(Mount Justice)
Kaldur moved to block with his baton construct only to have it shatter and turn back into water and not seeing Naruto kicking him in the stomach for his trouble.
As he caught his breath he looked to see his opponent's constructs surrounded by a blue aura.
"Remember that you're opponent is not going to play fair." said Dinah as she watched him and Naruto spar.
"And be aware of where he attacks." said Fukasaku. He had been summoned multiple times now along with Shima to help train the team. Today though, he brought some younger toads to watch this sparring match with Naruto.
Kaldur nodded and made his baton constructs again. Since there was no new missions both he and Naruto decided on an early training session between the two of them with. Naruto told Dinah and she agreed to supervise their session with Kaldur in his uniform while Naruto was in his civilian attire.
Naruto stopped flowing chakra into his ring thus the baton constructs stopped glowing blue. The two began to clash once again, the sound of their batons smashing against each other filling the hall. Clashing and dodging with Kaldur struggling but managing to keep up.
That is until Naruto blocked one of Kaldur's attacks and struck him in the face faster than he was anticipating.
"Changing up your speed gives you an advantage. Makes it difficult for your opponent to dodge or block an attack." Naruto instructed.
"Yes I can see that." said Kaldur rubbing his face. "Who taught you how to fight like this?"
"Laira-Sensei, one of the instructors on Oa, she gave me weapons training with my constructs." Naruto explained.
"And everything else?" this question came from Dinah. Since their sparing match she had been more than a little curious about where he had learned how to fight the way that he did.
"Here and there." said Naruto being evasive while at the same time winking at Fukasaku who nodded in response.
"You know Naruto sooner or later you're going to tell us more about yourself and your training." said Kaldur.
"One day yes." said Naruto. He then blitzed towards the Atlantean with his opponent unable to defend before being disarmed handily by Naruto kneeling down and striking the team leader's left leg, sending him to the floor, and ending the match.
"But not today." said Naruto holding up his hand to which Kaldur took after he stopped seeing stars.
"Or ever it would seem." said the old toad.
"Indeed." said the Atlantean shaking his head as Naruto helped him up.
"Pretty good moves as usual Naruto." said Dinah.
"A fine display indeed Naruto-Boy." said Fukasaku. "Though I might have suggested hitting him on the head. Might have finished the fight sooner."
"But he wouldn't have learned anything with a concussion. Some of these guys aren't as sturdy as me old toad." said Naruto. "No offense Kaldur."
"None taken." said Kaldur.
"Eh. As good a reason as any." said Fukasaku. He then turned to his young charges.
"I hope you observed well today young ones. The lesson to take from today is always be unpredictable. Never let the enemy know what you are up to."
"Yes Honored Elder!" they all said.
"Now I think it best we be on our way. Good day to you all until next time." said the old sage. From there he and the young toads disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"I'm not sure I will ever get used to that." said Dinah.
"The talking toads or the fact that in a puff a smoke they transport themselves to another realm?" asked Kaldur.
"Both." she said honestly. "Though I have to admit Fukasaku being here has helped with training Wally with that stick of his."
"It has." said Naruto thinking on how Wally was getting the hang of juking with Fukasaku always whacking him upside the head every time he did something incorrectly.
"In any case," said Naruto getting back on subject "If you think I'm good you should meet my friend Lee some day. I kid you not; he is among the best Taijutsu masters of my planet. I've gotten better but in a pure Taijutsu match he could even beat me." Naruto said.
That thought put both Dinah and Kaldur on edge. Suddenly Kaldur put a hand to his earpiece.
"Aqualad." he said out loud to get the others attention and immediately set up a computer panel. Pressing a button he put whoever it was so he was transmitting throughout the cave.
"Red Arrow," the person said.
"Roy?" said Dinah.
"Hi Dinah," said the archer sounding a little embarrassed that she was there. "Kaldur I need access to Justice League's database, specifically the exact height of the League of Shadows assassin known as Cheshire.
