Upload date: 9-13-2016
Disclaimer: I own not a thing except for OC's, and some original plot of mine.
AN: Upon further research and reviewing of both DC continuity and animated works…Duela Dent has been removed from the possible running due to the fact that both A she would be a teenager or younger when introduced and B her parents in any form or combination have not been introduced yet.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Jutsu/technique"
'Biju speech/thoughts'
Location/scene change
XXXXXXX
Kent Farm, Smallville, Kansas; 1:31 pm, October 1st, 2016
Clark Kent for once in his life felt human. Not vulnerable, but human. After the fight with Doomsday he had decided to lay low, that and his powers weren't working for some reason. Turned out that he was suffering a little from kryptonite poisoning. Best that he or anyone that knew his identity could tell was that some small amount of kryptonite was in his system, not enough to kill him but enough to keep his powers weakened for a lengthy time, and would not be out for a few more days. It was boring sitting around all day doing nothing. Sure he managed to write articles from home and keep up with his work but Lois and his own mother wouldn't let him out of the house until he was fully recovered. Today he was just waiting in the kitchen for Bruce to arrive to discuss this plan of his. With his mother out for the evening and Lois in Metropolis he had no one to talk to. So what does a bored depowered kryptonian do?
"Is that a crossword?" Clark looked up seeing Bruce Wayne standing in the doorway to the kitchen with a briefcase in hand "I didn't think you of all people did those."
Clark gave a shrug "Normally you'd be right but since I have nothing to do all day I decided to try them."
Bruce smirked as he took a seat "Must be boring not being able to use your powers."
"I still have enough strength to throw you out Bruce." The kryptonian warned "Now, what is this plan of yours?"
Bruce opened the case and pulled out a folder "This is everything I have been able to acquire on the latest meta-human. I was hoping we could start with this one first, if you don't mind."
Clark opened the folder seeing a picture of a blonde haired man in his twenties. He scanned his eyes over the file briefly, already knowing that Bruce would explain in detail what he knows. And he was not disappointed.
"His name is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, Waller believes that he can be trusted and has had him on missions with the Suicide Squad for the past month. His known abilities are energy manipulation, some form of sensory ability, and as he claims, ninja training." Bruce explains "From what I understand all of his true abilities are unknown, he is able to know when someone is lying or has a negative intent, and possibly he is a psychic of some kind."
"Says here he is a ninja, I didn't know that ninjas still existed on Earth."
Bruce's eyes narrowed "They don't. Mostly we just have a few lone assassins like Deadshot but never training like he demonstrates. I have heard rumors of a ninja group growing in power in eastern Asia but that could just be a fad for all we know."
"But knowing you you'll look into it." Clark states with a knowing grin "I know you Bruce, you won't leave any stone unchecked. Any real concerns besides possibilities? His file checks out, Naruto doesn't appear to have any villainous plots."
"That is what concerns me most. He is new to this world, has powers we can't compete with without you at your best, and no weaknesses to speak of. If he wanted to, this planet would be his within a week." Bruce sighs as he pulls out a larger folder.
Clark quirks a brow "That your main reason for seeing me?"
"Yes. I've run the numbers and done the simulations countless times." Bruce says as he puts the folder on the table "We couldn't have beaten Doomsday on our own or at all without Wonder Woman."
"Is that what the public is calling her?"
Bruce snorts "And she has taken to it fully. My plan is to create something that could do the world a lot of good Clark."
"You have my attention."
Bruce opens the folder and places images of five heroes, two of them being themselves, beside Naruto's image. On the far left was a young forensic scientist named Barry Allen aka Flash, next was an air force test pilot Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. "Barry Allen, lost his mother when he was a child, father went to prison for the murder and died, works as a forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department. Powers include super speed to a degree I don't even think you have. Hal Jordan, father died in a crash landing, works for the air force testing aircraft made by Ferris Aircraft. All of his powers are granted to him by the power ring he wears, energy constructs, flight, the uniform, all of it."
"I'll bite, you wouldn't come here to show me this if you were planning to eliminate us all to protect the planet, so what are you going to do Bruce?" Bruce stared stoically back at the kryptonian "I'm Superman, not god, I cannot read your mind."
Bruce smirked "I want to make a team. Doomsday proved that we can't fight every threat on our own, Man of Steel or not, and the Suicide Squad shows that villains can work together. Who's to say that others won't get the same idea? Then what will we do alone?" Clark looked to be in thought "Imagine if you were fighting Livewire and Doomsday alone, could you say for certain that you would still be alive?"
