Naruto Multiverse

As Wonder Woman and Batman flew through the evening sky towards their respective homes, a deep sense of contemplation hung between them. Despite the physical distance from the recent chaos, their minds were still embroiled in the weight of the events they had witnessed and the decisions they had made.

"Are you sure we shouldn't be helping out?" Wonder Woman asked, her voice betraying a hint of concern as they flew side by side, her glowing tiara reflecting the fading light of the day.

Batman, always the strategist, remained focused on the task at hand. His eyes, scanning the horizon as they soared through the sky, gave little away. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, it carried the weight of experience. "They can handle it. This is much more important. Unlike others, I do not believe in coincidences. It should have some connection to the Guardian. He might be starting to increase his territory. I do not wish to fight an enemy I have no knowledge of. It's a harrowing experience," he said with the calm confidence that came from years of dealing with the unknown.

Wonder Woman turned her head slightly to look at him, her face thoughtful. "What about the new heroes? What do you think of them?"

"I do not have a clear opinion about them," Batman replied. "But I would be happier if I had met them personally. Secondhand information is hardly trustworthy. For now, they seem good enough. They haven't done anything suspicious—except Wasp. Her first appearance was destroying the undead Deathstroke. Her actions showed no hesitation, which means she had no access. It was like an assassin's precision, just cold execution. We should watch her more closely, but she seems to disappear easily, leaving no trace."

Wonder Woman listened intently, her brow furrowing slightly at the mention of Wasp. She knew Batman was never quick to judge, but his caution spoke volumes. "That's concerning. But we can keep an eye on her," she said, her tone hardening. "For now, we need to focus on what's in front of us."

Batman nodded but then glanced over at her, his gaze sharp beneath his cowl. "You should relax a bit, or else you might get white hair."

Wonder Woman shot him a playful look. "I already have a few gray strands here and there, you know," she quipped, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm already doing that, so you don't have to worry about my health," Batman replied. "What about you? How have you been doing now? Do you still feel guilty after knowing what we did?"

The mention of their past actions, when they had been manipulated and controlled by Salvage to attack an innocent planet, caused a brief moment of silence. Wonder Woman's face softened, and she let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly in the air.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," she finally said, her voice quieter now, the weight of the memories lingering between them.

Bruce, ever perceptive, didn't buy it. He could hear the underlying tone of her voice, the faint trace of guilt that she hadn't fully shaken. He knew her too well. "From your voice, I'd say not. I can introduce you to someone to take care of your problem," he suggested.

Wonder Woman sighed again, looking out at the night sky, her eyes distant. "Sigh," she muttered, more to herself than to him, but the truth was clear. She was still haunted by their actions, the guilt gnawing at her despite her best efforts to move on.

"Okay, I'll check it out," she said finally, giving in. She knew that Bruce's persistence would only grow if she didn't entertain the idea, and perhaps, deep down, she was ready to confront whatever feelings still lingered.

Batman gave a small nod, satisfied that she was at least willing to take the first step toward dealing with her emotions. "Good," he said softly, as they flew onward into the night, knowing the path ahead would be filled with more challenges, but at least they wouldn't be facing them alone.

Diana's boots softly touched the ground of Themyscira as she landed with grace. Her body was tired, but her mind was more restless than ever. The mission, the battle, and the weight of the unknown—the Guardian—had all been heavy on her heart. Yet, she knew the only place where she could truly seek clarity was home, where her mother resided.

The moment she stepped onto the familiar island, Hippolyta, her regal mother, was already waiting for her. Without a word, Diana rushed into her mother's arms, the two of them embracing for a long moment. It was a quiet and intimate connection, the kind only a mother and daughter could share, especially after the battles that had raged in the outside world.

"I'm glad you're back, Diana. But, it seems you have something weighing on your heart," Hippolyta said, pulling back slightly to look into her daughter's eyes.

Diana took a deep breath, the words she had been holding back on the tip of her tongue. "Mother, I would like to make a request."

