Chapter 12

Naruto took a deep breath as he stepped back, watching Kara step forward for her turn. After everything he had gone through, all the tests and assessments, he was confident in his growth. He had proven himself.

But then Kara moved.

Or rather—she disappeared.

Naruto's eyes widened as his brain struggled to process what had just happened. His senses, sharpened through countless battles, failed to detect even the slightest trace of her movement. His instincts, honed through years of combat, screamed at him—yet by the time he even realized she had moved, the attack would have already landed.

It was terrifying.

For the first time in a long while, Naruto understood what it meant to be completely outclassed.

Kara reappeared in front of him, completely unscathed, her expression unreadable. Nothing in the facility could so much as scratch her body. The same metallic blocks that could withstand planetary destruction? Useless.

She walked over to the gravity chamber and, without breaking a sweat, lifted an object weighing equal to the entire planet. Naruto's jaw clenched as she increased the weight—doubling it.

He had seen raw strength before. He had fought monsters, tailed beasts, immortals. But this? This was different.

This was absolute domination.

He could see it now—the source of her power. Kryptonians drew their strength from the sun, and Kara had been absorbing solar energy for a year now. With every passing second, she was growing stronger.

"She might have more potential than Superman."

Naruto had heard of Superman before, but now he understood. Kara had stayed on Krypton until her teenage years, meaning her muscle density was naturally higher. Unlike Clark, who had arrived on Earth as an infant and developed his powers over decades, she had instantly gained hers upon arrival. Her body metabolized solar energy at an absurd rate, granting her power in mere days.

Her base strength alone surpassed Superman's current state. If they had grown up under the same conditions, at the same rate, Kara would have been stronger.

However, Superman had the advantage of time, experience, and years of battle. Kara, despite her overwhelming potential, would need decades to match his tactical brilliance. She would always be second to the Man of Steel—for now.

Still, Naruto felt awed. Humbled.

And yet, he also saw the flaws.

Kryptonians couldn't fully control the effects of their speed on the environment like he could. If Kara moved at full speed inside a city, the entire area would be obliterated by sheer force alone. He could already see how a fight against a Kryptonian could go—if they fought in a city, they would have to hold back.

Naruto smirked to himself.

"That means if I ever fight one, I have the advantage."

If he wanted to, he could escape into a crowded area, using the terrain against them. He could bombard them from a distance, force them to take the fight where they couldn't go all out.

Power was one thing—but control was another.

And that, Naruto realized, was his key to victory.

Naruto ran his hand over the smooth surface of the suit, feeling the cool, almost liquid-like texture shift beneath his fingertips. It was light, yet dense—stronger than anything he had ever worn before.

"This is made from Kryptonian armor," Veritas explained. "It's the same material Superman wears, except this one is adjusted for you. Clark approved its use, so you don't have to worry about authenticity."

Naruto nodded, appreciating the weight of those words. He had asked for something to help contain his power, to stabilize it rather than suppress it. This suit was the answer.

Slipping into it, he felt an immediate difference. His chakra flowed smoothly across the material, amplifying its natural durability. The armor adjusted to his body, fitting him like a second skin, yet never once restricting his movements. It was perfect.

Unlike Superman's classic look, Naruto's version lacked the cape and the outdated underwear-over-suit aesthetic. Instead, it was sleek, efficient, and uniquely his.

The entire suit was black, exuding a subtle, tactical presence, with orange spirals imprinted on the back—a tribute to his heritage. And at the center of the helmet, the emblem of Konoha was proudly displayed, a reminder of where he came from.

The helmet itself had been designed with additional functions, but Naruto had declined most of them.

"I don't want to rely on crutches," he had told them. "If I'm going to grow, I need to do it myself."

Even without the advanced Kryptonian technology embedded in the helmet, the suit alone drastically increased his defense. If enhanced further with his chakra, it could allow him to survive attacks that would normally take him out.

Naruto stretched his arms, feeling the flexibility of his new suit. The day had been long, but productive. He had learned so much about himself—his strengths, his weaknesses, and the terrifying scale of power he wielded. More than anything, he had gained clarity on what he needed to do next.

