Connecting the Dots--A Naruto/DCAU crossover

Division

Division

"No, the ninjas won't be down here until ten at the latest," said Mr. Terrific to Steel as he opened up the lab door. "Batman is going to collect them from their rooms and bring them... down... here..."

His voice trailed off. Inside the lab, sitting on every available chair, counter, and suitable computer, were the Konoha 11.

Steel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'm going to have to upgrade the tower's security." He nodded.

"What are you all doing in here?" asked Mr. Terrific.

"Did you think we wouldn't find out about it?" said Naruto, pointing at the projector. "You think that you could hide this sort of thing from us for long?"

Steel's eyes darted to the mechanism. It looked unharmed. "We weren't planning on hiding it from you." He answered. "We just didn't see the need to bother you until it was finished. In fact, Batman was going to bring you down to see it today."

"Ha! Likely story," snorted Hinata.

From his perch atop a filing cabinet, Shino nodded. "You honestly expect us to believe that, idiots?"

Mr. Terrific still stood, studying the ninjas, a peculiar light in his eyes. Steel, though, saw no reason to be so contemplative. "Look, guys, if we'd shown it to you earlier, you wouldn't even have gotten what it was supposed to do."

"On that note... what DOES it do?" Neji arched a curious eyebrow.

Before Steel could answer, Sai cut in. "Never mind. It doesn't really matter what it does, because the point stands that you're messing around with one of my best friend's body parts."

"As if they'd tell us the truth anyways." Chouji nodded his agreement. "Look, don't get me wrong, we got guys who mess around with that sort of stuff back home, but they're not exactly... well respected or anything."

Terrific finally broke in. "Yes, here too. But the damage had already been done, and it was our best chance." His eyes burned into Chouji. "If you're afraid of this device, I can tell you one thing, it won't run without your chakra. And it's not meant to hurt you. We were building it to send you home. If you all come back now, I can show you."

"Come back?" Steel glanced quizzically at Terrific.

"It's no good," said Neji, stepping forward sadly. "It's not just the device. All of my friends have been itching for an excuse to leave for weeks now. They're... they're afraid, you see. Afraid you were just using us. Manipulating us. Trying to work us to your own benefit without ever meaning to really help us." He gestured at the projector. "And then we find this."

"But we're the Justice League! We don't do stuff like that!" burst out Steel.

Naruto, just alongside Neji, shrugged. "Well, all we've got to go on that is your word, right? I mean, it fits with what I've seen, but maybe it's just what you want us to see." A sardonic smile crossed his face. "You don't get it. We're too different from you." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and continued, "In a way, I wish we weren't. In a way, you guys are an example of what I'd like the ninja world to be. But... well," he sighed. "We're not heroes. If you mean it, and I think you do, it's great what you guys have done, training us, trying to teach us your philosophy... It's great. I really do appreciate that, and I wish I had a better way to show it. But at the end of the day..." Shrugging again, he spread his arms plaintively. "We're ninjas. And we've got a job to do."