The stillness of the Lunar Villa was broken by Laura Klein's steady voice.
"I know you are here."
She eased her stance, lowering her blade with a graceful motion. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she willed herself to remain calm. Whoever had entered her sanctuary had not attacked her, and for that reason alone, she was willing to listen.
"My name is Serenity, the Moon Maiden, and I am the protector of Earth. Guest of mine, please, show yourself. I know you mean no harm."
Her words were gentle, but inside, she was drowning in sorrow. A small, fragile hope clung to her heart—perhaps this visitor was someone who remembered her. Someone who could tell her that she was not truly alone.
Hidden in the shadows, Naruto watched her carefully. Through his senses, he read her energy, emotions, and even the subtle shifts in her posture. She wasn't lying—there was no deception in her voice, only quiet despair.
He decided to step forward.
In a shimmer of golden light, Naruto appeared in his true armored form, standing tall and imposing. His pristine white and gold armor gleamed under the artificial moonlight, the intricate patterns carved into its surface giving him an air of nobility. Though he suppressed his energy signature to resemble that of the Moon Maiden, his presence was still overwhelming.
"Greetings, Miss Serenity," he spoke, his voice calm and regal. "My name is Paragon. I live on the moon as well, so when I came across this Lunar Villa, I decided to make a short visit. I hope you don't mind the intrusion."
Standing at an impressive height, Naruto towered over the young woman before him, who stood at only 1.7 meters. Despite his imposing aura, his voice carried warmth, a tone reserved for those he could respect.
Laura studied him with curious, star-like eyes. His presence was powerful, yet there was no malice in his stance. She searched her memories but found no trace of him. He was a stranger. A new figure in a world that had forgotten her.
Yet, as she peered deeper, her lunar-gifted sight unraveled his morality.
One of her powers, granted by the Hundred, allowed her to perceive the true nature of a person—to see their light or darkness. Her gaze confirmed what her instincts already told her. This man, Paragon, was not evil. His intentions were pure.
She exhaled softly, lowering the last of her tension.
"I don't mind your intrusion," she said with a small smile. "And thank you for your kind intentions. Would you like to join me for a drink?"
Laura had been alone for so long, lost in a world that had erased her. Speaking to someone—especially someone with no ill will—felt like a relief. She also had many questions, as she was unaware of what had happened in the five years she had been gone.
More importantly, if she had returned... then so had her enemy.
"I don't mind," Naruto responded, stepping forward. "Miss Serenity looks very glum, and I don't like such emotions in good people. Please, allow me to help."
He reached out and gently took her hand. His touch was firm yet comforting. He wasn't lying—Naruto despised seeing good people in pain. Negative emotions had plagued him in the past, and he would not wish such burdens upon others.
From his actions, Laura could tell that he could sense emotions. His mannerisms also revealed something else—he came from a noble background. Not someone pretending, but someone trained in it from birth.
She had met many leaders before, and Paragon carried himself like one.
"Thank you for the offer," she said, pulling her hand back gently. "But please allow me to decline."
"I understand." Naruto released her hand without hesitation. He had already gotten a feel for her power and how it functioned. His curiosity was piqued—just how strong could the Moon Maiden become?
"Thank you."
Laura smiled faintly, then turned and gestured for him to follow. She led him to the garden area, a beautiful space she often used to relax. The garden, tended by the ancient golems of the Hundred, was lush with strange, moon-blooming flowers and crystal-clear fountains.
"I will return shortly," she excused herself, leaving Naruto in the care of the alchemical golems.
The golems, silent as ever, moved to attend to the guest, offering refreshments. They were among the last remnants of the Hundred's knowledge—alchemical constructs designed to maintain the Villa for eternity.
Yet, despite their presence, the Lunar Villa was a lonely place now.
Once, it had been filled with wisdom, with voices of the past guiding her. Now, only echoes remained.
Laura took a quick shower, allowing herself a moment to collect her thoughts. She returned still clad in her combat attire—though she trusted Naruto to an extent, she had learned the hard way that caution was necessary.
"Thank you for your patience," she said as she sat across from him.
Naruto, seated at a small moonstone table, was sipping tea. Despite wearing his armor, he handled the delicate cup with effortless grace.
"No problem," he replied, setting the cup down with precision. "I was busy admiring the scenery. This place is beautiful."
