to ABCvoltage: I haven't seen Boruto only clips of it. I don't really like the who technology Shinobi thing they got going lmao. Plus I don't like Boruto as a character from what I've seen. In what I mean Is Naruto May have some residue left over but you will see after the Battle with Sasuke and in Naruto: The Last. Naruto isn't using the Sage of Six Paths Power, (notice the lack of Truth-Seeking Orbs. And the fact that you need all the Tailed Beast Chakra which he used up against Sasuke. I could be wrong like I've said, it's been a while since I watched Naruto: The Last.
To DragonMack: don't worry. Naruto will be a mentor to the Young Justice Team/Justice League. I love the idea of him being in it. I can't see him joining Ras even being a war-torn Veteran.
To Ashborn2271/Jacko'lantern: I've read a few YJ crossovers with the idea and I like a darker Naruto for sure. However, I don't really see that working here. My Naruto will definitely be a more serious, cynical even, with suffering PTSD. But Naruto isn't a ruthless killer like Punisher. Don't get me wrong. I love the Punisher he's one of my favorite characters/anti-heroes. His dark and gritty story as a Marine Force Recon Vet was awesome. Naruto never killed in the story and he wants to break the Cycle of Hatred. A morally grey Naruto I could see it especially after losing the War and Everyone dying. I'll leave it to your imagination but I plan to work a way around that in the next few chapters.I'll see as it goes, I wrote this in the M rating as it seems to do better here with more stories, but I'm not going to go too into the M rating. If it's not M enough for people I might move it to the T rating. Don't worry about the Naruto clone thing. I'm not gonna do anything crazy like that. Seen people Make Young Justice members use Sage Mode (WTF that even make sense)
To Davidlhson: Just because all of Naruto's friends and most of the Shinobi Alliance is dead doesn't mean the Infinite Tsukuyomi dissipates. Madara doesn't care how many people are alive. The IT plan was Obito's remember and Madara morphed it and twisted it.
To slythefoxx2: agreed. And full disclosure none of the League of Shadow members could beat Naruto in a fight with his speed and strength. But hear me out. This is a severely wounded Naruto. He's been fighting a hellish war for days, weeks even, he hasn't slept in 4 days, barely eaten anything, he's sleep deprived and if you read you'd see he was heavily injured and on the verge of unconsciousness. Combined that with his frostbite and being out of his element I can see Talia and extremely talented ninja and trained fighter one of the best taking Naruto down in his severe state. Not to mention he was mid-sprint towards the group of League ninja carrying machine guns completely caught off guard. I'll explain more about power-scaling as the story goes on.
"It is biased to think the art of war is just for killing people. It is not to kill people, It is to kill evil. It is a stratagem to give life to many people by killing the evil of one person."-Teachings of Samurai, Yagyu Munenori
Human Speaking/Thoughts
Demon Speaking/Thoughts/Jutsu
August 22, 2007
Tibet Mountains, China, Earth 16
9:40 CST
Chapter 2
Heroic Ideal
Cold. It was the first thing and only thing that Naruto could think about. His first conscious thought. As his senses slowly returned to awareness the cold icy touch he felt earlier. Being carried through the cold snow and the unbearable pain of frostbite that enveloped his body; was now replaced with a new warmth.
With the return of warmth in his body and feeling; Naruto felt he was lying on something very soft and he was wrapped around in a very warm blanket and sheets: some kind of bed.
Naruto still laying on his back slowly opened his eyes to a large golden chandelier hanging above him and a bleak stone roof over him. He placed his hand on the silk sheets and slowly pushed himself up. His strength was weak and he almost faltered once he was halfway. Recovering, he pushed himself up, allowing the blanket to slide of his naked chest.
Naruto glanced down to see most of his chest was wrapped in bandages and he could feel a warm soothing healing ointment in the bandages. He also noticed his left upper shoulder and bicep was covered in a bandage as well. He reached to his face to the upper right portion and felt in relief the Leaf headband was still fastened around his head covering his eye. Seems his mysterious housewarming guest left his headband on.
He grabbed the crimson blanket thrown on top of his silk sheets and threw it off. Sitting up he noticed he was in some kind of guest room. Despite the unwelcome invitation he received earlier this was a whole different story. The room was lit with candles, red and gold velvet draped on the windows, the wall was decorated with an assortment of knives and swords each colorful and deadly. A large grey wolf skin hung on the side of the wall like a trophy.
Naruto eyes scanned the room noticing the different expensive furniture before his eyes finally landed on the mahogany nightstand and more importantly the plate of food and glass of water.
Naruto stomach began to rumble without thinking he grabbed the nearest item. A roll of bread and sunk his teeth into the warm rich goodness. Although his lips and tongue still felt numb he could taste this bread was fresh. He chowed down the bread in three bites before he moved onto the slab of beef sitting on the plate. He too grabbed it with animal furry and wolfed it down. It was not as tasty as the bread and was cold but Naruto didn't care it was the first meal he had in days. He didn't even check if there was poison or nothing in the food.
With his food gone and his strength slowly returning back to him he sat in the warm yet bleak and uninviting room. A light knock removed him from his comfort and he glanced to the big door that slowly creaked open. One of those same masked assailants from earlier walked through the door and stopped a few feet from his bed. She stood firm, regimental almost with her hand resting on the sword strapped to her hip. She spoke in a low voice and Naruto was yet again struck with words that he could not understand.
