(school)
'Something's up' Naruto thought watching Mason as he was getting his ass handed to him earlier and was now tearing the other team apart 'either he's on some crazy adrenaline rush or he's taking drugs' he thought not unfamiliar with performance enhancers as he made his own chakra pills 'but this seems familiar' he thought not being able to place it
(later at the batcave)
"What are you doing" Bruce said as he saw Naruto looking through his enemy archives
"I saw something today that I saw in here before" Naruto said pulling up Bane's file
"Bane" Bruce said a little worried now as Bane was one of the chemically enhanced criminals who was smart as he was strong "what did you see" he asked wondering what Naruto saw that compared to Bane
"This" Naruto said as he pulled up the game that someone was recording
"This is hardly evidence" Bruce said even though the teen showed a drastic increase in performance
"He removed this and threw it in the trash" Naruto said as after everyone left he checked the locker room thrash and found it
"How do you know it's his" Bruce asked wondering how through Naruto was being
"His dna is in the patches fibbers and before you ask about Bane the formula is similar to Bane's but it has a chemical that causes deterioration in brain and the body's muscle fibers" Naruto said as he examined the chemicals closely
"Impressive" Bruce said as Naruto's work in this
"Also hacked your file on Bane I'm gonna do some recon" Naruto said as he went to the batmobile
Bruce was now even more impressed as he encrypted all his files uniquely
(later)
'Jesus' Naruto thought seeing the state Bane was in as he seemed to weak to even breath and was being constantly fed venom and found a recent medical file 'decades of drug use this guy went through' he thought and soon saw other medical files stacked together 'this is his first medical file' he thought noticing something off and pulled back the recent file and saw his venom formula was less present in his body in the old one and pulled a file sample Bruce took of Bane's blood and the last one he had taken in arkham 'these all have similar amount of venom why's his first file here have less' he thought perplexed since the recent one has a strong similar amount that matched the old file Bruce had
"Batman" a raspy voice coming from Bane said surprising Naruto
'He can still talk' Naruto thought in surprise as the file said he had very little brain activity
"I'm sorry for everything" Bane said surprising Naruto who called Bruce to patch him in "all these years being strapped to this chair gave me time to reflect and I'm sorry" he said getting Naruto's attention "but please my old foe kill me" he said as his body was in constant pain
"You hearing this" Naruto asked not knowing what to do here as even though killing Bane would be an act of mercy it didn't feel right
"Ask him about the first file taken" Bruce asked as he was examining the footage from the camera in the batsuit
"You have a blood test that shows less venom in your system why" Naruto asked curiously
"I created a treatment for venom but it was to late for me" Bane said getting into a coughing fit "my body couldn't handle the withdrawal and the cure was basically a poison for me" he said sadly
"That explains the low venom count" Naruto said in a quiet tone "do you have the cure for the venom" he asked Bane
"Yes" Bane said as he told Naruto the formula
"This is all said and good but how the hell is your venom on the street because I don't think you'd be selling it after your new realization" Naruto said as he wanted to know who the distributor was
"My doctor I needed someone to make it" Bane said as he was ashamed of this but at the time was afraid of dying
"You get that" Naruto asked Bruce
"All of it" Bruce said as the information gained was invaluable
"What about him" Naruto asked wanting Bruce's opinion
"What do you think we should do" Bruce asked wanting to know what his choice would be as this situation was complex
Naruto walked up to Bane and removed his restraints and then his hand approached the respirator
Bruce watched in slight disappointment as this happened but he knew this was a dying man's request
"Sorry but this isn't your day to die" Naruto said as he activated his rinnegan and summoned head linked to the naraka path and threw Bane in it and after a few moments he came back a healthy old man
"How" Bane said feeling better then he had in years as his legs shook as he stood up
"I gave you a second chance use it" Naruto said walking away "what now" he asked Bruce as he had a few ideas of what to do with all the information gathered
