32 Chapter 32 - Inner turmoil

'Shazam...I know I am asking a lot from you now, but please hold your own against Uzumaki for only a few minutes more.'

The one in question, however, was not feeling as confident in his own ability to deal with Uzumaki Naruto as the Green Lantern was.

'Come at me, Shazam...entertain me for a while before I kill you.'

Naruto was grinning but, because of how horribly burnt was the skin on his face, it only made him look even more terrifying. Pressing with the sole of his feet against the water, he abruptly plunged towards the caped superhero and slashed his crystal-like bone sword in a wide arc.

Shazam retreated, hastily dodging the deadly slash.

'Oi, oi...where are you running? Have you forgotten how cocky and how confident in your abilities you were 3 years ago? You even let me hit you once, on purpose.'

Through it all, Shazam kept his silence, looking at Naruto's black-lightning encased sword warily. Naruto was not aware of it but Shazam, despite being a lightning user himself, was actually quite vulnerable against lightning based attacks. It was a paradox, but nonetheless, it was one of his very few and quite unknown weaknesses.

'Not even speaking? What happened to you during these past few years? Huh?'

'Did your balls drop off?'

Naruto was taunting him because he could not follow Shazam around. Shazam was said to have the speed of Hermes, the Messenger of the Olympian Gods. Shazam was almost as fast as the Flash and he could also fly to boot. Even if Naruto were to be at his full strength, he would have no hope to catch Shazam if he wanted to escape.

'Then, if you don't want to fight me...I guess I'll just have to go and kill your teammates instead!'

With a lightning-based shunshin, Naruto's silhouette blurred out of existence, only to reappear a few feet away from Doctor Fate who was wildly releasing purple waves of magic in all the directions. He was doing it in a desperate attempt to ward off Galatea's relentless attacks - the waves of magic he was releasing were corroding everything they came in contact and Galatea got to feel it on her own skin if the burnt marks on her arms were anything to go by.

Naruto did not have enough chakra anymore to sustain his flight so, after teleporting there, he started to fall down towards the ocean. However, while falling from the position where he had shunshined, he swung his bone sword with both of his hands in a vertical motion. His teleportation and attack were so unexpected that it was only the great wizard's supernatural instinct that had saved him from death. Even so, the arc of black lightning that was shot from Naruto's swing of the sword was so powerful that when it collided against Doctor Fate's shielding spell, although it didn't break it, the wizard was violently propelled backwards and crashed into the water below. Just as he landed on the ocean's surface, Naruto started to sprint towards Doctor Fate, immense waves raising on the sides, in his passing. He was hoping to get to Doctor Fate before he could rise again into the air.

'The clone really seems to be unable to deal with powerful magic users. But, if I can finish off this guy, the fight will be over. The lantern, the winged chick and that coward won't stand a chance.' Naruto thought.

It was then that Green Lantern yelled at Shazam:

'For god's sake, what are you doing, Shazam?!'

John Stewart's shout was like a wake up call for Shazam. Naruto's killing intent and his powerful momentum had momentarily thrown him into a state of fear, bordering panic. Shazam may have the appearance of a wise and very powerful superhero but, inwardly, he was only a child. His will, his mentality had not been powerful enough withstand the pressure brought forth by someone as terrible as Uzumaki Naruto, even in spite of having been blessed with the Courage of Achilles. Utilizing Hermes' speed, Shazam abruptly launched himself towards Naruto, just as he was about to bring his bone sword down, to cleave Doctor Fate's body in half.

Naruto's eyes suddenly became slit and then, the pupils enlarged in a similar way to that of a cat in darkness. The world around him slowed down to such a degree that it almost felt like time stopped.

The effect of his Doujutsu only lasted for an instant...however, that instant was enough!

Letting go of the bone sword in his hand, Naruto appeared to have abruptly turned back. His lightning encased fist suddenly punched forward, colliding against Shazam's chest who had not been able to react in time and stop his flight.

