Chapter 37

As Supergirl shot through the underground tunnels toward the open sky, she couldn't help but grumble to herself. Her arms were crossed as she flew, her lips pursed in clear annoyance.

"Veritas is totally flirting with him."

It wasn't even subtle. The way she smiled at him, the casual touches, the teasing—heck, she even held his hand behind his back like some lovestruck schoolgirl.

Kara let out a long sigh, her cape fluttering behind her as she ascended toward the surface.

"Okay, fine, he is kind of charming," she admitted begrudgingly. "He's got that whole mysterious-warrior-from-another-dimension thing going on. Plus, he's got that stupidly good hair and those eyes that glow whenever he gets serious… And okay, maybe he's actually kinda funny too."

Her expression darkened slightly as she remembered Veritas's overly dramatic performance about Naruto "taking responsibility" for her hunger.

"Ugh, she was laying it on so thick! Even for her!"

And the worst part? Naruto wasn't even rejecting it.

Well, not exactly. He wasn't falling for it, but he also wasn't pushing her away either.

That irked her for some reason.

"Is he actually into her? I mean… she's smart, she's mature, she's confident, she's got that whole 'dangerous genius' vibe…" Kara gritted her teeth. "Wait, why am I listing her good qualities? That's not the point!"

Her flight path wavered slightly as she shook her head aggressively.

"I'm just annoyed because—because it's weird, okay?! He's, like, my battle buddy! He sparred with me, he kicked my ass, and now some thirty-something-year-old scientist is looking at him like he's a snack!"

She could still hear Veritas's sly, flirtatious voice in her head.

"Well, I like you, and I definitely think my desire for you will increase every day… So how do you intend to take responsibility for that~?"

Kara's face scrunched up in disgust.

"Bleh! Who even says things like that?"

Even worse, Naruto's response had been so calm. He didn't fluster, didn't stammer, didn't even panic. He just blocked her head with his hand like it was a normal Tuesday!

"Seriously, does nothing faze this guy?!"

As she finally broke through to the surface, she slowed down, hovering over the city. The bright sun warmed her face, helping soothe her irritation.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly.

"Okay, whatever. It's none of my business if she flirts with him. I mean, he can handle himself, right? And it's not like I care who he ends up with."

…

Right?

For some reason, that thought didn't sit well with her.

Shaking her head one last time, she flew toward their meeting spot.

"Nope. Not thinking about it anymore. I'm just gonna enjoy the day. No overanalyzing. No caring. Nope. Not even a little."

…

But even as she told herself that, a certain blond warrior and a mischievous scientist were still annoyingly stuck in her head.

As the memories flooded back into his mind, Naruto blinked, his footsteps slowing as he processed everything that had just happened.

Veritas had been flirting with him.

Hard.

She hadn't just been teasing—there was clear intent behind her words. The way she leaned in, the way her voice purred when she spoke, the way she held his hand behind his back, and that final line…

"Well, I like you, and I definitely think my desire for you will increase every day… So how do you intend to take responsibility for that~?"

Naruto exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as warmth crept up his face.

"…Huh."

That was… new.

For the longest time, no one had ever looked at him that way.

Back in the village, Hinata had been the only one who ever liked him, and even then, he had been too dense to notice for the longest time. Aside from that? He had nothing.

The girls his age had either been obsessed with Sasuke or thought he was too loud, too reckless, too much of a loser. The adults barely tolerated him. Even after he became a hero, the admiration he received was respect, not attraction.

But Veritas…

She was smart, powerful, confident—she didn't need him. And yet, she was interested.

She actually liked him.

Naruto felt his lips curl into a small, genuine smile.

"…So, I'm not that bad, huh?"

For the first time, he really thought about it. Was he attractive? He had never considered it before. He knew he was strong—his enemies made sure of that. He knew he was respected. But as a man, as someone people might want beyond just admiration?

This was the first time he had ever felt that way.

And—he wouldn't lie—it felt kind of nice.

That realization made his smile widen.

Of course, he wasn't just going to jump into anything. He meant what he said—love was sacred, and he wasn't going to waste it on something fleeting. But still…

It was nice knowing that someone saw him that way.

Maybe he really was worth something beyond just his strength and status.

As Naruto continued walking, his thoughts lingered on Veritas's words. He had no idea what Kara had said after his clone popped, but that didn't bother him.

For now, he just enjoyed the simple, unexpected happiness of knowing that, for the first time…

Someone wanted him.

Deep beneath the Earth, in a dimly lit chamber, The Light held their meeting. Vandal Savage, Deathstroke, and Black Manta sat at the head of the table, Artemis and Aqualad standing at Manta's side. The mood was grim, the holographic images of the other members flickering as they discussed the latest developments.

The release of the Justice League members had thrown everything off.

It had been unexpected.

It had been unplanned.

And it had been caused by one man—the new variable that was proving far too unpredictable for their liking.

