Chương 79: Chapter 1
Summary: His final words were "No more hiding." Command, curse or something else altogether? Naruto didn't know but soon all would learn some things are better left hidden.
Harley knew she was fucked. Fucked! Her squad and she were pinned down as men with automatic weapons rained down bullets. Their cover wouldn't last long. She could see the bullet indentations pierced into the heavy metal machinery she'd hidden behind. The bullets wouldn't hurt Clayface, King Shark was pretty durable but the amount of gunfire would still slow them down. Worst yet, Ivy hadn't awoken yet from whatever they'd injected her with.
'What should I do? I've got to get Ivy out of her,' she thought as she looked at her best friend/ maybe lover. When she'd heard Ivy had been kidnapped she was beside herself. Harley could admit she hadn't crafted the most solid plan but she also hadn't known who was really behind the abduction. If she, somehow, survived this she'd make sure he died slowly as she'd found someone she hated more than even the joker.
"Harley, we can't stay here for much longer," Clayface said. He wasn't wrong but stating the obvious wasn't helpful. He had a brain just like she did, why couldn't he be solution-oriented instead of just pointing out problems. That's like the person who only brings cups to the office function but eats more than their share of the brownies. No one likes you Sharon and you can fuck right off! Harley let go of the digression. She could, faintly, hear sounds of gunmen getting closer. If she could take one of them down and steal their gun she might have a chance to shoot her way out, her two big mopes getting Ivy out of here.
Steeling herself, Harley saw two bodies drop from above, the sound of the tossed object following after. Both gunmen dead, some kind of knife plunged into both of their foreheads. Soon, she heard more bodies dropping as those left alive stirred in confusion.
"It's coming from the corridor, aim there," one goon said.
"What's the point, I don't see no-" another one replied before meeting his end with a similar knife.
"What the fuck is going on?" Harley whispered shouted, the gunfire causing a ringing in her ears.
"I don't know but I am very intrigued," King Shark answered.
The henchmen completely shift their focus on the hallway, firing recklessly into the darkened passageway. But, inexplicably, the bullets reverse course, peppering the very people who shot them. The sole remaining thug tried to run away but a gust of air is felt and Harley's crew watches as the man's head falls from his body. Harley quickly grabs one of the rifles. Whoever killed all those men may have helped her but the enemy of her enemy was not her friend. That strange bedfellow shit was for heroes.
"Drop the gun, I'm not here for you, Harley," a voice said as a body emerged from the shadows. Roughly six feet tall, two-toned black and red pants with body armor to match. Knives holstered on either leg and a sword on his back. The most striking part of the outfit was the mask, all black with red outlines that make it look like a snarling fox.
"D-deathstroke?" Clayface asked.
"No. Sensei isn't even in this part of the world right now. But enough questions, get Ivy out of here. You won't run into any opposition on your way out."
"Why are you helping us?" Harley asked, gun aimed at the mystery man and finger on the trigger."
"My motives aren't mission-critical."
"Mr. Rifle says otherwise," Harley said. But soon felt the rifle split into two pieces. "How?"
"I'm running out of patience, do you want to save Pam or not?" the man said in aggravation. While her name wasn't a secret, no one called her Pam. Well, almost no one.
"Naruto?" she asked in disbelief. Ivy's computer geek boyfriend? It wasn't possible but as she watched him remove the mask she couldn't refute what her eyes were telling her. "How?"
"You are wasting time, get Pam out of here."
"While you do what?" Harley questioned.
"I'm going to make sure what happened today won't ever happen again," Naruto said.
"Harley, he's right, we should go," said Clayface.
"You two head out, I'll be right there," Harley replied. She was relieved when they complied. Now alone, she looked at Naruto, reassessing everything she thought she knew. "You've been keeping secrets, lying to Ivy."
"You really want to talk to me about lies, Harley? Really?" he asked, a stern edge to his voice. She went wide-eyed at the implication. "Look, it doesn't matter. Just… be good to her, Harley. And here," Naruto said, removing a key from a pouch on his leg. "Pam will know what this unlocks."
"She didn't mean… it just happened."
"I know. Sometimes flowers outgrow their initial environment. Just tell her not to feel guilty, these things just happen," Naruto said. His small, sad smile, the only hint of his true emotions, and Harley begrudgingly elevated her opinion of the geek. He was alright in her book. "Now, go. And if you break her heart I'll kill you." His smile widened at his last words, slightly unnerving the former sidekick.