A sound akin to that of thunder was heard and the water below Naruto's feet parted on a radius of 200 hundred feet around! It was the very first attack that Naruto had ever created by using his Black Lightning Release. He had trained it on the Prison Island for two years, demolishing in the process all the cliffs over the entire island. That said, the collision and the explosion generated by the release of his black lightning through his fist was so powerful that Shazam was shot backwards like a bomb out of a cannon.

And Naruto was not one to let that such a chance slip past him. With the last drop of chakra he possessed, he cast a final Shunshin, teleporting himself at a great distance, right in the way where Shazam's body had been blasted to, catching the superhero in a vicious chokehold...which proved to be the proverbial last drop that spilled the entire glass. Unable to hold on against the assault anymore, Shazam's magic faded from him, his muscular body reverting its true form. That of an ordinary 10 year old boy.

'Now who would have thought that!' Naruto said in genuine surprise. Captain Marvel being an actual child was not something known by the public. And Naruto had not known about it either.

Still, despite Shazam proving to be a mere boy, Naruto's chokehold did not lessen at all.

At that moment, a strange moment of stillness appeared on the battlefield, everyone turning their eyes towards Naruto, who was holding the little boy in the air, by the neck.

Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and Doctor Fate flew next to each other and Galatea came closer to Naruto.

'Uzumaki...he is but a boy! Are you black-hearted enough to kill even innocent kids now!' John Stewart shouted in anger.

Naruto stopped. He looked as though he was petrified. However, it wasn't because of John Stewart's words. It was because, while exhausted to the limit, his two chakra hearts still warned him of the powerful incoming life signatures. Not a moment later, the sky was lighted by a green radiance and, one by one, various silhouettes coated in a green light and wearing the same uniform as John Stewart started to descend. They were Green Lanterns. Over 2 dozens of them.

The newly arrived Green Lanterns also raised up their hands, aiming their power rings at him, looking like they were preparing to blast him to pieces. One of them, a purple-skinned woman with crimson red hair tied in a ponytail and ears similar to those of an elf spoke to John Stewart in an authoritative manner:

'You called so many of us here...what is this all about?'

John Stewart knew better than to try to be a smartass in that situation:

'These two...they defeated the Justice League's elites. They are merciless killers. Three of us had been murdered already, with 2 not knowing whether they are still alive or not.'

The purple-skinned woman's eyes narrowed at him dangerously.

'John Stewart...the Green Lantern Corps' main purpose is to deal with galactic threats. Beings that threaten the safety of the Universe or at least of an entire planet...you don't just call nearly 30 Green Lanterns from light years away to deal with a mere squabble!' she said sternly.

'I would have fallen at their hands too soon if you hadn't shown up!' John Stewart retorted.

Laira Omoto, a Green Lantern seen by everyone as one of the elites of the entire Corps, becoming greatly respected by her fellow lanterns, close to the same level as Sinestro, Kilowog or Saalak, after they found out about her exploits on her mother planet and her dedication for the Corpse. (1)

That said, when she spoke the words: 'This is not over.', John Stewart knew that she would make sure that the Guardians themselves would find out about this incident.

Leaving those last words to John Stewart, Laira Omoto turned to Naruto:

'For your own good, human, put the child down.'

Naruto glared at the newly arrived beings and cursed vehemently.

'That bastard must've called for backup...fucking piece of shit!'

It was then that Doctor Fate also spoke, his tone, however, more polite and kinder:

'Uzumaki, I know you are angry. But he is only a kid. And there are some lines that one should simply not cross. Just turn yourself in...these are the Green Lantern Corps, the protectors of the Universe. They won't treat you unfairly.'

Naruto's response was to spit down.

'Protectors of the Universe? To hell with all! You think I give a shit?'

Then, a burst of hollow laughter came out of his mouth:

'And this is only a kid?'

He laughed again, in the same, emotionless manner.

'A kid that could level an entire city if he were to wish it. A kid that can call down the lightning from the skies to strike one down...A kid that tried to kill me twice.'

'Only a kid? So what?'

Raising Billy Baston a bit higher in the air, Naruto strengthened his grip onto his frail neck.

'If someone tries to kill me or harm my family...do you think that I'll just give them a pat on the back?

