Naruto Multiverse

The darkened skies above the battlefield were a stark contrast to the luminous display of power below, where Kurama and Enchantress clashed in a dance of raw energy and willpower. The air shimmered with the residual force of their combat, a maelstrom of winds and arcane magic that seemed to warp reality itself.

From their vantage point atop a nearby rooftop, Batman observed the chaos through his advanced lenses, his analytical mind processing every detail. Beside him stood Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and the stoic figure of Green Lantern, each contributing their unique perspective to the unfolding events.

"That energy... it seems eerily similar to the power of the Guardian," Batman muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of distant battle. "Can you analyze anything from it, Zatanna?"

The magician closed her eyes, her hands weaving intricate patterns as she tapped into the residual energy left by Kurama. Arcane sigils flickered around her, glowing faintly as she sought to decode the enigma before her. Moments stretched into an uneasy silence before she finally opened her eyes, a troubled expression shadowing her features.

"It's... impossible," Zatanna admitted, her voice laced with frustration. "The energy signal isn't localized—it's the entire planet, and it extends beyond even that. It's like trying to analyze the ocean by looking at a drop of water."

Batman's jaw tightened as he absorbed her words. The whole planet and beyond? The implications were staggering. Could this Guardian be an immortal like Gaea, or perhaps an alien entity intertwined with the Earth itself?

Despite the frustration evident in Zatanna's voice, Batman's analytical mind clung to the glimmer of hope this revelation offered. For years, the Guardian had been a mystery, an unsolvable case that defied even his meticulous intellect. But now, for the first time, there was something tangible—a connection, however faint, to pursue.

"This is progress," Batman said, his tone measured but encouraging. "We've already taken the first step by identifying a lead. Don't let this discourage you. Failure is just proof that our foe is as ingenious as they are powerful. We'll adapt."

Zatanna nodded, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her lingering frustration. Wonder Woman placed a comforting hand on her back, her presence a silent reminder of their unity in purpose.

Batman's attention returned to his communicator as he typed a swift message to Barry Allen, better known as The Flash. "Find Wasp," he instructed succinctly. "She's our link to Raven, and Raven might hold the key to understanding this Guardian."

In the distance, Kurama's whirlwind form clashed violently with Enchantress's arcane defenses, the collision sending shockwaves that reverberated through the night. Superman and Martian Manhunter hovered nearby, their combined presence a silent assurance of readiness should the battle escalate further.

As the team prepared to move forward with their investigation, Batman allowed himself a rare moment of optimism. The Guardian's mystery was no longer a shadowy enigma—it was a puzzle with its first piece firmly in place. And if there was one thing Batman excelled at, it was solving puzzles.

The winds howled as Kurama hovered in the stormy skies, his ethereal form radiating an almost unbearable power. His golden eyes glimmered with annoyance as Naruto's voice resonated in his mind, calm yet firm.

"Kurama, end it quickly. The heroes are already watching, and you know how troublesome they can be if they start connecting dots."

Kurama gritted his teeth, his frustration barely contained. "Affirmative," he replied, though a muttered complaint followed under his breath, "When will you decide to step out yourself? It's grating on my lifestyle."

With a flick of his hand, Kurama's control over the winds surged, a gale force exploding outward. The Justice League members, positioned strategically around the battlefield, were sent flying miles away, each carried by a carefully measured force that ensured no harm came to them. It was a precise display of dominance—a warning cloaked in restraint.

Recovering quickly, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest regrouped in the distance. Their faces were etched with a mix of shock and confusion, but Kurama ignored them entirely, his focus locked on the Enchantress.

"Our playtime is over," Kurama declared, his voice carrying an eerie calm that reverberated through the air. "It's time for you to sleep."

As he spoke, his hands wove intricate patterns in the air, manipulating the fabric of reality itself. Space and time bent to his will, forming a complex seal around the Enchantress. The arcane energy that emanated from her lashed out in defiance, but Kurama's mastery of his domain was absolute. The seal contracted rapidly, compressing her into a small, glimmering marble—a pocket dimension where her power was neutralized, and her influence contained.

With the job done, Kurama inspected his handiwork briefly before his form began to dissipate into the winds. "Done," he muttered, his voice lost to the breeze as he vanished without a trace.

In the aftermath, the Justice League gathered on the scorched remains of the battlefield, scanning the area for any leads. Superman's x-ray vision swept the ground, and Batman's advanced scanners combed through the residual energy, but there was nothing—no trace of Kurama or the Enchantress. The scene was an enigma.

"Nothing," Batman said, frustration seeping into his voice as he adjusted his cowl. "Not even a signature. Whoever or whatever that was, they erased their presence completely."

Zatanna knelt beside a scorched patch of earth, her fingers brushing against the lingering remnants of Kurama's power. "This energy feels ancient, yet... it's not magic. It's something else entirely," she murmured, her voice tinged with unease.

Wonder Woman's brows furrowed as she scanned the horizon. "Whoever they are, they didn't want us involved. That push was deliberate—calculated to ensure we couldn't interfere."

"Then we need to find out who they are and why they're involved with the Enchantress," Superman said, his tone resolute. "Whatever they're planning, it's not something we can ignore."