"Find the doctor and follow him" Bruce said as they knew the doctor was in charge of manufacturing the slappers
(later at GCPD)
"You can come out" Barbra said as Naruto deactivated the batsuit's stealth mode
"Impressive Bruce said you were good" Naruto said as he was sure he was quiet
"Don't sell yourself short the only reason I noticed you was the footprints in the carpet" Barbra said as she was impressed by his talent "so why are you here" she asked knowing there was always a reason
"A confession" Naruto said putting a flashdrive on her desk
"For what and by who" Barbra asked taking a sip of her coffee
"Slappers and Bane" Naruto said seeing she tried to keep her composure as she momentarily choked on her drink in surprise "I also placed in where they're being manufactured and the guy who runs it" he said as she looked surprised by this
"Nice work" Barbra said impressed by this as this seemed like Bruce level work "let me ask you the other vigilanties are they on the up and up" she asked not knowing if it was the kid's idea or Bruce's as Bruce was against bringing in anyone
"Absolutely" Naruto said taking off
(a week later)
"I'm surprised you actually did this" Naruto said in the limo with Bruce as he watched a clinic for addicts run by Bane funded by WaynePowers "and you're using Powers money nice touch" he said as Bruce may not have been majority shareholder he still had major pull
"Thank you" Bruce said as when he saw Bane in such a defeated state he felt the sincerity in his voice and he was living up to his word
(few days later)
"You didn't have to stop by" Max said as Naruto had come to visit her as her family was off living their lives and even though she was lonely he always came to cheer her up
"Nonsense and besides if I didn't you'd be here all by yourself reading a cheesy romance eating ice cream" Naruto said getting hit by a pillow
"Do I look like a girl who'd do that" Max asked with a glare
Before Naruto could answer the doorbell to Max's apartment rang 'saved by the bell' he thought
"Nanaba" Max said as an old woman was outside the apartment
"Hello child" the old woman said hugging her "how's my granddaughter" she asked with a smile on her face
"Fine" Max said hugging her grandmother "oh this is Naruto" she said as he came over and greeted her
"Pleasure" Naruto said extending his hand
The elderly woman took his hand and felt a surge in a tribal necklace around her neck 'this boy is very well connected with the spiritual plane' she thought as she saw an image of a fox and a bat
'She's intune with nature energy' Naruto thought as he didn't notice it till he made contact as it was low but continues
"How do you know my granddaughter" the woman asked "but forgive my manners I'm Mari McCabe" she said politely
"Naruto Namikaze" Naruto said as he heard the woman's name from somewhere and had a sudden realization 'she's Vixen' he thought as he read her file Bruce kept and she was very interesting to him as her necklace in his opinion was somehow made with nature energy connected to animals
"I've seen you on the news before you work for Bruce Wayne" Mari said with a knowing smirk
"That's right I remember hearing your name before you've worked with Mr Wayne before" Naruto said with his own smirk
"On occasion" Mari said still holding her smirk
"Well you two seem like you need some time to catch up I'll take off" Naruto said grabbing his bag
"No it's fine" Max said not wanting to feel like he was intruding
"I'll stop by later I just remembered I have something to take care of" Naruto said rushing out
"You like him" Mari said the moment they were alone and saw the blush her granddaughter had
(later)
"Vixen" Bruce said in surprise "and she has a granddaughter" he said in surprise as he usually get tabs on this type of info from former heroes and villains
"Yeah felt like I should tell you in case she was here to see you and not just her family" Naruto said as people usually did things with another thing in mind
"Thank you" Bruce said in appreciation as he hated surprises "but keep an eye on your friend" he said having an idea of why Vixen was here
"Why" Naruto asked wondering if Max was in any type of danger
"That totem is magic and magic usually attracts the wrong kind've attention" Bruce said always hating fighting against magic and knew items of power would attract all kinds of the wrong attention
Naruto would've asked more if his phone didn't go off and he saw Dana was calling him and when he picked up he listened to what she told him
Bruce grew curious as he saw Naruto's face turn to rage an emotion he saw only glimpses of never for this long "what's wrong" he asked as he saw Naruto hang up the phone