Clark sighed. Bruce was right yet again. There was nothing that he could do if those were the odds. Doomsday was a monster, but fighting him alone while he had help would be impossible for him to do. "Your right. So, what do we do?"
Bruce smirked "I have already been preparing for this but it won't be finished for a few more months. Maybe a year until it will be ready."
"A headquarters?" Clark asked with a small amount of surprise "Batcave too small?"
"Hardly, I just think it best if we weren't so easy to reach. I'll see if I can't contact them before its finished, give us a slight edge should we need them." Bruce collected his files "I would consider Naruto but that is only if we truly need him or if you are at full strength."
"Not going to trust him?"
"No. Until we know more of who he is, he will be monitored constantly."
"Good luck then, he doesn't seem like the type to just let you win." Clark grinned seeing the scowl form on Bruce's face.
"How long now? You've been out of commission for a while Clark."
Clark gave a shrug "Just a few days I think, don't give me that look, I won't be on patrol for another week after that. I can't risk my powers not being fully back Bruce."
"Fine, just try not to get yourself killed." Bruce got up from his seat "I shouldn't have to tell you that Luthor will be released soon."
"The sixth or seventh, right?"
Bruce nods his head as he heads for the door "I'll be in touch."
"You'll be spying on me you mean."
Bruce only gave one final smirk as he left. Clark frowned slightly before looking down at his crossword. "Five letter word meaning frustrating?" Clark sighs "If only the answer were Bruce."
Belle Reve; Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, 4:45 pm, October 28th, 2016
"I hope you both understand the reason as to why I summoned you here," Naruto felt a little nervous meeting with Waller like this. Katana stood to his left at attention and he really hoped she wouldn't try to kill him after what happened earlier. "The situation calls for our best and due to the nature of your target the others are not equipped to handle it."
"Does this really need all the cloak and dagger? Even for you Waller it is a bit much" Naruto complains lightly. To be completely honest he had been bored since Luthor was released three weeks ago, not to mention he had become paranoid as he reviewed news footage and surveillance of the bald genius.
"Yes it is necessary Mr. Uzumaki," Waller ground out stressing his status as a subordinate "Compared to the rest of the Squad you two are the only ones who can handle this threat and blend in."
Naruto scowled a little at the reminder that he was still going to need a babysitter. It had already been two months working for Waller and answering to the 'best' of his ability any of her questions. Only thing he had yet to do was let them dissect him. A quick look to his left showed that Katana was also not thrilled to be babysitting him…again.
"As you both have heard Pamela Isley aka Poison Ivy escaped from Arkham Asylum in Gotham City just two weeks ago. Upon her breakout we were notified and were unable to track her until now."
"Still don't see why we are needed." Naruto mumbled receiving a harsh glare from his 'boss'.
"You are needed because we cannot send Katana in alone. Ivy is dangerous, and if handled alone could prove fatal to any of you." She gives Naruto a pointed look "So cut the whining before I allow Katana to stab you in the back at the earliest convenience."
Naruto was not affected by the threat, he had received worse from seasoned shinobi, but he was however put on edge when he caught Katana slowly unsheathing her sword out of the corner of his eye.
'Girl knows how to play her role well' Kurama comments seeing the act but feeling none of the negative intent he expected 'If she is messing with you then play along, if not…best keep an eye on her at all times.'
'Noted.' Naruto thought back with a gulp to his partner "Alright, I'll play nice, now what do you want us to do?"
"I want you to go into New Orleans, incognito, find Poison Ivy, if she is planning something then stop it and then take her in. I will allow the use of deadly force if you must but remember: if one civilian is harmed I will have your head on my desk before the day is up." Waller left her threat hang in the air. Naruto and Kurama believed it was for them but Katana too was wary of crossing that line even if it wasn't directed at her.
"You are dismissed."
Naruto and Katana sat in silence. To be fair he sat up front looking out the window at the scenery. Swampland's, grass lands and open highway as they drove to New Orleans. He tugged at the collar of the shirt they had him wear. He was dressed in black dress pants, what felt like a tuxedo though was more businesslike and his hair had to be cut. Naruto was pretty certain if he were in Konoha like this Tsunade would say he looked presentable for a change. Naruto attempted to look out of the corner of his eye at the rear-view mirror to check on Katana but stopped himself when he felt a chill run down his spine. He tried that before she got in the car, he was already in it waiting, and had Kurama not warned him about the level of negative emotions the woman was giving off he may have been meeting the Shinigami right now instead.
