Naruto Multiverse

Raven stepped cautiously into Naruto's room, her usual calm and collected demeanor masking a tinge of curiosity. Mea had informed her that Naruto wanted to speak with her, and while she wasn't sure what to expect, the energy in the air hinted at something significant.

"I am here," Raven said, her voice steady yet slightly questioning.

Naruto turned to her, his expression unwavering. "Raven, I have decided to train you."

The declaration was simple, spoken in a matter-of-fact tone, but the weight of it struck Raven like a tidal wave. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn't anticipated this—training from someone as powerful and enigmatic as Naruto. The idea was both intimidating and exciting. Yet, a shadow of doubt crept in as she thought of her unstable powers. Could she control them under his guidance? Or would her powers bring destruction instead of progress?

Her gaze met Naruto's, and the confidence radiating from him was palpable. It was as though he had already decided the outcome, leaving no room for failure. That certainty washed over her, tempering her apprehension.

"When do we start?" she asked, her voice firmer now, tinged with determination.

"Now," Naruto replied without hesitation.

In the blink of an eye, the room dissolved around them. Raven felt the distinct pull of teleportation magic, and within moments, they stood in a vast, open dimension. The ground shimmered with a crystalline texture, reflecting the cosmos above—a swirling expanse of stars, nebulae, and endless voids. The air thrummed with energy, pure and raw, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

Naruto stood at the center of it all, his presence commanding, as if he were the very axis of this dimension. Raven instinctively stepped closer, her senses overwhelmed by the sheer scale and intensity of the environment.

"This place will be our training ground," Naruto explained. "It's a realm outside of time and space, where your powers can be unleashed without consequence. Here, you can tap into your potential without fear of harming others."

Raven nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "What's the first step?"

Naruto's gaze sharpened. "Control. Your powers are immense, but without discipline, they are a double-edged sword. Show me what you can do."

Raven hesitated for only a moment before raising her hands. Dark tendrils of energy began to weave around her fingers, forming a sphere of pure shadow. It pulsed with power, chaotic and unstable, mirroring her inner turmoil. As she poured more energy into it, the sphere began to crackle and distort, threatening to spiral out of control.

"Enough," Naruto said firmly, raising a hand. Instantly, the sphere dissolved, the energy dispersing harmlessly into the air.

Raven looked at him, her expression conflicted. "I told you... my powers are unstable."

Naruto's lips curled into a faint smile. "That's because you're trying to fight them. Your power isn't the enemy, Raven. It's a part of you. Embrace it, and you'll find that control isn't about suppression—it's about harmony."

Over the next few hours, Naruto guided Raven through a series of exercises designed to help her connect with her magic on a deeper level. He showed her how to channel her emotions, using them as fuel rather than obstacles. Under his guidance, the once-chaotic tendrils of her power began to flow more smoothly, responding to her will with increasing precision.

For the first time, Raven felt a glimmer of hope. The storm within her was still there, but it no longer felt like an enemy. With Naruto's help, she was beginning to see it as a source of strength—a reservoir of potential waiting to be unleashed.

As they paused for a moment of rest, Raven turned to Naruto, her expression thoughtful. "Why are you doing this? Why train me?"

Naruto looked at her, his gaze unreadable. "Because I see potential in you. You have the power to change the world, Raven. But power without control is a disaster waiting to happen. I won't let you be consumed by it—not when you can rise above it."

Raven nodded, her resolve hardening. "Thank you. I won't waste this opportunity."

Naruto gave her a rare, approving smile. "Good. Now let's get back to work. This is only the beginning."

As they resumed training, Raven couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose she hadn't known before. For the first time, the darkness within her didn't feel like a curse—it felt like a gift, one she was finally ready to embrace.

On the Watchtower, Kara's arrival was abrupt, her face pale and her breathing uneven. The tension in her posture was clear as she walked into the meeting room where Clark and the main members of the Justice League—sans Diana—were gathered.

Clark immediately noticed her distress. "What happened?" he asked gently, concern evident in his tone.

Kara glanced around, realizing they weren't aware of the calamity. "Did you not see that giant demon attacking Gotham?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"What?" Batman stood abruptly, his eyes narrowing.

Kara's shoulders sagged. Of course—they couldn't have seen it. The barrier that had encased the city must have blocked their view of the chaos. Taking a deep breath, she relayed the events as succinctly as she could, though she chose to omit certain details out of respect for those involved.

"Gotham was attacked by a demon named Trigon. He killed everything, everyone, and I was about to die too... but I survived because the Guardian intervened. He killed Trigon's vessel."

Clark's expression darkened with a mix of horror and relief. In an instant, he crossed the room and embraced Kara tightly, his hands trembling. "Thank immortal you're safe. I don't know what I would have done if..." His voice faltered as the weight of what could have been crushed him.

