Disclaimer: I warned you all before, I will not be nice anymore. I don't own DC or Naruto, you got a problem with that, then let's go.

Tome Six: Sentinels

~Salem, Massachusetts August 20th, 09:12 EDT~

"Why are we in costume again?" Kid Flash asked, not fully annoyed, but not entirely thrilled to be back at the location of the Tower of Fate. Artemis smacked him upside the back of the head. "Ow!"

"Use your head, Kid," Flash said from where he stood next to him. The whole League was present for the funeral, including the original Flash, Jay Garrick, a retired Lantern named Alan Scott and Wildcat, the two founders of the Justice Society of which Nelson was apart of. Flash bowed his head as Jason Blood, Jay Garrick, Wildcat and Red Tornado walked past carrying the casket of Kent Nelson. They set the casket onto the grave liner and went to their seats.

Jason sat next to Naruto, putting a solemn face on as he did. Naruto had bags under his eyes from being up all night, looking into every possible person that would've wanted to attend Kent's funeral and confirming the message he sent through the Watch of Solomon. Jason glanced at his son, his eyes going to the watch that had yet to leave his hand. He had wanted to be the one to welcome Naruto into the top tier of the Sentinel circles, when he felt Naruto was ready. Another thing he feels he has lost grip of in terms of his son's advancement. He returned his attention forward when Alan Scott stepped up.

"Friends, Heroes, and welcomed guests. Thank you all for coming," The former Green Lantern said. He looked so sad in the eyes of the guests. Alan cleared his throat before he continued. "Today marks the end of a hero who has saved this planet more times than even Superman. But Kent Nelson was more than Doctor Fate. Kent Nelson was my friend. Together, we formed the first league, the Justice Society of America. We fought back to back against the Nazis in the second war, stopping their occult scientists from reviving a demon. There was this doctor, Goobsten. He tried to kill the Society with gas, but Kent stopped the gas easily with a spell, teleported to where Goobsten was and then punched him square in the face. He was blunt like that."

There was some scattered chuckling and Alan Scott continued his eulogy, talking about the business more than the pleasure. When he finished speaking, Jay Garrick went up to the stage and gave a similar eulogy, talking instead about Kent's bachelor party in Las Vegas, how they saw a magician and Kent got them kicked out for ruining the show. Wildcat referred to a job against Doctor Fate's nemesis Wotan, not going into specifics but remarking how selfless Kent was in life and how he deserved to be with the woman he loved after death.

The ceremony finished and the casket was lowered into the grave. Naruto saw a ghostly figure appear behind the grave before it slunk into the shadows. He walked up with his father and placed a single rose, saying another silent goodbye, apology and gratitude for choosing himself as the replacement for Doctor Fate. With it all said and done, the guests left along with most heroes.

Some stayed behind, and it attracted the Team's attention.

"Where are they going?" Kid Flash asked, pointing Naruto and his father out to Robin. Robin's eyes widened when he saw a green hooded figure appear next to Jason Blood.

"That's the Spectre. It's a meeting!"

"Of what?"

"The Sentinels of Magic," Aqualad said softly, answering Kid Flash's question. Other heroes of the mystic persuasion soon gathered near Jason, Naruto and The Spectre. One was a notable member of the League; Blue Devil, a former actor named Daniel Cassidy that got himself stuck in a suit that granted him enhanced strength and his other senses. A man wearing a trench coat and puffing on a lit cigarette walked passed them.

"Who was that?" Superboy asked, annoyed with the way the man held himself.

"John Constantine," Robin said. "He's a criminal! What's he doing here?"

"He's not a criminal." The team turned to address Batman, who stood behind them. "John Constantine is an expert on the occult and a well known exorcist. He's not the ideal hero, but he's not a criminal either." Batman narrowed his eyes as John nodded to Jason and shook Naruto's hand firmly. "If it weren't for his attitude, he would've been a part of the league a decade ago."

"What's so bad about him?" Robin asked.

"Isolationist, cynical, manipulative, untrustworthy...take your pick."