A quick glance at their chauffeur to confirm that Waller's hired help was still as stoic as ever. Naruto sighed tiredly as the city drew closer. Not even in his Sennin Mōdo and he could feel something off about it all.
New Orleans, Louisiana; 6:20 pm, October 28th, 2016
Naruto scanned the crowd as they walked down the street. No sign of Ivy. He had to stop himself from lingering on Katana whenever he looked in her direction. Could you blame him? First time seeing her without her mask on or her usual outfit. Luckily for him he wasn't around Jiraiya, bless his perverted soul, or he would be getting lectures on how to pick up women…again! He had to shake his head a few times and fake having a headache just to keep her from questioning him or seeing the slowly forming smirk on his face. He heard a dark chuckle in his mind; and now Kurama was laughing him about it.
'Still don't understand why you don't accept their advances kit,' Kurama mused with the hints of a smile behind his words 'Sage knows you need to enjoy your life for once.'
Naruto rolled his eyes. Okay so he had become a workaholic in his last few years in his own world but that was because he was going to become Hokage. Everyone knew he would be the next choice as soon as Kakashi could hand the hat off to him. All Naruto did was train, learn what work came with the job, and learned new Jutsu. Now that he thought about it he hadn't even been on a first date yet…damn.
"Any of sign of her?" Naruto asks his partner as they pass by several street vendors and an old man with a gold pocket watch.
"Not yet." Naruto quirked a brow at the words. It seemed that Katana had been practicing as her accent had dropped slightly more.
"Not bad, give you a B for progress, though if you would let me just use my seal you could be speaking it perfectly." He gave her one of his trademark grins.
Katana looked away and muttered "Baka."
Naruto seemed to deflate a bit. Attempt number nine hundred and fifty six: Failed. Sometimes it does not pay to be good. "Okay, still not trusting of my seals, not good for my pride but I can understand that. How about I help with something else then?"
Katana eyed Naruto warily as they passed some musicians and groups of people who were more than open with their views of the two. Not all of that was bad though Naruto did tense a few times when they would pass a group of women or men that were more than both vocal and forward in their comments.
"Maybe I can help you with whatever spiritual journey you are on, I know that it is something personal but experience tells me that doing this alone won't make it easy for you." In that moment Naruto seemed to age a little. "I might have a way to fix it you know."
Naruto would have continued if he hadn't felt like they were being watched. Lightly grasping Katana's hand he gently guided her out of the crowds and down a back street between two small shops. Checking that they weren't being followed he left his partner with a clone to continue on the mission. Katana was not overly happy.
"I am sorry to have to leave you like this but someone is watching us," the clone speaks as they blend in with the crowds of people "I can't pin point who or where if I am with you, no offense, so I will conduct my own investigation and bring you in if I find anything."
Katana gave the clone a slight glare, knowing that when it would be dispelled that Naruto would know she was not happy with him. A small fact that she took great pleasure in was that the blonde shinobi was intimidated by her for some reason or another.
Naruto created several clones, only four, and began giving out his orders. While the first one would stay with Katana and play out their roles the next three were to scatter across the city under various guises and search for Ivy while the last one and Naruto would do something a bit more drastic.
"Sure this will work boss?" the clone asked as it sat cross legged on the pavement, blocked from sight by several boxes and a dumpster "This isn't the best place to do this y'know."
Naruto kept tapping his foot impatiently "Ivy uses plants, chances are that there will be a large amount of plant life around her and if that is true then nature energy will be plentiful. Sage Mode is the only way we can track her since Kurama can't pick up any negative emotions."
The clone frowned "That still doesn't explain why another clone is with Katana-chan."
Naruto felt himself give a jerk when he heard that. Since when did his clones refer to her as Katana-chan?
'HAHAHAAHAAHA!' Naruto grabbed the side of his head hearing Kurama's booming laughter 'Even your clones agree with me! Kit! You're slowly losing support in this!'
Naruto shook his head. "She is just Katana, and no riling him up either. I have enough headaches with upstart clones."
The clone grumbled as he began gathering Nature energy. Surprisingly it didn't take long because Naruto only counted five minutes passing before the clone dispelled itself and he felt this euphoric feeling wash over him. The nature energy in the city was overwhelming. Naruto's eyes shifted, as did those of his clones, to resemble a toads. His once blue eyes now were yellow with an orange pigmentation around them.