"Max and her grandmother are in the hospital" Naruto said angrily "someone broke into the apartment and attacked them" he said clenching his fists
"I'll look at nearby footage" Bruce said as Naruto got dressed
(later at the hospital)
Naruto watched hidden in the shadows as Max and her grandmother rested "you girls watching" he asked as the girls were watching Max from across the street
"Yeah" Dana said as she and Will were watching Max in case the attacker came for them again
"Naruto I found out who did it" Bruce said showing Naruto a picture from the suit's systems
"Gentleman Ghost" Naruto said as he read Bruce's file on him "he's a B-list villain at best petty thefts how'd he plan this and why" he asked as he may have been magical it was a huge leap from stealing jewels to magical items
"It might be in the nature of the totem" Bruce said as a spirit stealing a literal spiritual item didn't sound so crazy
"Can he get it to work" Naruto asked as Bruce didn't have much information on the totem besides the things that most people knew
"I don't know" Bruce said as this was another reason he hated magic because of the uncertainty it presented
"What's the worst case scenario" Naruto asked as Bruce was smart and could tell where this would lead
"With the totem and his spiritual body he may be able to do more than take on an animals characteristics like Vixen in fact he may be able to push it past the normal limits a human body is limited by" Bruce said as that very thought was a scary thought
"Where would he go" Naruto thought out loud as Gentleman Ghost usually went for things that were old timey ancient even 'wait' he thought realizing something "Bruce the old part of Gotham you own is probably the best place to look for Gentleman Ghost where in that part of Gotham would he go" he asked trying to narrow down the search
"A museum but there are a few in that part of Gotham" Bruce said not knowing where to begin as most of everything was abandoned there and it was barely on the city's power grid so he was blind in this scenario
"Alright I might have a way to track him" Naruto said as he channeled some sage chakra and tried to find the necklace
(later at an abandoned museum)
"C'mon work" Gentleman Ghost said holding the necklace in his hand
'This guy has absolutely no clue what he's doing' Naruto thought as most criminals never did more research into the things they wanted 'wonder if sage mode will have the most effect' he thought a little on edge as ghosts were his biggest fear, but he was willing to put that fear aside as this ghost hurt his friend and was planning on only causing more harm, he began to gather nature energy to fight the spirit
"What's this" Gentleman Ghost said as the necklace began to glow
Soon Naruto finished gathering nature energy and approached Gentleman Ghost
"Yes" Gentleman Ghost said feeling euphoric as he felt a surge of energy from the totem feeling his strength grow by the second his spiritual body beginning to grow his transparent body seemingly taking on a human beast like appearance and his white clothes turning black
'That's what he looked like alive no wonder he's always transparent' Naruto thought as Gentleman Ghost's body increased in muscle mass
"I know your there" Gentleman Ghost said looking in Naruto's direction
'Fuck his senses must be heightened to the most strongest animals for that particular sense' Naruto thought as stealth mode was a mute point
"Batman" Gentleman Ghost said sounding almost pleased "I assumed you had perished like most of my former foes, but here you are" he said with a smirk
"You sound pleased" Naruto said wondering why Gentleman Ghost was so happy as even with sage mode he couldn't get a read on the ghost due to him being an apparition
"Why yes because now I get to be the one to end your life" Gentleman Ghost said his body taking on the form of a gorilla
"You seeing this" Naruto asked Bruce over the com
"Yes the totem is acting like how I imagined but his senses are even stronger as well meaning stealth and some of the other gadgets are useless" he said as he usually prepared for enemies like this in advance
"Maybe not" Naruto said dogging Gentleman Ghost's arm which became a volley of snakes "time to bust out some old gear" he said taking out some small red balls and throwing it at Gentleman Ghost's face all of them exploding into a cloud of red dust
"What was that" Bruce asked from the com as those weren't smoke pellets from the utility belt
"Chili pepper bombs" Naruto said as he kept his pranking material on him at all times
"You bastard" Gentleman Ghost said transforming into a bat