Batman, however, had already started analyzing the situation. "This is an emergency," he said, his voice cold and calculating. "Trigon isn't just any threat. He's a conqueror of worlds and a destroyer of civilizations. His power is unimaginable, and it's no coincidence that higher forces locked him into his own realm.

"We're not prepared for this. Not yet. Superman, I suggest you take immediate action to maximize your strength. Immerse yourself in the sun until we call you. It's risky, but it's our best shot to ensure you can match him if the need arises."

Clark turned to Batman, his jaw tight. For a moment, he considered arguing, but he knew Bruce was right. He hadn't reached his full potential despite his usual exertion in battle. If there was even a chance that this would give him the edge they needed, he had to try.

"I'll do it," he said firmly, then turned to Kara. "And you're coming with me."

Kara met his gaze and nodded after a moment of contemplation. "Okay, but I need to take care of something first."

Clark studied her determined expression, understanding that whatever it was, it mattered deeply to her. He nodded. "Don't take too long."

He turned back to the League. "I'll be leaving now. John, you're in charge. Be careful." Without another word, he stepped to the Watchtower's teleporter, disappearing in a flash of light before soaring toward the sun.

Batman's analytical mind was already racing. His voice was steady but firm. "Does anyone have ways to strengthen themselves further? We need to account for every variable."

Zatanna stepped forward, her usual confident demeanor giving way to grim determination. "I know what kind of threat Trigon is. There are drastic measures I can take, but I'll need time. I'm leaving now."

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and left, disappearing into the hallways of the Watchtower.

The Flash, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, nodded. The playful light in his eyes was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness. "I've got an idea. It's not exactly heroic, but it might give me the edge we need. I'm heading out."

Green Lantern stood, his emerald aura glowing faintly. "I'll charge my ring and reach out to the Guardians. They'll know the gravity of this threat, and with luck, they'll send reinforcements or guidance. Either way, I'll find a way to extend my strength."

Batman watched them leave, his mind racing with calculations and contingencies. Every step mattered now. Trigon wasn't just a threat to Gotham or even Earth—he was a threat to existence itself.

"Let's hope it's enough," Batman muttered to himself before turning back to his data, already planning the next move.

Naruto floated in the endless expanse of space, his golden aura dimly lighting the void around him. The words he repeated—mantras of resilience—were meant to keep him grounded, a coping mechanism he had developed long ago when the weight of his choices threatened to crush him.

"I am bigger than this body.

I am meaner than my demons."

He repeated the lines like a prayer, his voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. The massive destruction he had unleashed weighed heavily on his mind, dragging him perilously close to the edge of despair. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in years, yet now, it clawed its way back, threatening to unravel him.

Kurama's voice broke the heavy silence. "And the people cried out, please stop, you are scaring me.

But I can't help this demonic desire,

So damn right you should be scared of me!"

The tone was dark, almost mocking, but Naruto could sense the intention behind it. Kurama was trying to pull him back, to remind him of levity amidst the storm.

Naruto raised a brow. "Seriously?"

"Hey, if you're going to keep repeating those lyrics, I get to join in," Kurama replied, his tone lighter now, deliberately playful. "Fair's fair, right?"

Naruto rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Just stop. You're tone-deaf, and your singing is atrocious. It almost made me retch."

Kurama chuckled, his deep laugh resonating through Naruto's mind. "Oh, big words from someone who's probably worse. If I'm tone-deaf, you're a walking disaster. Plants wither at the sound of your so-called 'singing.'"

"I wasn't singing!" Naruto shot back, his voice rising.

"Because you don't know how," Kurama quipped, clearly enjoying himself.

"Of course I know how!" Naruto countered, louder now, his pride stung. "I sang all the time when I was happy and excited."

The moment the words left his mouth, Naruto froze. The weight of that admission settled over him like a heavy cloak. He realized just how long it had been since he had felt genuine joy. His life, once brimming with laughter and carefree moments, had become a series of calculated decisions and burdensome responsibilities.

Kurama, sensing the shift in his mood, softened his tone. "Then why don't you sing to your daughters? Show them the happiness you feel for having them. They'll feel appreciated. Give them a genuine smile and a small gift—something real, something from the heart."

Naruto stared into the void, Kurama's words echoing in his mind. Hima's innocent face flashed before him, a stark reminder of what he was fighting for. His heart ached as he thought about the walls he had unintentionally built around himself, even with those he loved most.

"Thanks, brother," Naruto said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I need to go now. You're right—I've neglected too much. But let's talk again soon. I feel like it's been forever since we just… sat together."

Kurama's voice softened, carrying an unspoken promise of support. "I'll be waiting."

With that, Naruto closed his eyes and let his consciousness drift into Hima's mind. He could feel the panic and fear radiating from her. His chest tightened at the thought of how deeply she had been affected, not just by external threats but by his own shortcomings.

"I'm here, Hima," he whispered as he stepped into her mental space, determined to face whatever demons lingered in her heart—and his own.