AN: Sorry for the delay. I finally got my laptop up and running, so I'm back in business. I hope you enjoy.


Makarov called Team Natsu into his office the next morning.

"Damn it old man!" Natsu complained. "What's so important that we have to be here this early." His shenanigans earned him a firm handed fist and chastising from Erza.

"The council has a major issue that needs to be resolved," Makarov started. "I've chosen you all as Fairy Tail's delegates." Upon hearing that it was a mission from the council, the mages became more serious. "I'm not allowed to give you too many details, so you'll have to wait until you get to the meeting location to get the full briefing."

Gray laughed. "We're teaming up with other guilds? What's the point? As long as we have Naruto-"

"Naruto won't be there." This surprised them. "He has his own important mission to complete."

Natsu was about to protest but Makarov interrupted. "Don't think of this as your team being split apart. Both of your missions involve the Balam Alliance. As long as you are all working for the same objective, you're still teammates." 'I hope that'll satisfy him for now.'

"Um," Naruto began, "what exactly is my objective?"

"Like I said," Makarov explained, "I can't give up much detail. You'll find out when you get there. And for other reasons I cannot disclose," he said, reaching for the guild stamp eraser, "I have to erase your guild stamp." He then reached into a drawer and handed Naruto and Erza their own envelopes containing directions to their mission briefing locations. "I suggest you get going," said Makarov, before dismissing them.

Naruto exited the guild and read the contents of his envelope. It read, 'Go to the ruins of the old council headquarters. An informant is waiting.'

'Sounds simple enough,' he thought.

'As if anything is ever simply enough with you.'

'Don't jinx me, stupid fox.' Naruto made his way to the train station and hitched a ride atop a train car to the dismay of


Naruto leaped off the train and came to a skidding stop. He found the rubble of the old council headquarters relatively easily and wandered in. 'Somebody did a really good job at wrecking this place. It'd take more than your run of the mill mage to destroy a building this big.'

'Am I sensing worry? Is the savior of Konoha scared?' Kurama teased.

'Why is all of your time devoted to annoying me? Don't you have better things to do?' Naruto asked.

'Nope. In case you forgot, I'm trapped inside your body. Watching you hardly live life isn't exactly amusing.'

'Are you trying to call me boring? From what I know, Tailed Beasts just sit around and sleep when they aren't confined to a human. What's so different now?'

'...Touché.'

Naruto pushed the fox's pointless ramblings to the side while he walked through the old, torn down corridors of the council building. It was a maze of rubble and cracked pillars that looked ready to crumble at any moment. The building itself looked strange. It took on the appearance of an old building that had simply aged and fallen, not one that had been destroyed. A thin layer of dust covered the artwork that adorned the walls.

Naruto trekked as far as he could before reaching a dead end. He looked around the dark the dark room for any sign of movement when a noise alerted him.

"Are you Naruto Uzumaki?" The blade poised at Naruto's throat showed the seriousness of the situation. Naruto turned his palms up as a way to show that he wasn't a threat.

"Who else would I be?" he asked, showing his guild mark. "My question is, who is the person holding a knife against my neck?"

The person paused before pulling the knife away. "I'm merely a fly on the wall." The cloaked figure slipped a note into Naruto's pocket, who was still turned away. "Keep following the trail that's laid out for you and you'll know that I'm the right person to be in touch with."

This statement was followed by silence. Naruto turned around and found that the "fly on the wall" had already left. 'This is some shady business.'

'Things are getting interesting, kid. I'm feeling content with just watching,' remarked the fox.

'It's easy to watch. You're not the one who has to go on a million errands before even knowing what his mission is about. I'm tired of all this secrecy.'

'Hm. If you hadn't grown up like a brute, you may have learned how to appreciate a little depth. I see why Kakashi favorite Sasuke.'

'Whatever,' Naruto thought as he left the compound.

"Hey! What were you doing in there! This area is forbidden to citizens!" The guard, a Rune Knight, began approaching Naruto. He took hold of a surprised Naruto's jacket and began restraining him, only for The orange clad boy to disappear into smoke.

"I'll probably hear about this soon,' Naruto thought as he fled across the city's rooftops. He stopped after a short while and read the note he'd gotten from the mystery man. 'Or was it a woman? There's no way to tell. Not that it matters.'

'Behind the post office, near the northern entrance of this town, there is a package you absolutely must pick up. Show the manager the symbol on the back of this note, and he'll give you what you need.'

'Sounds simple enough,' he thought, glancing at the heart shaped drawing on the note.


Naruto left the post office carrying a small box. It was getting dark at this time, so he bought a room at an inn for the night.