"Checking." said Aqualad accessing the holo-computer. With a few keystrokes he had Cheshire's profile on the screen. "Cheshire is one point-six meters."
"Um..." said the archer not understanding that form of information.
"She is five point six inches not to mention extremely dangerous." said Dinah intervening. "Roy you need some back up."
"I can handle it Dinah. Last thing I need is help from anyone especially not from the junior Justice League." said Roy.
"No just access to our computer and files." said Naruto.
"In any case take care, my friend. And be careful." Aqualad said as the communication ended.
"What's going on right now that he would need the measurements of a known assassin?" Naruto decided to ask.
"This." said Dinah pulling the video from what looked like a conference given limos, press and the large building.
"Where is this?" the shinobi asked.
"Taipei." said Dinah. "It's the place chosen to be held for the peace summit between North and South Rhelasia. Last we heard negotiations between the two nations have broken down and as a last resort both representatives, Prime Minister Tseng and General Sing Manh Li, have agreed to a neutral party to host negotiations between the two factions."
"Is the situation between the two that dire?" asked Aqualad.
"I'm afraid so. If the two factions cannot find a compromise to co-exist it could lead to full scale war. We've already had border skirmishes already thanks to this." Dinah explained.
"What's the reason for all this?" Naruto asked.
"Mainly comes down to discrimination between to the two factions. Both of them saying that they have nothing in common and how both claim one side is superior to the other. Mainly base on borders and issues that have died off decades ago." the heroine said with disgust in her voice.
'Figures. Humans being stupid. Not unlike Ajnin until you came along.' said Kurama in his head.
'Yeah.' said Naruto thinking of his own race's history. "So who's the middle man of all this?"
"The rumors have gone from the Secretary General of the United Nations to our very own Superman. Though when he heard it he suggested that we ask the UN to send Wonder Woman since she is an Ambassador for Themycira. By the time that suggestion came however the UN already had selected someone." Dinah explained.
"Explains why Cheshire would be there then." said Aqualad. "The question then becomes which one of the three will be the target."
"My guess, the arbiter." said Naruto. "Who just now is pulling up in the limo with the police escort."
On cue they saw the white limo with said escort pull up to the building. Suddenly there was a panic as they heard what appeared to be a rocket being launched but it never seemed to reach its target.
Soon after they see Cheshire hopping on the heads of bodyguards as they and the escorts of both leaders pull out their weapons. The assassin leaps onto the limo. At which point a trick arrow is fired and launched a net only for her to easily slice it in half. This proves to be a distraction as Red Arrow tackles her to the ground just as the failed rocket land right into a newspaper stand.
The two tussled for a bit before they stopped with Cheshire straddling Red Arrow with security surrounding them pistols aimed at them as debris from the destroyed stand floated down upon them.
"That's not awkward at all." said Naruto sarcastically.
"Shh Cat Grants speaking." said Dinah as the show went on.
"We have just witnessed an assassination attempt live. Thankfully no one was hurt including our mystery arbiter."
The limo then opened to reveal who it was. Cat Grant spoke for the three watching as they were shocked to see who it was.
"Lex Luthor!?" said Cat Grant.
"Um guys last I checked isn't he supposed to be one of the bad guys?" asked Naruto remembering Luthor from the Leagues database as in the enemy category.
"He is but we haven't been able to prove it." said Dinah getting her cell phone of her jackets pocket.
"I gotta call the UN and confirm Roy is one of ours before they send him for a prison stay." she said.
They watched as she made the call.
"She will handle things with Roy." said Kaldur. "My main concern is why Luthor is trying to bring peace between the two nations? Our reports all indicate that he is making profit from the war."
"It's simple really. Peace brings more trade then war does. Luthor and his company stand to make far more with a united Rhaslea in peaceful times compared to chump change that war time brings." said Naruto.
"How do you know that?" said Kaldur.