'This is becoming a really troublesome day.' Naruto moaned mentally. The masked woman spoke again this time slightly annoyed. She waited for his response only to see the cold confused blue eyes staring back at her. She sighed before she motioned with one hand to follow; That was something Naruto understood.
Naruto slowly climbed out of the bed. Thanks to Six Paths Power and His Uzumaki Lineage most of the none serious wounds had already healed. He didn't know how long he was unconscious but it must have been quite a while. She placed her hand out to stop him before she glanced at one of the chairs.
Naruto followed her eyes to land on the chair and the black robe neatly folded on it. He realized besides his underwear and bandages he was basically naked. A slight reddening in his cheeks formed before he grabbed the robes and equipped them before he followed her out.
Leaving his room he was faced what looked like stone walls with torches lit on either end, his eyes followed the female who was walking to his left towards an unknown destination. They walked for a good few minutes down the hallway after hallway carved stone wall with torches lining their way and guard after guard either standing guard or running to some destination. All wearing the same black uniform carrying different weapons. Naruto made sure to memorize as much as he could about the ins and out of this mysterious vicinity he was in. His ninja training would forbid him otherwise; he was in unknown territory after all.
He was led right through a massive hallway leading towards two massive stone doors with the carving of what looked like a demonic creature and strange symbols of a language he did not understand. He noticed the female warrior had already walked the hallway. His bare feet smacked against the cold stone floors as he tried to catch up to her.
They stood at the large stone door and Naruto saw five male masked men standing guard. Their narrowed eyes watched him like a hawk as he stood behind the female warrior. She placed her hands on the doors and pushed them open.
Naruto eyed the guards once before he stepped inside a massive looking throne room with high ceilings and stone faces carved into the walls. His eyes glazed over the dozens of guards that stood now watching him with the equally predatory gaze from before. His eyes landed on the golden red carpet spanning the room leading to a stone throne on top of a raised platform.
The throne was empty but Naruto's eyes landed on the man who was standing a few feet beside it. Hands clasped behind his back staring into the fire of the brazier deep in thought.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the female escorting him had stepped forward and lowered herself to a bent knee position, she bowed her head looking at the ground before she spoke. "My Lord Ras, the man you requested I brought."
But to Naruto, she very well could have been speaking gibberish. The language sounded so strange to him. Ras turned his body to face her and nodded. He walked down the stairs of the platform until he was standing a few feet in front of Naruto.
Naruto could see the man was a powerful figure of authority. He was of late forties early fifties yet held the muscular build of an athletic thirty year old. He stood at 6 feet 3 inches with predatory cold green eyes and black hair with traces of grey in them. He wore black robes with golden intricate details sown inside and a green cape on his back, he had a handlebar mustache and a small scar of a knife going down his eye. He clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in a voice like a shadow, dark and low, a voice that automatically commanded respect.
Naruto could only watch his mouth move forming words he didn't understand. It had been a question. A question Naruto could only awkwardly stand and stare at.
A few moments later before one of the masked men stepped forward and kicked at Naruto's knee trying to force him to bend to a knee. He barked at Naruto who stared back defiantly at him. The figure widened his eyes before he placed his hand on the sword sheathed at his hip ready to strike the man who dared to not kneel at Ra's Al Ghul: The Demon Head, and one of the most dangerous men in the world.
Ras raised his hand and the figure removed his hand from his sword and bowed before he stepped back into his position. Naruto glanced back at the imposing man who had a calculating gaze. He spoke one more time and Naruto just stood still.
The eyes of the man false politeness changed into annoyance and Naruto knew it was a shot in the dark tried to do the only thing he could. He spoke in the only language he knew hoping this man would understand him a little bit. "Look I don't understand what you are saying."
The imposing man eyes widened for a second and so did most of the occupants in the room. He spoke a language that none of them understood. He glanced down at Naruto before he did something that shocked the blonde ninja. "You speak a language I have not heard in over 550 years. An ancient form of Japanese."
Naruto eyes widened in shock. He could understand most of what he was saying. It sounded almost like his language but different. He mentally frowned at the words Japanese. 'What the hell is Japanese?' He thought.
"It is interesting to meet the man who took out some of my top fighters. I am Ra's Al Ghul: Demon Head and leader of the League Of Shadows. Who are you?" Ras regained his composure slightly relieved this man could speak, even if was a language he never expected. He had tried earlier in English and Mandarin and Japanese to the Asian looking figure in front of him.
'Demon Head? That doesn't sound too comforting.' Naruto decided to give him a name he used while undercover during the early days of the war. After all, he had no idea where he was or if he could trust this person. "My names Miyamoto Toyohisa."
Ra's left eyebrow raised slightly. It was an interesting name. He knew from the hair color this man wasn't apart of the legendary Miyamoto clan. Especially since his vibrant bright yellow hair makes him an enigma.
"Look. I'm sorry to ask but I have no idea who you are or where I am."
'Amnesia? Well at least partial. He can still remember his name at least. Even as I said my name a name the world knows and fears. He stands there like it means nothing. He's either a very well trained spy or truly is amnesiac.' "Very well to where you are in Nanda Parbat the main fortress of the League Of Shadows." Hoping those last words would make the man a bit frightened. He wasn't expecting the reaction.
Naruto scratches his head and groaned mentally.'Where the hell did Kami send me?' None of these words had any meaning to him. "I'm sorry but I don't know what a Nanda Parbat is. Nor this League Of Shadows."
Ras decided to push further. "Nanda Parbat is the place where you are in. Nanda Parbat, Tibet?"