"...So, he's a lot like you?"

Batman just glared at Robin.

"I choose to take your silence as a yes."

"He's also the world's greatest con man," Batman said. He shook his head suddenly and glared at the spot next to him. "Deadman, stop possessing me!"

"D-Deadman?" Kid Flash asked.

"He worked with some close friends before he was killed. He's now a ghost and can possess bodies. For some reason, he enjoys possessing mine." Batman glowered.

"Well that's because it's fun to mess with you," Robin said. He laughed sheepishly from the glare Batman gave him. "I mean, that's suicidal..."

"Sure you did." Batman looked away and narrowed his eyes behind his cowl, watching the Sentinels walk into the Tower of Fate. He turned to leave. "Let's go. We're done here."

"He's too young!" Giovanni Zatara slammed his hand onto the table. He was one of the eight seated around a shield that had the symbol on the Watch of Solomon. When he learned that a boy not even out of high school took Kent Nelson's place in the Sentinels, it was needless to say he was against the movement. His eyes narrowed on the boy that sat next to Jason Blood. "He is inexperienced, impulsive and reckless."

"Zatara brings up a good point," said a woman with a band around her eyes. She shuffled through some cards and flipped one over. "The boy is not of good age. He is still young."

"Kent chose him to hold the watch. We should honor his last wishes," said The Spectre.

Next to him, the lightly hovering form of Deadman nodded. "We accepted Blue Devil only a few weeks after his first fight in the suit."

"It was hard, though. I barely came to terms with it all." Blue Devil shuddered slightly. "There were things I wasn't ready for."

"You managed fine. I think he'll be okay. I wasn't much older when I first joined the Sentinels." John Constantine took a puff of his cigarette and looked at the suspiciously quiet Jason Blood. "What do you say, Blood? He is your son."

All eyes went to Jason, except for Naruto's. He already knew what his father thought about it. The knight of Camelot looked around the table, his hands intertwining as he looked at the sacred sign of Solomon with a sigh.

"Nicholas is young, especially when compared to a few of us here. He is brash, reckless, and still learning." Jason paused to let that sink in, looking around at the other Sentinels. "However, he is also tenacious, quick on his feet, a good student – at times – and has shown the willingness and heart that is needed to be a hero. As his father, I would like nothing more than to take the watch from him and find another more suited, but as a member of this circle, I know that young blood is needed. As it is, I am at an impasse."

"As is the rest of the circle." The Spectre gestured to the other members. "However, you all continue to ignore that Kent Nelson, a man who held the Watch of Solomon as long as Blood, chose that boy to take his place."

"We don't know if it was a temporary decision or not, though," the woman with the blindfold said. "The only one who knows the answer to that is Kent."

"Deadman, are you able to communicate with Kent?" Blue Devil asked.

"No. Believe me, I have tried," Deadman said, his head shaking. "I wanted to have one more word with him before he left, to thank him for all his help."

"He's with Nabu." Eyes went to the whiskered blond, who continued to stare at his watch. Naruto looked up, his eyes distant and distracted. "Kent Nelson has decided to wait within the Helmet of Fate until Nabu finds a new host."

"Then the answer is simple," John Constantine said, flicking his cigarette slightly. "We need the Helmet back."

"The League has entrusted it to their black operatives team," Blue Devil said. "They won't allow us to simply take it."

"You don't know that," Zatara said. "I'm part of the same branch as you and—"

"Batman is in control of that team," Blue Devil said, his eyes narrowing. "You think he would let us just hang on to it?"

John snorted and took a drag of his cigarette. "The old Bat would love nothing more than to chose the next Fate even though we'd be far more suited. What are they going to use it for? A keepsake? A piece of decoration? Nabu has got to be going stir crazy, pissed as all hell if that's the case."

"I could maybe get it back. I sort of know the team," Naruto said.

John scoffed. "You don't know Batman. He wouldn't let us near the Helmet of Fate just to spite some of us."

