Naruto Multiverse

The air around the battlefield shimmered and crackled as Kurama, in his wind elemental form, descended upon the chaos. The swirling vortex of his presence disrupted Enchantress's control over the localized time stop, releasing Wasp from her temporal stasis. In a seamless movement, Kurama's unseen force shattered the restraints holding Raven, her body regaining its freedom in an instant.

Enchantress turned abruptly, her voice sharp and laced with fury. "Who dares interrupt me?"

A disembodied voice, ethereal and omnipresent, responded. "I do." Kurama's voice was like a whisper carried on the wind, ghostly yet commanding.

Wasp immediately recognized the connection. Her armor seemed to resonate faintly, as though syncing with an unseen force. 'Father must have decided to act,' she thought, feeling a sense of relief and determination.

"Raven, let's go," Wasp said, extending her hand to the now-free empath. "This place will become too dangerous."

Raven hesitated, her eyes flickering between Wasp and the chaos behind them. Before she could voice her concerns, Wasp activated a teleportation mechanism, enveloping them both in a shimmering light and whisking them away to safety.

Kurama didn't waste a moment. As his words ended, his swirling form lunged at Enchantress, phasing effortlessly through the reinforced walls. He struck with the force of a gale, dragging her into the sky in a relentless vortex.

Enchantress, caught off guard, snarled in frustration. With a wave of her hand, she attempted to alter Kurama's elemental form, twisting the very fabric of his existence. But Kurama's connection to the elemental forces of wind was unshakable, an extension of Naruto's mastery over the elements.

'It's more enjoyable to use his powers than my own,' Kurama mused, relishing the freedom and unpredictability of his current state.

Kurama transformed into a razor-sharp storm, a cyclone of devastating speed and power. The very air around them screamed as his momentum threatened to unmake the surrounding environment. He tempered his destructive force, aware that unleashing his full potential could erase everything in his path.

Enchantress was enveloped in the chaotic storm, her arcane shields straining under the relentless assault. Her frustration grew as she struggled to find an opening. With a guttural roar, she released a concentrated blast of arcane energy, a sphere of pure force that tore through the storm and blasted Kurama backward.

'Oh, she can affect me,' Kurama thought, a vicious grin forming as he reassembled himself. Without hesitation, he retaliated with a barrage of wind bullets, each one a precision-guided missile that slammed into Enchantress's defenses with brutal force.

Superman, just recovering from his earlier exchange with Enchantress, watched the battle unfold. His sharp eyes tracked the invisible force attacking the sorceress, the sheer speed and precision of the strikes leaving him in awe.

'Who is she fighting? A wind elemental... or something else?' Clark wondered, momentarily unsure of his role in the rapidly escalating conflict. Then his focus shifted back to the reason he had come. 'Where is Raven?'

Scanning the battlefield, he saw no sign of the empath. Turning to Amanda Waller, who stood calmly amidst the chaos, he demanded, "Where is she?"

Amanda smirked, her tone laced with mockery. "You were a step too late, cape boy. Wasp already took her."

Superman clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath his composed exterior. His communicator buzzed, and he heard Batman's voice.

"What's happening, Superman?"

"Raven has been taken by Wasp. I need Zatanna to locate her. Also, prepare the team for possible escalation—we may need to speak with our situational ally," Superman replied, glancing toward the ongoing battle between Kurama and Enchantress.

"Affirmative," Batman said curtly, his voice calm and efficient.

As the Justice League mobilized, the winds above roared with renewed ferocity. Kurama's storm intensified, his presence a reminder that this battle was far from over.

Naruto and Himawari sat together on a wooden bench in the park, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the cool relief of their ice cream. Himawari, her expression curious and tinged with concern, looked up at her father.

"Daddy, why didn't you go to save Mea?" she asked, her voice soft but probing.

Naruto, seemingly unbothered, took another bite of his ice cream before answering. "It wasn't necessary. She was never in any real danger."

Himawari's face fell, her blue eyes clouding with hurt. "Does that mean... Daddy won't come for me either?"

Naruto immediately set his ice cream down and turned to her, his expression softening. He patted her head gently, brushing aside a strand of her hair. "Of course not. You're special, Hima. For you, everything changes."

Her lips quivered for a moment before she broke into a radiant smile. "Oh, Daddy is so sly. I can't talk against that," she thought, her heart brimming with joy. Overwhelmed by her affection, she leaned in and kissed Naruto's cheek.

For the first time in years, his gaze shifted away from Himawari. It landed on a figure sitting further down the park—a woman with striking features, her long black hair flowing in the breeze and her emerald green eyes sparkling with vitality. She wore a simple yet elegant summer dress, the kind that seemed to merge effortlessly with the natural beauty of the surroundings.

'Gaea,' Naruto thought, recognizing her immediately. There was an undeniable allure to her presence, but he quickly shrugged off any feelings she stirred within him.