"Woah…what a rush." He says having to catch his breath "You feel that Kurama?"
'Its…odd, almost like its calling out to you in a way.' Kurama notes 'Be careful Naruto that much natural energy has to be Ivy but if it can disrupt your focus in Sage Mode then she must be powerful.'
"Right, I'll do my best." With that Naruto jumps onto the rooftops and starts making a dash to Ivy.
-With Katana-
The clones' behavior had changed. It was not hard to play off its eyes and the orange around them as makeup or effects but it seemed like it was almost blissfully peaceful. The clone staggered slightly when the change first occurred but afterward it looked more like it was contemplating something.
Seeing her look the clone shakes its head "Don't worry about me, Boss is fine, this is just one of our powers." It rubbed the back of its neck sheepishly "He'll explain later but for right now you should get changed. We found Ivy."
Katana gave a nod of her head before looking for a map of the area. They might need a place to return to should the situation grow severe. A hotel would do nicely, good view of the area, easy enough to sweep for bugs or other listening devices and it would be simple to play off their roles. Not that Katana was interested in that part of the mission. She dragged the clone off after over hearing someone give a couple of tourist's directions. Night was upon them after all, and finding a vacant room would be difficult.
-With Naruto-
Finding Ivy was not a major issue especially given that Naruto had not only his own sage mode but that of three other clones to help pinpoint her. The problem was that she was in the open with a large crowd of civilians around. With a subtle nod of his head to each clone they began clearing the place, a large square with a fountain in the center, of people. Naruto slowly approached the redhead who had his back to him. He could feel every twitch, every pull at his senses as the nature energy clawed away at his will. It was intoxicating to him.
"Do you know that plants are great house guests? They love to hear us prattle on to them as they grow, giving back oxygen to us." The woman comments putting Naruto on edge "Do you know what they are saying right now?"
"I got a bad feeling about this" Naruto mumbles to himself as he and his clones approach her.
'Remind me to kill the Australian for showing you those blasted movies.' Kurama growls as he repels a wave of pheromones infiltrating Naruto's body 'Careful Kit, she's trying to control you.'
Naruto shakes his head regaining his focus. A quick look to his clones shows that they are less than capable of repelling her pheromones. Naruto growls as he tries to channel Kurama's chakra into the clones to clear their minds.
"Hm? Oh you are special." Ivy turned slowly around to face the gathered Naruto's, revealing that she was holding a potted plant in her hands "Able to communicate with nature and resist me, what is it about you that makes you so…unique?"
Naruto shivered hearing the low purr in her voice. It was almost seductive, if it weren't for the way her energy swirled around her in an almost menacing way. "I'd tell you, but I doubt I would have much time to explain the particulars to you."
Ivy took a step forward "That's a shame, my babies could use you as a guardian when I am away. Such a handsome one at that."
'Kurama, mind replaying that sunset Genjutsu thing that Lee and Guy used to do? Really would appreciate it now.' Naruto thought as he tried to resist her advances.
'Done!'
"Still resisting me?" Ivy was now standing closer, trailing a delicate hand up his chest and to his chin "Why not let go? You'll be safe with me."
Naruto chuckled "Sorry but I have a job to do," Naruto umped back as thick roots tore through the ground where he once stood as Ivy shook in rage "Stop me if you've heard this but green is an ugly color for you, or is that red with rage?"
"Insolent little…" Ivy stepped back, protectively covering her plant with her arm as more roots began to sprout out of the ground and lash out at Naruto and his clones. One clone was unlucky enough to be pierced through the chest by a root. "My babies will tear you apart!"
Naruto and his clones regrouped. So maybe refusing the crazy plant chick wasn't his best plan, but it did give him some time to think. Naruto and his clones formed a Rasengan in their right hands and launched themselves at the thickest grouping of roots they could see.
'Going to need something more powerful than that to stop these blasted plants.' Kurama notes as another clone is dispelled when a root slams into its back and sends it crashing into a car. 'I suggest fire or ice style jutsu if you want to really make progress.'
"Not a bad idea," Naruto grins as he goes through the hand seals, "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" and with a great breath he and his clones unleashed medium sized balls of fire to burn through the roots. Hearing a cry of anguish from Ivy he must have done some real damage.
