Connecting the Dots--A Naruto/DCAU crossover

Adaptation

"THIS WORLD HAS RAMEN!"

A few days had passed since the attack by Dr. Light, and things had begun to settle into a kind of stability. To Robin's relief, most of the ninjas had followed the 'no-killing' rule rather well, and had handled the subsequent situations quickly and professionally. So professionally, in fact, that the Titans had more time to themselves than ever before. Though three ninjas and one Titan were always on call, the remaining eleven teenagers were free to spend time as they wished. Even Robin, their leader, could manage to sit here in a restaurant with some of them, listening to Naruto expound on the glories of steamed noodles.

"Oh, and the VARIETIES! Okay, so it's not as good as Ichiraku's, but man, they must have like sixty different kinds here! I could try a new kind of ramen every meal for a week and not finish them all!" Naruto practically cried as he stuffed another forkful in his mouth. "I knew this world couldn't be all bad." He murmured reverently.

Cyborg, seated just next to Naruto, let out a snort. "Thanks man. Glad to hear the place isn't a total letdown."

"You're welcome." Naruto nodded, utterly lost in ramen. "Ohmanohmanohman. It even has something called 'chocolate ramen!' Oh, I GOTTA try that."

Part of the reason Robin had agreed to go on this trip was to learn more about the blonde. Clearly, the rest of the ninjas respected him, but it was difficult to see why. He definitely had the power to be a leader—his battle with Superman showed that, at least—but planning? Charisma? Decisive action? The blond didn't seem to have them. Leaving his followers largely to their own designs, he tended to take on all the burdens himself.

Taking on burdens was an excellent attribute for a leader, but so was knowing how to delegate said burdens. From what Robin could see, Naruto seemed to inspire more than truly lead. But then Robin hadn't really seen much of him at all, outside of what daily observation and interaction (supplemented by footage of every moment the teen spent inside the tower) had provided. Hence, this quick trip to the restaurant. He needed to directly interact with the blonde, try to figure out what made him tick.

So far, all he'd learned was that the boy had a passion for ramen.

"Is he always like this?" he questioned the other occupant of the table.

In response, Chouji grinned. "Pretty much. He eats ramen all the time back in Konoha. Hey, what's this 'steak' stuff that the menu recommends?"

"Dude, you've never had steak?" Cyborg offered the chubby boy a grin of his own. "We have GOT to take you to a barbeque sometime."

"Steaks are like barbeque? THAT stuff I know about." Chouji folded up his menu. "I'll take two."

"You know about barbeque, but not steak." Robin frowned.

"Yeah, why?"

Shaking his head, Robin decided to let it go. These inconsistencies usually weren't worth the trouble. As he glanced up, he caught Cyborg looking at him. "What?" he asked, annoyed.

Cyborg ducked his head immediately. "Nuthin... Nuthin, boss. It's just... kinda weird to see you without a mask."

Shrugging, Robin answered, "It's a little odd seeing you without the cybernetic implants."

"It is." Cyborg agreed, looking down at his solidly human body. "Sorta... freaky, really." A spasm of pain crossed his face. "What'd you guys call this... thingie you can do again?"