Naruto shook his head. "Sorry, but I have no idea what or where that is."
Ras studies the man's poster. He was ice calm and none of the young man's movements suggest he was lying. 'Amnesia it is. That or some kind of alien. This does pique my interest.'
"Very well Mr. Miyamoto. Can you tell me why my men found you bleeding and almost unconscious near one of the training grounds?"
Naruto decided to give him the half-truth answer. The best lie was usually the ones with some truth in it. "I was fighting someone and when I defeated him I woke up here."
"And by fighting and defeat, you mean?"
"Fighting to kill him yes," Naruto answered honestly.
Ra's Al Ghul stroked his chin in thought. At first, when he heard Talia brought in an unconscious man that had beaten one of the best guard units he had, he first suspected this man was a spy sent to assassinate him. But when he heard he was bleeding and on the verge of death. He planned to interrogate this trespasser when he awoke. But when the medical reports came back and told him the boy had massive blood loss and many wounds decorating his body he thought that chance would be a fallacy.
Still, He allowed his medical League members to heal and operate on the man. He didn't expect the boy to survive when he read the report but much to his amazement. After the first day, some of the boy's body healed with miraculous speed. Too fast for a human and even metahumans. He moved the boy to one of his guest rooms and waited patiently for the boy to awake.
He was curious. Eventually, he began to draw theories that the man was a member of the League or a sidekick of Batman. But that notion was crushed when he heard to kill. They would never kill. "Very well will start with some more basic questions can you tell me where you are from?"
Naruto hesitated for a second thinking carefully. While the war was over and Madara was dead. Konoha still had many enemies and there's no telling what the state of the Five Nations is like right now. "I am from the Land of Fire of the Elemental Nations."
Ras Eyes were full of curiosity more than anything. If this man was a spy he was a spinning a very interesting and convincing lie. If it was lying, Ras would take great pleasure in torturing the real truth out of him. He had lived and visited Japan many many times in many different centuries and never once heard of any of those places. "And where exactly is that?"
Naruto gave Ras a quizzical look. At first, he thought the strange man was messing with him. How could you not know the Land of Fire? It was one of the five great Nations. But a sickening feeling churned inside Naruto's stomach when he saw the man's blank face. "I… don't know. I've never been anywhere out further than the Elemental Nations."
'Alien sounds more and more like the verdict here. None of that sounds like anywhere on Earth.' He pried on. There had to be more to the story. "Very well Miyamoto of the Land Of Fire. I have one final question for now. Why were you fighting this person? What was your goal?"
Naruto behind him to see the doors open and two figures walk in. He recognized the first figure as the blurred version of the female form before with the red scarf. He could see her features now clearly. She stood around 5'7 with a very beautiful foreign face with long flowing brunette hair and light green eyes with a glint of playfulness in them. Although wearing the strange black tight leather outfit he could see she was very athletic while still maintaining a curvy frame. She had a sword strapped to her waist and one of those smaller trigger mechanism machines from before strapped to her thigh. She gave him a curious glance before she smiled at her female companion. Another ninja type member of this League Of Shadows with black hair and black eyes.
The red scarf warrior walked up to the throne room before bowing and standing to his side. She gazed at him with the same predatory eyes except hers were more playful and curious than anything else. "Well?" Ras said waiting for a response.
Naruto thought for a few moments before responding as best as he could. He was sure the next sentence would hit it home. Everyone had heard of Shinobi. They existed long before the Five Nations and before the Warring Clan Era. "It was my job. I am a Shinobi. The man I was fighting was evil and sadistic. I fought to end his life and avenge my friends."
'A Shinobi? Well, this is unexpected. Explains the kunai and shuriken I found in his pouch. An Amnesiac Possible Alien Shinobi... The things you discover. maybe I'll able to use his gifts in the order. Having Talia get close to him would help me to discover more of his secrets.' He thought coldly. Exploitation and deceit was second nature to him.
"This is a strange set of information you have given me Miyamoto. Alas, I must return to my duties and I am sure you are very hungry and tired from your injuries. We can continue this tomorrow. I shall have a guard escort you back and some servants bring you food. I bid you a good day." He said standing up before walking down the stairs. A light tap on the shoulder made Naruto turn around and saw one of the guards motioned him to follow. He nodded and followed the guard, Naruto rotated his head behind him to watch the brunette female talking with Ra's Al Ghul. Despite being older than him. She was very beautiful. He turned his attention back to the escort who was walking in perfect rhythmic sync.
"So what do you think Father?" The girl watched the strange blonde man walk back to his room.
"Very intriguing indeed. He certainly doesn't act like a spy. Even if he was spinning lies he would have tried to be reserved not blurting everything out."
"You understood him?" She said with a curious glance.
"Yes. His pronunciation was very foreign but I understood what he was saying. A very very old and rare form of Japanese I have not heard for 600 years."
"That old? He certainly looks and acts human. You don't believe…?" She let the question linger.
Ras eyes his daughter calculatingly before he waves his hand as walked down the stairs his daughter following the same. "Don't be preposterous Talia. No one else has the Lazarus Pit. No, this is something else entirely."
He reached the last step before he stopped and turned to Talia. "I want you to find out everything you can about this man, family, friends, these mysterious Elemental Nations. I want a list of all active and dead Japanese clans in the last few hundred years. And I want you to get closer to him. Find out more about him."
"Father I am to leave for the operation in South Korea in a week-"
Ras snapped his head to her and his eyes narrowed. "Are you talking back to an order Talia?"