"His ability is unique. Cloning is nothing new, but his version allows him to act simultaneously in multiple places at once. The efficiency of such an ability is remarkable." Lex Luthor's voice carried through the chamber, his image flickering on the screen.

"We must consider acquiring him," Ra's al Ghul stated, his tone calm and thoughtful. "If we cannot control him, then we must remove him."

Aqualad's mind raced at the implications of what they were discussing. They wanted Naruto.

He didn't know whether to be concerned or relieved—Naruto had saved the League, after all, and proved himself more than capable. Maybe it was time to rethink this mission—

And then—everything went to hell.

Artemis's body moved before she could react—

With lightning-fast precision, two Narutos sprang to life, their eyes gleaming with mischief and certainty as they struck down the seated members with effortless ease.

One moment, The Light was plotting, and the next—

It was over.

"Huh." One of the Narutos tilted his head, watching as the powerful villains crashed to the ground, unconscious. "That was easier than expected."

Artemis, still in disguise, stared. "What the hell are you doing?"

The clone grinned, hands behind his head as if he had just finished a casual workout. "Taking them out. There's no point in letting you guys keep up this whole spy game when we can just end it here."

"The League is back. We just bagged three major players. This is a win."

Aqualad, recovering from his shock, took a deep breath. He wasn't even mad—Naruto's direct approach was so much simpler than his carefully constructed deception.

"This mission has lasted too long," he admitted to himself.

"Perhaps this is the best outcome."

Naruto, meanwhile, was examining the unconscious villains, his expression thoughtful. He recognized one of the voices from the meeting and instantly scowled.

Lex Luthor.

"Oh hell no, I am NOT letting that guy keep running around."

Unlike the League, Naruto didn't care about laws. He didn't need evidence when he already knew these guys were evil. What was the point of gathering proof when everyone with a brain already knew what these criminals had done?

"Pointless steps are pointless."

Now, the real issue was where to put them. He wasn't exactly prepared to hold high-profile villains yet. His prison world was still under construction—

Ah, screw it.

"Rimbor has a prison, right? Let's just dump them there."

It was an efficient solution, and Naruto was all about efficiency.

As he finalized the plan, the hologram of Ra's al Ghul flickered, his eyes narrowed at Naruto.

"You are a ninja, aren't you?" Ra's asked.

Naruto turned, his grin stretching ear to ear, his voice dropping into an exaggerated, almost theatrical tone—

"I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye."

Ra's al Ghul blinked.

Then the transmission cut off.

As the clones secured the prisoners, Naruto leaned against the wall, completely at ease, his grin never leaving his face.

"Man, I gotta say," he chuckled, "for an all-powerful secret organization, these guys really went down like chumps."

Artemis crossed her arms, exasperated. "You could have at least warned us before you dropped in and knocked them all out!"

Naruto gave her a carefree shrug. "Eh, where's the fun in that?"

Aqualad sighed, but for the first time in a long while, he felt relieved.

It was over.

And honestly? Naruto's way of handling things so directly was starting to feel like a breath of fresh air.

"Well, let's get out of here," Naruto muttered, adjusting his grip on the unconscious Vandal Savage, Black Manta, and Deathstroke like they were sacks of potatoes. With one arm, he effortlessly carried the villains, while his other hand rested lazily on his hip.

The other clone, still inside the underground base, cracked his knuckles with a wicked grin. "Time to hit the reset button."

With a single hand seal, an explosion of golden energy expanded from below—erasing everything.

As Naruto, Aqualad, and Artemis reached the surface, they turned to witness the spectacle—a massive golden dome consuming the hidden base.

Aqualad narrowed his eyes. "We could have hacked into the system. Extracted valuable information."

Naruto snorted, adjusting Lex Luthor's limp body on his shoulder. "Pfft, yeah, sure. And what? Found a bunch of fake files about how 'The Light is actually a humanitarian organization'?" He shook his head. "C'mon, you know they'd just feed you lies."

Aqualad sighed, but deep down, he knew Naruto was right. The Light was too smart to leave anything useful behind.

Naruto stretched his free hand out. "Besides, problem solved. No more secret base, no more plotting in the dark. Just three big-shot villains heading for an extended vacation in Rimbor's prison."

Before Aqualad could respond, a blur of lightning crashed into Artemis—

"Wally?" Artemis barely had time to react before Wally West tackled her into a tight hug, his voice a mixture of relief and overwhelming joy.

"You're okay!" Wally buried his face into her shoulder. "You're actually okay!"

Artemis hesitated for just a second before wrapping her arms around him. "...Yeah, I'm okay."

Naruto, floating above them, watched with a smirk. "Damn, and here I thought I was gonna be the highlight of today."

Then—the world shifted.

The surprises weren't over yet.

As Naruto prepared to leave with his prisoners, a massive broadcast hijacked every screen across the planet.

A group of tall, sleek alien figures with black carapaces and glowing blue eyes appeared on televisions, holograms, and digital billboards worldwide.

"People of Earth, we come in peace."

Naruto, still floating with three of the most dangerous men in the world dangling from his grasp, froze.