Looking at Kara and Veritas, Naruto smiled. "Thanks for all the help today. I really appreciate it."

Kara folded her arms, smirking. "You should. Not everyone gets to train in a place built for planetary-level beings."

Veritas chuckled, adjusting her glasses. "You've made excellent progress, Naruto. You can come back anytime for further testing. We're always improving our methods."

Naruto nodded but then added something that caught both women off guard.

"I'll come back again when I reach a higher level... or just to talk if you ever need company."

Kara blinked, tilting her head. "Huh?" That was unexpected.

Veritas raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh my, I didn't think I would hear that. Did my beauty finally charm you?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "No. I just figured sitting inside with your workers all the time could get boring, so I thought I could at least pay you back by visiting."

His reasoning was simple—he had seen firsthand how overworking could grind a person down. The Third Hokage had appreciated Naruto's antics because they had, in a way, kept him sane. If Veritas was constantly dealing with advanced tech and tests, it wouldn't hurt to drop by and lighten things up.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Veritas laughed, genuinely touched. "Well, then, I'll be looking forward to your visits."

Naruto gave her a thumbs-up. "See you later."

With that, he turned and walked off, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.

As they hovered high above Las Vegas, the city glowed beneath them like a sea of neon, stretching endlessly in all directions. The flashing billboards, the bustling streets, and the lively energy of the Entertainment Capital of the World were almost hypnotic.

Kara floated beside Naruto, arms crossed, her long blonde hair fluttering in the wind. "So," she asked, tilting her head. "Why Las Vegas?"

Naruto smirked. "I need to meet Zatanna for a request."

Kara raised an eyebrow. "Magic, huh?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, Kurama thinks I might be able to connect with my ancestor, Asura, and learn something useful."

Kara watched him for a moment, then grinned. "Alright, let's see what else you've got. You keep surprising me, you know."

Naruto chuckled, glancing at her. "Good surprises, I hope?"

Kara pretended to think. "Hmmm… mostly. You're almost cool enough to hang with me."

Naruto scoffed. "Almost? Please, I'm the life of the party. Just wait till you see me in action."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Right. Just don't do anything dumb that gets us in trouble."

Naruto grinned. "No promises."

The two of them began descending toward the heart of the city, where magic and mystery awaited.

The warm glow of the apartment's lighting softened the surreal nature of the moment, yet the weight of the revelation still pressed upon Naruto's mind. He sat on the plush couch beside Zatanna, while Kara lounged comfortably on the opposite side, legs crossed, her cape draped over the chair's armrest.

Zatanna had a thoughtful expression as she processed Naruto's words. "Interesting... so you are a reincarnation of your ancestor—without his memories, but with a loose desire to fight for the same cause as him. This means, no matter what happened, you would have stayed on the right path if he was on the right path."

Naruto leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment. Her words made him reflect on his own journey. Through all the hardships, all the betrayals, all the losses—he had never lost himself. Others around him had broken under the weight of the world, but he had never even considered stepping onto a darker path.

"It might have just shown me the way," he admitted, his voice quiet. "But it was still my choice to follow through."

Zatanna gave a small smile and reached for his hands. "Of course," she said, her voice smooth and certain. "It doesn't seem like it was complete control. More like... a nudge in the right direction."

As she spoke, she clasped his hands gently and channeled her magic. The air in the room changed—it felt heavier yet lighter at the same time, as if something unseen stirred in the ether. Kara sat up straight, her sharp Kryptonian senses detecting the shift before she even saw the swirling blue-white energy around Naruto.

Naruto felt his body grow warm as an unusual sensation settled in his chest. Something was being drawn out from deep within his soul. He had never imagined he would be doing something like this, but now that he was in the moment, he couldn't help but be curious.

Then, Zatanna's brows furrowed. "That's... strange."

"What?" Naruto asked.

Zatanna's eyes flickered with intrigue. "There's another soul inside your body."

Naruto's whole body tensed. "What?"

"It has clear sentience," Zatanna continued, her voice calm but serious. "And... it doesn't have any bad intentions toward you."