"You aren't joking are you?" Harley asked. Naruto just shrugged and ran along, his business wasn't done.
Lex Luthor watched, calmly, as hired thugs were ruthlessly cut down; wholly unable to mount even a hint of an offensive against their assailant. 'Maelstrom, how fitting,' Lex thought. He was glad he left Mercy in Metropolis, it was better this way. Soon, the young warrior walked into his office as if he owned. Back straight, steps even, confident but alert.
"You had to know," the young man said. "You had to. I overlooked a lot, basically everything but you had to know this was the line you shouldn't cross."
"I thought once she cheated on you, twice no less, she was fair game."
"No, you didn't," Naruto said, not even mildly surprised Lex knew. He always knew.
Lex, elbows resting on the wooden desk, steepled his hands together as if he were deeply considering Naruto's words. "Let's agree to disagree," he offered.
"You only say that when you're caught in a lie." Lex laughed but didn't contradict the accusation.
"There are a lot of people that would label you a hero for what you're about to do. Maybe you should consider a career change."
"Do not put me in the same category as the pajama people. The only things more infantile than their morality are their methods."
"I'd have to agree but I've always been morally flexible."
"You can be just as rigid in your amorality as they are in their righteousness but we've wandered off-topic. I'm assuming you have some kind of bullshit, cost more than the GDP of the European Union, superweapon to defend yourself with."
"Of course, I am Lex Luthor. Genius mogul and supervillain. And you have a sword."
"I thought you'd have more guys."
"Life is filled with disappointments. It would shame me if I were one of them. Shall we get on with it then? I have pla-" Lex's sentenced died in his throat as he felt a hand on his shoulder and a small jolt of electricity leading to sudden cardiac arrest. He couldn't breathe, consciousness was leaving him rapidly but he needed to get this last bit out, his final words. "N… no more hiding," Lex said as he looked his killer in his eyes. Soon he closed them and slumped in his chair. Lex Luthor was dead.
Naruto stared out the window behind Lex. Gotham could be beautiful from the right vantage but Naruto didn't see that, his vision somewhere else. He briefly rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat while retrieving his phone. It only took two rings for the person to pick up.
"Master Naruto?"
"Yes, it's me, Mr. Wintergreen. Please oversee the relocation of my belongings back to Metropolis. I will be leaving Gotham within the hour."
"Of course, Master Naruto, it will be done. Do you require anything else?"
"Not now but in the coming days. I'll see you in Metropolis. Bye."
"Goodbye, sir."
Two hours later, eyelids that felt as heavy as boulders struggled to open but her persistence was rewarded when she stared into the blue eyes of her heart's desire. Ivy smiled. "You saved me," she said and watched Harley nod. Testing to see if her strength had returned, Ivy attempted to pull Harley toward her, successfully managing to kiss her. Harley was eager to return the gesture and did so before pulling away, confusing Ivy as she had.
"Not that I don't welcome your show of gratitude but there's something you need to know about your rescue," Harley started. "I had help."
"I assumed the boys helped and I'll make sure to thank them later," Ivy said, still unsure of why that was necessary to share. Harley shook her head, deepening the confusion.
"They were there, well King Shark and Clayface, but they aren't who I meant." Ivy watched as Harley got tense and started to play with her fingers. "When I learned you got kidnapped and by Lex Luthor of all people I was frantic. I-I didn't have the best plan, I just knew I needed to get you out. We managed to find you and started out but were discovered soon after. We got pinned down and I wasn't sure we were going to survive. Then that other person arrived and managed to kill all of the gunmen. He even deflected bullets and made a blade out of wind, I think."
Ivy couldn't think of a single person she knew that could do all of that and would to save her. She sensed there was more to the story and remained quiet so as to not cause Harley to lose her nerve. A very real concern as she sunk in on herself the more she shared. It was becoming concerning. She reached and grabbed one of Harley's hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. It seemed to settle her, somewhat as she took a deep breath to continue.
"To make a weird story short, it was Naruto. He's a meta or something and well trained."
"That's not remotely possible, Harley, and it isn't funny," Ivy said in a clipped tone. Her disbelief died when Harley showed her the goldenrod key. It was to a private area only Naruto and she knew about. "I don't understand," she whispered.
