Young Justice: Kage

Chapter 9: Makeup

"Demon!"

"Monster!"

"Murderer!"

A punch sends a thug flying through the air. He slams into a building wall. Blood sprays from his mouth before he hits the ground unconscious. Naruto glances around to find all the Yakuza members knocked out cold. A few pictures are taken before he vanishes in a swirl of leaves. The ninja reappears on the roof of a building. It has been seven hours since he left the team. A mixture of emotions filled him that was driving him to be a bit rougher than normal with the criminals he came across. The first emotion that he felt was anger. Anger at the team for not trusting him. After everything, he had done for the team. He saved them from certain death at the hands of Red Inferno and Red Torpedo. If he had not shown up the entire team would be dead. How many times does he have to save them during a mission to prove that he is trustworthy?

A presence struck his senses. Naruto paused at the edge of the roof. He turned around to stare into the shadows of the building. "You can come out," states the ninja. Out of the shadows emerges a beautiful young woman. The woman is one of the most gorgeous women he ever laid eyes upon. She has high cheekbones, a sharp nose, green eyes like emeralds, and long brown hair. She wears a green and black full-body jumpsuit with matching gloves and boots and a white belt and holster with a small semi-automatic pistol. He has come across many kunoichi and heroines, this woman is one of the most beautiful he ever laid eyes upon. And judging from the way she moves with such confidence she knows of her beauty.

"You are good. Would you prefer to speak in your native language?"

Naruto's eyes dart around. "If your hidden partners make a move I will take you all down."

A smile forms on her face. She nods in acceptance. "I am impressed. It seems that the rumors about you are all true." Naruto stares at her with a blank expression. "My name is Talia and I come bearing a request from my father. We wish to offer you a spot in the League of Shadows. One of your skills and abilities would be at my father's right hand. You would be denied nothing."

"I don't serve those that are weaker than me."

"Yet you are on a team filled with those weaker than you including the team leader," replies Talia knowingly.

"Let me rephrase my comment if I were to become an assassin I would not do it under the command of another. My skills outstrip all your soldiers including you and your father. I would not need his assistance," states Naruto.

Talia gains a hint of annoyance at the slight to her abilities. Still, she knew that he was not bragging or being arrogant. This is a child with the abilities and strength to defeat supervillains like Mammoth and Grundy. Not to mention he humiliated the League of Shadows assassins during the peace summit. He ruined her father and Luthor's plan to use the summit as grounds to show off a new weapon to get the leaders of Rhelasia in Luthor's favor. In the end, Luthor managed to charm the leaders of Rhelasia but it took longer than desired.

Kage was not an opponent to underestimate. As much as she loved Batman, she knew that this young man was far better at working in the shadows than the Dark Knight. "Perhaps, but there is much about the world that is a mystery to you. And our organization is not as cold-blooded as you think. We seek to guide the world down the right path..."

"Save the speech, I have heard it before. You are not the first organization to seek me out for the power I contain." Well, that is not the entire truth. Akatsuki sought Kurama's strength, not his. "I no longer wish to speak to you. Leave," says Naruto.

A sigh escapes the woman. She snaps her fingers. Assassins surround Naruto. "You give me..." Her eyes widen as stone spikes rise to her and her accomplice's throats.