"To spite you, Con Man." Zatara gave a pointed glare to John Constantine. The Englishman rolled his eyes. Zatara sat back in his seat. "Considering Kent is beyond our reach, for now anyway, and Jason is at a stalemate, we must cast the Vulpine out."

"It's Vulp," Naruto said, correcting the magician with a frown. For some reason Zatara never liked him. It baffled the whiskered boy.

"What about a trial period?" Blue Devil asked. The members of the circle turned to him. "To see how things play out. We may be able to see what Kent saw if we keep the Watch of Solomon with him. He can prove to us and himself his worthiness of being a member of the Circle."

"It is a fair trade." The blindfolded woman folded her cards and flipped another. She glanced at the ghost of vengeance when he snorted. "What, Spectre?"

"It isn't fair, Xanadu," said The Spectre bitingly. "Vengeance is fair. After all, if everyone is blind, no one can see the beauty of the sun. What we are doing is disregarding Kent's wishes."

"We are not disregarding his wishes, Spectre. We are merely waiting until we have an audience with Kent." Deadman tried to calm down the spirit of vengeance.

"...Fine. But once we have an audience with him or Nabu, we will decide." Spectre said.

"I suppose we should ask the one who this affects the most," Zatara said, looking to the immortal knight that sat near him. "What say you, Jason?"

Jason looked around the table, his eyes landing on Naruto before looking back at Zatara. "I may be a protective father, Zatara, but unlike others, I can recognize when there is a time to step back."

Zatara narrowed his eyes, meeting Jason's gaze before it broke. "Then we're agreed?" Nods went around the table and the magician's eyes went to Naruto. "You are hereby on probation as the next member of the Circle, Nicholas J. Blood. We will be watching you."

"Thank you." Naruto said, his head bowing in gratitude. The rest of the circle rose from their seats, the candles in the room bursting to life as they filed out. Naruto looked at his father when the knight put a hand on his shoulder. "Dad."

"I meant every word I said in there, Nicholas." Jason smiled at his son. "You are foolhardy at times and lazy at others, but overall I believe you will make a good addition to the Circle."

"Thanks, Dad."

"You're still grounded, though."

"What?! Aw, come on!"

Naruto left the room with hung head, dismayed over his inability to persuade his father to unground him. Honestly, you spill one glass of water on a lady's chest...

"Naruto!" The blond perked up at his nickname and grinned at the young girl dressed in a magician's outfit.

"Hey, Z, how's it going?" he asked with a grin.

Zatanna's cheeks pinked slightly, but she continued to smile at him. "I can't believe you're a member of Solomon's Circle! I'm so jealous!"

"I'm not an official member yet," Naruto said while scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Still! I'd love to be able to prove myself, but my dad's too protective. I wish he was like your dad, sometimes."

"You want to trade?"

"As much as I don't like my dad's overbearing nature, I wouldn't trade him for the world." Zatanna said with a smirk. "Plus, I don't know how you can handle The Demon...I saw him once and I nearly wet myself."

"Ah, he's not so bad," Naruto said. He frowned. "He's going to be so pissed. He really liked Mr. Nelson."

Zatanna's smile dimmed at that. "I only met Mr. Nelson twice...He was always really nice."

"Yes he was," Naruto said softly.

"He helped me with my magic...would you like to see?" Zatanna asked. Naruto smiled at her, grateful for the change in subject, and nodded. She beamed and pointed at a plant, her mouth opening to unveil her family's special magic.

"Zatanna!" The blond and the magician turned to see Giovanni Zatara approach. He gave Naruto a look of warning and then looked at his daughter. "It is time for us to go. Come along."

"But Dad!" Zatara gave his daughter a look that had her pouting. "Yes, sir." She turned to Naruto with a smile on her face. "Let's hang out some time. Bye, Naruto."

"Bye Z," Naruto said with a smile. He nodded to Zatara. "Zatara."

"Nicholas." Zatara narrowed his eyes. He put his hand on Zatanna's shoulder. "Emoh kcab su ekat."