"During my time as Green Lantern I had to negotiate on several planets for peace. One of the main points has always been trade. It's really not so different from wars between countries except mainly the scale of the conflict." said the shinobi.
Before Kaldur could ask more Dinah had returned.
"I've just got confirmation that Roy has been identified as Speedy and is released from police custody. With Luthor vouching for him if you can believe it."
"Huh." said Naruto. "I would've thought he would just let the matter pass."
"He might be also looking to profit from being there as well." said Kaldur.
"You think we should give him some back up?" Naruto asked.
Kaldur crossed his arms in thought for a moment before answering.
"Concerned as we are I think we should wait before moving in to help. However, we should keep an eye on the situation just in case."
"Are you sure?" Naruto questioned. "If Cheshire is involved then that means the League of Shadows also has their hands in this."
"I know and I'm inclined to believe we should back up our friend we cannot do so without his consent." said Kaldur though both the shinobi and the veteran hero could see he was uncomfortable with this decision.
"We will keep an eye on the situation as it develops. With Luthor involved it's usually a good idea." said Dinah finally. "If things go bad then we move in."
'Which they usually do.' said Kurama.
"Agreed." said Naruto out loud.
Suddenly the Zeta-Tube activated and J'onn stepped out.
"I take it you all have seen the news."
"Yes. Have you heard from the League on what to do?" said Dinah.
"At the moment the League has decided to take a watch and wait approach." J'onn responded.
"We are doing the same." said Kaldur.
"Well then in the mean time we should see M'gann and Superboy off. They are about to start their first day of school." said J'onn with a small smile on his face.
"Yep!" said the excited voice of M'gann as she flew to them. "Connor is waiting for us in the hangar." she continued flying to the hanger with her bags of lunch for her and the Kryptonian.
"Connor?" asked J'onn in confusion.
"We decided to give him a name. Connor Kent." Naruto said with a knowing wink. The Martian followed with a smile.
"Indeed." said the voice of Red Tornado flying down from his quarters above the center of the cave.
"Well isn't this a full party." said Dinah.
"I decided it would be best to see two of my charges off to school. If that meets with your approval." said the android.
"No problem. More the merrier." said Naruto
They followed the young Martian already talking to Conner.
"Got our lunches M'gann?" Conner asked knowing the answer.
"Yep." she said.
"The first day of the scholastic season is time of great significance. We all wanted to wish you well." said J'onn.
"Guess it's not a kryptonian thing huh." said Conner.
'We really need to do something about that kid.' said Kurama commenting on how Superman aka Clark Kent was still being absent in Conner's life.
'Didn't expect you to put your two cents.' said Naruto while agreeing with his partner. However, he noticed a more immediate problem to which Black Canary pointed out.
"Uh M'gann you might want to change before leaving." she said as M'gann was still in uniform and in her green Martian form. This only seemed to make M'gann even more excited.
"Oh I've been working for hours on this dress." she said quick changing her uniform into a white t-shirt with a brown short sleeved sweater, skirt, knee high socks with black shoes and finally a headband to keep her hair back.
"What do you think? Can M'gann M'ozz pass as an Earth girl now?" she said with her skin still green.
"Well..." said Aqualad.
"Just kidding!" she exclaimed twirling around and changing her skin to Caucasian.
"Meet Megan Morse." she said bowing theatrically.
"Well played Megan." said Naruto getting into the joke.
"Now get going you two, you're going to be late." said Dinah.
And thus the two left with M'gann handing one lunch to Conner.
"They grow up so fast." said J'onn with Sphere rolling behind them beeping.
"I don't know beeps but I think it was asking where they are going or when they were coming back." said Naruto.
"Either one or both I assume." said Kaldur. They then dispersed and headed back into the cave.
As they did so Naruto could not help but notice Dinah being tense.
"Dinah is everything alright?" he asked.
"I've known Roy almost as long as Oliver. I helped train him when he first started out. But since what happened at the Hall of Justice he's just kept his distance in his quest to try and be his own hero. Despite the poor choice in name that would say otherwise." Dinah explained.