Ivy felt each of her babies cries as they were burned before her by this blonde haired demon. She refused in that moment to call him a man or anything so kind after he destroyed her babies like that. Even Batman had some respect when he fought her in the past. Naruto had only a moment to think that he was winning before his last bit of support was constricted by the roots. Advantage of Sage mode: He could sense when his opponents were attacking or moving. Disadvantage: Sage Mode believes that plants are exempt from this. Well shit.
"Any chance that I can apologize?" Naruto asked with a nervous chuckle as he now had his full reserve of nature energy that his clones were hogging "Really, I don't want to cause you any harm."
Ivy growled as the roots tensed behind her, poised to strike at her command. Naruto didn't have to worry about a strike as shards of ice rained on the area. Naruto grinned sensing his last clone land beside him as few of the roots were encased in ice.
"Took you long enough," Naruto says with a grin "Thought you were going to miss all of the fun."
Katana gave a subtle roll of her eyes as she drew her blade and stood on the blonde's right. The ground began to tremble beneath them. Naruto immediately picked up Katana in a bridal carry and jumped back into the air landing on a car roof as his clone lands on a car adjacent to theirs. Large roots had sprouted up in the small square around the fountain as a sort of defensive wall.
"I don't think Ivy is happy to see us." The clone speaks up as the dust settles around the base of the root wall.
Naruto gently let Katana down "There's more to is, she is starting to speed up her time table. We need to move."
Katana and her two blonde comrades cautiously walked up to the roots. Seeing their size alone told her that cutting through them would be next to impossible with her sword and climbing would be hazardous should they change mid climb to delay or kill them. The two Naruto's looked as if they were discussing strategy; a strategy that if their grins were indicators would not be one she would approve of in any circumstance.
Naruto and his clone began forming a Rasengan in their hands and pumping chakra into the ball. With a nod to the other they leaped into the air and brought the now considerably larger balls of chakra down on the fountain. Katana had to shield her eyes as the wind picked up sending stone, dirt and debris flying. The two landed on top of the roots admiring their work. Naruto's hunch was correct. Ivy had left after the roots began to sprout and the area beneath the fountain had been mostly hollowed out. She had planned this almost perfectly.
"Looks like we are going underground," he dispels his clone "Think you're up to it Katana?"
The samurai gave a curt nod before Naruto freezes the section of the roots he is standing on and delivers a swift punch shattering it. The pair dropped down a few feet in the hole. The path ahead looked like a crudely made tunnel, a trail of water leading further down the path. Naruto felt a bit claustrophobic given the situation. Tight spaces limited what he could do, the fact there was a high possibility of entering the city's water system meant most of his arsenal would be unusable, and on top of that if he were to still keep the majority of his abilities under wraps then he had even less that he could do.
'Any suggestions Kurama?'
'Hmm…perhaps sticking to simple Hyōton or a small Katon Jutsu to deal with her plants. And keep an eye out for any sudden movements, while you and your clones can handle her attacks I doubt that Katana could keep up at that speed.' Kurama warned with a slight rumble that struck a nerve in Naruto.
Suddenly the idea that one of his new friends in this world could be killed played in his mind. Of the entire squad katana was the most capable of keeping up with him and if they were now facing someone that could surprise even him she may not fare as well. Naruto began mentally going over his possible plans for the fight. At best the Raikiri was an option for the roots but that wouldn't be as effective as a fire or wind Jutsu. His use of Ice was not on the level of Haku but it was close to the ninja from the Land of Spring back when it was the Land of Snow.
Naruto slowly took point with Katana picking up the rear, more to be the first one to be attacked than to be the scout. "Katana," he called getting her attention "you do not have to be here for this fight, you have my word that I will not run should you not be present."
Katana stood firm with her sword drawn. Staring defiantly at Naruto, almost outraged at the notion of leaving him during the mission, she all but challenged him to send her back with force. Naruto didn't know if it was a normal trait in women or if it was only in those he met but all women started to look more and more troublesome and stubborn to him now. Maybe Shikamaru was right.
"Fine then, but at the first sign that you can't keep up I am sending you back to the surface." He grumbled in resignation as they continued. Their path had become a bit more problematic as well. The amount of water around them was increasing if only in small amounts due to the number of roots, vines and stems of plants cropping up in the tunnel.
"Keikaku wa nanidesu ka?" (1) Katana asked as Naruto sensed they were getting closer to their target.
"Don't know yet, still working on that part." He admits with a grimace "I'll let you know what it is…somehow."