'Be it a man, be it a woman, be it a kid, be it elders, be it a priest, be it a nun, be it the president of the United States...be it even a god...none of that matter to me! And none shall be spared. I'll fucking kill every last one of them!' Naruto screamed and then, his left hand sliced through the boy's neck, His head fell into the water, painting it crimson with blood. He had decapitated him.

Hawkgirl and John Stweart cried out in disbelief. Doctor fate was shocked silent.

'You...you killed him...you really killed him!' John Stewart screamed and a concentrated blast of green light was shot from his ring. As if that had been a signal, 2 of the newly arrived Green Lanterns also jumped into the fray, plunging towards Naruto, one with a gigantic construct in the shape of a hammer, the other one hurling a construct similar to a sharp disc, rotating at a high velocity.

More of the Green Lanterns were about to throw themselves into the fight, but they suddenly halted in their tracks when they saw how John Stewart's full-powered blast of green light was simply slapped to the side by the blonde woman flying at Naruto's side. Then, before the other two Green Lanterns could understand what was happening, they both found themselves flying backwards at a very high speed, unable to breathe. A fist and a kick dent were imprinted in their stomach.

In the meantime, Naruto formed a one-handed ram seal. The mental link he was trying to establish with Kyuubi was done right away, sign that the fox was getting closer to him.

'Kurama, I have somet-'

'I sensed their appearance, Naruto.' Kyuubi cut his words right away. 'And don't try to tell me now to run away and take care of your sister... Don't give me the 'last words' type of bullshit!'

Naruto didn't reply immediately.

'Then, if you come here, what will you do? Now, there are 30 Green Lanterns here. 31 together with the hardass. You being here won't change the outcome at this point of the game. You will die or get captured. It's all in vain.'

Kyuubi growled. But he didn't retort. In his mind, a fierce struggle was occurring.

'I used to be a bijuu...a towering 9 tailed demon fox...a force of nature...Tsunami were raised with a mere flap of my tails and the land itself quaked under my rage...'

'In this life, I am free...'

'But, is it worth it? What have I become?'

In his mind, a memory from the Prison Island played - the one when the Heavenly Tribulation struck. Back then, Naruto told him to run.

Then, when Supergirl's clone attacked, Naruto once again told him to run away.

And now, Naruto wanted to tell him the same thing - to run away; that he would be of no use if he were to come.

'Kuso gaki... in the past, how many times have I saved your ass from death?'

In his past life, Kyuubi had never outwardly shown it but, secretly, there was a certain feeling of pride at always having been the one on whom Naruto depended on in his darkest moments. In the current life, however...

'I have become so weak...so unreliable...'

Kyuubi gnashed his teeth.

'What use is for me to be free if I am useless?'

Kyuubi no Kitsune, a demon. Kyuubi no Kitsune, a being that used to be the embodiment of rage and hatred... the being that previously would have done everything in his power to regain his freedom... Now, that demon fox realized that, unknowingly, he had changed. Freedom was not what he treasured the most anymore.

'Damn it! Damn it!'

He didn't like being just an extra. He didn't like being weak! Kyuubi hated...not being needed. Although he had never admitted it to himself, he craved Naruto's friendship. Naruto was the only human after the Sage of the Six Paths that acknowledged him as a person. In a dark and neglected corner of his mind existed a fear that one day, when Naruto would not need him anymore, he would cast him away. Leave him alone.

Kyuubi finally let go of his past obsession. In his mind, his priorities were set straight. Focusing back on his mental link with Naruto, he said'

'Naruto...'

'Summon me!'

'...are you sure, Kurama?' Naruto asked quietly.

For one last time, hesitation crept at Kyuubi. In that moment, the demon asked himself honestly once again:

'What is more important for me? My freedom? Or Naruto?'

Kyuubi swallowed the node in his neck.

'I'm sure.' He transmitted.

At his answer, Kyuubi could feel the emotions Naruto's was feeling.

'...you've done so much for me, Kurama... I-'

'Just get on with it, for fuck's sake! Don't go all teary-eyed on me, shitty bastard!'

