Chapter 21: Choosing a Path

Naruto walks around the store trying to find any clue that will lead him to Higurashi's killer. It has been three days since the murder of the blacksmith. He knows that the chances of finding any hints are slim to none, but it is a chance he has to take. Pausing, he kneels down to examine a spot that smells of cleaner. This is the spot that Higurashi was killed. It is near the entrance. That means Higurashi had come out the back to greet the ones that had killed him. No doubt a trap had been laid.

"I shouldn't have let my anger get to me. Copperhead could have given me a lead," frowns Naruto. He thinks on the shinobi rules that he learned during his short tenure at the Konoha Academy. "Rule number one, a shinobi must never let his emotions rule their actions."

Disobeying the rules had led to the death of Higurashi. He may not have been the one to pull the trigger, but it is his fault that Higurashi is dead. Rule number six, a shinobi must never underestimate an opponent. A missing ninja does not operate with the same rules, but there is a set of codes that a missing ninja lived by in order to survive. Naruto used the shinobi rules and a set of his own to stay alive in the Elemental Nations. But since arriving in this new world…no since becoming a hero he had become arrogant. There is not a single opponent that he faced in combat that worried him. Sportsmaster, Copperhead, Deathstroke, The Light, Grundy, Wotan, and all others he faced in combat never worried him. Wotan and Black Adam are definitely on the same or greater level of power then him, but he knew if it ever comes down to it where he felt near death, he can escape them through the same manners that he dodged Akatsuki and Konoha for so many years. Having never suffered a defeat in this world made him arrogant and that caused him to be lax in his methods of avoiding detection. Revealing his true identity instead of creating a secret identity, walking out in broad daylight, and not taking the proper precautions to wipe away his scent when visiting Higurashi. It led to the death of a man that he considered to be a friend.

"Rule number seven, a ninja must never let down his guard."

A look of pure determination burns in his eyes. He will not make the same mistake twice. It is too late to hide his identity. So now he needs to send a message to all those out there that want to hurt him. A message that will make it clear to not attack those that are precious to him.

Mount Justice – November 30th

"Higurashi?"

Canary gains a thoughtful expression. She gives a shake of the head. "I am sorry, the name is not familiar."

Megan bites her bottom lip. "It is ok. I was hoping you knew something about it."

"What is this about?"

The Martian girl glances around to make sure no one else is around. "Five days ago, on Thanksgiving. We were all having a good time until Raven showed up. There was some type of incident in Tokyo that involved someone named Higurashi. I didn't read Naruto's mind, but he was extremely upset."

Canary can tell that Megan is worried deeply on the matter. The girl is a bit on the sensitive side when it comes to such matters, but there is something different. Megan came to her in private. Canary has a feeling that the girl is keeping the matter on the down low to maintain her friend's privacy. "Have you spoken to Naruto?"

"No," Megan lowers her eyes. "I didn't want to pry. Naruto doesn't really like to share his personal business. At least not if it involves his crime fighting."

"I understand." Canary gives a reassuring smile. "How about you let me talk to him? We will keep this matter to ourselves. I have been meaning to have a word with him."

Megan smiles gratefully. "Thank you, Canary." She flies off to find Connor.

A concerned expression forms on the woman's face. Canary knows Higurashi. He is the blacksmith that makes Naruto's weapons. Naruto spoke about him briefly. 'What happened?' wonders Canary. It is time to pay a visit to Tokyo. After she looks up some information.

Unknown Location

Talia hands a scroll to her most loyal agent. "I need this delivered, immediately." The man dressed in completely black garbs accepts the scroll. Standing up, he vanishes into the shadows without a sound. She soon vanishes into the shadows as well.

November 31st – Tokyo

Raven lands in alley. A bright light emits from a broken phone booth. Zatanna emerges from the booth with a slight grimace. "The League really needs to clean those things out. A little dusty for my tastes."

"You wished to see me?" asks Raven.