He was not lying.
The Villa, with its Roman architecture and moonlit gardens, was truly a masterpiece. He had committed its sights to memory, appreciating the artistry behind it. Naruto had been trained in many things outside of combat—culture, leadership, and appreciation for beauty.
As much as he was a warrior, he was also a man who understood the value of elegance.
Laura watched him curiously. There was something undeniably refined about him, beyond just his strength. He carried himself with a level of control and understanding that few possessed.
She could tell he was someone with great ambitions. Someone who saw the world not just as it was, but as it could be.
Laura smiled at his previous remark, a genuine expression of warmth. "It is the best creation of The Hundred," she began, her voice carrying the weight of history. "They were a group of scholars and philosophers from the Roman Empire, devoted to peace in ancient times. They trained me to help the world."
There was a subtle sadness in her tone, an unspoken grief for those who were no longer here. Their legacy, however, remained etched in the walls of this place and in the heart of the woman they had guided.
Naruto could understand her sentiment. He, too, had many teachers—mentors who had shaped his path. He held deep respect for those who passed down their wisdom, for they were the foundation upon which greatness was built.
"They sound wonderful," he said, sincerity evident in his voice. "I wish I could have met them. I've always been interested in learning, though I must admit, I am curious—why have I never heard about you?"
His words caused Laura's smile to fade slightly. The question struck at the very core of her current existence, reminding her of the erasure that had taken place. She was someone who had been wiped from the world's memory, a ghost in her own history.
She composed herself, lifting her tea cup to take a measured sip before responding, "The answer to that question is delicate, so I am unable to share it with you… at least, not yet. I can share it if you win my trust."
Her eyes met his, their depth revealing a quiet challenge. If he wished to know the truth, he would need to prove himself.
Naruto's sharp mind immediately began piecing things together. There was more to Laura than met the eye. Her presence, her loneliness, the lack of life in this grand villa—it all pointed to something unnatural. If she had truly been erased from the world's memory, then someone had gone to extreme lengths to ensure her existence was forgotten.
And yet, she was still here.
"Hmmm," Naruto mused, setting his cup down with a deliberate motion. "What do you have in mind?"
Laura tilted her head slightly, her lunar eyes gleaming with intrigue. "What is your goal, Paragon?" she asked, activating her ability to perceive his truth.
Naruto did not hesitate. His answer was immediate, spoken with the certainty of a man who had long since decided the path he would walk.
"That is quite simple. I want to help humanity achieve peace and harmony under my rule. I could have cut that last part out, but that would be a lie." He leaned forward slightly, his golden gaze unwavering. "You've seen how the world is—divided under different forces, a chaotic mess. I intend to earn the love of the people and guide them to a better life."
His words held no arrogance, only conviction.
Laura had not expected such a bold statement. Many sought peace, but few declared their intention to rule. Yet, there was no malice in his declaration, no thirst for power born of selfishness. His answer intrigued her.
She took a moment before asking her next question. "What do you think of the average man?"
Naruto smiled slightly, leaning back in his chair. "I treat everyone in a fair and just manner. Their relation to me or their power doesn't matter. I don't look down on them—they have their roles, and I have mine. Some of my closest friends are just normal individuals."
His words reminded him of Iruka, of Teuchi and Ayame from Ichiraku Ramen—people who had no supernatural powers, yet held immeasurable importance in his life.
Laura studied him closely, her ability sensing no falsehood. His morality was genuine, his respect for others sincere. It was refreshing to meet someone so powerful yet still grounded in humanity.
"And what do you think of the Justice League?" she asked next.
Naruto chuckled, taking a small bite of a biscuit before answering. "I like them. I admire selfless people. And, if you're wondering, I'm actually part of the JL myself."
Laura blinked, caught off guard. "Really? You're part of the Justice League?"
"Yes." Naruto nodded, watching as her expression shifted from curiosity to pleasant surprise.
Laura felt an odd sense of relief at his words. The Justice League had been her allies, people she had respected deeply. Knowing that this powerful individual was aligned with them made her feel slightly more at ease.
For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to hope.
Perhaps, this unexpected meeting was not mere coincidence.
The moonlit garden of the Lunar Villa stood as a silent witness to the conversation between two remarkable individuals. The air was calm, and the distant hum of the cosmos filled the background like a melody only they could hear.