Katana shakes her head as the tunnel opened up into what looked like a large reservoir with what could only be considered a giant weed growing in the center with roots going through several tunnel opening in the walls. Judging my Naruto's expression he had the same train of thought as her. If those roots were spreading through the water and sewer systems then that could mean they reached every inch of the city.
"Aren't they beautiful?" Ivy called almost playfully from her perch on the roots of her pride and joy "It isn't ready yet but this one has already helped spread its siblings through the city. In a few short minutes my work will be finished."
Naruto clenched his fists and growled in the back of his throat "You are insane! You'll kill innocent people all for some plants!?"
Ivy turned to look at the now furious blonde man. Despite his…perfections, he still was not a plant and cared too much for humanity. "Do you not see that by destroying this city I am returning the lands to their natural looks? Imagine it, where once a city marred the land and polluted the air a lush green forest will rise up again."
Naruto leaps into the air channeling wind chakra into the palm of his right hand. "Might be imperfect but this Rasengan packs a punch!" he thrust his arm forward as a thick vine came up to block his path. The vine was torn to shreds by the wind laced attack. Naruto landed in a crouch, breaking his fall with a roll, and glared at Ivy.
"Hmm so you control the elements in a larger array. Tell me, are you related to the Weather Wizard?"
Naruto shook his head with a grin "Nope. I'm just your average Shinobi."
A root slammed into the ground atop Naruto, cracking the concrete floor. As the root slowly moves aside Ivy is surprised to see that her opponent has vanished and then shocked that the only thing that was crushed was a log.
"Number one resource of my homeland: conveniently placed logs." Naruto pulled out a kunai "I will only ask this once, don't make me kill you Ivy, come quietly and you won't get hurt."
Ivy snarled as she turned around. Naruto already could sense the movement of the plants around him and jumped up to avoid the group of vines that attempted to strangle him. Naruto's hands ran through hand seals before he released a torrent of fire from his mouth and started to light the main plant. All he could hear were Ivy's screams of anguish and fury as her baby burned. Naruto could feel his Sage Mode wearing off as he made two clones. The trio dropped to Ivy's level as the super-villain cried.
"It's over Ivy," Naruto gave her a sad smile as he and his clones surrounded her "I'm sorry."
They couldn't see her face as she was on her knees and her hair covered most of it "Over? This is not over," Naruto sensed something was wrong. A pulse of energy but it was not directed at him or his clones. "But is capturing me worth killing someone else?"
Naruto's gaze strayed from the redhead over to the tunnel he and Katana had come through. Sure enough he could see Katana as the vines bound her arms and legs. Thankfully she had put up a fight otherwise her body would have been completely wrapped up. Naruto and his clones began to close in on the villain.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ivy grinned "My babies are a bit too friendly. They may just 'hug' her too tightly." As she said this a vine drew closer to Katana's neck. Naruto himself stepped back, his clones doing the same, and dropped his kunai. "Good boy," Ivy was about to have her babies bind the man when she felt her body jerk. She tried to move her arms but found that they were frozen in place as were her legs "What is this!?"
Naruto smirked as one of his clones placed the collar around her neck while the other kept her in the Kagemane no Jutsu or Shadow Possession Jutsu. He had to thank Shikamaru for letting him learn that particular jutsu if he ever met him in the next life. Naruto focused chakra, as Sakura and Tsunade had showed him before her passing, to his hands as he approached the redhead.
"My employer will have my head for this but I don't care," he says as he places his hands on Ivy's stomach "I can feel the Natural Energy in your body. It is impressive for someone with no Chakra to be able to harness it but it has hurt you hasn't it?"
Ivy didn't know what to say. She could feel that her powers were useless with the collar on, and she still could not move for whatever reason. He could kill her if he wanted to and she both knew and feared this fact.
Naruto sent a small pulse of his own nature energy into Ivy's body. Upon seeing how it affected her body for the few seconds it was present he went to work siphoning off some of the energy in her body. From what the reports said she had gained her powers from an accident of some kind. Ivy had a highly toxic kiss, and abilities similar to the Mokuton or Wood Release of the Senju clan. Above all what Naruto hoped to do was undo the damage to her body. If anything he hoped the kiss would be reversed but he really wanted to fix the internal damage and mental scars. Psychologically Pamela Isley was using the plants as a replacement for the children she could not have and Naruto wanted to change that.
"Don't worry, when I'm finished, you will be just like you were before." Naruto gave her a reassuring smile "You'll still have your powers but it wouldn't hurt for you to have a real family now would it?"