"Let's get this thing open."

'Who are you talking to, brat?' asked Kurama.

'I'm talking to myself. You'll be doing the same for the rest of my life if you continue to insult me.'

'I wouldn't mind some silence, actually. It's better than hearing you beg for help anytime things get hard.'

'Oh, Kurama!' Naruto exclaimed, feigning sorrow, 'You don't have to act tough for my sake! My poor fox!'

'Bah! You win this time, kid.' Naruto grinned victoriously as he looked into the box. Inside was yet another note, and, a ball?

Naruto picked it up and was surprised by how solid it was. He sat it aside and picked up the slip of paper.

'Instructions: Pour magic energy into the lacrima. It'll turn on and allow us to communicate.'

Naruto sighed in frustration. How was he going to finish the mission if he couldn't even turn this thing on? He racked his brain for a solution. Then it hit him. If he used Sage Mode, he could absorb magic energy into his body and transfer it to the orb. 'But it can't be that easy. Last time I used Sage Mode, it worked the same as it always has. Nothing felt different.'

'It felt the same because you weren't looking for anything different about how it felt,' Kurama mentioned. 'This world has magic particles mixed in with its Natural Energy. Didn't you pay attention to anything Makarov said?'

'So I should be able to filter the particles out?' Naruto asked, ignoring the fox's jab.

'Exactly, if you can manage a little finesse for once.'

'I'm gonna let that slide,' he said as he took on a meditative posture. He started taking Natural Energy into his body, focusing on the feeling and quality of the energy entering his system. He felt a slight strangeness about the energy and focused on it. He held on to it an let the Natural Energy leave his system. 'This should work.' He grabbed the orb and pushed the unfamiliar energy into it, and it glowed in appreciation.

'I'm surprised he actually managed to do it. Ever since he learned Sage Mode, he's-'

"Hello, Naruto Uzumaki," spoke the silhouetted figure on the lacrima.

"Um, hello?"

"Speaking to you this way is more convenient for me and the secrecy of your mission. I've kept the wool over your eyes all this time, so I'll get straight to the point." Naruto sat up in his seat. "You'll be infiltrating the dark guild of the Balam Alliance, Grimoire Heart. A member of the guild has already noticed you, or should I say, the large amount of raw energy inside you. You will only have to wait for them to seek you out, and once they do, you'll be taken on their ship."

Naruto looked into the lacrima and asked, "What exactly and I supposed to find out when I get in?"

"That's up to you. The would like to know as much as they can about them. Once you think you have enough dirt on them, you can terminate the mission," explained the mysterious figure.

Naruto was quiet for a moment while he thought of anything else he might need to ask. "Sounds good, I guess. When this mission is over, will I find out who you are?"

The person laughed and answered, "I have a feeling we'll meet before that. And lose the headband." Then the lacrima shut off.

'Lose my headband? Yeah right.'


5 Weeks Later


Naruto woke up on a bed in a small room which lacked a window. A familiar heart symbol caught his eye and he realized that they had finally found him. He stood and walked over to the mirror on the wall. He stared at it and thought, 'This would be a lot easier if I looked a little menacing. Too bad I can't toggle those red kyuubi eyes.'

'Actually, kid, that is very possible.'

'Wait. Are you serious? Why didn't you ever tell me this?' Naruto asked in surprise.

'Because until now, you never had any use for it. All I have to do is push some of my chakra out of the seal opening and into your eyes. That way, I can inject some of the hatred I have for humans.' Naruto was taken by surprise when he saw his eyes shift from blue to blood red in a split second. 'I can make you look just like you would if my chakra had overtaken yours. Red eyes, rough hair, sharp nails, pronounced canines, you name it.'

'Why do I get the feeling that you've done this before?'

The fox laughed. 'Because I have. Why do you think complete strangers called you a demon child?'

'Oh yeah? Well, this demon child beat your ass and took your chakra. How about we make a deal so you can avoid more ass whoopings in the future? You only do that little eye trick when I need you too. Deal?'

Kurama frowned at Naruto's smugness, but agreed. 'I've got a better idea. I'll give you some of my hateful chakra so I don't have to worry about timing your "transformation".'

'I like the way you think.'

Naruto's alone time was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Our master would like to see you." Naruto opened the door and followed the grunt through some hallways that eventually lead to a large room with a glass ceiling. It was at this time that Naruto noticed that they were on an airship. A huge airship.

'I know two people who would be puking right about now,' he thought to himself. He looked around the room, but he only saw a tall, old man sitting in a throne-like chair at an end of the room.

"Hello there," the man said from his seat. "I am Master Hades."