They vanished with a plume of smoke, leaving Naruto behind. The blond shook his head. What the hell was Zatara's issue with him?

~Gotham City, August 22nd 6:02 EDT~

Naruto slipped between two trunk-like legs as a massive fist came down on him. He flipped to his feet and made some distance between himself and his adversary. The former lord of Santa Prisca snarled and spun around, glaring at him.

"Tell me where I can find the Bat, niño, and I promise I won't break all of your bones," Bane said, glaring at the blond nuisance that was taking the shift of Gotham's downtown.

"I told you, the Batmobile lost a wheel and Joker got away. He has bigger things to worry about right now," Naruto said with a cheeky grin.

"Little impudent...I'll grind your bones into dust and scatter them in the ocean!" Bane said with a seething snarl as he cranked the knob on his left wrist, increasing the amount of venom running through his veins. His muscles bulged and grew, making Naruto's grin fall. When he was finished he gave an angry roar and reached down to rip up the street, lifting the concrete over his head.

"...Why do I always fight the big guys?" Naruto asked under his breath. he jumped up and ran over the soaring piece of roadway, clenching his fists as he did. "Embrace the evil, lose the storm, it's time for this mortal to change his form!"

In a burst of golden flames Vulp emerged and pounced from the end of the street at Bane. The golden furred were fox roared as he wrapped his legs around Bane's neck and dug his claw-like hands into Bane's mask, reaching for the tube that supplied the venom. The drug lord cried out in anger and reached up, grabbing Vulp's sides. Bane pried Vulp from his head and tossed the demonic teen through a parked sedan and into a restaurant.

The civilians in the restaurant cried out in horror while Vulp groaned. The table he landed on collapsed and he let out another groan. "Waiter...table for two."

"I'll skin that fur from your hide, niño," Bane said with a snarl as he stepped into the hole.

"I was already at the groomer, thanks," Vulp said, lifting his hand up at the enormous man. "My brightest light is not green, but I'll give him a blow from something equally mean!"

A giant, glowing red boxing glove shot out from Vulp's hand, sending Bane out through the hole he came in. Vulp got to his feet and cracked his neck, grabbing the table he had landed on and dragging it with him. He stopped at the hole and turned to one of the waiters.

"Hey, what restaurant is this?" Vulp asked.

"M-M-Mio's Italian Diner and B-B-Bar," said the waiter, shaking in fear.

Vulp nodded. "Good to know. I'll come back later and fix the hole. You might not get this table back though."

"Keep it!"

"You said it, not me." With that, Vulp jumped out the window and looked to the rising Bane. He gripped the table with both hands and roared as he charged the drug lord. Bane looked up just in time for a wooden table to be broken into splinters on his face.

Bane arched a brow under his mask and snapped his arm out. His massive hand wrapped around Vulp's throat, getting to his feet and lifting the were-fox above his head. "Was that the best you got? A simple table?"

"No... That was just a distraction," Vulp said as best he could. The vulpine hero slammed his fists into either side of Bane's wrist, making the drug lord cry out as he was forced to let go of Vulp's throat. Vulp fell to his hands and knees, wheezing.

"You little-! I'm going to rip out your spine!" Bane said with a snarl as he held his cracked wrist. The drug lord kicked the younger man in the ribs, causing Vulp to roll onto his back, and stomped down onto Vulp's chest, pinning the hero where he was and snarling at him. "Any last words?"

"Three, actually," Vulp said, struggling against Bane's weight. "Look behind you."

Bane arched a brow and turned around, getting the glimpse of what looked like a younger Wonder Woman punching him in the jaw. The venom-powered supervillain went flying through a concrete wall and landed inside of a store, causing people to scream in fear. Civilians fled as fast as they could while Bane got to his feet with a groan. Donna flew in, giving a war cry as she cocked her arm back. Bane caught her fist and then the other that was thrown at him.

"There's two of us, dumbass!" Vulp said as he charged in, tackling the drug lord in the gut and driving him back with Donna's help.