"He's like family to you isn't he?" Naruto asked.
"Like the annoying little brother I never had." she said with a smile. "This issue with Rhalesia and the fact that Lex Luthor is there in any capacity I just can't help but worry that he may be in over his head and that's he's too stubborn to realize it."
"So you want to help him but don't want to seem overbearing." said Naruto deducing where this was going.
"I'm assuming this means that you want someone from the Team to go give him back up."
"Exactly." said Dinah. "Naruto I know he can seem a bit arrogant but he's a good guy..."
"Stop right there." he said hold his hand up. He then transformed into his uniform. "I will have to get approval from Kaldur but I don't think that will be a problem."
"Thank you." she said with an earnest grin.
"No worries. Like you said he's a good guy who might be just a touch overconfident in his abilities. Not to say he isn't capable but he does need to remember there are those he can turn to." said Naruto walking off to find Kaldur.
As she watched him walk off, a question formed in her mind.
"Do you really need Kaldur's permission?" she asked.
"No." he said. "But it's best to be polite."
(Taipei)
Naruto arrived via Zeta-Tube where it was close the conference building that held the peace negotiations of the two Rhalesias.
'You realize that the boy may not be all too keen on receiving back up.' said Kurama.
'Yeah Kaldur said the same thing before he agreed to this impromptu mission.' said Naruto. Nevertheless he activated his earpiece.
"Green Lantern to Red Arrow do you read me?" he asked.
"This is Red Arrow. What are you doing here." said Red Arrow's voice indignantly.
"We thought you could use some back up since it seems the situation has gotten bigger with Luthor showing up." said Naruto.
"I told you I didn't need help." said the archer.
"Too bad you got it anyway. Just tell me what's going on." said Naruto.
"Fine." said Red Arrow in defeat. "Cheshire managed to escape prison with the help of Sportsmaster. I managed to put a tracer on the helicopter they used to escape and it lead to this old monastery."
"Okay. How did you know it was Sportsmaster?" asked Naruto.
"I was in front of Cheshire's cell when the escape happened trying to interrogate her. I lost them in the chase that had me place the tracker." he explained.
"So she escaped on your watch?" Naruto questioned.
"Yes alright I admit to that." said Red Arrow. Naruto then heard him take a breath. "Quiet. I think I'm seeing who their client is."
Naruto did as he was told and waited. Moments later Red Arrow spoke up again.
"It's Ra's al Ghul!"
"You're sure?" said Naruto knowing from the files exactly who this was.
"Positive. And he's not just Cheshire's master he the client. It looks like Luthor has been a thorn to his side. Especially now with a peace summit." said Red Arrow.
"Right assassins can't exactly find work with a nation in peace." said Naruto.
'Unless said planet is full of nations with assassins also known as shinobi.' said Kurama.
"Uh oh." said Red Arrow suddenly.
"What? What is it?" Naruto questioned.
"Have to call you back." said Red Arrow. From there the signal cut off.
"Damn it." said Naruto flying into the air.
'Damn fool is going to get himself killed if I don't find him fast. Kurama can you pinpoint his locations from his emotions?' Naruto asked his partner.
'I can give it a go.' said Kurama. In the mean time Naruto created a screen and used it as a magnifying glass searching the city.
'Check east. I can sense his fear and anger in that direction.' his partner called out. Naruto point the screen in that direction and sure enough there was Roy fighting Cheshire and Sportsmaster.
He made the screen disappear and flew at top speed towards them.
Naruto lowered himself to the city limits and he saw them as he approached. One thing seemed to stick out as he saw the combatants.
They had stopped for a moment and it seemed like Red Arrow was just standing there.
'What the hell is going on?' Naruto questioned in his mind.
'I don't know kid but all of a sudden his emotions just shut down. Like they aren't even there.' said the tailed beast.