Naruto swallowed hard. He had assumed Kurama was the only one inside him since his father's lingering chakra had long since faded. But another soul? How was that possible?

"Can you bring it out safely?" he asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

Zatanna nodded and took a deep breath before conjuring a new spell. With a flick of her wrist, a humanoid body made of shimmering magical energy took form in front of them. It lacked distinct features, but it was a vessel, a temporary form for the soul to inhabit.

The moment the energy settled, Naruto felt a strange pull in his chest, as though something was being unraveled from his being. And then... the figure blinked its eyes.

A wave of nostalgia hit Naruto like a ton of bricks.

The face was soft, gentle, yet strong, with striking red hair cascading over her shoulders. The moment her eyes locked onto his, she rushed forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Naruto froze.

"...Mom?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

Kushina Uzumaki held him tightly, her arms trembling. "I've wanted to meet you for so long," she whispered against his shoulder, her voice thick with emotion.

Naruto's hands slowly lifted before wrapping around her, gripping her like she would disappear if he let go. His breath hitched. He had dreamed of this moment, but he had never dared to hope.

"But... how are you here?" Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kushina pulled back slightly and cupped his face, smiling warmly. "Your father wasn't the only one who left a part of himself inside you... I did too. It was a precaution, a final safeguard in case something happened to you."

Naruto's heart pounded. "You mean... all this time—?"

"I never expected to get a chance to live again," Kushina admitted, turning to look at Zatanna and Kara, her gaze sharp and analytical. Even though she had only just returned, her ninja instincts were already kicking in.

Zatanna gave her a reassuring smile. "It will work. Your soul will regain its strength. But..." She tapped her chin. "We can do better. We can provide you with a real body."

Kushina's eyes widened in surprise, then softened in gratitude. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

Then, her gaze shifted back to Naruto with a playful glint.

"Now..." she smirked. "Which one is your girlfriend?"

Naruto choked. "W-What?"

"You at least have someone you like," Kushina teased, crossing her arms.

Naruto fumbled for words. "I... I thought I did, but now I don't know," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

Kushina sighed dramatically and placed a hand over her face. "You're worse than your father in this."

Naruto groaned. "Mom, please..."

Kushina grinned, clearly enjoying this. "Life has just been too harsh and fast for you, huh?"

Naruto nodded, grateful she understood. "Yeah... I haven't had a single break in years. The only thing I've come to realize is what love truly means, but I never had the chance to find the right person."

Kushina patted his head. "That's fine," she said with a smirk. "You still have these two beautiful girls right here to pursue."

Naruto turned bright red.

"Mother!" he protested.

Kara, who had been silently enjoying the chaos, laughed. "Hello, Miss Uzumaki," she greeted smoothly. "I'm called Supergirl." Then she added, grinning, "And if you haven't noticed yet... you're not in your world anymore. Naruto got stranded here and is looking for a way back."

Kushina's playfulness dimmed slightly as her eyes sharpened with focus. "I see." She turned to Kara, taking a step forward.

"And what's your name, Supergirl?"

Kara chuckled. "Kara. Kara Zor-El."

Kushina observed her closely, her gaze shifting between Kara and Naruto. There was something familiar about Kara's attitude—a mix of confidence, warmth, and quiet strength. She could see why her son got along with her.

Naruto sighed in relief as the topic moved away from his love life. "Mom, can you wait a bit? I still have to work with Zatanna to recover my past life's memories."

Kushina nodded slowly, her mind already shifting into a strategic mode.

"I understand," she said. "We have a lot to talk about... so finish up first."

Then, with a mother's natural authority, she turned to Kara.

"You, come with me. I have some questions."

Kara raised an eyebrow, glancing at Naruto. "Guess I'm getting interrogated now?"

Naruto snickered. "Good luck."

Kara grinned. "Please. I handle Superman. I think I can take your mom."

Kushina simply smirked. "We'll see."

As Kara and Kushina moved to the side for their conversation, Naruto took a deep breath and turned back to Zatanna.

"Alright," he said, rolling his shoulders. "Let's get back to work."

The night was far from over, and Naruto's journey had just taken an unexpected turn.