Hippolyta raised an eyebrow, sensing the importance in Diana's tone. "You wish to know who the Guardian is, is it not?"

Diana's eyes widened in surprise. How could her mother know? She hadn't even spoken of it to anyone. "How do you know what it is?" Diana asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and astonishment.

Hippolyta's gaze turned distant for a moment, her mind tracing back to a conversation that had taken place in a much older realm—one that even her daughter couldn't comprehend fully. "I do not know his identity, but Mistress Gaea has spoken to me. She has told me that she is not willing to share his identity, but know that the Guardian cares for the world, and he is accepted by the Mistress."

Diana looked at her mother, searching her face for any sign of more answers, but Hippolyta's expression was unreadable. The truth of the Guardian's identity remained a mystery, and her mother's cryptic words only deepened her questions. "But why? Why does she keep it from me?"

"I wish to tell you more," Hippolyta replied softly, her voice filled with conflict. "But if I do, the Guardian will be angry. Mistress Gaea has commanded me to ensure his happiness, and to reveal too much may disrupt that delicate balance." Hippolyta paused, the weight of her responsibility heavy on her shoulders. She was bound by duties to forces far greater than herself, and this was one of the most difficult challenges she had faced.

Diana, though frustrated by the lack of direct answers, understood the burden her mother carried. She could see the sorrow in Hippolyta's eyes, the hesitation that only a mother could know when protecting her child from painful truths.

"Thank you, mother," Diana said softly, her voice carrying a sense of gratitude despite the frustration. "I know you are doing what you believe is best for me, and for the world."

Hippolyta embraced her daughter once again, the words left unspoken, but the love between them was clear. "It is the thought that counts, Diana. I wish I could tell you everything, but you must trust that everything happens as it is meant to be."

Diana closed her eyes for a moment, holding her mother close, allowing the warmth and comfort of home to wash over her. There were still so many unanswered questions, but for now, the strength of her mother's love and the quiet wisdom of her words would be enough to keep her grounded.

The Guardian, whoever he truly was, would remain a mystery for the time being, but Diana knew one thing for certain: she would continue to protect the world, just as he did. And perhaps, one day, the truth would come to light.

As the day turned to night on Themyscira, a soft, golden glow illuminated the island's towering temples and tranquil surroundings. The air was filled with a calming sense of peace, the kind only the secluded paradise of the Amazons could provide. Diana, still processing her encounter with her mother and the enigma of the Guardian, stood on the steps of the royal palace, her mind a swirl of questions. She had barely returned from her mission and already, her mother had spoken of something important they needed to discuss.

"Stay the night as I wish to converse with you about something important," Hippolyta had said earlier, her regal tone matching her composed demeanor. She had looked at her daughter with a mix of concern and affection, sensing Diana's inner turmoil. There was much left unsaid, and the urgency of their conversation loomed over both of them like a shadow.

Diana had nodded without hesitation. "As you wish, I also want to spend some time here now that I have come back after so long." The truth was, she needed the time to reflect and find some semblance of clarity. There was no better place for that than home, under her mother's guidance.

With a soft nod of approval, Hippolyta turned to the group of Amazons who had followed them into the palace grounds. Her expression became more businesslike, a mother and queen in one. "Good, we will wait in our chamber so handle the man." She glanced back at Batman, who had followed them into the palace with quiet but unwavering focus, his presence adding a layer of weight to the otherwise serene atmosphere.

As the night air of Themyscira settled over the island, Diana found herself walking alongside Batman toward the waiting jet. The soft hum of the island's winds filled the air, a peaceful contrast to the tension that still lingered between them. Diana, her mind swirling with thoughts of the Guardian and the complexities of the situation, glanced at Batman. He walked with a quiet intensity, his body language betraying none of the inner turmoil she knew he was experiencing. His calm exterior, as always, held steady.