'You're getting nothing from him now?' Naruto asked.
'Nothing. One moment anger frustration and fear. The next just nothing.' said Kurama. 'Wait...he's back up again.'
Sure enough the fight continued with Red Arrow being on the defensive with his feet behind the edge of the roof.
Naruto didn't what was going on but decided to put what he saw and Kurama felt aside for now. As Red Arrow was on the edge Naruto dropped right in front of Cheshire and Sportsmaster. He created a flash bang smoke bomb which he dropped in the center of them. As it exploded bright light flashed blinding the assassins while at the same time covering them in smoke.
As they coughed and shielded their eyes Naruto quickly grabbed the archer and they flew off. They didn't need to get far as they landed on a roof of a building.
Red Arrow shrugged his hand off.
"I didn't need-"
"Save it." countered Naruto. "You were literally a hair's breadth from being tossed into the river of that so called 'abandoned' monastery. What the hell were you thinking of going up against two highly skilled assassins alone like that without a plan?"
This made the young archer stop and rethink what had gone wrong and with a breath spoke again.
"It seems that I may, possibly, be in over my head." he admitted.
"Only possibly?" said Naruto.
"Man that's the best you're getting out of me alright." Red Arrow said with indignation.
"Fine okay, some humility is better than none I guess." said Naruto. "In any case what's our next move?"
"You're asking me?" Red Arrow questioned.
"I'm just here as back up. This is still you're mission as far as I'm concerned." said Naruto earnestly offering him an olive branch.
"Alright." Red Arrow said with a small smile. "We should probably talk to Luthor. We need to know why Ra's al Ghul himself wants Luthor dead."
"Agreed." said Naruto.
Naruto created a bubble surrounding them both and flew towards the hotel where Luthor was staying at. They saw Luthor getting dressed when he noticed them and opened the power window.
As they entered and the window closed Luthor turned to speak with them.
"I see you decided to bring in some assistance." said Luthor talking to Red Arrow. "I take it you're the Green Lantern that I have heard rumblings about lately."
"Yeah that's me. Let me guess Black Manta's been talking?" said Naruto.
"Among others." said Luthor gesturing his hand to the shinobi. "Lex Luthor."
"Yes I know." said Naruto but decided to be diplomatic about this and shook the man's hand albeit with a firm grip that had Luthor rubbing his hand afterwards.
"If we are done with the pleasantries we have things to discuss." said Red Arrow. "We now know that that the person who hired Cheshire is Ra's al Ghul. And he has now gotten Sportsmaster involved as well."
"I'm not surprised." said Luthor as his assistant Mercy helped him put on his suit's jacket. "Ra's has been something of a competitor of mine for some time."
'Convenient that he seems to be making his move against him now though isn't it kid?' Kurama asked.
'Yes, too convenient.' Naruto responded.
"Then maybe we should let the two of you take each other out and we just watch." said the archer.
"While that would seem like a good tactical decision on taking out enemies we still have the peace process to finish. Otherwise a country will go to war with itself." said Naruto
"You're friend here couldn't have explained the situation better." said Luthor. "However, they might expect the two of you since you managed to escape I presume."
"No they won't." said Naruto. "And we have a few surprises left."
(Rhelasia Peace Conference)
Cheshire was in her disguise pushing her cart of small food around getting closer to her target. The cart itself was filled with enough explosives to take out the entire room. Truthfully, it wasn't her first option as she preferred using something more subtle and with less collateral damage. Less mess she would say to herself.
But her "partner" aka her father decided that the subtlety was no longer in effect and that she should follow his plan.
That was only half the reason of course as she pushed her package forward.
He thought she was also worried about the archer and she was but for a different reason. He was skilled but she could handle him, though part of her wanted to handle him in a rather different sense.
No the one who she worried about now was the Green Lantern that showed up. She had fought him before and lost twice, handily, and was not looking forward to facing him again.
As she got closer to the tables a shimmering figure appeared before her.
