Naruto Multiverse

The words hung in the air long after Naruto had left. His advice was piercing and left an impression on Mera, lingering like an uninvited truth. She stood silently, looking out at the darkened waters, where the last ripples of the storm seemed to slowly dissipate into the ocean. The chaos that had consumed the ocean, the monsters, and the disturbance in the deep—everything seemed to settle in the wake of his visit. But something inside her felt unsettled, as if the calmness was just a brief reprieve before a deeper storm.

"Who are you?" Mera called out into the void, but the silence was her only response. The mysterious figure who had manipulated the situation, offering a solution wrapped in a moral quandary, was gone without a trace. His cryptic words had rattled her, leaving her with more questions than answers.

As the silence stretched, Mera's gaze returned to Arthur, still grappling with his own feelings of frustration. He had hesitated, and the consequences had been too great to ignore. Mera's heart ached for him, but there was something else now—a nagging feeling, a doubt that wasn't there before.

"Thank you for your help," Mera said softly, her voice sincere yet filled with the weight of uncertainty. She had been swept along by the storm of events, but now, with the danger passed, there was room for contemplation.

Arthur, still not meeting her gaze, looked away as if the guilt of his actions had become a heavy burden. His words were quiet, almost drowned out by the sound of water around them.

"I am sorry, Mera. I will not let this happen again."

Mera's eyes softened at his apology, but a small part of her felt something shift within her. His promise was meaningful, but his hesitation was also something she couldn't ignore. Arthur had been King for so long, but in that moment, his vulnerability and indecision had left a crack in the façade of his leadership. His hesitation had cost lives, and that fact wasn't so easily erased by a simple vow.

As Arthur swam away, determined to focus on the needs of his people, Mera watched him go. Her heart felt a subtle change—a shift that was so small, yet significant. The seed of doubt had been planted, and it began to grow, like a small crack in a grand structure. Is Arthur truly the best choice for a partner?

She thought about the weight of his kingship, the years spent among humans, and how it had shaped his decisions. Has he been too soft on his subjects? Has his time among humans dulled the edge that Atlantis needs?

Mera had always believed in Arthur—she had loved him, stood by his side, and shared his burdens. But now, as the waters around them grew still, her thoughts wandered, questioning things that she had never dared to consider before. Perhaps, there's more to leadership than what he's been taught. Perhaps he's too close to the humans, too invested in their ways of thinking. Atlantis is not the same as the surface world.

Her heart tightened as the doubts began to multiply. She shook her head slightly, trying to push them away, but the feeling lingered. What if I've been wrong? What if someone else could do better?

Mera swam away from the scene, her mind racing with uncertainty, the echoes of Naruto's words still fresh in her thoughts. "Don't be soft on your subjects... they will walk over you."

For the first time, she felt the weight of those words, and it made her question everything. Would Arthur truly be able to protect Atlantis the way it needed? Or was there something more to leadership, something she had yet to fully understand?

Her journey, like the ocean itself, was far from settled. And Mera realized, with a growing sense of unease, that the path she walked with Arthur might not be as clear as she once believed.

Naruto returned to his room, the air of the Green still hanging in the back of his mind as he was met with the soft, sweet voice of his daughter.

"Daddy, where have you been?" Hima's voice was full of innocence and concern as she looked up at him, her big eyes shimmering with curiosity.

Naruto's expression softened at the sight of his little princess. He walked towards her, his heart lightening as he scooped her up into his arms, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I was meeting Gaia for a job," he replied casually, his voice warm and full of love.

Hima giggled happily, the sound like music to his ears as she wrapped her small arms around him in a tight embrace. To her, the feeling of being close to her father was the greatest joy she could experience. Her world was one of simple, innocent pleasures—except, perhaps, for the darkness of her twisted thoughts that lurked beneath the surface, thoughts that her father would never know.

Was she flirting with Daddy? Hima wondered silently, her innocent mind unable to grasp the full weight of her feelings. But even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to rid herself of it, not with her father's ability to perceive her thoughts.

It's sad that Daddy makes it an exception with me when reading thoughts, she mused, a mixture of bitterness and longing filling her heart. But it's good in its way... or else, I don't know if Daddy would still care for me or if he'd just become distant.

Naruto, sensing a shift in her demeanor, tilted his head slightly, his expression softening. "What are you thinking?" he asked, his voice tender. "Don't worry, I'll always make time for you. I have clones for everyone else."

His words were an assurance, a promise that he would never neglect her. Hima looked into his eyes, her heart swelling at the love she saw there. She could see it—the progress he had made. The smile he gave her now was closer to the one he used to wear in his original world, before everything went wrong. It was a smile that held the warmth of his love and the hope that he was slowly healing.

Soon, Daddy will be back to his real self. He's been providing me with shelter and safety... and I want that to last forever. No one shall come in our way. The girls are mortal, and they will die. Then, we'll be alone... Hima smiled darkly, the twisted love she had for her father growing ever stronger.

"You're the best Daddy," she said sweetly, her tone filled with an innocent playfulness that veiled her true intentions. She continued, her voice quieter now, "If I ask Daddy to fight publicly with a strong fighter, will you do it?"

Her gaze locked with his, her eyes gleaming with both affection and something darker. She noticed the way his lips curved into a smile that made her heart flutter. Daddy, how you play with my heart...

Naruto, with no hesitation, met her gaze, his voice unwavering. "Why not? Who is it that you want me to fight, and how far do you want me to go?"

The lack of resistance in his voice spoke volumes. He had become too soft, too willing to give in to every request Hima made. He never questioned her, and the thought of denying her was something he couldn't even entertain. His obsession with her, his desire to keep her happy and safe, consumed him entirely.

