Zetsu crossed his arms, clicking his tongue dramatically.
"Wow. Just wow. I risk my neck saving you two, and this is the welcome I get?"
Thena straightened, unimpressed.
"Hey, I didn't say you were ugly or whatever. I was just curious."
"You could've just asked," Zetsu shot back. "Not gossip about me right in front of my face. Do you have no shame?"
Thena opened her mouth to reply, but Nina cut in before she could.
"That's enough, Zetsu," Nina said calmly. "Thena, apologize and thank him for saving you."
Thena sighed.
"Fine." She glanced at Zetsu. "Thank you for saving us. If it wasn't for you, we would've died."
Zetsu huffed, then turned his attention to Terra.
"Oh hey," he said more lightly. "How've you been?"
"I've been alright," Terra replied. "Thanks for rescuing us. And… for that other time, too."
"Ah, don't sweat it," Zetsu said with a grin. "I'd do it again anytime. Can't say the same for her."
Thena rolled her eyes.
"Okay," she said. "Now can you tell me what you are?"
"Well, I'm Zetsu," he replied.
"I mean what are you," Thena pressed. "Because you're definitely not human."
"I am a Zetsu."
Thena and Terra slowly blinked at him, giving him the unmistakable are you serious? look.
Zetsu burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay,I'm kidding. Though honestly, I thought you'd recognize me right away. But I guess I can't blame you for forgetting."
He tilted his head slightly, his grin turning strange.
"You'll remember one day."
"Now, is there anything else now that they have seen me?" Zetsu asked, turning toward Nina.
"Yes, there is," Nina said. "You need to head to Nanda Parbat."
Zetsu blinked.
"When?"
"Now."
"…Seriously?"
"Yes," Nina replied flatly.
Zetsu sighed. "Huh. Guess this is goodbye then." He glanced at Terra and Thena. "But who's going to be on guard duty while I'm gone because i don't want max to strangle me when he gets back"
"Don't worry," Nina said calmly. "I'll keep an eye on them."
Zetsu smirked.
"Well, kiddos, you heard her. Uncle Zetsu's gotta go. So behave yourselves."
With that said, his body sank into the ground
The silence that followed stretched for a moment.
"I already do not like that guy," Thena said.
"You'll get used to him. Eventually," Nina said as she stood up. "Now, what are you going to do with all this free time now that you won't be going to school? And don't tell me you'll be training all day, every day."
"As if I'd train all day," Thena scoffed.
"Then what?" Nina asked.
"There's a lot," Thena replied, counting on her fingers. "Cinema, museums, amusement parks, the beach,stuff like that. I'll balance it with training though. I still want to get stronger. Strong enough to surpass Dad one day."
Nina smiled faintly. "Good. And you, Terra?"
Terra hesitated. "I… haven't really thought about it. I thought i would just tag along with Dad whenever I had free time,if he allows it of course. But since he's not here…" She trailed off, then shrugged. "I used to like drawing. Maybe I'll pick that up again."
Nina hummed softly, folding her arms as she looked between them. "You can tag along with me too, if you want, Terra."
"What do you even do all day, Aunt Nina?" Terra asked.
"My schedule is pretty monotonous, not gonna lie," Nina said. "Training in the morning,how long depends on my mood,then I grab some treats. After that, I either laze around or tag along with the Justice League."
"Do they even allow that?" Thena asked skeptically.
"No," Nina replied casually. "But I follow them anyway. I've even met the Titans a few times."
At the mention of the Titans, Thena's interest piqued. "Really? What are they like?"
"They're good kids. Strong too," Nina said. "Except their newest member,Robin. Edgy as hell. Annoying attitude. I could take you two to meet them sometime."
"I'll pass," Terra said immediately.
"Me too," Thena added.
"Are you sure?" Nina and Terra asked at the same time.
"Did I stutter?" Thena replied dryly.
Nina and Terra exchanged a look.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," Thena said, cracking her knuckles, "I've got more training to do."
"I'll be nearby if you need me," she added.
The air stirred. Leaves lifted from the ground, swirling around her,and then she vanished.
Terra stared at the empty space. "My senses are telling me she's up to something."
"She is," Nina said calmly. "Definitely."
Hall of Justice – Meeting Room
The meeting was already underway.
"So this was the real agenda behind the attack on the White House," Superman said.
"Most likely," Batman replied.
"So Joker's attack made things easier for whoever's pulling the strings," Green Lantern added. "Accelerated their plans."
"Yes," Batman said.
"Then let's go bust this guy," Green Lantern said immediately.
"We can't," Cyborg cut in. "Not without proof."
Batman nodded. "I know who's behind it. The new leader of the League of Assassins. But I can't prove it yet."
He turned, activating a holographic map. One location glowed.
"Nanda Parbat."
"Superman and I will go there and question him directly," Batman continued. "Cyborg, Wonder Woman,you'll meet with the president. Dig for inconsistencies. Classified files if necessary."
Cyborg's eye glowed faintly. "Got it."