"All the easier to beat you!" Bane tightened his grip on Donna's hands and brought her up and then down on top of Vulp. The two teenage heroes groaned and gasped for air as Bane grabbed their necks. "Let us try again, niño. Where is the Bat?"

"Right here." Bane looked away from the choking Vulp as a Batarang flew in and hit him in the face, releasing a small explosion on impact. Donna and Vulp were dropped to the ground, both holding their throats. Batman stalked in, his cape draped around him as he scowled at the cursing drug lord. "What are you doing back in Gotham, Bane?"

"Like you don't know?" Bane rubbed at his eyes. "My island was compromised twice, Bat. You cannot expect me to believe you had nothing to do with this."

"I didn't send Kobra after your island," Batman said.

"No, but your little bird was enough evidence that you knew something was going on," Bane said. He grabbed a support pillar and ripped it out of its place. "Now I crush you for costing me a fortune and my home!"

Batman narrowed his eyes. "Do it."

"What he lifts with ease changes weight, come crashing down on him with the forgiveness of the Underworld's gates!" Vulp brought his hand down to the ground. The pillar above Bane shone with a dark aura before it crashed down on Bane's head, knocking him out. Vulp groaned rolled onto his back. "I hate that spell. Always tires me out."

"Get up," Batman said. "I need your help."

Vulp blinked and sat up. "You need my help or The Team needs my help?"

"I need your help."

"Then why not go to Blood?" Donna asked, helping Vulp to his feet.

"Because Blood is in Moscow," Batman said.

"Aw...I missed a trip to see Anya again..." Vulp pouted. He yelped as Donna let him fall to his face. "What was that for!?"

"Pig." Donna huffed as she followed Batman out.

Vulp scowled and looked around, grabbing a hoodie before he left. He ripped off the security tag and slung it over his shoulder.

~Batcave, August 22nd 7:12 EDT~

"I love that giant penny," Naruto said. He reached his hand out to a gun that was on a rack in Batman's trophy room.

"Don't touch that." Batman didn't bother turning around from where he was at the computer. Naruto pouted and stuffed his hands into his pockets, joining Donna who stood near the Bat with her arms crossed over her chest.

"So what's the deal, Batman?" Naruto looked at the screen as a newspaper clipping came up. "'Abusive Mother Killed?'"

"Keep reading."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "'Heather Court, 35, was found murdered in Crime Alley. Court, who has been fighting Social Services for custody of her ten-year-old son Luis, was an interior designer whose career had taken a turn for the worse when allegations of child abuse first arose five months ago. Allegations come from the paternal grandparents, Mason and Sloan Court, parents to deceased husband and father, Roger. They made their claim after Luis told them his back hurt during one visit. Heather picked him up before any pictures or inquiries could be made.' Geez, this lady just can't catch a break."

"Read."

"Alright, alright... blah, blah, blah, child abuse...'Husband died from fight between Clayface and Batman?'"

"It wasn't a national headliner," Batman said. "Marko was trying to steal from a bank, brought the place down around him when we fought. I thought all the civilians were out."

"Sorry."

"Just read."

Naruto looked back at the article and gaped in shock. "'Four stab wounds in perfect symmetry found in the victim's throat'? God, that's...Bats, just what the hell are we looking at?"

"I was hoping you could tell me," Batman said. He cupped his chin and sat back. "Theoretically, a person with enough patience could slip behind her for the first stab and once Court fell, they could ritualistically stab into the throat. Four is a sacred number isn't it?"

"For a lot of religions," Naruto said. He typed into the computer and pulled up the whole file. Crime scene photos displayed themselves on screen and Naruto frowned as he pulled a close up of Court's throat into view. "This isn't ritualistic, this was simultaneous."

"That's what I thought." Batman scowled. "Dammit."

"Wait, how can you tell?" Donna asked.

Naruto scratched the back of his neck. "I'm not a forensics' expert, I prefer occult stuff because it's easier for me to memorize, but you can tell from the tears in the throat that the weapons were inserted at the same time. See at the entry and exit wounds?" Naruto highlighted the holes with a frown on his face. "In the front, the entry wounds are about an inch, maybe an inch and a half wide, but the exit is barely that. And they're all at least half an inch apart."