She shook her head. "No father. I shall do as my liege commands."
"Good." He said with a satisfied grunt before leaving a sighing Talia standing in the throne room.
Naruto found himself even more confused than he had already been as he was being escorted back to his room. There was no conversation between the guest and escort. The guard opened the door for Naruto allowing him to step in. She stopped in the door frame bowed her head slightly before she closed the door leaving Naruto alone in the room.
Naruto knew he was extremely tired and his muscles ached in pain after the strain he had thrown on his body during the last few days of the Fourth Shinobi War. But this strange phenomenon he was thrown in was too intriguing not to delve deeper into. He sat on the bed and began to let his impatient mind think and formulate some semblance of understanding to where he was.
He closed his eyes and tried to feel for Kurama but to no avail, he felt nothing. This began to worry him. While his relationship with the Fox got off on a rocky start he had eventually grown close with him and considered him a friend. He would have to structure an explanation on his own.
'Where to begin on this shitstorm.' He rubbed his eyes as he began to think. Whatever place he was he knew it wasn't damnation, rather, this was something else entirely. His language was completely foreign in whatever fortress he currently resides in except for this mysterious Ra's Al Ghul. Naruto still didn't know what he thought of the man. While he was polite enough Naruto had been trained enough in espionage during his training with Jiraiya and as a temporary ANBU member during the early stages of the War when factions and villages began to follow Madara to know Ras hospitality was a front. The man was a warrior and a powerful leader. This League of Shadows must be some kind of military organization. But something else didn't stick right with the man. He didn't even flinch when Naruto told him his reasoning for his injuries. For now, he would play the grateful guest.
Next was where he was. When Ras has asked Naruto where these Elemental Nations were it immediately sent a red flag into his brain. Everyone knew what the Elemental Nations was. Clearly, this was a different form of Earth was from but the question pondered in his mind. If he was from a different earth, how did he arrive and why?
As the questions spun around his head his mind began to wander to the thought of Talia. He stopped and shook his head. She had a very alluring aura of her and she kept giving him a playful glance. She was very beautiful and clearly important to Ras but to why he didn't know. He shook the thoughts out of his head and focused on the more important things.
A knock on the door and the same guard walked in carrying a plate of food. It seemed to be a soup of which his nose picked up like chicken and another roll of bread and a glass of water.
She placed it on his nightstand and bowed before closing the door. Naruto walked over and plopped on the soft bed.
This time he made the decision to inspect the food for any poison or nefarious motives. Satisfied with the inspection he wolfed down the soup and bread before drinking his water and getting back into the bed.
He removed his headband from around his eye and placed one hand behind his head leaning into it as he lay and stared at the headband with a sad smile. After a few moments, the fatigue finally took him and he retreated into the dreamscape.
Naruto awoke the next morning to a knock on his door. The same guard walked in carrying a bowl of fruit, some scrambled eggs and a glass of orange juice. She placed the items on the stand and bowed before retreating to her duties.
Naruto sat in silence as he ate. He had a bowl of grapes, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cantaloupe. It seemed whatever place this was at least it held some common ground in terms of vegetation and food productivity. With his quick meal done he decided to allow his body to gain back some strength.
He felt most of his injuries had healed and it was thanks to his superhuman healing ability. He got down on all fours, positioned his body like a plank with his hands placed shoulder-width apart before he began to push down and back up. He repeated his a good 80 times before he rolled onto his back and did 50 sit-ups.
A few moments later he wiped the sweat from his body before he found a suitable wall void of any object in front or beside it. He walked over to it, turned around 12 inches from the wall and placed his hands on the floor before kicking off into a handstand. He let his heels gently rest onto the wall, he positioned his body in a stable spot before he lowered his head to the floor, he could feel the burning feeling in his arms and core as he held it for 15 seconds before he pushed back up. He did this handstand-push-up for a total of 20 minutes before he kicked off the wall and wiped the sweat from his brow.
A knock on his door caught his attention before he saw it open and the same female guard from before walk in. She nodded a greeting before she motioned him to follow her.
He got back in his same black robes before he followed her out of the room. This time, however, he would be led into a different part of the fortress than the throne room he was in before. Instead, Naruto entered through two massive wooden doors guarded again by a dozen of these League of Shadow members before going through a long hallway and down a flight of stone stairs.
After passing a few corridors Naruto's eyes landed on two massive stone doors that had been pushed open to reveal a large arena of some kind.
As he entered with his escort his eyes landed on the underground arena that has been built as a training arena for these shadowy warriors.
It was massive rectangular like arena boxed in and surrounded by stone and metal walls. Machines of all kinds decorated the sides and the walls were decorated with the design of a golden dragon spanning the massive walls.
The middle of the arena Naruto could see was about a hundred or so League of Shadow warriors doing katas following a singular man in the front.
A light tap on his shoulder and Naruto turned to see his guard motioned him to follow. Naruto did as he was told and followed the guard. He past member after member of these shadowy ninjas each doing a variety of training. From using spiked claws and climbing a wooden pole, crafting poison darts, sword fighting, archery, unarmed combat and using those black metal weapons he has seen before. He went up the staircase leading to the second floor.
The floor was simple enough, with its cold stone floor and walls on each side decorated in the same golden dragon design from before. His eyes landed on a figure currently leaning on the railings watching the training unfold.
He recognized the figure instantly as Ra's Al Ghul. The figure noticed the new presence and turned his predatory eyes to look at Naruto.