'Fate hates me.' she thought to herself as the shimmering ended and reveal the very Lantern that she did not want to face right in front of her.
"Going somewhere Cheshire?" said the Lantern. The assassin felt caught in both frustration and fear but hid it with a smile, pushed the button on the cart to activate the explosives and pushed it towards the meeting.
Naruto put his ring and created a barrier covering the conference and easily shielded them from the explosion. As the blast dissipated and the smoke cleared, he saw that Cheshire had her sigh's pulled out and behind her a helicopter dropped off Sportsmaster and the squad of what Naruto could only assume were soldiers of the League of Assassins.
The security forces both North and South Rhelasia moved to fight the intruders as they and their leader jumped off.
Red Arrow moved to Naruto's side his bow at the ready already firing at Cheshire who in turn deflected them with her sighs.
"Get Sporstmaster! Cheshire's mine!" he said
"So possessive already and we are only on our third date." she said with a flirtatious smile.
"Date? Something I don't know about Red?" Naruto asked.
"Never mind just get going!" he said as fired his arrow and commenced his "date" with Cheshire.
'Oh there's an attraction there. I can feel it from both of them and that's saying something since I have a harder time reading the lady shinobi then usual. The weird kind. Kinda like how you meet someone that you just can't help but like.' said Kurama.
'Cool it Furball we've got work to do.' said Naruto with a small smile behind his mask as he moved towards Sportsmaster who was easily taking out the guards that came at him. The last one he took out with a spinning jump kick to the back of his victim's head knocking him out cold if not killing him.
Naruto made his presence known by doing the same to two of his associates dodging a sword strike and sending him flying with a side kick to his side. Another had two swords but Naruto grabbed his wrists and tossed him right at Sportsmaster.
The masked mercenary dodged the man being thrown but not the punch to the face that knocked for a loop. Recovering, Sportsmaster pulled a cylinder, pushed a button and out came a cable with a metallic sphere attached to it. He then swung it like a whip and flung it towards his enemy. Naruto side stepped each attack before making a kunai construct and slicing the wire. He throws the kunai to which the masked man dodges but is once again misdirected to Naruto's charge.
Sportsmaster blocked the initial barrage of punches but as he makes the counter attack he gets hit with a palm strike to the face dazing him. Naruto continues with a right hand punch to the gut and jumps into the air for an axe kick to which Sportsmaster barely manages to roll out of the way, the impact from the kick leaving an impact on the floor. Sportsmaster recovers to land a left upper cut to Naruto only for Naruto to recover as if he wasn't even affected and countered with hand stance and slamming both of his feet into Sportsmaster's chest sending him flying to the helicopter.
His armor took some of the impact but not all. Gasping and realizing that fighting him hand-to hand wasn't working he griped another javelin and made to stab him while spinning it like a bo staff hoping to counter the Lantern's obvious skill and physical power.
"Seriously another weapon?" said Naruto using his own bo-staff construct and parrying his attacks.
"Whatever...works." he said panting from the effort. Naruto parried another before changing his construct into a longsword and slicing it in half. The villain pulled out a rapier but Naruto had grown tired of this game. As Sportsmaster moved to thrust Naruto grabbed the blade and channeled some of his chakra using his fire style to super heat the blade from his forcing Sportsmaster to release it. Naruto threw his own construct away and blasted him with a beam from his ring sending him once again into the helicopter only hard enough to dent the metal.
Sportsmaster tried getting up only to find the sword construct's blade at his throat.
"Jesus kid, you can fight. I haven't been knocked around like that in years." he panted. "Add that to the other displays you shown from Santa Prisca, the Doctor Roquettte, Biayla, even Scandinavia."
Naruto's eyes widened at hearing that he knew about those missions. Even when he helped Prince John. That he could account for maybe Black Manta spilling the beans but the others? Not so much.
He knew there was only one way that he could have gotten that kind of information.