'Looks like man-bat' Bruce thought as he watched the fight and remembering his former foe reminded him
'Copycat' Naruto thought as he smiled 'bat's use echolocation' he thought taking out his phone calling Deirdre as he took to the sky making a hole in the roof Gentleman Ghost following behind
"What's up" Deirdre asked picking up the phone
"I need a Canary cry no time for questions" Naruto said pointing the phone at Gentleman Ghost as the cry came through
"Ahhh" Gentleman Ghost cried out in pain from his heightened hearing being attacked with such a loud high pitched sound and soon crashed on a rooftop
"Thank you very much" Naruto said before hanging up and landed on the roof and channeled some sage chakra into his hands and removed the totem from Gentleman Ghost
"What do we do with him" Naruto asked Bruce as he had dealings with the supernatural
Bruce sighed as he made a call
(later)
"Get the bloody hell inside" an old british man said wearing a beige trench coat as he arrived in a house coming out of thin air
Naruto did as asked and walked in carrying Gentleman Ghost examining the house feeling the power from it in ever direction
"Greetings" a purple woman said appearing before him her body was curvy and she had mid C-cup breasts and a nice bubbly ass
'I didn't even sense her and she's giving off the same energy as this house' Naruto thought watching her closely
"You have the energy of pure magic within you and have skills I have never seen or sensed before" the woman said as she looked at him calculatively "you also seem to possess the energy of nature within you" she said tilting her head in curiosity
"Who are you?" Naruto asked as the woman was a little to all knowing
"Black Orchid" the old man said painting a pentagram "throw that bloke onto this" he said as Naruto placed Gentleman Ghost onto it and the circle glowed red and soon fire erupted swallowing Gentleman Ghost
"Where'd he go?" Naruto asked not knowing much about the man and his magic
"Down bellow" the old man said "now who the hell are you as the house wouldn't reveal itself for anyone who isn't important" he said glaring at Naruto as he had a book in his hand
"I can see that but how about you introduce yourself first" Naruto said thinking the man was a dick
"Constantine" the old man said aiming his palm at Naruto "and I don't care if Bruce sent ya you're not in this book" he said as he examined the book in his hand
"And that's a problem how?" Naruto asked curiously
"This book keeps track of every sorcerer and sorceress in the world and yet you have magic and are not in here" Constantine said making Naruto curious
"Ok listen I fight only to protect so if you have a problem with me say it" Naruto said walking right up to Constantine
"I have a problem with ya" Constantine said magic appearing around one of his hands
"Will you ever just grow the hell up?" an old woman said walking inside the room looking at Naruto "so you're Bruce's protege ffo ksam" she said making Naruto's mask come down
"Jesus your just a bloody brat" Constantine said his magic fading, but was then blindsided by Naruto punching him in the face sending him flying
"Well this bloody brat knock you on your ass" Naruto said as he imitated Constantine's accent
The old woman laughed holding her gut "kid you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that thank you" she said laughing a little more "so tell me why Bruce of all people have a magical person working with him" she asked curiously as she knew Bruce tried to avoid magic if at all possible "oh where are my manors I'm Zatanna" she said introducing himself
"I'm just gifted and good at what I do" Naruto said with a smirk "now what about him?" he asked pointing to the unconscious Constantine
"Oh just leave him this has been a long time coming anyway" Zatanna said with a smirk
"Hey what's with all the-" a young woman said walking in the room looking exactly like Zatanna did in her youth having DD-cup breasts, a nice round ass, and nice legs "gramps ran his mouth?" she asked Zatanna as Constantine did this a lot
"Yep" Zatanna said with a smirk still enjoying that fact he got hurt "how are you Zana?" she asked her young look alike
"Evening mistress Zana" Black Orchid said appearing out of nowhere
"Hey Black Orchid how are you?" Zana asked curious to how the woman that was the magic of the house was
"As can be expected" Black Orchid said her eyes shifting to Naruto "may I learn from you?" she asked Naruto making him curious "I wish to understand your origins as your power is unseen yet is very powerful it perplexes me" she said making him somewhat understand her a bit "in return I offer you use of the house of mystery" she said making Naruto look at Zatanna and Zara who had looks of surprise