"The rest of you stay on standby. Keep in touch," Batman finished. "Dismissed."
The holographic projections of Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Flash vanished, leaving only Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg in the room,those physically present.
Batman turned to Cyborg. "Access any restricted government files you need. Quietly."
"Understood."
"I can get you to Nanda Parbat faster," Cyborg offered.
"No need," Batman replied. "I'll take the Batwing."
Cyborg shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Nanda Parbat
Snow whipped across the jagged peaks as the Batwing cut through the clouds, its engines humming low as it slowed near the mountains and touched down on the ancient stone platform.
Superman stepped out first, boots crunching against ice. He scanned the surroundings before glancing back at Batman as the Batwing sealed itself shut.
"You know," Superman said, "we could've been here hours ago if you'd let Cyborg open a Boom Tube."
"It was unnecessary," Batman replied flatly.
Superman frowned slightly. "It seems we're surrounded."
Nine masked figures emerged silently from the snow, their presence sudden and precise. In one smooth motion, Batman whipped out a Batarang, his stance shifting as he prepared for a confrontation.
The assassins did not move.
One of them stepped forward and spoke calmly.
"Lord Pain has been expecting you."
Batman's grip on the batarang tightened.
Superman stepped forward instead. "Take us to him."
The assassin nodded and turned, leading the way.
They followed in silence, passing through the massive gates and into the heart of the stronghold. After several minutes of walking through torchlit corridors carved into the mountain itself, they reached a guarded chamber.
A familiar figure stood outside.
"Lady Shiva," Batman said.
"It's been a while, Batman," Shiva replied evenly.
"I thought you would never return to the League of Assassins," Batman said.
"Things have changed," Shiva answered. "As you might have noticed."
"And changed they have," a familiar voice said.
Batman and Superman turned.
From the shadows of the corridor emerged Ra's al Ghul, his expression calm, his posture composed.
"Ra's al Ghul," Batman said coldly. "I didn't know you would stoop so low as to serve an imposter."
Ra's smiled faintly.
"A small price to pay for salvation,something you have never understood, Detective."
He turned and placed a hand on the heavy stone doors.
"Now," Ra's continued, "Lord Pain awaits."
The doors creaked open slightly.
Batman spared Ra's one last glance before stepping forward. Superman followed.
Together, they entered.
End of Chapter
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Yo, what's up guys. Hope you're all doing good.
Recently, I made a notice about this fanfic approaching its climax and how I should start working on a new one. Your responses were… mixed.
Most of you want a My Hero Academia fic.
Some of you want me to continue DC: The Mercenary.
Others suggested Jujutsu Kaisen.
A small minority asked for the Monsterverse fic (which I've already explained why I won't be continuing).
And surprisingly… some of you want a Naruto fanfic.
Before we get into everything, I need to clarify a few things.
About a Naruto Fanfic
As things stand right now, I don't think I'm capable of writing a Naruto fanfic properly.
The verse is extremely complex, and if I attempted it, it would probably be filled with plot holes and inconsistencies. I don't want to deliver something half-baked just because it's popular. So for now, I won't be attempting a Naruto fic.
About DC: The Mercenary
Now hear me out before you panic.
I won't be continuing it in its current form.
Instead… I'll be rewriting it entirely.
I don't know when exactly that will happen, but it will happen. If you guys would rather see the rewrite instead of a brand-new fic, you can always let me know.
Changes in the Rewrite:
No more system (it's overused and messy to keep track of).
It will now be based on Young Justice instead of an AU.
The MC will have a fixed set of original abilities designed by me.
No anime- or movie-based ability templates.
I want something cleaner, more grounded, and better written.
For the My Hero Academia concept:
As a certified Naruto glazer, I thought of giving the MC Kurama's chakra.
Not Kurama himself,just his chakra.
It won't have Kurama's consciousness, but it will carry his malice and raw nature. The MC won't have another Quirk beyond that.and ninjutsu is also a no,no beyond the tailed beast bomb which will have conditions to use.
And before anyone says "That's too OP" - it won't be.
It'll be a slow-burn progression with heavy drawbacks, similar to what Naruto dealt with. The MC will rely heavily on:
Training,Strategy and Gadgets.
Also, I'm tired of the edgy hero trope.
This MC will just be a genuinely good person not in it for money, revenge, or forced circumstances. Just someone who wants to be a hero.
And now For a Jujutsu Kaisen fic:
The cursed technique would be Vector Manipulation.
Yes, I know what you're thinking "That's broken."
It won't be.
It'll have:Slow growth,Clear limitations,A short upper ceiling
No instant god-tier nonsense.
I'm still brainstorming, so I'm open to your ideas. Feel free to comment suggestions.
Advanced chapters of my Marvel fanfic are now available on Patreon.
However:
I won't be updating it here until it reaches at least 20 chapters on Patreon.
Same goes for the Naruto fanfic I'm currently translating.
If you'd like to support me and read ahead at Patreon.com/Darkerknight
As always, thank you for the support.
Let me know what direction you think I should take.