"Who is the inside source of your info?" he said putting more pressure on his enemy's neck.
"Clever boy." said Sportsmaster. "It's very inside you know."
"That doesn't answer the question." he said putting enough pressure on the blade for there now to be a small cut and blood coming from the tip of the blade.
"No answers today." said Sportsmaster
Immediately following that statement Naruto could sense that someone was about to attack from behind and quickly dodged Cheshire's attack. Seeing him in a position to talk took her attention away from Red Arrow to fight him.
Red Arrow was at the ready.
"Lantern lets end this." he said. Naruto could see that the fighting was indeed lasting too long and nodded. He then made up his hand signs.
"Wind Style: Tornado Field Jutsu!" he called out. Suddenly the room was in a controlled tornado with only the League assassins being caught up in it and being thrown to the walls unconscious.
Sportsmaster and Cheshire barely held on as the tornado's g-force nearly knocked them out of where they came from. As suddenly as it appeared it stopped with all the enemy combatants down and out.
Cheshire quickly put on her mask and threw a smoke bomb. Naruto quickly dispelled it again with a gust of wind but they were already gone.
They both turned to see an assassin somehow have regain consciousness and attack the delegation.
"Mercy." Luthor said politely and calmly. The assistant raised her right arm and it suddenly transformed into a blaster instantly taking out the assassin and changing back into a normal looking arm seamlessly.
"She gives new meaning to the arms race doesn't she." he said.
"That technology is most impressive." said General Sing Manh Li
"We owe you our lives sir." said Prime Minister Tseng.
Red Arrow could only look on in amazement.
"They owe him their lives?" he questioned.
Naruto just shrugged.
Soon enough the action was over and the news quickly reported that thanks to Luthor both sides were now signing a peace treaty that could potentially lead to the reunification of Rhelasia.
Aqualad was with Naruto and Red Arrow as he had arrived to check on them after everything that happened tonight.
"I can't believe we did a solid for Lex Luthor." said Roy as they left the building.
"Not for Luthor. For peace." said Aqualad.
"And since the peace treaty is now official that makes the contract on Luthor null and void. I call that a win." said Naruto.
"Is it?" Red Arrow questioned. "I heard what Sportsmaster said. Do you guys think there is a mole on the team?"
"He could have said that just to sow doubt into our heads. That's the most likely thing." said Naruto. "But at the same time he knew about our missions."
"So we cannot rule out the possibility. I will investigate this but quietly." said Kaldur.
"I don't like the idea of keeping secrets from our friends Kaldur." said Naruto not feeling good about this situation.
"Neither do I, but we cannot let the mole that we are looking into this. We do not want to tip him or her off." said Kaldur.
"Alright." Naruto grumbled.
"Good luck with that." said Roy saluting and was about to leave when he turned back around. "Your name is Naruto right?"
"Yeah." said the Lantern.
"I just wanted to say I enjoyed watching you work tonight, and to say thanks to you both for deciding to help me. You and the team have my respect."
'Finally.' said Kurama to which Naruto silently agreed.
"I'm still getting used to this solo act but if and when you need me I will be there." he said shaking both Kaldur and Naruto's hands.
"Take care, my friend." said Kaldur.
"Same." said Naruto echoing the Atlantean's tone.
As Roy left, Naruto turned to Kaldur.
"I'm going to stay for a bit if you don't mind Kaldur." said Naruto.
"May I inquire why?" he asked.
"Just some loose ends to tie up, nothing you need to worry about." said Naruto.
"Very well, be sure to contact Black Canary and tell her that Roy is okay." said Kaldur.
"Roger that." said Naruto and flew off.
He is soon above the building that house that apartment that Luthor is staying in and makes an earpiece construct and puts in it his left ear and activates that listening device construct that he put into Luthor's apartment.
"After showcasing Mercy's...equipment both leaders are literally buying into the peace. Thus the reunification of North and South Rhelasia will soon be a reality with Lexcorps guidance." said the voice of Luthor. From there he heard the clanging of classes and another voice with an accent soon speaks.