Naruto flashed him a nod of respect which only seemed to amuse Ras more. 'Even after everything he learned he still stands strong in the face of superior authority. He's a strong one'.
"Good day Miyamoto. Trust you slept well?"
Naruto gave a nod. "As best as I could."
"Your injuries also seem to be improving at amazing rates. You have some incredible vitality." 'In no more than 3 days he sustained injuries which would have killed any man within in a day easily and recovered enough that he's able to freely move around and not take out a handful of well-trained ninja in his bloodied state. He's either inhumanly tough or superman healing abilities. Intriguing'
"No thanks to your hospitality."
Ras smiled without emotion before he motioned Naruto over to the railings.
Naruto made his way over and stood watching the training from below. His eyes landed on a shirtless man with his arms wrapped in bandages standing on thin wooden poles raised above the floor. There were a dozen or so poles structured in a circle. On each side of the circle was a wooden platform where a League member stood with a wooden stick. Naruto watched with curiosity as the shirtless man raced across the poles blocking and dodging the strikes from the guys on either end. Naruto deduced it was a test of agility and strength.
"What is this place?" Naruto asked.
Ras eyes never faltered from the current view as he spoke. "This place is where we train members from all walks of the earth regardless of sex, ethnicity, age or religion and train them in the order. Where they gain a new purpose and understanding of life. Many of them are like you."
Naruto eyed Ras before he scoffed. "I doubt it."
"But on the contrary. Many of them suffered at the hands of injustice and seek vengeance. Just as I did once. In that like I am like you."
Naruto eyed him further waiting for an explanation. Ras sighed tiredly before he gazed off into the distance. "I saw it In you, in your eyes when I first laid on them. You've suffered a hell few men will know. Unimaginable loss. That impossible anger strangling the grief. Until the memories of your loved ones is poison in your veins."
He then glanced down and Naruto could see sadness and hatred in his eyes. He spoke further. "Then one day you'll catch yourself wishing the person you loved had never existed so you'd be spared the pain."
Naruto glanced back down at the training again. "Is that why you made this League Of Shadows?"
Ras flashed a quick glance at him before he leaned off the railings. "I wasn't always here in the mountains, once I had a wife, my great love. She was taken from me. Like I'm sure you understand I was forced to learn there are those without decency, that must be fought without hesitation, without pity."
Naruto nodded in understanding he agreed to some extent. Naruto's ideals would never change. He would always hold onto Jiraiya's Teachings. To break the Cycle of Hatred but something else changed in Naruto. When the war-ravaged on and he saw true horror he understood something. There needs to be a balance of when to save a life and when to take one for the good of others. His ideals sounded good, but with Naruto's cynicism, he knew it sounded almost too good to be true, Ras was hiding something. He just didn't know what yet.
Naruto was about to reply when he heard the yelling of a man from down below. His eyes landed on a middle-aged man of Asian descent trapped in a wooden cage being carried by two League members to some destination.
Naruto turned to Ras. "Who is that?"
Ras stopped and turned around his predatory eyes gazing over to the man yelling in the cave being carted off. "He was a farmer. Then he tried to take his neighbors land and became a murderer. Now he is a prisoner."
Naruto has a feeling in his gut what would happen to him, but he had to ask. "What will happen to him."
Ras turned back around and walked over to the throne room that was placed down here. "Justice. Crime cannot be tolerated. Criminals thrive on the indulgence of society's understanding."
Naruto didn't press further. He knew there was no point. Ras seems to detect his thoughts and gave his emotional smile again. "But enough about me and the farmer. What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Well, you being found unconscious and bleeding out was not by choice. You said you defeated this man who had done you wrong. What will you do now?"
Naruto thought for a moment. It was a good question. He was sure Madara was dead and the same with Kaguya, along with everyone he ever cared about. He was sure what remained of the Villages would band together and rebuild, such is the case after a calamity. But where did that lead him? "I don't know really. I don't even know much about where I am or what any of this is."
Ras strokes his beard in thought for a few seconds, it was a ploy really. He already knew the answer. He wanted this Miyamoto to join the league. The question was how would he make him. "I may have an answer to that. A little trade if you will."
Naruto gave him a quizzical look. "Trade? What do you mean?"
Ras smiled for the first time with emotion like he was pleased with himself. "Every member here is dedicated to the League Of Shadows. Sworn to carry out the duties. I will allow you to stay here, regain your bearings, gain your strength. My daughter Talia will help you to overcome this language problem. Teach you the most common tongue English. Once you are versed enough I will allow you to use the library. If you have amnesia then maybe these texts will help jog your memory."
"What do I trade in return?" Naruto knew this wasn't out of the goodness in his heart.
"Your service. We could use someone like you in the organization."
Naruto raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Me? But you know nothing about me, why would you want me in your organization?"
"The past is irrelevant, what matters is what you do in the future. What say you?"
Naruto thought for a moment. "Thanks but I don't join just anything I have no knowledge about. No offense."
'Mmm, he's playing it tactically. He's very smart. All the more reason to get him here.'
"Before you rush to that conclusion, a counter-offer then. I shall keep my end the same and in exchange, you become an off the books unofficial member. Let you stay here as my guest. And if you don't like it you may leave.'
Naruto's mastery over Sage training and Fuuinjutsu made him have an uncanny level of reading others emotions and intentions. He could feel the ulterior motive behind his well crafted and mastered facade. He was much older than he looked. But Naruto needed to understand where he was. He would take the bait for now. And if it turns out he isn't what he says he is. He'll leave. After all, no one could tame the brass hyperactive knucklehead ninja.