Pamela didn't know what to say at the notion. That and she didn't want to give him a real reason to harm her. If he was telling the truth then this could be what she had been searching for. A way to be normal again, albeit with her powers intact. Naruto hummed to himself as he concentrated on his work. His free clone was also busy helping to untangle Katana.
The clone tugged at the vines with a slight grunt of exertion as they appeared to have gotten tighter than they were when Ivy had her powers. "Damn plants! Why do these things have to be so stubborn!?"
Katana sighed in defeat, or shame, at her predicament. She was only caught off guard of that there was no objection. She could see the original Naruto inspecting their target, and no doubt keeping her from doing anything too dangerous in her current state. Katana was not certain that all of her powers would be contained by the collar alone. With a mighty tug the clone managed to loosen the vines around her sword arm enough for her to do the rest and cut herself loose.
"That wasn't so bad," the clone comments lightly seeing her cut through the vines with ease "Though you could have just let me untangle you y'know, no need to eviscerate them."
She turned her blade to the clone, stopping short of piercing its throat "Shut up."
The clone gulped before putting its arms up in a placating manner. "Now now, let's not get hasty here. You wouldn't kill the Boss so why would you want to hurt me?"
Katana's eyes narrowed at the clone. Just how much was it willing to reveal of Naruto's knowledge to stay 'alive'? Before she could think further or act upon her curiosity the clone leaped back down to the original. Katana watched the three blondes discuss something amongst themselves before the clones grabbed Ivy and vanished in a flash of yellow light. Hiraishin it was called. A technique Naruto said was created by his predecessor the Second and improved by his father the Fourth. She had to admit that it was interesting for an ability.
"Ready to go?" Naruto asked as he appeared beside her in a yellow flash "Got off the phone with Waller, my clones arrived safely with Ivy in custody and we now have some time off."
He almost sounded like he was being cautious with his word choice, something he hadn't done much of with any of them in the past.
"I already know about us having a hotel room for the night, maybe we could go back and talk strategy?" Katana moved to jab her elbow in his chest "I mean about your sword, I already know you want to kill me for my clone's uh…earlier appreciation but that wasn't me."
She gave him a deadpan look.
"Okay so it was me but not me, me."
Naruto counted the minutes down to the second. Katana was not happy with him. Story of his life seemed to be he had the innate ability to annoy any woman he meets with little to no effort. The samurai chose to give him the cold shoulder, a feat that was not hard to do for her, and ignored him the whole walk; yes walk back to the hotel. Naruto's shoulders slumped in defeat. At one point in their walk he had to fight down a blush as his clones dispelled and he learned of what Ivy had tried to do to them. Safe to say that Deadshot and Boomerang would never let him live this one down.
"Seems you are in a bit of a bind there." An aged voice says as the pair walk past "Reminds me of when I was young, then again Inza never did have a katana."
Naruto and Katana stopped mid step, Katana in surprise and Naruto out of curiosity. It was the same old man that Naruto saw when they were walking through the streets earlier.
Naruto's expression became serious as he spoke "Mind telling me why you were following us?"
"Oh no reason, just thought I'd check in on how you were doing here." The man gave a kind smile "Inter-dimensional travel is a tricky thing. Last I heard of it was when that kid from the first universe arrived what? Thirty or so years ago."
"Okay…" Naruto and Katana shared a quick look of confusion "That doesn't answer my question."
"Quite right. My name is Kent Nelson, and I may be able to help you both." Naruto if he were younger, would have jumped at the chance to have some help. But this wasn't a younger him. He had learned that in this new world there were few so trustworthy or naïve enough that would outright hand you what you want to know. "I believe you both are working on a way to remove a soul from that katana your friend has, yes?"
Katana tensed. "How long have you been watching us?!" Naruto growled "And don't think about lying to me, I have some experience with interrogations, it won't end well for you."
Kent gave a hearty chuckle and threw Katana a knowing look "Glad to see I have you here to reign in the loudmouth."
Naruto's eye twitched. 'Loudmouth? LOUDMOUTH!?'
'Oi! Gaki! Shut the hell up! I can't sleep with you screaming in here!' Kurama roared in his head giving him a slight headache.
"Stupid fox," he mumbled "And I am not a loudmouth!"
Kent laughed at the outburst "Oh but you are kid, or were, I can never tell anymore. Take a peek into a different universe every so often and you forget about how much time has passed there."
If Naruto wasn't so certain that Waller had no sense of humor, he may have thought this man to be an agent of some kind and this whole scenario to be an elaborate joke. If only she did, then he could make sense of it all.