"...Oh, hell no."

Beside him, Aqualad's expression darkened, his hands tightening into fists.

Despite the League warning the world about The Reach, despite the evidence they had gathered—

The Earth's government accepted their arrival anyway.

Naruto slowly rubbed his temples. "Oh, I swear, if I don't get at least five minutes of peace before the next crisis…"

He sighed, glancing at the prisoners slung over his shoulders.

"Guess I better drop off the trash before dealing with this mess."

New York City—the city that never sleeps. The air was filled with the sounds of honking taxis, chattering tourists, and street performers putting on their best acts. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was perfect.

Naruto, leading the group, stretched his arms with a grin. "Alright, ladies! Today, we're going all out. Shopping, movies, arcades, bookstores, magic shows—the works!"

Beside him, Raven adjusted her hood, crossing her arms. "We should set some ground rules before we begin."

Kushina, already excited, clapped her hands. "Oh, my baby is treating us today? How generous!"

Naruto sweatdropped. "Wait, no, I never said I was—"

Kara, smirking, looped her arm around his. "Oh, come on, you wouldn't make us pay, would you? That'd be pretty un-heroic of you."

Naruto sighed, already accepting his fate. "Goodbye, my dear savings… I hardly knew ye."

The shopping mall was massive, stretching several floors with stores filled with everything imaginable—from designer brands to fast fashion, sneakers, accessories, and even a few quirky specialty shops.

As soon as they stepped in, Naruto got a bad feeling.

Kara cracked her knuckles, eyes gleaming. "Alright, let's get started!"

"Can we set a budget first?" Naruto tried, but his plea was ignored as the girls dispersed like ninjas into different sections of the mall.

He sighed, resigned to his fate.

Naruto was dragged into a trendy boutique by Kara, who immediately started picking out outfits like she was assembling the ultimate wardrobe.

Kara held up a sleek leather jacket, a stylish crop top, and ripped high-waisted jeans. "This is a 'casual but cool' look. What do you think?"

Naruto blinked. "Uh… it looks cool?"

Kara rolled her eyes. "You have no fashion sense, do you?"

"Hey, my jumpsuit is iconic!"

"Yeah, iconic for being an orange disaster."

Before he could argue, Kara pushed him onto a chair in front of the fitting rooms and started trying on outfits.

Each time she walked out, she struck a pose.

First outfit? A classy black dress with a silver belt.

Naruto's reaction? "You look like a CEO about to fire someone."

Second outfit? A sporty look—leggings, a cropped hoodie, and sneakers.

Naruto's reaction? "Now you look like you're about to boss people around at the gym."

Third outfit? An all-denim ensemble.

Naruto's reaction? "Okay, now you just look like a walking jeans commercial."

Kara smirked, hands on her hips. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Naruto grinned. "A little."

Meanwhile, Raven was somewhere else entirely.

Naruto found her in a dark and mysterious corner of the bookstore-fashion shop hybrid, flipping through a black trench coat with a thoughtful expression.

"You know," Naruto leaned against the display, "you kinda already have that exact coat on."

Raven arched a brow at him. "Yes, but this one has deeper pockets."

Naruto blinked. "That… actually makes sense."

She moved on, looking at dark-colored sweaters and boots, carefully selecting only one or two pieces.

"So, do you just automatically reject any color brighter than dark gray?" Naruto teased.

"Color is an illusion," Raven deadpanned. "But so is your intelligence, so I suppose we're even."

Naruto gasped dramatically. "Raven, I thought we were friends!"

Raven didn't even look up. "You thought wrong."

He chuckled. Yep, that was classic Raven.

Then there was Kushina.

She had somehow managed to befriend the entire clothing store staff within five minutes and was already joking with them.

"Oooooh, Naruto, try this!" She suddenly held up a bright pink hoodie with the words "Best Mom's Son" written in sparkly letters.

Naruto turned pale. "Mom. No."

"Come on, just for a picture!" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"I'd rather fight Pain again."

Kushina pouted before turning to the shop clerk. "Do you have this in orange?"

Naruto groaned. "Mom, please!"

But Kushina wasn't done. She grabbed a cool-looking red bomber jacket and tossed it to Naruto. "Here, at least try this. Something not awful."

Naruto reluctantly put it on, glancing in the mirror.

Kara walked past and stopped, raising a brow. "Okay, you actually look good in that."

Raven nodded. "Tolerable."

Naruto grinned. "Alright, I guess I'll—wait. How much is this?"

The cashier cheerfully replied, "$500."

Naruto choked. "For a jacket?!"

Kushina patted his shoulder. "Ah, my son, this is what we call 'fashion tax'."

Naruto sighed. Today was a losing battle.

At the checkout, Naruto watched in horror as the total price kept climbing.

Kara? Two full bags.

Raven? A modest two items, but still expensive.

Kushina? Bought things for Naruto and herself.

Naruto, staring at the receipt: "…I think I just died."

Kara patted his back. "You're a hero, Naruto. Take pride in your sacrifice."