"He also knew about us. I don't know how but he did. Even threatened to kill me if I broke your heart," Harley finished in an attempt to get Ivy to laugh but she only looked crushed.
'Why did he never say anything? All this time, I thought he wouldn't understand; if he'd only been honest then maybe-,' Ivy killed the last of that thought. She knew he knew about her activities but she always felt like it was something she had to hide or keep separate. It started to drive a wedge as she never felt completely accepted by him, even though she knew he loved her. It left her open and that's how something blossomed with Harley. She didn't know how to feel. To regret it felt disrespectful to Harley, to not felt dishonest.
"I-I need some alone time. If he left me that key there was something there he wanted me to see. I'll do that and we can talk later," Ivy said. Harley nodded and watched her lover exit, slightly afraid of the thoughts Ivy hadn't shared.
The unexpected death of Lex Luthor sent shockwaves through the legitimate and illegitimate global economies. Nations wondered about their existing arms deals, cartels and terrorist cells wondered the same thing. Employees feared for their jobs, henchmen did the same. Lex was a uniquely consequential figure and his removal from the world was upsetting systems of order that had him as a lynchpin. Everyone knew change was inevitable, almost no one could predict what that change would be.
None were as sure, nor as trepidatious about the oncoming change than Metropolis's greatest protector. He sat at the large table where decisions about the Justice League were debated and voted upon by the original members. He was not alone, as the original seven, watched a broadcast waiting for a press conference. It was unknown who would be speaking, only that Luthor's longtime assistant had organized it to occur moments after his private burial ceremony.
Clark had an inkling of who it might be and give the way Bruce was looking at him, he must not have been hiding it well enough. He was saved by Wally pestering the detective.
"And you're sure there was no evidence of foul-play, Bats?" he asked as he munched on popcorn.
"I couldn't find any but that doesn't mean his death was natural. That it coincided with him abducting Poison Ivy is a little too convenient. Besides, Luthor was otherwise healthy."
"Did you speak with Poison Ivy?" John Stewart asked and Bruce shook his head.
"She was the victim, I could hardly shake her down over it. I also haven't been able to find her to even try."
"If it was murder, we may have a vigilante on our hands, one with no compunction about lethal violence. That is concerning," J'onn said, all nodded in agreement; all, but Clark. They heard the reporter, Melanie Mann say the press conference was about to begin and Clark had his suspicions confirmed when a young, red-haired male stepped up to the podium. His lavender eyes swept across the mass of press and onlookers but Clark could tell he wasn't fazed.
"Lex Luthor was a great man. He had over two thousand patents to his name before he turned thirty. Headed one of the largest firms in the world, employing people on near every continent. He funded scholarships and the arts, along with the occasional political campaign. He was a man of consequence. Lex Luthor was a great man but he was not often a good one. I should know this better than anyone as he was my father."
Gasps could be heard through the mics of the news organizations and while no audible reactions were made at the Watchtower, there were several surprised faces around the table. Bruce looked toward Clark and swiftly came to a conclusion. "You already knew, didn't you?"
"I will explain when he is done speaking," Clark said.
"My father adopted me when I was just a baby but kept me hidden to keep me safe and give me a chance to build my own name free of his shadow. Some of you may know me as the founder of UzuNami, inc., but I could not have launched my company how I did, when I did, without the resources my father granted me access to.
He was not a natural father but he was a supportive one, sparing no expense to help me realize my potential. He could be strict, funny, bullheaded, kind, understanding and so many other things. He was truly good to me and while we fell out I still loved him and I have no doubt he loved me, too. That is why it hurts so much that so much of his goodness seemed to be directed toward me and not the world. I believe my father wanted to be good, worked at it even; there was just always something inside him that worked harder to turn him away.
I say all this for two reasons; my father deserves to be understood in his entirety, the merits, and the flaws. It isn't easy, not even for me, but just like I can't forget his support and encouragement I also can't ignore the harm he's caused. The second reason is to state, unequivocally, changes will be coming. Lexcorp has been a great company. I want to see if it can be a good one.
That is all I wished to say, I will not be taking any questions at this time and I request you respect my mourning period. Thank you and good day." Clark turned off the television and saw six expectant faces staring at him, Bruce voicing the consensus thought.
"You knew Lex Luthor had a son and you never said anything?"