As the team shared their insights, Batman's mind raced. This was no ordinary encounter. Whoever this 'Kurama' is, they're operating on a level far beyond us. But everyone leaves a trail. Eventually, we'll find it.

With that, the Justice League regrouped, determined to unravel the mystery of the enigmatic entity who had appeared, completed his task, and vanished without a trace.

Raven had been confined to the Uzumaki household for days now, and although she knew she was under Naruto's watchful eye, she had also come to realize that resisting him was futile. The tattoo on her hand, glowing faintly, was a constant reminder of the extent of his control over her. It wasn't just a mark—it was a seal, binding her powers and actions in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.

Her decision to trust Mea had been her only option, but it had almost backfired, leaving her on the brink of becoming a pawn in Amanda's game. Despite the warmth and care she had felt in the house—where everything from the food to the accommodations had seemed normal and even generous—Raven's mind was far from at ease.

That night, sleep eluded her, and when it finally claimed her, it was a restless, tortured sleep. Horrific, guilt-ridden images from her past flashed before her eyes, but then, the dream twisted into something even more terrifying.

In her dream, a colossal figure of golden energy loomed before her. So tall that the sun itself seemed insignificant in comparison to his hand, Raven struggled to make out his features, the light radiating from him too intense to look at. The giant's gaze seemed to fall upon Earth, and she felt a chilling desire radiating from him—to obliterate everything.

'What is this?' Raven's thoughts raced. The golden figure's hand descended toward Earth, its purpose clear: to crush it, to end it all, to end her.

Her heart hammered in her chest as the figure's intention became even more apparent. The energy felt familiar, akin to the power she had felt from Mea's father. Is this him? Raven's mind reeled. But why does he want to kill me?

As the golden hand closed in, Raven felt the overwhelming power of the attack, but there was no pain. Just nothingness. A quiet erasure. She awoke with a start, drenched in sweat, her breaths coming in heavy gasps.

She quickly pushed the blanket off herself, panic rising in her chest. He wants to kill me because of Trigon, she thought, her mind racing. I shouldn't have trusted him.

Just as she stood, prepared to leave the room in her panic, Naruto's calm voice rang through the air.

"Sit down, Raven."

Raven froze, startled. She hadn't sensed him—hadn't heard him approach. She turned to find Naruto sitting on the sofa, looking perfectly at ease in his casual clothes, his expression calm. There was no sign of threat, no malicious intent, but still, Raven felt the weight of his power in the room.

She instinctively tensed, her mind spinning with thoughts of her dream. "What's happening? Was that real?"

Naruto's gaze softened as he answered, his voice unwavering. "I had forgotten to block you from seeing anything about me. What you saw was my true form—without this body to contain it. And yes, I do have the desire to end you." His tone remained gentle, free of malice. "But there's more to it than that."

Raven's eyes widened. He really did want to kill me, she thought, the weight of his admission sinking in.

Naruto continued, "Mea doesn't know. What you saw is only one possibility. I'm still exploring other ways, other methods. You are a child, Raven, pure and untainted. I understand your pain and your suffering. We've both experienced loss, and I empathize with you."

His words lingered in the room, soft and sincere. "But you should not worry too much. Your life is a threat to this world right now. If I chose the easy way out… would you blame me?"

Raven flinched at his words, but he wasn't done. "You see, if others knew about your potential, you'd be dead by now. Except for the Justice League, perhaps. But they're not like the rest of the world—they would allow things to roam free, even filth like Trigon."

Raven took in his words, feeling the weight of them. My life is a threat to everyone around me…

Naruto's energy began to flow into the air, surrounding her, bringing a sense of calm to her turbulent thoughts. "Understand that my child's safety is more important to me than anything else. If it came down to it, I would sacrifice the world for them, without hesitation."

The words were blunt, but they carried an undeniable weight of sincerity. Raven felt herself slowly regaining control over her mind as she processed the message.

Shouldn't I die then? she thought, the question circling in her mind. For the good of the world, shouldn't I just let go?

Naruto seemed to sense her inner turmoil. He sighed and stood up, crossing the room. "I told you to calm down. Take in my words, but don't sink into depression. It clouds your mind, and I haven't given up. Why should you?"

Before Raven could react, Naruto closed the space between them and pulled her into a gentle, but firm embrace. At first, she stiffened in his arms, her body rigid with resistance. But Naruto didn't let go. His strength was unwavering, but there was a tenderness to it—an undeniable warmth that slowly broke through her defenses.

"Feel better now?" Naruto asked softly, his eyes meeting hers.

Raven looked up, her mind still racing, but her body relaxing in his embrace. She couldn't deny the comfort she felt, the safety and kindness he exuded. She wanted to stay in his arms, to feel that warmth for as long as she could. Unconsciously, she snuggled into his chest, her breath slowing as the night's terror faded.

"Yes," she replied, her voice quiet and calm.

Naruto placed a hand on her head, his touch light but reassuring. "Then rest, Raven. We'll see what the future has for us tomorrow."

With that, she fell asleep, her mind finally quieting, wrapped in the gentle embrace of peace—for now.