Chapter 47

Ras Al Ghul sat patiently on the edge of the island, the waves lapping gently against the rocky shoreline. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting a golden hue over the water, yet the old man did not seem to be in any hurry. He had learned the value of patience over centuries, knowing that time was often the greatest weapon of all.

He had been waiting for Naruto.

The ancient assassin had spent centuries shaping the world from the shadows, attempting to purge it of its weaknesses, of its inherent corruption. He had watched countless civilizations rise and fall, witnessed the repeated cycle of greed, war, and destruction. His answer had always been the same: control. Humanity, left to its own devices, would never reach true enlightenment. They needed guidance—harsh, uncompromising, and absolute.

And then he had appeared.

A new force in the world, a young man with seemingly unlimited power and a vision of peace that Ras could not ignore. Naruto spoke of unity, of breaking down barriers between people, of a world where conflict could be resolved through understanding instead of war. It was a noble dream, but naïve, as far as Ras was concerned. The strong do not listen to words, only to fear.

Still, there was potential. The boy was powerful, far beyond any normal human, and he had a fire that Ras had seen in only a handful of people in his long lifetime. Given time, given the right education, Naruto could be the force that shaped the future—not in the fragile, utopian way he envisioned, but in the real way, through control, discipline, and strength.

A soft shift in the air caught Ras's attention, and he turned his head slightly as a golden blur appeared in front of him.

"Sorry, I was kind of busy."

Naruto's voice was calm, though his piercing eyes held sharp curiosity.

Ras smiled. "No problem, I am just an uninvited guest."

"You know I could capture you now."

"But you won't," Ras countered smoothly, his voice laced with confidence. "Because you're interested in what I have to say."

Naruto didn't deny it. The old man was right—if he wasn't even slightly curious, he wouldn't have bothered responding to Ras's letters.

"I have a way to help you," Ras continued, leaning forward slightly. "There is a scientist in this very region planning to poison the water supply. I assume this kind of problem is something you'd be interested in dealing with?"

Naruto's gaze didn't waver. "I already stopped him an hour ago."

Ras chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course you did. I expected nothing less."

With a simple motion, Naruto lifted his hand, and the earth beneath him shifted, forming a stone seat opposite Ras. The young man sat down, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.

"Okay," he said, "I'm all ears. Give me a reason to care."

Ras admired the efficiency. No wasted words, no pointless formalities. A man of action, just as he had hoped.

"Why so hasty, young man? We can get to the important parts slowly."

"We can do that after you convince me you're worth my time. Clock's ticking."

Ras allowed himself a small smirk. "As you wish. Let me start by offering you three things—three things that I know will help you achieve your goals."

Naruto gestured for him to continue.

"First, experience," Ras said. "I have lived for centuries, seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, learned the truths of humanity in ways no ordinary man can. I understand them, their weaknesses, their nature. If you truly wish to bring peace and harmony, then you need knowledge—not just power."

Naruto's expression didn't change, but Ras could tell he was listening.

"Second, my organization," Ras continued, his voice steady and unwavering. "The League of Assassins operates all over the world. You may have allies, but do you have eyes and ears in every corner of the globe? Do you have people who can remove threats before they escalate into chaos? My forces are disciplined, skilled, and loyal. You could use them, direct them, shape them to your will."

Naruto remained silent, his gaze unreadable.

"And finally…" Ras leaned forward, his tone lowering slightly. "The Lazarus Pits."

That got a reaction. A flicker of something in Naruto's expression—curiosity, caution, maybe even intrigue.

"I know you are powerful," Ras said, pressing the advantage. "But even the strongest warrior has limits. What happens when time catches up to you? What happens when your body begins to break down? With the Lazarus Pits, you need not fear age or death. You could live centuries, long enough to see your vision realized with your own eyes."

Silence stretched between them.

Ras watched as Naruto studied him, processing every word, every offer. He knew the young man would not simply accept his deal—Naruto was not one to be easily manipulated. But he had his attention now, and that was the first step.

From the shadows, Raven watched with careful eyes, ready to intervene if necessary. She had been wary of this meeting, but Naruto had insisted on hearing the old assassin out. That was just the kind of person he was—willing to listen, even to potential enemies.

After a long moment, Naruto finally spoke.

"You really came prepared," he said, his voice unreadable.

Ras smiled. "Of course. You are not a man to be approached lightly."