Kyuubi's colourful words were only his way of trying to hide his inner turmoil. The demon fox had never been comfortable with expressing what he felt.

Scene Break

'Uzumaki, how are you planning on dealing with all of them?' Galatea asked after pushing back the two Green Lanterns that had taken the initiative to attack.

She was confident in herself. She knew that if she were to flee, none of the Green Lanterns gathered there would be able to stop her. She also reckoned that even if she were to fight to death against the whole 31 of them, even in her weakened state...she was confident in killing them all before giving her last breath!

But Galatea was not alone. She also had to take count of the grievously injured Naruto. Because she had given him her word: 'I will help you...if you spare my life, I will help you stay alive.'. Until she saw them both out of this mess, she would never betray him.

Naruto, who seemed to be a bit distracted even despite their currently quite dire situation, looked at the sky. Quite a few clouds were floating peacefully but it was clear that there were no real chances to rain, let alone a storm to happen.

Turning towards her, he suddenly asked:

'What's your name?'

Although thrown off by his random question and also inwardly annoyed at him not even knowing her name, she answered:

'Galatea. My name is Galatea.'

Naruto gazed deep into her eyes:

'Galatea...will you trust me with your life?'

Naruto himself knew that it was an outrageous question - only a few minutes before, the two of them had been trying to kill each other. The circumstances, however, led to the two of them becoming allies. And now, their survival depended on whether they chose to fully trust the other or not. And Galatea understood that. A reluctant nod was the only answer Naruto got to his question.

'Can you fire one more heat beam, as deadly as the one with which you tried to kill me before?'

Galatea narrowed her eyes at him.

'I can. But that requires a great deal of energy. I would be too exhausted to even fly after that.'

As she said that, she understood why Naruto asked if she trusted him with her life - because if she were to do as he said, she would be rendered a helpless lamb in front of their enemies should Naruto decide to ditch her and run away to safety, by himself, after that.

In the end, Galatea thought of how Naruto had had her life in his hands...he could have just killed her. Yet, at her plea, he decided to trust her, all the while knowing that there was a risk of her going back against her words and try to kill him. His actions basically told her that, while they were allies, he trusted her. She felt rather ashamed of how she had been hesitant, despite him being the one to make the first step. Reaching that conclusion, she added:

'I will do as you say, Uzumaki... But don't betray me. The threats you made - I'm throwing them back at you.'

Naruto would have wanted to make a solemn oath to assure her of his sincerity but the situation didn't allow him that. Getting over their initial surprise at Galatea's show of strength, the Green Lanterns formulated an action plan and now, they were starting to make a move again.

'Use your heat beams to vaporize as much of the ocean's water as you can.'

Galatea's reaction to his absurd request was worth filming.

'I ain't crazy. Trust me this once and you'll have the opportunity to see things you've never even imagined to be possible! Things that nobody on Earth has ever seen in their entire lives!'

Although anxious, the Kryptonian was taught since her first days of life to never be indecisive. Since she decided to trust him, she would trust him until the end.

Galatea flew higher and aimed at the group of Green Lanterns. Their entire field of view was suddenly engulfed by a crimson red light. Most of the lanterns managed to scamper out of the way in time but 3 of them were not so lucky. Galatea's enormous rays of deadly heat vaporized their bodies before they even knew what was happening...even their power rings were destroyed! The heat beam continued on his trajectory, and steam suddenly filled the entire area of over 2 miles around them. It was so dense that nothing could be seen even 3 feet in front of one's eyes.

However, Naruto could sense Galatea's chakra signature. He could also 'see' how weakened she became and how she was rapidly approaching the surface of the water.

'She's lost her flight ability.'

Completely emptied of the solar radiation that her body had unknowingly stored during her admittedly short life, Galatea was now not much different than an ordinary young woman in her early 20s. Falling from that height into the water would kill her.

While Naruto was not aware of the secret behind the Kryptonians' god-like bodies and abilities, he did start to dash towards her falling body - his intention was to not let her drown. Because, Kryptonian or not, Galatea would drown if she were to fall into the water unconscious. He jumped and caught her safely in his arms.