"Deal"
Ras smiles, clearly joyed with his presumed victory. "Splendid. I have to get back to my duties and I'm sure you are very hungry. I'll have you escorted back to your room and bring food along with my daughter Talia. We should start as soon as we can."
Ras motioned the female guard from before and ordered her to escort Naruto back to his room and with that, he sat back down on the throne room.
Naruto followed his guard back the way they came and to his room.
Naruto sat and thought about everything Ras has told him. He had finished his breakfast lt bacon and eggs that had been brought earlier and was now deep In thought.
A light knock on his door removed him from his musings. He turned his eyes to come face to face with the chick who had knocked him out. His body was telling him to be alert and ready for anything but he knew this must be Ras's daughter, Talia.
He could see more up close that she was very beautiful and in very good shape. She gave a quick nod of greeting and that's when Naruto noticed she had something in her hand. They seemed to be books of some kind.
She walked over to the table and brought a chair over. She placed the books and the papers and writing utensils on the table before she turned to him and began to speak.
As she had been briefed. This Toyohisa knew nothing of the language. 'This is gonna be a pain in the ass'. She decided to start off with something simple, names.
She pointed to herself and said "Talia" a few times Indicating this was her name. She then pointed to Naruto and tilted her head questioningly.
Naruto got the gist of it and spoke. "Toyo-hi-sa" he spoke.
She nodded in understanding. Names had been cleared out of the way. She scattered the books slightly before she picked out one.
While there were no children in Nanda Parbat particularly. She did manage to scrounge up a few children's books and such from when she was a little girl. She also had her smartphone she would use for pictures of things. She sighed before she got to work.
They spent the next few hours learning much of the basics as they could. She was slightly impressed with the man, he was a quick learner. In those few hours, Naruto had a basic understanding of the alphabet and could say a few English words. Although they still sounded very off and foreign. Japanese was very different from this English. The dialect and slower pronounced words were difficult. But Naruto wasn't one to give up.
Another hour had gone by before Talia decided it was a sound setting. She stood up and began to pick up the books but a hand stopped her. She turned her head to see Naruto. " I use boks, yes?"
It sounded strange but she figured he was asking if he could keep working on them. She nodded and let go before she waved him goodbye.
With the door closed Naruto reached out and made a hand sign creating 8 shadow clones. He ordered each of them to pick off where he left off and split them off, 4 would work on the alphabet the other would work on pronunciation and the pictures he had been given.
He worked for the next few hours until a knock came on his door. He quickly dispelled the clones, allowing the rush of information to retain back into him. He stood up slowly and noticed the guard has brought him a plate of food again. It looked like fish of some kind with spices on top and vegetables on the side. Naruto nodded thanks and she closed the door. He glanced back down at the food and sighed. He was beginning to miss Ichiraku's Ramen. He sighed before he began to eat.
"How'd he do?" Ras spoke while staring into the brazier.
Talia stopped bowing and stood up. "He's progressed quite well I'd say. He seems to be a fast learner. Much faster than I was. He's… good."
Ras turned around and faced his daughter. "I sense hesitation in your voice."
She flashed her eyes at him. She didn't want to anger her father. He was a wrathful man after all. "I just… I just don't get why I am the one educating him. One of your best warriors educating a child in language."
Ras clasped his hands behind his back before he climbed down the stairs and stopped in front of her. "Because I want to use someone he can feel comfortable around. Gain his trust. He's strong but careful. Get close to him. Find what you can, with his talent in the order we can do amazing things."
'Just use your own daughter as the tool to get it I see' she thought. "Very well father."
"I'm proud to see you are working diligently. You won't have to worry about your duties in Korea. You're off the mission. I want you here helping Toyohisa."
Her eyes momentarily flashed shock and Ras noticed this. "Will this be a problem my daughter?" A dangerous steely tone in his voice.
She clenched her teeth softy in anger before she spoke. "No father, it will be done."
He nodded. "Very well, you may return to your duties."
Over the next few weeks, Naruto day consisted of waking up, doing morning exercises, eating food, and being tutored by Talia. It was annoying work and even after Naruto had been through hell, one thing he still hated was academical work. It didn't matter if he was a veteran or not, sitting for long periods of time was not his fortë. But thanks to his small but good use of shadow clones the work wasn't as difficult. He now had a sound understanding of the alphabet; could speak in fragmented but simple sentences and his pronunciation was getting better. He had also begun to get closer with Talia. She asked him questions about his life and he hers. While she could see talking about his life was painful for him she would often laugh at his simple stories about his Sensei Kakashi, the one-eyed ninja who read perverted books and was always carefree and aloof.
Naruto would also occasionally have more talks with Ras about life, philosophy, justice. And the world. He began to learn more about Ras and how he had been a warrior all his life being involved in many wars. While Naruto still wasn't very trusting of Ras and would not reveal much about his past or where he was from. He did talk about some of the important people who were precious to him. Most of the time it was cut short when it became too painful. Ras decided to also give Naruto books on Japanese saying it be good to learn the more "modern" version of it. He asked Talia to alter between days one day spent time on English, the other on Japanese.
Pretty soon two and a half months had gone by. Naruto improves a lot on his understanding of English and Japanese. He could now speak most of the language and his pronunciation was only slightly iffy when it came to more complex words. Naruto could also read and write as well thanks to the speedy knowledge intake of his Shadow Clones. Naruto often requested books from the library and would spend nights reading as much as he could. Sleeping was difficult for him, he often found himself having nightmares and would wake up bed soaked in sweat.