"You can…help us?" Katana asked hesitation in her voice. Her accent slipped through making the man chuckle.
"Still not accepting his help?" he asked "Don't worry, you'll get there soon, I can help but I would need to know what it is that you will need in detail. Why don't we go to a more private location? My home is not far from here and it has a rather extensive library."
Naruto looked at Katana for confirmation that she was interested in this old coot's suggestion. He grumbled to himself about the chances of this being worth it as he turned to face the smiling geezer. "Alright, we're in."
"Splendid. Pleasure to work with you two, now do try to keep up? I just hate having to be a tour guide here." Kent began leading the two away from their hotel, down streets that once were brimming with life now were dark and abandoned only being full of life under a street light or in a small shop that was still open.
Audubon Park, New Orleans; 9:45 pm
Naruto looked around the large park with a skeptic look. The old man, Kent Nelson, said that they would be going to his home to check his 'extensive' library for anything that could be of use. If he were honest Naruto would have said the old man was delusional but given that what little natural energy he could sense seemed to swirl around the area around them like it was hitting a wall he had to be curious and very cautious. Katana seemed to be a bit impatient too. Naruto didn't know if she wanted to gut the old man or start to vibrate where she stood.
Kent pats down his shirt "Give me a second to find my key, blasted thing keeps disappearing on me from time to time."
Naruto crosses his arms "No offense but we don't have all night, I want to enjoy my vacation while I still have one."
Kent laughs as he fishes out his key and goes through the motions of unlocking a door. "Well I wouldn't worry too much, vacation from our line of work is rather dull but to be fair this is nothing you've ever done before." The grin and twinkle in his eye really unnerved Naruto. Kent got a kick out of watching their expressions change from bored and slightly curious to surprised as the door opened and the Tower of Fate was revealed in its glory "When you pick your jaws up, would you both kindly step inside? It will remain visible until I close the door."
Naruto gestured for Katana to go in first, something that Kurama took joy in teasing him about, before following her inside. Call him a moron for willingly stepping into a tower that appeared out of thin air but he had a gut feeling telling him that this was only going to make things more interesting.
AN: To start things off, to the reviewer DBlade59, I hate you and yet I love you. No homo or actual feelings here. I hate you because you had me thinking you were using logic and reason and facts from my fic and the Naruto wiki to criticize me at length. This guy or gal here has it right. I might have not been blunt but come on; crazy or not with my ideas I always leave information either plainly obvious or kept close to me. Read too many fics with Naruto being a god or op to the extreme. Being Kage level is where he belongs, with all of his abilities taken into consideration he is essentially at the point of fighting Kaguya with a little bit of a struggle. Keep in mind until he is in his thirties or forties fighting Kaguya solo would still be tricky to do. So for right now in the story he is only able to handle Superman as he is, slightly depowered, and won't be able to handle him and the likes of Darkseid alone until he is close to his forties as well. That does not mean that with help of certain individuals he would not be able to beat the two. On the topic of Naruto using both of his parents' names, it's more of a respect than status thing. Typically you take your father's name, right now It's a both to honor his parents and to transition him into responding to Namikaze instead of Uzumaki. If you have a problem with that then read the manga, this is fanfiction, got that? In pairing news; I am postponing the poll until this mini arc is complete. This does not mean spam me with just one pairing as multiple guests. Already have Ivy, Katana, Paula, and Death. Possible choices that have yet to be disproved or banned are: Livewire, Killer Frost, Circe, and others whose names escape me.
1: What are you planning to do?
One more thing, on the note of naruto's power level (heh): He is the second coming of the sage of six paths, the only things sealed away are the OP orbs of annihalation (Truth seeking ball/orbs), a miniscule amount of chakra in comparison to his full amount and the six paths sage mode...unless I rethink that last one. Right now he is holding back intentionally so as to not kill anyone by accident. Like if he were to punch Batman at full power, nine tailed sage mode, or whatever its called he would kill the man and none of you would have a reason as to why not! So deal with him nerfing himself so its fair, and holing back his full power and abilities until a real threat like Darkseid, Doomsday, Justice Lords, Lobo, I could make a list of individuals for me to pull from different universes just to make him go all out but I wont. Chaos awaits, we have...at least 2 arcs before we get to the Justice League formation which may or may not differ with the dceu (Snyder) because its lacking despite the limitless potential. Chaos to all!