"Thus another corner of the world sees the Light." said the voice that Naruto knew had to belong to Ra's al Ghul himself.
'I knew it!' Naruto thought to himself. 'The whole thing was a setup. The assassination plot, that League excuse of a ninja attacking so Mercy could show off. All of it so Luthor and Ra's could get a foothold in a country!'
'And the fact that the two of them were in collusion with each other. Competitors my furry ass!' said Kurama
'There's another thing. The way Ra's said 'Light' he said it with more emphasis than normal.' Naruto thought.
'A group name perhaps?' said Kurama.
'Gotta be.' Naruto responded. 'Which means it's possible there are more than just the two of them. Who else on the Leagues list of enemies could they be colluding with?'
'That line goes around the block Naruto. The highest of them given the intellect and power both of them have.' said Kurama trying to help narrow it down.
'There are still too many to narrow it down. They could be working with anyone of like mind. Assuming they are on the list.' said Naruto.
He took a moment to calm down and think. All his thoughts however kept coming back to that brief moment where he saw Roy just stand there on that room in between Sportsmaster and Cheshire. Not even in a fighting stance, just standing there.
'What are you thinking kid?' ask Kurama.
'It just seemed weird that Roy just stood there like that. And what Sportsmaster said about a mole...' he shook his head. 'Doesn't matter, even if Roy is the mole I doubt it would be of his own free will. Either way I have no evidence, and Sportsmaster wasn't exactly forthcoming even at sword point.'
'Maybe that girl Cheshire would be more willing to talk. I got the sense that she didn't care much for her partner tonight.' said Kurama.
'Assuming we could find her.' said Naruto. He sighed at realizing that there was nothing more they could do tonight and flew off to find a Zeta-Tube.
'What are we going to tell the Team about this?' said Kurama.
'Nothing for now until I get more information. Besides like Kaldur said if I do tell the team and if there is a mole I don't want him or her tipping off this 'Light' group.' Naruto responded.
'Agreed, for now keep it low key.' said Kurama as Naruto found a Tube near an abandoned ally and Zeta'd back to Mount Justice.
Upon arriving he saw Dinah there.
"I heard about what happened with the peace summit. Good work." she said.
"Thanks." said Naruto. "And before you ask Roy is fine. Although you might want to talk with him about flirting with the enemy when you see him next."
"What do you mean?" she asked putting her hands on her hips with a look.
"Just that during the fight Cheshire mentioned that they were on their third date. Probably just to get under his skin but he didn't seem to be entirely unopposed to the idea." said Naruto.
"I see. I will have that talk with him about that." she said. She soon noticed that Naruto was a bit distracted.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yeah just had a long day you know." said Naruto finally returning to his civilian attire. "I'm going to head to bed."
"Right." said Dinah. "We still on for another sparring match tomorrow?"
"You know it. I wouldn't miss those for the world." said Naruto sincerely. Truth be told, it was hard to find a good sparring partner and Dinah was awesome in taijutsu.
"Great see you then." she said with a genuine smile. "And Naruto…" she said approaching him and touching his arm. "Thank you for looking out for Roy."
"No problem Dinah. We are friends after all. And Roy is a good guy." said Naruto.
"Nevertheless thank you again. See you tomorrow." she said using the Zeta-Tube to go home as well.
Naruto walked to his room to try and find sleep. If he could given what he knew now.
End Chapter
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. All delayed just like this chapter. I am once again sorry that this took longer than it should have. I will spare you the details and say that my resolution this year is to refocus on my writing and try my best not let RL take that from me again.
Further note there is some concern that I am following too much from the canon. Let me assure you that while the canon story will still be followed there will be chapters that will be strictly following Naruto on his own adventures throughout the story such as I did for Prince John. Starting in the next chapter.
Once again edition goes to qtar1984. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will see you all sooner, much sooner, than later.