Serenity—the name given to Laura by her teachers—focused her star-like eyes on Naruto, her gaze piercing and contemplative. She was judging him, not out of arrogance, but because it was her very purpose.
For two years, she had sought someone who could truly rule over humanity, someone who possessed the wisdom, strength, and unwavering resolve necessary for the task. The heroes of Earth were admirable, but none of them had the true spark of a ruler. They fought bravely, upheld justice, and protected the innocent—but they never took the next step.
They did not assume responsibility for humanity as a whole.
Her voice was soft, yet the weight of her words was undeniable.
"Can you do better than the heroes? Do you understand why they can't do it?"
Naruto, standing with the ease of a man who had already found his answer, nodded.
"Of course, I can do better." His golden gaze met hers. "The heroes fear the abyss. Once you kill, it becomes easier, and perhaps you stop considering other options. That is their fear, and I respect it. But it is not worth the lives that have been lost because of their hesitation."
Serenity listened, intrigued.
Naruto continued. "I give people a second chance. I guide them toward change. If they do not, they are imprisoned until they learn. If they reform, they live freely. And if they refuse, then the law must take its course. I will not execute them myself, for I am not the ruler of any nation. But I do not place the life of a criminal and an innocent on the same scale."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me, Serenity, do you think they are equal? Is the life of a murderer equal to the life of your loved one?"
The question hit her like a wrecking ball, shattering the ideological chains that had bound her for so long.
Her teachers had believed that criminals who would never change had to be removed for the greater good. And yet, working alongside the Justice League, she had come to embrace their ideals—the belief in redemption, in never taking a life unless absolutely necessary.
But Naruto's words forced her to confront a truth she had long buried.
She thought of Centurion, the dark stain upon her teachers' legacy. The man had slaughtered thousands, nearly destroying everything she loved. In their final battle, she had been driven by rage, fear, and the desperate desire to end him.
She had hesitated.
She had chosen to spare him, following the ideals she had adopted.
And because of that choice, he had killed again.
Laura clenched her fist, remembering the pain of her failure. She had known, deep down, that Centurion was beyond redemption. She had known that sparing him had not been an act of mercy, but of weakness.
Naruto saw the conflict in her expression and pressed on.
"You understand, don't you? There are people who do not wish to be saved. People who will destroy everything you hold dear if given the chance. Your ideals must be tempered with reality, or they will lead to ruin."
Laura closed her eyes for a moment, taking a slow breath.
"I understand your point of view," she admitted, "and I appreciate you explaining it patiently. But your path is dangerous. Power corrupts, and you walk a thin line. Are you sure you won't fall?"
Naruto's response was immediate, his voice unwavering.
"I am sure. I have people by my side who question me. Who challenge me. I do not surround myself with sycophants—I welcome those who will keep me accountable. I do not enjoy empty praise. I prefer questions."
A small chuckle escaped him. "And you, Serenity, like asking questions."
For the first time in their conversation, Laura smiled—not out of politeness, but genuine amusement. Even though the topic had been serious, she felt an unexpected sense of ease around him. He was honest. He was strong. But most importantly, his presence radiated an overwhelming sense of peace.
"Apologies," she said, shifting in her seat. "I've been a terrible host."
Naruto waved a hand dismissively. "Do you feel better now?"
Laura nodded. "Yes, I feel much better. Did you… do something?"
Naruto chuckled again, standing up from his seat. "I projected good thoughts and used my aura to calm your soul. I also released a scent that promotes relaxation. I hope you don't mind the intrusion."
She stared at him in mild disbelief. "You truly are something else."
He tilted his head, considering her for a moment before making an offer.
"Serenity, you seem lonely. Do you want to join me?"
Laura's breath caught slightly.
For so long, she had been alone, fighting a battle that no one else even remembered. She had longed for an ally—someone who could help her restore what was lost. Someone strong enough to fight against the enemy who had erased her existence.
And now, here was Naruto, extending a hand.
She wanted to say yes.
But she still had unfinished business.
"I appreciate the offer," she said carefully, "but first, I need to speak with the Justice League."
Naruto did not hesitate. "No problem. Let's go together."
Before Laura could even react, the world shifted around her. In an instant, they stood aboard the Watchtower, the orbiting headquarters of the Justice League.