll approach your sister with an offer. Though it won't be right away, I need a little time to set a few things in motion. Best I can do is approach her in the next few weeks and offer her a chance to come with me back to Jump City."

There was a moment of silence. "Fine I can accept those terms, just keep my sister from getting herself killed."

"I promise Jade I'll take care of her." Naruto reassured his old friend. "We can talk more later, I have to go."

Naruto hung the phone up and looked over to his partner with an exhausted expression.

"I'm guessing things got more troublesome?" The black haired teen asked.

Naruto stood up and walked over to his gear. "You have no idea, but let's focus on kicking some ass."

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(Titans Tower)

Raven walked through the hallways of the Titans Tower with a large smile on her face. She had a wonderful day with Naruto today and she couldn't wait to see the blond again. Since in her mind, Naruto was perfect. He was kind, funny, shared similar interests as she did and most importantly treated her like a normal girl.

Truly the young hero was quickly falling for the blond haired assassin. However, as Raven walked to her room and thought of the events that had gone by. She slowly passed the room of her leader Robin. Who just so happened to be leaning against his doorframe and looking right at his teammate.

"Where have you been all day?" Robin asked in a plain voice.

"None of your business." Raven shot back with a firm tone, as she was still mad at Robin from their argument about helping Theaelab. "Just leave me alone."

Robin slightly opened his mouth, planning on apologizing for earlier. Considering the Boy Wonder felt guilty for the way he treated his friend. He knew he was right in their argument, but he could have handle the situation better. However, Raven quickly opened the door to her room and disappeared inside before closing the door with her powers.

"Okay then." Robin sighed in a low voice, before he retreated into his own room.

As Robin locked his door, the masked hero walked over towards his computer and noticed he was receiving a call. This caused Robin to raise an eyebrow and take a seat, confused by what the person calling him could want.

So as he clicked accept on the computer he was met with the face of his mentor and adoptive father Bruce Wayne.

"Dick." Bruce greeted in a plain voice. "You look like you've seen better days."

Robin nodded and removed his mask. "Yeah I've been going a little overboard chasing this assassin called Theaelab, but the media has been calling him the Black Hood."

"I've heard about him, in fact that's the reason I'm contacting you." Bruce explained, filling Robin with dozens of questions. "I assume you know this man has League of Assassin training?"

"Yes I've came to that conclusion." Robin answered quickly, before opening a database of information he had been building on Theaelab. "I also know he is hunting someone within Jump City, he has killed dozens of thugs and crime bosses. While only killing one person who wasn't a criminal, a man by the name of Garfield Sharp."

Bruce nodded and began to type. "Garfield Sharp, former CEO and owner of Sharp Industries. A company which manufactures military grade weaponry. Allegedly before his death Mr. Sharp had been in suspicion of selling his weapons to crime bosses and terrorist organizations, but no evidence could be brought forth to prove this."

"So maybe he wasn't a good man, but he didn't deserve death." Robin pointed out, causing Bruce to nod.

"You're right, but I felt like knowing a little more about Mr. Sharp would help with understating why he was killed. Surly there was a motive or a reason for why this Theaelab killed him." Bruce explained before waving his hand around. "But I'm getting off topic, I have more important information I want to give you about this assassin."

"Like what?"

"I'm sending you a file, it's security footage from Arkham. See a few days ago your little assassin broke into Arkham, killed an inmate and broke a criminal out of maximum security." Bruce leaned back into his chair and folded his arms. While he waited for Robin to review the recording.

"That's Harley Quinn, but why break her out?" Robin asked in a confused tone.

"Maybe he was paid too. After all, Harley has almost limitless connections and resources. However, the inmate who was killed leaves me with a theory." Bruce explained in a low voice.

"Who was killed?" Robin asked.

"James King, the only man left alive from the group responsible for the massacre at the GCPD Galla, which was held eleven years ago. The same event where Harley's husband and daughter were killed. Shortly after her son went missing and she went criminally insane."

"So it was revenge." Robin began, but Bruce seemed to disagree.

"That's the quick assumption, but the crime scene showed it wasn't a clean kill. Instead James King was tortured and beaten before shot and killed by an arrow. It reminded me of a corpse after an interrogation, whoever killed him wanted information."

"So there is a link between Theaelab, Harley Quinn and the attack that ruined her family." Robin stated in a plain voice.

"Yes, I believe Harley hired this assassin to kill the people responsible for what happened to her family. Maybe that's why he is in Jump City, this Theaelab might have a lead that I couldn't find when I investigated the massacre eleven years ago. Regardless tomorrow Bruce Wayne will pay his old friend a visit and try to get some information from her." Bruce explained before placing his cowl back over his head.

"Wouldn't Batman be a better interrogator?" Robin asked.

Bruce frowned under his mask. "Not when talking to a dear friend, one whose family I failed." Bruce replied in a saddened tone.

Robin nodded, he knew about how Bruce would show restraint when dealing with Harley. She was a criminal, but she was still an old friend. A friend who he felt guilty for not helping more than he could.

"Are you still looking for her son?" Robin asked causing the Dark Knight to nod.

"I failed him just like his mother. I should have been there for him like a godfather is suppose to." Bruce began in a low sad voice. "I will never stop looking for him."

Robin nodded. "I know you won't Bruce, that's the kind of man you are. Though it makes me think, if you did take Harley's son in, he may have been your Robin."

Bruce let a small chuckle pass his lips, thinking of the young blond he knew fighting crime by his side. It was a pleasant thought he would think about time and again.

"Maybe you're right about that, but I'll contact you if I have any new information about Theaelab. Keep in touch Dick, and I'm proud of the work you're doing with your team..."

"Hey tell him I said hi." A female voice yelled in the background, causing Bruce to smirk.

"And Barbra says hi." Bruce quickly added.

Robin smiled. "Thanks, and tell Babs and Alfred I miss them." The Boy Wonder began in a soft tone. "Though make sure to contact me as soon as you learn any information on Theaelab. I want to stop this madman as soon as possible."

Bruce nodded and ended the call, leaving Robin alone to think about what to do next. He had new leads to follow on Theaelab so he might as well start looking into them.

"Let's see everything I can pull up on Harley Quinn and the massacre at the GCPD Ball." Robin mumbled to himself as he started to type on his computer.

Chapter end!

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And I'm back with another chapter and I'm really glad I'm writing again. I forgot how much I enjoy writing this story.

Though I should say a few things, as some of you may notice it looks like Naruto is getting a team. You have Naruto the leader, Shikamaru and now there is the high possibility of Artemis joining them. That makes three people and it makes you wonder if I might add anyone else, you know five people to eventually match the five Teen Titans. (That's a hint to make you wonder who I'm adding to Naruto's team ;D) though I will say the other two will not be Naruto Characters.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed the update, until next time have a good one and thanks for reading!