Naruto Multiverse

The excitement of the previous day in the Himalayas lingered in the minds of the Uzumaki family as they gathered in their Gotham home. Nestled within the basement of their sprawling villa, a place of secrets and ingenuity awaited. This section of the house, designed and maintained by Naruto, was a sanctuary for his creativity—a workshop where he crafted weapons, armor, and relics in honor of fallen comrades and the needs of his family.

Inside the armory, four young women sat around a sturdy table. The room was illuminated by a soft, amber glow, casting long shadows across the walls lined with tools, blueprints, and completed works of art in steel and chakra. Each girl carried a distinct energy, their expressions a mix of resolve and curiosity.

Himawari sat at the head of the table, her confidence palpable. She flicked a strand of midnight-blue hair from her face, her piercing eyes scrutinizing Mea, who had initiated the conversation.

"Hima, we wish to join you in your heroics," Mea declared, her voice steady yet carrying a hint of uncertainty. She leaned forward, her bright eyes meeting Himawari's with determination.

Himawari raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "I have no problem with that, but do you truly understand why I do this?"

Mea hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "You want to help people and use your powers responsibly."

"Tsk, tsk," Himawari chided, shaking her head in mock disapproval. Her smirk widened into something more mischievous, even dark. "Mea, why would I care about such things? Those people mean nothing to me; I care not for their lives."

The room grew tense, and even Jaina and Cassandra, seated silently, exchanged brief glances. Himawari's voice softened but carried a steely undertone as she continued.

"I do this for one reason: Daddy. Daddy was a fighter—no, Daddy was the fighter, the strongest and most unbeatable being. I grew up admiring that invincible warrior. But now..." Her voice faltered briefly, emotion flickering in her eyes. "Daddy's fighting spirit is gone. He holds back. He hides. He's forgotten what it means to be strong."

Her gaze turned distant as memories of Naruto's near-death resurfaced—his fractured body, his lifeless eyes, the day she almost lost him. "Through these actions, I will force Daddy to act. To fight. To be the man he was meant to be. Only then can we truly be together, the way we should be."

Mea listened intently, guilt flickering across her face but quickly replaced by resolve. "I understand now, Hima. I want to help. We all do. We love Father as much as you do."

A genuine smile graced Himawari's face, though it retained an edge. "Of course. It's simple: we'll operate as a squad, sometimes individually, as heroes across nearby cities. There will be danger, but Daddy is always watching. Sooner or later, he'll step in."

"What will you call yourselves?" Jaina asked, her voice calm but intrigued. She was already in her White Rabbit form, the subtle shimmer of distorted reality surrounding her like a veil.

Himawari's eyes lit up with pride. "Phoenix," she declared. "I have risen from the ashes, and I will always rise again."

She walked over to a section of the wall and pressed a concealed panel. With a soft hiss, the wall parted, revealing her armor. Crafted meticulously by Naruto, it gleamed with an otherworldly light, every inch imbued with a year's worth of his chakra. Wearing it felt like being enveloped in her father's protective embrace.

Cassandra stood, her tone firm. "Valkyrie. I'll wield the power Father entrusted to me."

Her armor was simpler but no less formidable, a testament to Naruto's understanding of her preferences. Every design choice balanced utility and elegance, concealing her identity while allowing unhindered movement.

Mea followed, her voice carrying an air of unwavering faith. "Wasp. Father already named our armors. I want to test if the world can truly harm us when Father is watching."

"We'll be the Royal Knights," Himawari declared, her voice ringing with finality. "Daddy is royalty, and we'll be his guardians—his saviors, if necessary."

Cassandra chuckled, shaking her head. "That's cheesy, but I've heard worse from heroes with far less style."

As the meeting adjourned, Cassandra rose, signaling her intent to leave. "Good luck, and please—don't do anything that might hurt Father."

Himawari watched Cassandra's retreating figure, her expression hardening ever so slightly. She turned back to the group, her resolve unwavering.