Naruto never liked much reading but in his time learning espionage from Jiraiya and the ANBU he had to gain a sound understanding of what was going on around him. Intelligence gathering was a vital aspect to a Shinobi and one of its fundamental principles. Naruto read everything he could. He learned that this Earth was not the one he was from. The technology was vastly superior. Somehow he landed in a different earth than his own. A shocking realization that had made him panic.
He had quickly calmed his nerves and focused on the task at hand. He learned that the world had a long line of history and rather trudging through useless and redundant ancient history. He learned what he could about the 1700s and on. He learned that the countries on this earth were not based on the people's affinities but rather by culture and differences. He learned of the place called State Countries and the seven continents North America, South America, Antarctica, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
He also learned that this earth the countries were a lot more globalized and interconnected, than his less advanced technology-emphasized feudalistic world. Naruto split off his studying into different aspects. Historical, military, political/economic, industrial/technological. All important factors to allow him to learn where he was.
On historical, he focused primarily on everything that had happened the 1700s and on. The different actions countries took to further their advancements and the different wars fought for both political, economic, religious advances. Things like the British Empire Colonization of the world, Seven Years War, American Civil War, Declaration of Independence, French Revolution, Napoleon Wars, Rise and Fall of modern slavery, the 13 colonies which would eventually become the United States,Industrial Revolution, the global scale World War 1, Economic boom of the 1920s. Great Depression in the 30s, World War 2, the rise of Communism and the Cold War between US & Russia, creation NATO, Warsaw, UN, Vietnam War, fall of Soviet Union, 911 and the current wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. Seems no matter where he was War was always the same.
As for militaristic he shockingly learned there was no modern era Shinobi or the idea of chakra being used. The countries seemed to employ soldiers with training in what he learned was firearms and those firearms used against him earlier were called Assault Rifles and Pistols. Which ignites with gunpowder and sends a small metallic object called a bullet as the projectile. In fact, humans, for the most part, didn't have any special abilities. They were like the civilians back in his home. relied on things called missiles, tanks, aircraft, naval ships and ground forces. The main armed conflict to date was the Global War on Terror against groups called ISIS & Al Qaeda; brutal fanatical religious-driven warriors on a holy war for their God Allah and remove all bone believers and heretics. They reminded Naruto a lot to the Akatsuki member and death cult member Hidan who worshiped Jashin. They created terror and fear and often employed child soldiers and suicide bombings. It churned Naruto's stomach.
As for politics, he learned the countries around the world were for the most part self-governing. There was no Daimyo of one of the Lands or a Hokage of a village but rather beings of power called President and Prime Ministers. And a different structural government that operated on a scale called the Left or Right spectrum. The left would go from Communism, the radical form of governmental control where everyone had equal social and economic status and the government had full control over its country and would use violence to enforce it, as seen by people like Stalin and Fidel Castro. Socialism the less radicalized version of it, Liberalism a political system that focused on liberality and equality, conservatism the combination of some liberal policies with a more traditional understanding. Fascism the radical authoritative ultra nationalistic form of government which does not believe in equality but a strict totalitarian view and finally Anarchy where there was no order or law, pure chaos. He also learned that countries, for the most part, upheld to large organizations responsible for helping keep peace in the world. Such as the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the World Health Organization. The economy seemed to also focus on currency, trade, taxation, and policies. Countries on the right favored more economic freedom like Free Market while countries on the Left seemed to focus more government control.
He learned industrially and technology that this world focused heavily on these things. And that they employed almost all of it into their daily lives rather than the mix of primitive and modernism technology the Elemental Nations used. Probably due to a lack of having chakra and Shinobi. He learned of a time called the Industrial Revolution both World Wars which created machines called Cars which operated on gas allowing humans to operate these "steel horses" Naruto jokingly called them. Aircraft such as planes and jets which allowed humans to fly into the sky and surprisingly into space exploring the different planets. What his country would kill just to have technology like that. And more modernized ships which allowed faster travel and did not operate on sails as much but rather fuel.
Naruto headed back after staying in the library for a few hours. After so much time here he was given more leniency towards exploring the hidden city. He was still guarded by his trusty female guard whom he grew to know as White Willow. She was pretty strict about her role and rarely engaged with the blonde Shinobi.
He opened the door to his room, books, papers, and notes of his were scattered across the table. He turned to his left and noticed on the chair was a neatly folded black leather uniform with padded metal plating and a black mask, the standard uniform of the League of Shadows. He noticed leaning against the leg of the table was a Chokutō a straight single-edged blade(One Sasuke uses) a request he asked for from Ras. He smiled.
"Toyohisa you ready?" came the gruff voice of a tall man around 29 with an athletic lean built with brown hair and blue eyes. The man unsheathed his silver katana and pointed it towards the blonde ninja.
Naruto/Toyohisa adjusted the forearm guards on his arms and unsheathed his sword attaches to his back. "Ready when you are Darius." He said smiling. A week has gone by since Ras allowed Naruto to train in the training grounds. Naruto was glad he was given that leg room. However, he would not go all out. He didn't want to reveal his Jutsu or special powers, giving away his element of surprise. He still didn't trust Ras or the group. Most of the League members did as well, some of them still gave him distrusting eyes, especially since he wasn't an official member. He did meet some new companions though. One of them was Darius. A recruit of 3 years in the League of Shadows. He had been tasked with giving some training to the Shinobi. Turns out, Toyohisa didn't need it.