Zatanna gains a serious expression. "I did some investigating. Hanzo Higurashi, a weapon shop owner that was murdered five days ago. Any chance that happened to be the same Higurashi you mentioned on Thanksgiving?"

No response comes from the cloaked girl. "If you wish to learn more, you are speaking to the wrong person." Raven speaks in a surprisingly cold tone. "I will not betray Naruto's trust."

A sigh escapes Zatanna. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be so direct." Zatanna rubs her arm. It is a nervous tick she developed every time her dad left to go help with the League. "I am worried about him. I don't have to be a mind reader to know that he is not well."

Raven calms down. "He tells me nothing."

"Aren't you worried about him?"

"…Yes."

"Can you take me to him? I want to talk to him. It can't be easy to lose a friend. Maybe I can help."

"Do you know what it is like to have a friend killed?"

"No," admits Zatanna, "but Naruto is a friend. He helped me when I was in a dark place. I want to help him. Please."

Mount Justice

Artemis looks around the room. "I thought this was supposed to be team training. Where is everyone?"

"Naruto sent a message earlier that he wouldn't be able to make it. He is on a case," answers Kaldur.

"Zatanna took a zeta beam to grab Raven." Robin gains a slight frown. "That was about thirty minutes ago. The two of them should be back by now."

Connor folds his arms across his chest. "Where is Canary? I thought she was in charge of training this week."

Megan puts on a false smile. "I bet Canary is out doing League business."

"That is correct." Red Tornado enters the room. "She would not go into the specific details. I will be in charge of training for the day. Canary has informed me of your usual routine so we will continue from there."

"Aw man," groans Kid.

Japan

Canary waits patiently. She is currently on the roof of Naruto's most recent home. He switches between apartments each week. It is the ninja in him that prevents him from staying in one place for too long. A good thing the League doesn't pay him too much or he might have a hidden cave built.

A voice from behind causes her to jump. "You wanted to speak to me?" Canary turns around to see Naruto standing behind her. He stares at her with a neutral expression.

"How…" She pauses. There is no point in beating around the bush. Judging from the expression, he knows the true reason that she came to visit. "I heard about Higurashi." Naruto remains silent. "I know you must be feeling that it is your fault…"

"It is my fault."

"No, it is not your fault. You are not responsible for the actions of others," argues Canary. "The blame lies solely on the person that committed the crime."

Naruto stares out into the distance. "I may not have been the one to pull the trigger, but it was my carelessness that led to his death." Canary steps forward placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. The ninja turns to face Canary. "There is no need to comfort me. You know parts of my past, I have seen death many times. This is no different."

"Is that so?" Canary stares deep into his eyes. "I remember you told me that when you saw Artemis died, it made you extremely angry. It tore you up inside. Higurashi was a friend. You can't tell me that his murder didn't evoke no emotions."

There is no response. The silence lets her know that she is right. "I know you are angry. I am sure you want to find the one that killed Higurashi. But you need to be careful of the path you choose. Finding justice and getting revenge are not the same," warns Canary.

"In the ninja world, one doesn't acquire many enemies. Do you know the reason for that?" Naruto continues not waiting for an answer. "A ninja eliminates all threats in order to ensure survival not in the present, but in the future. Missing-ninja especially need to be two steps ahead in order to survive."

"Naruto, what are you saying?"

"The truth is, I am from a different dimension. Like Raven, I hail from an entirely different world."

Canary did not expect that. The woman remains silent needing a moment to process the new information. A hard expression forms on her face. "It doesn't matter where you are from. All that is in the past. This," she gestures to the city, "is your home now. You are no longer a ninja, you are a hero."

"I am well aware of that fact."

"Killing is not the answer."

Naruto shoves his hands into his pockets. "If the Justice League killed their enemies, the world would be a safer place. Don't you think?"