'She's getting too close to Daddy,' Himawari thought, a flicker of possessiveness flashing in her eyes. 'I should show her where she stands.'

With a single thought, her armor enveloped her, and in a shimmer of chakra energy, she vanished, teleporting to the next phase of her plan. The game had begun, and Himawari was determined to win, for her father's sake—and her own.

The Justice League's Watchtower, perched high above Earth, hummed softly with the rhythm of its advanced technology. Inside the central operations room, the air was thick with tension as Batman, ever the detective, entered with his trademark stoicism. His cape billowed slightly behind him as he strode toward Zatanna, who floated effortlessly in a meditative pose.

"Any lead on our mysterious Guardian?" Batman asked, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the quiet hum of machinery.

Zatanna opened her eyes, the magical glow fading from her irises as she touched back down to the floor. Her expression was one of frustration. "You're still on this, huh? I'm sorry, Bruce, but it's beyond even my capabilities. I've tried scrying, summoning, even tapping into the collective knowledge of the magical realms. Every time, it's like I hit a wall of shadows. I can't see how they move, how they act, or what they've done. It's too... chaotic to unravel."

Batman's jaw tightened, but he gave no outward reaction. He turned slightly as Wonder Woman entered from the training room, her presence commanding yet calm. Her armor gleamed under the bright lights, and her stride was purposeful.

"You're wasting your time, Batman," Diana began, a trace of amusement in her voice. "The Guardian doesn't move. Their presence is static, constant. If they don't act, then they don't interfere. Why obsess over them?"

"That's for me to decide," Batman replied curtly, his eyes narrowing. "You mentioned help. If there's a lead, I'd appreciate hearing it."

Wonder Woman studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. If you insist on chasing shadows, there's someone who might be able to shed light on this mystery. But tread carefully. You're delving into something ancient, older than immortals and men alike."

"Who?" Batman asked, his curiosity piqued despite the warning.

"Gaia," Diana said, her tone reverent. "The Primordial Earth Mother. She has existed since the dawn of time, before the Olympians, before most of the known pantheon. If anyone holds the answers about a Guardian tied to this world, it would be her."

Batman's mind raced as he processed the information. Gaia. A primordial being of unfathomable power and knowledge. Consulting her would not be a simple task, nor one to take lightly. "Where would I even begin to seek her?" he asked.

Wonder Woman crossed her arms, her expression pensive. "Gaia is not one to be summoned like a common spirit. She is the essence of the Earth itself. But there are places where her presence is stronger—sacred groves, ancient temples, or areas untouched by man's corruption. If you truly wish to speak with her, you must approach with respect, humility, and an offering that demonstrates your sincerity."

Zatanna nodded in agreement. "Diana's right. You can't just storm in with your usual methods, Bruce. Gaia's patience is infinite, but her wrath is legendary. One wrong move, and you might provoke a force you can't handle."

Batman didn't flinch at the warnings. "Noted. If that's the path, then I'll take it. I'll need coordinates for any locations where her presence is strongest."

Wonder Woman sighed. "I'll provide what I can, but let me warn you one more time: don't expect simple answers. Gaia's perspective spans eons. What you seek might not even register as significant in her eyes."

"Every piece matters," Batman said, his tone final. "Thank you, Diana. Zatanna."

As Batman turned to leave the room, Wonder Woman called out after him, her voice softer. "Bruce. Be careful. Sometimes, chasing ghosts leads only to darkness."

He paused for a moment but didn't look back. "Darkness is where I work best."

With that, the Dark Knight disappeared into the shadows of the Watchtower, his determination burning brighter than ever.

The training facility was alive with activity, the air humming with the distinct mix of tension and curiosity that came with a group of criminals finding themselves under Naruto Uzumaki's care. Naruto stood in the heart of the facility, his calm and commanding presence a stark contrast to the volatile energy of Amanda Waller's assembled crew.