"Why would I have? Last I checked we keep information on people who have broken laws not on their relatives and certainly not children."
"Please, Kal, explain," Diana requested.
"It was about fourteen years ago, Intergang attempted a heist. It went south and a lot of people got hurt, some even killed before I got there. I overheard one of the members say something about Luthor's plan and nearly lost it. I scanned the city and couldn't find him. I opened my senses and eventually heard him. He was half a state away from Metropolis but I didn't care. I crashed through his mansion, not even noticing the lack of security measures and when I saw him he looked genuinely surprised but it quickly morphed into fury.
He wasn't the Lex I knew, he wasn't taunting or playing games. He came at me, barehanded and it threw me off. But I easily subdued him, however I hadn't paid enough attention to the fact we weren't alone, not until the strongest gust of wind I've ever felt knocked me away from Lex. It was followed up with a shock of lightning that felled me, momentarily. When I got back to my feet, I saw a much smaller version of Naruto in a defensive stance in front of Lex, holding a small blade. And I saw Lex's face. It wasn't smug or knowing or anything I'd expect. It was fear, he was afraid for his child.
Lex offered to surrender but Naruto wouldn't let me take him. He said if his father broke the law then the police could get an arrest warrant and they should have one for me for breaking and entering and assault. I stayed until the police arrived and left soon after."
"You had information on a meta, one under the control of Lex Luthor, and you didn't tell us?" Bruce growled.
"Yes. I did keep tabs on him, though. He enrolled in Caltech a year later, graduating in two and a half years and then starting his company. Lex's being arrested was around the time the two fell out and Naruto had minimal contact since."
"Naruto Uzumaki was dating Poison Ivy. You don't think that's relevant information?" Bruce asked.
"You said you found no signs of foul play, so no."
"You can't be this naive," Hawkgirl said. "A boy who can generate electricity and Lex dies of cardiac arrest. You think that's a coincidence?"
"I think our best detective said he could find no proof of Lex having been murdered. So, what else is there?"
"I want to question him," Bruce said.
"I wouldn't, at least not how you tend to question suspects. His two techniques were able to hurt me. The wind left a noticeable bruise and the lightning left scorch marks on my skin."
"Does he wield magic?" Diana asked.
"I don't know, I only know he has abilities but has decided against using them. He isn't a hero and I have no evidence of him being a villain. What he does have is a negative view of heroes so if we're going to talk to him you're going to use restraint.
"Mr. Wintergreen," Naruto spoke as he looked out the window over Metropolis. His penthouse overlooked the city, two-way glass surrounding the first floor of the spacious dwelling and open design. It was ostentatious, too much really but good for security his father said. The glass was bullet, missile, and enhanced strength resistant. Building security lived on the floor beneath him and only someone with the right clearance could get to the penthouse. Naruto didn't much care but it allowed Lex to sleep better so he didn't argue.
"Yes, Master Naruto," he replied.
"Any chance I can get you to stop calling me Master Naruto?"
"You haven't been successful thus far, sir, but no one can deny your tenacity," the older man jested. Naruto laughed in response.
"Fine. I'm going to be having a guest soon, can you please make sure she arrives unmolested?"
"Of course, sir, will there be anything else?"
"No, just insure she arrives and then knock off for the day. We won't need an audience."
"Very well, sir." Mr. Wintergreen departed and Naruto headed to the kitchen. He filled his electric kettle and set the temperature to 209 degrees. As it began to heat, Naruto retrieved a tea set and began, adding cream to the pitcher, putting the infusers on top of the cups and grabbing the honey. By the time he arranged everything on his coffee table the kettle alerted him it had reached its desired temp and there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," he spoke loudly as he filled the teapot with the hot water. His guest sat on the couch, not saying a word as he methodically filled the infuser with the hibiscus-citrus blend and then poured hot water into both cups.
"How are you, Pam?" he asked, breaking the ice or more like the flood gates.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a Metahuman?" she asked.
"Technically, I'm not but I won't rest on such a loophole. I didn't tell you because I didn't feel like it mattered to our relationship. I use my abilities when the need arises and that's it, outside of training."
"When do you train?"
"Daily. It helps. My abilities aren't innate in the way you might think and my skills can atrophy if I don't use them so I train."
"I noticed you started adding muscle mass about seven months ago," she said as she removed the infuser and started to prepare her tea.