"Any known weapons that can do that?" Donna asked.

"I've already searched. Bagh nakh," Batman said. He pulled the image up onto the screen. A small brass weapon with four short claws was on a display. "Indian. They're similar to brass knuckles, only with blades. Some are designed to fit in the palm, but others are set to act like katars, which I believe is how our murderer's weapons are made. It's said they were inspired by the claws of the giant cats."

"Those are too short," Naruto said. He frowned. "Someone made their own with longer claws. My guess is the murderer is a martial artist."

"I've checked with some resources and learned it's not a member of the Shadows," Batman said.

"She got a look at her attacker before she died," Donna said. "The murderer either had her turn around or appeared in front of her."

"Whatever he did, he did it fast," Naruto said.

Donna frowned at him. "How do you know it was a 'he'?"

"It could be a woman," Batman said. "A mother revealed to be abusive? That's a target for either sex."

"It was a slip of tongue," Naruto said. "So, why did you ask for my opinion, Bats?"

"You were in the area and I wanted to make sure that this wasn't another ritualistic killing," Batman said. "Alfred will show you out."

Donna gave a look to Naruto, who shrugged. "You knew who he was, no point in denying it."

"Still, we can help," Donna said.

"Don't need it." Batman turned to look at them. "Leave. Now."

"Yeesh, so cruel," Naruto said, scowling as he turned and walked away. When they made it to the top of the stairs, Naruto looked at Donna with a smirk. "We're so looking for this guy, aren't we?"

"Was there ever any doubt?" Donna asked. The clock blocking the entryway slid to the side and they walked out, Alfred Pennyworth waiting for them dutifully.

"Hey, Al," Naruto said.

"Please, Master Nicholas, don't call me Al." Alfred frowned slightly.

"Don't call me Master Nicholas."

"You know I can't do that."

"Then you will suffer, Al."

"I suppose so," Alfred said. He turned and smiled lightly at Donna. "Hello, I don't believe we've had the pleasure. I am Alfred Pennyworth, loyal butler to Master Bruce and longtime friend of the Wayne family."

"Nice to meet you, Alfred," Donna said. She shook his hand. "I'm Donna Prince."

"A pleasure, Miss Prince." He gestured to the front door. "Shall we, then? Master Bruce told me to take you back to the Blood Manor."

"Thanks Al."

"Of course, Master Nicholas."

The butler led them out of the house and to the car that waited in the front. He held open the back door and both teens reluctantly got in. Alfred then went around to the front and got in the driver's seat. The car started up and soon enough they began the journey back to Naruto's home.

"I'll call a couple of contacts and tell them to keep a look out for anything suspicious," Naruto said under his breath. He noticed a red flash and reached behind Donna, touching the small of her back. She turned and grabbed his wrist, preparing to throw him out the car. Naruto quickly retracted his hand and held up a beeping black device. "Bats wants to make sure we don't go after this guy. He must've asked my dad for permission to ask me for help...But why not ask my dad about this?"

"You are on probation for the Circle," Donna said. "Maybe it was a test?"

"I barely tested anything magical, though," Naruto said. He frowned and looked outside the window, his brow furrowing. "Besides, even if I don't get the approval now I can always get it later. I'll just help find Nelson's successor. But first, we're going to find this guy."

~Gotham City, August 23rd 00:23 EDT~

Their blood on my claws, it should be hers. Another one fell at my feet tonight. She beat her son, too. She was a lowlife whore that smacked her six-year-old son for scaring a client off. I paid her to follow me and she locked him in the closet. We left him crying in that closet.

I came back, my claw drenched in her blood. I checked on the boy. He screamed in fear. I tried to tell him what happened. What I did for him; that I saved him.

He wouldn't stop screaming.

It's all her fault.

AN: See if you can guess whom the killer is.

Review!