"Or would the world fear us like it does the villains?" Canary doesn't back down. "Do you think you are the only one who ever had such thoughts? All of us when first starting out have the same thoughts. But we have to be the role models. It is not our place to be the judge, jury, and executioner. We are not above the law. The Justice League is meant to serve and protect. Not punish and execute."

The two stare at each other not saying another word. It is a silence that doesn't last long. "It is not my place to judge. The Justice League is a great organization. Filled with individuals that are willing to risk their lives on a daily basis to save complete strangers. I would be lying if I said I didn't admire the work that you all do," admits Naruto. "I love being a hero. The respect and admiration that I receive from the people is something I have craved my entire life. But the death of Higurashi made me realize that I have been going about it in the wrong manner."

A frown forms on her face. "What are you trying to say?"

"Like I stated earlier, I am partially to blame for Higurashi's death. I made the decision to have no secret identity. I don't regret the decision, but I did not take proper precautions. I let my arrogance get the best of me. I won't make the same mistake twice."

Canary raises an eyebrow. "And what exactly does that mean?"

Naruto gives a shrug. "I am going to adopt Batman's method. I am going to make sure that my enemies fear me."

"No killing?"

"They can't fear me if they are dead."

"Try not to take it too far."

"I thought the only rule was no killing?" smiles Naruto.

Canary playfully ruffles his hair. "You know what I mean." She is relieved. For a minute there, she had thought he was going to choose a much darker path. As she stares at that smile, she knows that he is going to be alright. "By the way, I have good news." Naruto tilts his head. "It looks like your exemplary mission record with the team and deeds in Japan have been noticed by several members of the League. At this rate the two of us will be working together instead of you being my pupil."

Naruto waves dismissively. "Working beside you? I think that is a step down…"

"Watch it. I would hate to raise my voice. I know how hard you work to keep your home hidden," smirks Canary. The woman turns around. "I am going to grab a bite to eat. Don't skip out on the next training."

"Right," says Naruto. Once she is gone, his eyes harden.

San Francisco, California – 8:00 am

Zatara stares at the empty bed. A sigh escapes the magician. He really regrets teaching her magic at such an early age. She is getting good enough to even trick him. At this rate it is going to be near impossible to ground her. Perhaps it is time to speak to an old friend about using some modern day technology to prevent her from using magic at certain times in the day.

"That girl is going to be the death of me," sighs Zatara.

Tokyo – 10:00 pm

Zatanna falls back on the couch. "I can't believe you didn't take me to him. My dad is going to ground me and all for nothing."

Raven hovers in the air. Her legs are folded and eyes are closed. "Are you really so surprised?"

She rolls over onto her stomach. "No, I guess not." Zatanna smirks. "I guess it wasn't a complete waste. I got to know a bit more about you."

"Really?" Raven opens her eyes. "I do not remember revealing information on myself."

"You didn't have to. Just by the fact that you refused to take to me see him told me enough." Zatanna stares at Raven with a knowing smile. "Despite your 'I never display emotions or feelings,' I can tell that you take friendship seriously. Loyalty is important to you."

Raven remains silent not refuting the claims. The girl is surprised that Zatanna was able to read her so well. It is impressive.

In a swirl of leafs, Naruto appears in the middle of the room. Zatanna sits up with a smile. "Hey, I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up."

"Sorry, I had some business to handle." Naruto tilts his head. "But why are you here?"

"I can't come visit a friend?" smiles Zatanna. Naruto and Raven stare at Zatanna. "Fine, I came to make sure that everything is alright. I looked up Higurashi. I am sorry about your friend."

Naruto is not happy that everyone knows his business. He knows that Raven did not mean to leak such information, but it will not be long until others like Batman delve deeper into the subject. Soon there will be others checking in on him, not just Canary and Zatanna. On the other side, he is happy to know that he has such friends that are constantly looking out for him. "Thank you," says Naruto. "I am not at the moment, but in time I will be alright."

Zatanna smiles warmly, "how about I make us dinner? I am starving and I know Raven hasn't ate yet."

"Sure."

"Thanks."