"Lobo, he hurt my friend," Hima answered, her voice almost childlike, though there was a cold edge to her words. She spoke of Supergirl, the one person who had been nice to her, the one who had earned her genuine care. But anyone who crossed her father would become her enemy.

Naruto paused, his senses quickly pinpointing Lobo's location. The bounty hunter was still somewhere within the solar system.

"Anything for my princess," he said, without a second thought, as he gently set Hima down. He couldn't carry her in his arms forever. As much as he wanted to, it would only increase her dependence on him. "I'll humble him for you."

He could feel the twisted pride in Hima's smile as she watched him agree so easily. It fed into her sense of control, her belief that she could manipulate her father into doing anything she wanted. But Naruto wasn't fully aware of how deep his attachment to her had grown, nor the dangerous ground they were treading.

"Thank you, Daddy," Hima said in a happy tone, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "No need to hurry, though. The target isn't going anywhere."

With a playful bounce, she changed the subject, her mood shifting back to something lighter. "Now, I want to know... how do I look?"

Naruto's eyes softened as he looked at her. She had grown even more beautiful, a combination of innocence and something darker in her gaze. Her tank top and denim pants were simple, yet the way she wore them made them seem almost regal, as though she carried herself with a sense of authority that belied her age.

"Hmmm, you seem to have grown even more beautiful," Naruto said thoughtfully, his voice full of pride. He wanted to say more, to tell her how he hoped she would find a good partner one day, someone worthy of her. But the words stuck in his throat, caught by the strange discomfort that settled in his chest.

She doesn't want to hear such a thing, he rationalized, blaming Hima's displeasure for his inability to say more.

Hima, sensing his hesitation, tilted her head slightly. "Yes, Daddy?" she asked innocently, as if not understanding why her father had paused.

Naruto smiled at her, despite the weight of the thoughts swirling in his mind. "I hope you will grow even more beautiful and strong," he said gently, wrapping his arms around her in a tender hug. She hugged him back with equal force, relishing in the contact as if it was the only thing that truly mattered.

The father and daughter duo spent the rest of the evening talking quietly, the bond between them growing ever tighter. Eventually, they made their way to Naruto's room, where they settled down to sleep as they always did. But as Hima nestled into his arms, her twisted thoughts swirled in her mind, and Naruto remained blissfully unaware of the storm that was slowly brewing within her heart.

Raven sat at the dining table, feeling the warmth of the atmosphere around her. It was an odd but comforting feeling, one she hadn't experienced in quite some time. She had been living with the Teen Titans for years, and while their friendship had been invaluable, this felt different. It was peaceful, familial, and she could sense the love and care that radiated from every corner of the room.

"Good morning, I hope you had a nice sleep," Mea's voice broke the quiet, as she entered Raven's room, her tone cheerful.

Raven, who had been awake for a while and had already freshened up, nodded in response. "Good morning. It was a peaceful sleep, thanks to your father."

Mea's curiosity piqued, and she raised an eyebrow. "Father? Did he talk to you in the night?"

Raven hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to share. "It was nothing. He just wanted me to relax and not be stressed."

"Okay, then let's go eat," Mea said, her voice light, clearly satisfied with the answer. She led the way down the hallway, and Raven, feeling somewhat awkward but also grateful for the kindness shown to her, followed behind.

As they made their way up the stairs to the kitchen, Raven couldn't help but notice the peacefulness of the home, the way it felt like a true sanctuary. She wasn't sure she was ready to fully embrace it, but the quiet security was undeniable.

When they entered the kitchen, Raven was greeted by the sight of a large dining table, filled with an assortment of foods designed to cater to all tastes. Naruto sat at the head of the table, with Hima beside him on his right. The rest of the seats were arranged in a way that gave the table an intimate, yet open feel. There was a space left next to Naruto, a seat of honor left unoccupied. Cassandra and White Rabbit were seated further down, while Mea gestured for Raven to sit beside her.

Raven met Naruto's warm gaze as he nodded in acknowledgment. His kind smile seemed to put her at ease, a rare comfort that made her feel almost... normal. She sat down, quietly, feeling her nerves settle as the peaceful air of the room wrapped around her.

The conversation flowed easily, and Raven couldn't help but admire the way Naruto interacted with everyone. His fatherly presence seemed to bring a sense of stability and calm. She felt strangely at home here, despite the unfamiliarity.

"Good morning, Raven. I hope you had sweet dreams and enjoyed the safety of this house," Naruto's voice, warm and inviting, filled the air.

Raven looked up at him and smiled slightly, her voice soft as she replied, "Yes, it was a nice experience, Mr. Uzumaki."

Naruto's smile deepened. "You're a good friend of Mea, so you can call me Uncle if you wish."

Raven blinked in surprise, but the gesture felt genuine, not forced. Her response was a nod, and she accepted the offer with a quiet, "Thank you, Uncle."

As they began eating, Raven took small portions, savoring the food but also contemplating the odd shift in her emotions. She had spent so much time being self-sufficient, fighting alone, that this kind of normalcy felt almost foreign. She glanced around, noting the way the others interacted, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to feel something she hadn't in a while—safe.

But then, her gaze met Hima's. The girl's smile was sweet, but there was something in it that made Raven pause. She felt like she was being watched, and when their eyes met, Hima's smile only grew wider, more knowing.

Raven quickly turned her attention back to her food, feeling a slight unease settle in her chest. Maybe I am just too stressed, she thought, trying to brush off the feeling. After all, everything here seemed perfect. There was no reason for her to feel on edge.

But despite her attempt to calm her mind, Raven couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this family dynamic than met the eye. She had only just arrived, and already, she was feeling more connected to them than she had with anyone in a long time. But the unsettling feeling about Hima lingered, a nagging reminder that things were rarely as simple as they seemed.