"So, I figure she was not willing to share," Batman muttered in his usual calm tone as he glanced sideways at Diana, his expression unreadable.

"Yes, it seems that he is more important to the world than we had assumed. He might be the chosen of Gaia," Diana replied, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "Continuing this might anger her. Do you still wish to continue?" she asked, her eyes locking with his as she spoke. She had always respected Batman's strength, but in this case, she couldn't shake the worry that he might push forward recklessly. She had seen him do it before—putting his safety and well-being aside for the greater good, but she feared that this might be something beyond even his capabilities.

Batman's face remained stoic, but there was a slight shift in his demeanor as he responded. "I will be careful. I don't think she will be angry as I don't have any wrong intentions for the Guardian. I just wish to meet him." His voice was unwavering, but the undertone of uncertainty was hard to ignore.

Diana wasn't convinced, and it showed in her eyes. "What will you do when you meet him? Isn't it to cage him or her away as he/she has killed on a large scale?" she pressed, her mind racing with the implications of what Batman was suggesting. The Guardian's actions had already caused massive casualties—an unforgivable act in Diana's eyes, yet her thoughts on the matter were far from simple.

"I can't deny that," Batman replied, his voice almost soft for a moment, as though considering the gravity of the situation. "But maybe we can come to a compromise. I just don't wish for him to continue, so if he is willing to back down and not increase his sphere of influence, then I don't mind the Guardian being free." He turned to Diana, his tone slightly more reflective than usual.

Diana, stunned by his response, blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected this. "That is surprising; I didn't think you would say that," she admitted, her voice filled with genuine astonishment. Batman, the ever-cautious strategist, was one to prepare for worst-case scenarios. To hear him speak so calmly about a potential compromise felt almost foreign, even to Diana, who knew him better than most.

Batman, sensing her shock, gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Maybe living in the light has affected my mind a bit," he said with a hint of dry humor, though his eyes remained serious. "The atmosphere in Gotham is really wonderful, so I might have mellowed down a bit. And I do understand that he killed only the worst of the worst."

Diana, though still processing his words, raised an eyebrow. "But you will still be in conflict with the Guardian, as I don't really see a reason why he would stop. Or do you not mind the killings of anyone in Gotham?" she questioned, her tone serious yet tinged with concern. She wanted to understand where Batman's line was drawn. Was he willing to let a killer go free, or did he have his own set of rules?

"That is part of it," Batman replied without hesitation, his voice low and thoughtful. "He should stop and just constrain them for the authorities. If he can kill, then he should be able to trap them." His gaze hardened as he spoke, the intensity of his conviction clear. Despite his willingness to compromise, Batman's moral code remained intact. He couldn't simply turn a blind eye to murder.

Diana sighed, knowing that this situation was far more complicated than they had initially thought. "You have taken up something really troublesome," she said, her voice soft but filled with understanding. "But I will try to help as much as I can."

Batman offered her a brief nod, his face unreadable as always. "Thank you. Enjoy your time." He said the words with a calmness that belied the weight of their conversation. As he turned and made his way toward the waiting jet, Diana felt a pang in her chest. There was always a distance between them, a wall that Batman had carefully constructed over years of hard-won battle. She respected it, but that didn't make it any easier.

As the jet's engines roared to life and Batman disappeared into the horizon, Diana remained still, lost in thought. The soft winds of Themyscira seemed to carry her worries away for a moment, but deep down, she knew the road ahead was going to be treacherous. The Guardian was a force unlike any they had faced, and though she trusted Batman's ability to strategize, she couldn't help but feel that this was a challenge beyond both of them.

'I hope this is not something beyond our levels,' Diana thought as she turned to walk toward her mother's chambers, her mind heavy with the weight of the decision ahead. 'Or worse, something that devolves into a conflict none of us can stop.'

As she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that their actions today had set something into motion—something neither she nor Batman could control. And the uncertainty of that thought was as unsettling as the looming threat of the Guardian itself.