While she had become dizzy from using all her energy to fire the heat beam, after Naruto caught her, she got a hold of herself.

'I did as you asked.' Galatea said, but she made no sign of wanting to hop down from Naruto's arms. She was feeling too weak. Never before in her life had she experience the feeling of being a normal human. It was like she didn't have enough strength to even lift her arm.

'Thank you. You will not be disappointed.' Naruto said, forcing his voice not tremble. The skin all over his arms and torso had been melted. A mere brush against his raw flesh would be enough to cause him unspeakable pain. What he was feeling while holding the blonde woman in his arms was pure agony.

'...you are in pain.' Galatea stated. It was then that she finally truly realized that the wetness she felt from his body was not seawater but blood...

'No, it's just an illusion. I actually like the feeling of having my skin melted and then submerging myself in seawater. Thank you!' said Naruto, a curse at the tip of his tongue.

'I'm not sorry.'

At her shamelessness, he couldn't hold himself back anymore and yelled:

'Fuck you, bitch! You want me to throw you and leave your sorry ass to drown?'

A rather smug smile appeared on Galatea's face:

'It's impossible for me to drown. My body won't sink into the water...not with these two big babies around.'

Naruto's eyes involuntarily were drawn to her large breasts. When he met her eyes in the next moment, he actually found a good side of having the skin of his face melted - he could not blush anymore.

The steam was starting to disperse and Naruto looked towards the sky. A dense blanket of black clouds was now covering it, making the light outside dim until it became a semi-darkness.

All of a sudden, a blinding white light illuminated everything and a moment later, a powerful sound of thunder boomed.

'It's time for us to test that theory - let's see if your tits can really make you float on the water.'

Although his words were sarcastic, he knelt on the water and let Galatea's body sink in gently.

'Try to hold your breath for as long as you can.'

By then, the steam completely disappeared. The Green Lanterns were all looking at the sky cautiously - none of them was dumb. They could feel that something unnatural was about to happen.

A roar was suddenly heard and the enormous head of an immense dragon-like lightning beast peaked from amongst the clouds. It was a Kirin! Shivers went down everyone's spine. The leader of the lantern did not even have to tell them what to do as they all instinctively joined forces in creating the toughest barrier they were capable of.

However, under their incredulous gazes, Naruto abruptly jumped in the air. It was when he reached the maximum height in the air that the lightning dragon roared once more and launched itself at Naruto!

Naruto's exhausted chakra hearts shivered in delight as the incredibly powerful energy that flooded them. The agonizing pain coming from all over his body also dulled when the lightning coated him. However, soon enough, his dantian and his meridians were all filled with chakra to the brim. He felt as though his body was going to burst any moment then. He started to fly, expelling large amounts of chakra, trying that way to lessen the burden on his body. Simultaneously, a shadow clone popped up, and dived downwards to retrieve Galatea - only a few seconds passed since he had told her to hold her breath.

As he flew above the ocean, Naruto took a moment to relish in what he was about to do. Then, he deliberately went slowly through the following set of hand seals - he wanted to fully savour that moment: boar - dog - bird - monkey - ram.

Placing his bleeding palm down, the air was suddenly filled with black fuinjutsu-like symbols. It was not necessary for him to shout, but he really wanted to:

'Kuchiyose No Jutsu: KYUUBI!'

A dense white smoke engulfed a large portion of the sky, obscuring everyone's sight for a second time.

While the Green Lanterns were wondering what was supposed to happen next, enormous waves were raised as a titanic body suddenly collided against the surface of the water! A roar like that of a primordial beast shook the atmosphere and the ocean's surface was stirred like by a hurricane. The smoke was blasted away and then, the Green Lanterns could finally see it... a colossal beast of over 160 feet in height! It was crimson red and 9 enormous tails were slowly flailing behind it.

For a few long moments, the Green Lanterns were stunned. It was only the simultaneous call that every one of them received on their power rings, at the same time, that woke them up from their stupor:

'Oa is under attack. All Green Lanterns are to come to defend against Sinestro Corps' invasion!'