'What do you want?' he asked telepathically, his tone calm but guarded.

The woman, Gaea, turned slightly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. 'It's nice to finally meet you in person, Naruto. I'm here to warn you: Trigon is a much greater threat than you assume.'

Her voice was soothing, like the rustle of leaves in a quiet forest, but Naruto's irritation simmered beneath his composed exterior. 'Do you assume my power? Just because we're connected doesn't mean you know everything about me.'

Gaea's expression remained serene. 'I don't question your power, nor do I make assumptions. I only wish to offer my friendship. You are one of the beings closest to me, and I have no desire to see you suffer. But remember this: the world is larger than you and me. Many beings are stronger than we are, and even the weak can pose a threat in unexpected ways.'

Naruto's jaw tightened. He kept his expression neutral, his focus split between his daughter and the enigmatic woman. 'I'm not afraid of anyone. If anything dares threaten my little star, it will cease to exist. But I'll take your warning under advisement. Since we are connected, I'll consider you a friend. Do you wish to cleanse the world?'

Gaea's smile wavered slightly, a hint of exasperation creeping into her tone. 'That joke is unbecoming of you. Nevertheless, be careful, Naruto, and learn to rely on others. Even you cannot shoulder everything alone.' With that, she dissolved into the wind, her presence fading as swiftly as it had appeared.

Naruto's thoughts lingered on her words. 'My power may not be enough to fight Trigon, but I have my ways. And even if those ways are unethical, it doesn't matter—as long as my little star is safe and happy.'

He turned back to Himawari, who was chatting excitedly about what she wanted to do next. Smiling, Naruto took her hand and began leading her toward the water park, seamlessly continuing their day as if nothing had happened. His thoughts, however, remained heavy with the burden of what lay ahead.

Raven stood silently in the vast study, her eyes scanning the grand shelves filled with books and artifacts, each emanating an aura of mystery. The space was overwhelming, but not as much as the situation she found herself in. Wasp's tone, unusually cheerful, had caught her off guard, making her question everything that had just unfolded.

"Father, I have brought her with me!" Wasp exclaimed, her voice carrying a sense of pride and happiness that seemed so unlike the composed warrior Raven had come to know.

'What is with that tone?' Raven thought, her brow furrowing in confusion. 'She sounds like a child. And... who is her father?'

Her internal musings were interrupted when the air around them seemed to ripple, parting seamlessly as if reality itself had made way. A man stepped through the fabric of space as naturally as one would walk through a door. He wore casual clothes, exuding an effortless calm that contrasted sharply with the enormity of his presence.

"Good job," Naruto said, his voice steady but warm. "But next time, don't engage opponents that the armor designates as threats beyond your level."

"Yes, Father. I won't do it again," Mea replied, her joy evident in the way she spoke. It wasn't just respect in her tone—it was love and admiration, untainted and pure.

Naruto nodded approvingly before shifting his gaze to Raven, his expression softening. "Now, Raven, I'm sure you're confused, so let me explain the situation. My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and you can call me Naruto or Mr. Uzumaki. From now on, you'll be living under my surveillance until I can deal with the thing that is your father. I would appreciate it if you didn't try anything foolish, as you are already under my power."

He spoke casually, almost nonchalantly, as he reached out to touch Wasp's armor. With a single gesture, the intricate system seemed to hum with new life as he effortlessly repaired it.

Raven's eyes narrowed, her voice tinged with defiance. "Why should I follow you? Do you even know who my father is?"

Naruto met her gaze without flinching. "Trigon is your father, and yes, I know exactly who he is. Trust me when I say I can beat him." His voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight, a certainty that silenced the room. "Also, don't think of this as a punishment. Your stay here will be peaceful—and, dare I say, enjoyable."

As he spoke, a faint glow emanated from his eyes, golden energy swirling just beneath the surface. It was restrained yet palpable, an overwhelming force that radiated from him like the promise of a sun held in check. Raven could feel it, a power so immense it made her knees weak. For a brief moment, she imagined what would happen if he unleashed it—a flood of light erasing everything in its path.

Her defiance faltered as she looked away, her voice subdued. "Such energy… but can he really help me?"

Naruto smiled, though his eyes softened as he noticed her hesitation. He gestured toward the room, the atmosphere shifting to something less oppressive. "This is your home now. Wasp brought you here because she trusts you, and I trust her. Take the time to adjust. You're safe here."

Raven glanced at Wasp, who stood confidently by Naruto's side, her expression warm and reassuring. 'She trusted me enough to bring me here, to show me this side of her life. Maybe I should trust her too.'

Reluctantly, Raven nodded, though a storm of uncertainty churned within her. For now, she would stay, watch, and try to understand the enigmatic man who had so effortlessly claimed control over her life—and perhaps her fate.