Among the group was Pamela Isley—better known as Poison Ivy—who approached him with a bright smile. Her vibrant red hair shimmered under the facility's lights, and her green eyes sparkled with a rare warmth.

"I did not expect to see you like this, Pam," Naruto said gently, his voice carrying genuine warmth as he acknowledged her presence.

Pamela's face lit up, and she moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in an affectionate hug. "It's so good to see you again, Naruto. A whole month has passed, and I've thought of nothing but seeing you again. Like you asked, I surrendered myself. I didn't want to stay locked up for long, though, so I accepted Waller's offer. And now, here I am—delighted to be trained by you."

Naruto smiled at her enthusiasm, a hint of amusement flickering across his face. He recalled how they had first met: her curiosity had been piqued by the overwhelming natural energy radiating from him during his time in Gotham. She had spent days lingering around his café and restaurant before eventually confessing her unexpected feelings for him. Though he hadn't reciprocated her romantic affections, he had offered her friendship, which she accepted as a stepping stone to something more.

"I'm happy to see that you're becoming a better person, Pam," Naruto replied warmly. He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, a small token of his appreciation for her efforts to change. "I'm glad to have a friend here. I thought I'd be working with strangers, but with you around, this might not be so bad."

Pamela flushed slightly at the affectionate gesture, but before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Ivy! I didn't know you had a lover!" Harley Quinn's unmistakable voice rang out, her tone half-mocking, half-genuine. The blonde troublemaker, clad in her signature harlequin outfit, tilted her head with a manic grin. "What about poor ol' Harley? Left in the dust, huh?"

Pam turned to Harley with a small smirk. "I wish, but for now, Naruto's just a friend." Her tone grew more serious as she added, "But you'd better listen to him, Harley. If you don't, I'll be very cross."

Naruto gestured toward his assistant, Cassandra, who had just returned from a meeting. "Cassandra, take the rest of them to the training room. Assess their abilities and assign appropriate tasks."

Cassandra nodded without hesitation, her quiet strength evident in her movements. "Follow me," she instructed the group in a clipped, professional tone. "You'll be tested in live combat. Do your best—or regret it later."

As Cassandra led the uneasy recruits away, Naruto turned back to Pamela. "You should move on, Pam," he said gently as they walked toward the garden. "A beautiful, intelligent woman like you could easily find someone wonderful."

Pamela shot him a sidelong glance, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "But they wouldn't be you, Naruto. Why settle for second best? And besides, why don't you take your own advice? I know you're still grieving. Maybe it's time you let someone in."

Naruto's expression softened, tinged with guilt and sorrow. "You're right," he admitted quietly. "I was being presumptuous. Do whatever makes you happy, Pam, but don't push yourself too hard. For now, sit here and meditate. This spot is perfect for you." He gestured to the base of an immense tree that towered nearly a hundred meters tall—a living monument Naruto had planted in honor of Konoha.

Pamela's eyes glistened with gratitude as she took her place beneath the sacred tree. "Thank you, Naruto. I promise I'll make you proud. Don't count me out yet."

Naruto nodded, then turned his attention to Harley, who was hopping from foot to foot, her energy as erratic as ever. "What about me?" she asked, grinning. "What's my assignment, boss?"

Naruto approached her, his voice steady and calm. "You're a broken soul, Harley. A good person twisted by an insane clown. My first task is to fix what he broke. After that, what you choose to do is up to you."

Harley's smile faltered slightly, confusion flashing in her eyes as Naruto placed a hand on her forehead. With a single touch, she collapsed into unconsciousness, her body limp in his arms. He gently laid her beside Pamela, his expression pensive.

"This is for you, Pam," he murmured softly. "But I also want to help her. Maybe I haven't changed as much as I thought."

A small smile tugged at his lips as he stood, gazing at the two women now resting beneath the towering tree. The path ahead was long and uncertain, but for now, there was hope.