Naruto exhaled, crossing his arms. He had expected Ras Al Ghul to try and recruit him, but he hadn't expected such a direct and calculated offer. Everything the man had said did have value—knowledge, resources, longevity. He would be lying if he said the Lazarus Pits didn't intrigue him.

But the problem wasn't what Ras was offering.

It was why.

Naruto could tell just from the old man's tone, from his calculated words, that Ras wasn't offering this out of kindness. He wanted something in return. He saw Naruto as someone who could be shaped, guided, and potentially controlled.

And that… was something Naruto would never allow.

Still, there was no need to shut the door completely.

The conversation between Naruto and Ra's Al Ghul had reached an interesting crossroads. The ancient assassin, a man who had seen the rise and fall of civilizations, sat calmly with a knowing smile, his green eyes gleaming like a serpent's. The island air was still, yet charged with an underlying tension. Raven, watching from a distance, remained silent, her mystical senses carefully tuned to both men.

Naruto, seated on his stone chair, leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze locked onto Ra's. There was something about the old man's confidence that irritated him. It wasn't arrogance—no, Ra's was beyond simple arrogance. He believed in what he was saying, completely and utterly.

"And you're sharing all of this with me… why?" Naruto finally asked, his voice measured.

Ra's smirked. "Because our goals are similar, even if the means are different."

He leaned back, folding his hands together as if settling into a lecture.

"I have spent centuries looking for a worthy heir, someone capable of guiding humanity toward its next stage of evolution. For years, I believed that man to be Bruce Wayne, your Batman," Ra's said, his tone laced with both admiration and disappointment. "But he refused. His vision was too limited, his morality too rigid. He sees only this city, this country, never the world. He was unwilling to take the necessary steps."

Naruto didn't say anything, but he was listening.

"I once believed that, with my League at his command, Batman could have reshaped the world. But in the end, he remained shackled by his ideals." Ra's exhaled, as if discussing an old regret. Then, his lips curled into a faint smile. "Fortunately, fate had other plans. You came along. Unlike other so-called heroes, you think beyond the fight. You are not a mere soldier of justice—you are a visionary."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You sure know how to flatter someone, old man."

Ra's chuckled. "Flattery is for the weak, my boy. I am simply stating facts. You do not limit yourself to a single city, nor do you waste your energy chasing small-time criminals. You have a clear goal—one that extends far beyond just reacting to crime. You wish to change the world itself. And so do I."

The words lingered between them, carried by the sea breeze.

"Are you telling me that you've given up on your extreme methods in favor of my soft approach?" Naruto asked skeptically, narrowing his eyes.

Ra's sighed, his smile never faltering. "I want to see how much you can change people with a positive attitude. It doesn't hurt to try new things, does it? I have already tested many other methods throughout history. Some have worked, some have failed. But if your way is truly superior, then I will acknowledge it."

Naruto sat back, arms crossed. He had been prepared for Ra's to try and manipulate him, to lure him into some elaborate scheme. But this? This was different.

This was interest.

The old man was genuinely curious. He wasn't trying to force Naruto into submission—at least, not yet. He wanted proof.

And Naruto could respect that.

"Okay," Naruto finally said. "You got my interest. But we need final confirmation."

Ra's raised an eyebrow.

"Show me the base."

A moment of silence. Then, Ra's smiled. Not the smug grin of a man who had won, but the pleased look of a strategist who had cleared the first hurdle.

"Of course," Ra's said smoothly, rising to his feet. "I expected nothing less."

He had planted the seed. If Naruto's method truly worked, then perhaps he would reconsider his stance. But if it failed—if Naruto eventually saw the flaws in his vision—then Ra's would be there to guide him toward a more effective solution.

Ra's Al Ghul was nothing if not patient.

However, just as the conversation was about to proceed, Naruto's expression suddenly changed. His body tensed, his golden eyes narrowing as he turned his head sharply, as if listening to something only he could hear.

"Tch."

Raven immediately noticed the shift in his aura. "What is it?" she asked.

Naruto didn't answer immediately. His senses had flared, warning him of danger.

Superboy.

Somewhere, he was in trouble. And big trouble at that.

Without hesitation, Naruto stood up. "We're putting this on hold."

Ra's tilted his head. "An emergency?"

Naruto's expression was unreadable. "Yeah. And if you're serious about working with me, we'll see what you're actually willing to do."

With that, he vanished in a flicker of golden light, leaving Ra's Al Ghul standing alone, watching with intrigue.