"Take the deal kid this place is an important piece of magical history containing many secrets not yet fully discovered" Zatanna said as even after years of coming here nothing was what it truly seemed
"Would I be making you homeless?" Naruto asked not wanting to take her home
"No I have an apartment" Zatanna said as even though she liked this place she liked normallicy from time to time
"So who is this guy anyway?" Zara asked as she was curious to who he was
"Are you curious because of your attraction to him?" Black Orchid said being very blunt making Zara blush as she kept forgetting the purple entity was a empath and had great foresight
Zatanna laughed at the reveal "he's the new Batman" she said with a smirk
"Cool you hiring?" Zara asked looking for action as she enjoyed a good thrill
"Oh this will be fun" Zatanna said as she was gonna go see Bruce anyway convincing him to let her granddaughter join would make it all the sweeter
Naruto immediately called Bruce to tell him of what transpired
"Don't waste your minutes" Zatanna said creating a portal "I'll tell him myself" she said as she and Zara walked through
'May as well give this back' Naruto thought still having Vixen's necklace
(later at the hospital)
"Are you sure about this?" Naruto asked Vixen as she smiled at him
"I have lived a long full life and it is about time that the totem had a new bearer" Vixen said looking at Max who was in critical condition and needed something to save her and her giving her the totem was that something
"I'll watch after her" Naruto said trying to comfort her in her final moments as he offered to heal Max but he couldn't wake her up from the coma she was now in and when Vixen offered up her totem and explained to him it was the only way to save Max he decided to let her save her granddaughter
"I know" Vixen said handing him the necklace to place on Max and when he did both Naruto and Vixen saw Max's eyes widen but they were different than before, her left eye was green and the other orange the aura they exhibited both unique and very powerful
Vixen was in a state of shock not noticing the power from the totem leave her body as she looked at Max's eyes being reminded of Max's grandfather and saw the same aura that was in her eyes surround the totem
"Nanaba" Max said as the energy died down and saw Batman with her grandmother
"You're safe child" Vixen said as she let out a deep breath and her heart monitor went flat
(a week later)
Naruto and everyone on the team even Bruce came to Vixen's funeral wanting to support Max and pay their respects
"It never gets easier does it?" Dana asked Naruto as everytime she came here she felt her heart ache
"No and if it ever does is what will truly worry me" Naruto said as he knew pain like this came from great care and love and he wouldn't forsake that for anything
(a week later)
"You sure about this" Naruto asked Max as she was going to take the mantle of Vixen
"Yeah" Max said as she asked Naruto who told her he was Batman to ask Bruce for her grandmother's gear
"Alright but dye your hair purple hair is pretty noticeable and distinctive" Naruto said as that was as quick as any way for your identity to be revealed
Max had to admit Naruto was right and when she looked in the box Bruce sent her she saw a picture of her grandmother in her youth and couldn't help but smile at the resemblance between them and decided to make it even more uncanny as she ordered some special dye
(later in bludhaven)
'Heh can't believe the old man is back at it' an old man in his fifties said seeing the news about Batman and a few other past heroes 'can't believe someone has taken up my mantle' he thought with a smirk as he was surprised it was a woman but didn't care as he was impressed by her acrobatic skills from what he could guess was her age 'looks like I'll be making a trip to Gotham soon' he thought as some fond memories came rushing back along with some bad ones making him put a hand over his eye patched right eye
(outside)
'Soon you and that pretender will be gone leaving just me the one true nightwing' a man thought hidden in the shadows watching the man like an animal stalking its prey
(?)
"Are you certain?" Waller said over the phone
"Yes Ms Waller subject zero-two has escaped" a man over the phone said before Waller hanged up the phone
'This will definitely cause problems' Waller thought as the subject has escaped imprisonment before as it was accidentally released prematurely and they soon discovered how terrible a mistake she made in not ending it earlier, she made a call and would soon be heading to Gotham