Darius brought his blade closer to his face as he stepped slowly forward. He studied the Shinobi who was ice cool, equally studying the man's movements and waiting for an opening.
Naruto's one eye watched carefully as Darius took a few steps to the left, one step too far and there was the momentarily opening Naruto needed.
Naruto bolted forward at intense speeds and brought his blade down on Darius who blocked it before slashing vertically down, Naruto sidestepped the attack and rammed his fist into Darius' stomach. The man lurched over and Naruto jumped wrapped his legs around the man's neck and bent backward vaulting the man over Naruto and landing hard on his back.
Darius hit the ground hard and opened his eyes to see the tip of the single-edged blade staring at him. "I concede" he raised his hands up.
Naruto walked over and stretched out his hand. Darius noticed it and reached out and grabbed it being hoisted up by Naruto.
A light chuckle from the sidelines made Naruto turn his head. "How many losses is that now Darius, 4?"
Naruto smiled under his mask as he turned to his other companion a League member by the name of Nightstorm. A tall imposing man around 26 who had dark black eyes and hair. He sported the same League of Shadows uniform with red thick padding from his shoulder down. He was apart of the metahuman division and could control the element of wind. Another thing Naruto learned of this world, while the idea of chakra-wielding Shinobi didn't exist, superpowered beings of all kinds exist and many of them could do things not even ninja from the Elemental Nations could.
Darius rubbed the back of his head in pain. "Well, it's not my fault the damn kid moves so fast. Hey, kid are you sure you're human?"
Toyohisa sheathed his sword and patted the man on his back. "As sure as I am that you'll never be able to beat me in a fight." Causing Nighstorm to snicker and Darius to growl.
"My ass you won't. I'll pound you into the ground one day."
"Excellent fighting Toyohisa." Said a feminine voice.
He turned his eyes to see Talia smiling at him. Over time the stoic hard persona that Talia had around Naruto had changed and Talia had grown close to Naruto. He was the first man she had grown close to since Bruce Wayne. Although it wasn't of love like she had for Bruce, more a companionship. After all her mission was to keep track on Toyohisa and find out about his past, one she was still unsuccessful in finding. She had told him a bit about her father and how despite how much she loved him she was never good enough, and she was a bit jealous in the beginning. Naruto had gotten so much attention and she hadn't. But as time progressed the two would often spar together while they were not tutoring.
Naruto bowed mockingly, "of course my lady, just ruffing up these young vagabonds." getting a light punch from Darius.
She rolled her eyes. "Right. Well, my father is coming home tomorrow and he wants to see you early. Says he's got something big to show."
Naruto shares a quick glance with Darius his one eye staring into Darius before he turned back to her. "You know what it's about?"
She shook her head, lying. She knew what he was going to do. "No, but I'm guessing it's important. I'll have Willow bring you food later tonight. You seem tired so I'll cancel tutoring for today." She flashed him a wave before she went off to her duties.
"Ooh. Toyohisa and Talia sitting in a tree. K-I-S-" Darius sang before he was lightly hit in the stomach with an elbow courtesy of Nighstorm. "Come on vagrant, we got patrol in 20 minutes. I don't want to be punished cleaning the bathrooms, do you?" he shook his head and the two waved goodbye before retreating to their duties; leaving Naruto who stood in silence, save for the dozens of League members training in the back.
Naruto shook his head before he made his way back to his room. Wondering what tomorrow would bring, good or…bad.
And scene. This was unexpected to get it in so quick but I had the free time and this idea had popped into my head and I just had to get the second chapter down. Hope you all like the second part. Naruto isn't going to be apart of the League of Shadows. I like the idea but I just don't see him being apart of eco-environmental terrorist. He will eventually carry on into the story but I need to build up the setting more, I've seen people just drop him into the story and fix all the obstacles.
Did y'all like the interaction between Naruto and Ras? I rewatched Batman Begins with Liam Neeson as Ras, and Christopher Nolan and I just loved that Ras so much. He was difficult to write a bit since I didn't want to come off as soft since he's not. Y'all like the language scene as well? It was a cheap cop-out to have Ras know how to speak the same form of Japanese as Naruto and that was partial to me not wanting to completely spend 3 chapters building up his fluency in English. I thought it made sense since Ras is so old and it made sense there would be some different dialects with Japan over its long period of time, especially mingling with Korea. Build some of those challenges rather than drop him in and he knows how to speak to everyone immediately. Also thought I'd expand more on how Earth16 differs from Elemental Nations through its politics, economics, military, and technological differences. It was a bit rushed but I still have some trouble expanding on setting and building up the universe.
Y'all like how I've written Naruto? Don't worry he'll still have that goofball attitude and some of his hyperactive knuckles but he's vastly more mature and wise. He's learned a lot during his trials and tribulations of life and surviving the war that claimed the lives of everyone that was precious to him can change a man.
Hope Y'all like the story. Keep giving me those reviews. Positive and Negative. Remember I am writing this to have fun but to also improve my own writing. A little challenge for you guys what name should I give Naruto as his codename in JL. I've been having some trouble finding one. I like the idea of Fire Shadow but I've seen it overused so many times that I don't want it to be a bit cliched. I was thinking something with Ronin (wandering Samurai without a lord). Keep in mind it must relate with Naruto or being a Shinobi. Thanks see Y'all next chapter