"That was not the most welcomed development. I've always managed to keep my musculature pretty lean but I seem to be adding mass even when I don't want to. Haven't figured out why yet."
"Why would you care?"
"Because I don't want to look like a d-bag coder that got swoll because he used to get picked on. My industry is full of those, I'd rather not be their poster boy." Ivy let out a small laugh but her eyes were still sad.
"I started to pull away because I was tired of not being able to share my life, all of my life, with you. I felt like you wouldn't understand a significant part of me you just couldn't get and it turns out you would have understood."
"I would have been willing to try to understand you, regardless. I mean, I appreciate you not making me an accessory after the fact but you could have shared your activities with me. Especially since I already knew."
"You never said anything."
"Didn't feel like anything needed to be said. Or I assumed you'd figure it out that some of the trouble you garnered in the past wasn't coming now."
"That was because of you?" the ecoterrorist asked.
"There are some important people that know I'm a serious person," Naruto said casually.
"We could have been working together Naruto. We could have accomplished so much."
"Every one of my employees makes over 100% above the median income. Every building I own is or near zero emissions. I fund campaigns of people who are open to serious climate legislation. Your fight is a collective action problem. I am working with you."
"Within corrupt systems."
"Yes, within corrupt systems because those systems are how decisions are made. If you knew the right person to punch to solve things I'd go do it right now. Closed fists only solve so much and the real villains get to distract people with your deeds because people can't accurately gauge risks. I'm on your side, I'm always on your side even if I never blow up a chemical plant."
"Entrenched interests won't ever let your politicians go far enough. Half-measures are scarcely better than nothing."
"You may be right," Naruto conceded. "I have other projects in the works, some that may benefit from your brilliant mind," he observed.
"I'm not a 9 to 5 kind of girl, not anymore."
"You could be a consultant and fleece me like everyone else does." Pam giggled despite herself.
"Don't make me laugh, I'm mad at you."
"Even if you'd known about my abilities, you'd still be disappointed in my unwillingness to adopt your methods." Ivy, reluctantly, conceded the point but she couldn't get over the feeling things would have been different. "Besides, I don't want to be involved with the pajama people. How's Harley?" Naruto asked, rapidly changing the topic.
"You really want to know?"
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Naruto answered and Ivy squinted at him.
"Shouldn't you be mad at me or something?"
"I'm not happy you felt you had to leave, certainly not happy with you not waiting to screw Harley before you did but I'm not blind. I know you haven't been happy and while I tried to change it the truth was I couldn't. Harley can be the kind of partner you want, however, I may feel about everything else I can't begrudge you that." The 'I love you too much to,' went unsaid but Ivy heard it all the same.
Naruto scooted closer to Ivy and poked her in the ribs. "You never answered the question," he said as he poked her again.
"And I'm not going, perv."
"Perv? How did you arrive at that conclusion?"
"No one is that ok with their recent ex moving on unless they want some hot, lesbian sex deets."
"Ur, no. I went to a public university, I've seen enough same-sex sexual awakenings to last a lifetime."
"Oh," Ivy said, her face gaining a mischievous smirk. "I forgot you were a real slut in college."
"Excuse me? I was not a slut."
"You slept with your visiting professor."
"That was you!" he said with great indignation while pointing at her.
"You still did it, like some thot."
"Ew, don't say thot."
"Thot, thot, thot, thot, thot. Don't tell me what to do, thot."
"Oh, that's it," Naruto said with a mischievous smirk of his own.
Wally, Diana, and Bruce (in his jet) were following Clark to Naruto's. He used his x-ray vision to make sure he had the right place and saw Naruto suspended in the air, wrapped in a thick, green vine. He shared his observation with the team but cautioned he couldn't hear what was happening but that tidbit was ignored as Wally speed off and Diana increased her flight speed. He had a feeling that was going to be a mistake but let them go anyway.
He was proven correct when he arrived, Diana having busted the windows to gain entrance. When Superman touched down, Wally had Naruto's foot on his throat while his sword was pointed at Diana, she having withdrew her sword and shield to match. Ivy was situated, protectively, behind Naruto and the young man looked ready to cut down anyone that came near her. The situation was tense, potentially lethal, and needed to cool down.
"Goddamn, motherfucking, pajama people!" Naruto yelled, enraged at their presumption.
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