"I'm Naruto. Can I ask why you brought me here?"

"Ah. An upfront young man, I see. I have brought you aboard my ship because you interest me, Naruto. What brings you to Earthland?"

"I'm really just trying to find a purpose for myself." Not totally a lie.

"Would you care to tell me a little about how you plan to do so?" asked Hades, stroking his beard.

"It depends. Are you saying that you could help me?" Naruto asked, folding his arms.

Hades grinned. "I believe I could do much more than help you. But first, would you care to tell me about yourself?"

Naruto paused before speaking. "I'll try to be quick. I'm 17. I like ramen and fighting. My favorite color is orange, and I dislike the people who mistreated me as a child."

"Mistreated? In what ways?" Hades asked, interested.

"Well, I made a mistake like any child that age does, and I got labeled as a demon for it. Everyone in my village, young and old, rich and poor, hated me for something I didn't mean to do." Naruto decided to put some of the fox's chakra into his eyes.

Hades watched on as the boy ranted about his childhood. His interest was peaked when the blonde's blue eyes turn an ominous red. 'Now that sure is interesting. Could that be a side effect of his anger?'

Naruto noticed this and decided to continue the act. "I just want to-ugh!" He gripped the side of his head for effect.

Hades stood and walked over to Naruto and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure that with the help of Grimoire Heart, you'll be able to take revenge on all the people who looked down upon you." Naruto let his eyes return to their blue color to show that he had calmed down. "Once we create the perfect magic world, no one will look down on you ever again. Do you think you could help me do that?"

Naruto looked up at the man and grinned. "It would be my pleasure."

"That's good to hear," the old man replied. He turned around and nodded to a man who hit a switch in response. A small section of the floor opened up and allowed 5 armored men to enter the room. "I need an idea of how strong you are. Defeat them however you see necessary," Hades added, returning to his seat to observe.

Naruto turned his attention to the 5 men who were sprinting towards him. He dodged each attack and jumped away to look at them. 'The old man from Ichiraku Ramen could beat these guys with chopsticks! This is hardly a test!' He dashed at the men and, in a quick series of punches, throws, and kicks, had ended the "test."

Naruto looked at Hades, who now sat with 7 new people standing behind him. Hades grinned and pressed another button on the arm of his chair, and another wave of enemies came to greet the blond.

Now faced with about 40 enemies, Naruto decided to even the odds with a few shadow clones. While they handled business, the real Naruto spoke to Hades and said, "I hope they're not the best you have. I'm disappointed."

Hades laughed. "So you want a real challenge? Go ahead, then. Chose your opponent," he said, grinning.

Naruto looked at his options. A large man with messy hair, a humanoid goat, a pink haired girl, a man with glasses, a woman in a red dress, a young man with wild, blond hair, and a calm man with dark skin. 'This is hard. Most of them look strong, and if they don't look strong, they look crazy.' "I choose him," he said, pointing at the tall, dark man.

The man walked down to where Naruto was. "I would introduce myself, but I believe you should earn the right to know my name. Show me that you deserve to be here." Naruto grinned. He was reminded of an exchange between Sasuke and Neji when this man spoke. He crouched into a battle ready posture and zoned in on his opponent.

Naruto decided to take the initiative. He rushed the man with a flurry of attacks, but they were expertly deflected. The man side stepped Naruto's axe kick and countered with a kick of his own. The teen was knocked back, but he remained on his feet. Naruto's eyes met with the still gaze of the man before him. 'He's as calm as can be. I'll have to change that.'

The man's eyes widened when the blond teen came at him with more speed than before. 'Is he finally getting serious?'

Naruto launched a fist at the mage's stomach, but it was deflected downwards. He planted his hand on the ground and used his momentum to swing his heel over and into the face of his enemy. 'He'll definitely feel that.'

The green clad mage grinned. "I want to congratulate you. It's been a long time since someone got my heart pumping. But I think it's time to turn it up a notch. Don't you agree?"

Naruto grinned back and nodded as he reassumed a fighting stance. This time, Naruto was on the defensive. 'How good is this guy? He's gotten faster and stron-' His thoughts were interrupted by the fist that had buried itself in his gut, knocking him away from the man who delivered it. Before the mage could continue his attack, the blond created some shadow clones who when straight at the man.

"You've got to do a lot more than make some clones to affect me," he said. "Bleve!" he yelled, and the clones were engulfed in an explosion. "This battle has gone past hand to hand combat. Show me what you are capable of."

Naruto stood and ran at the man, forming some clones to attack with him. "I already told you. Your clones won't work." He want straight at Naruto and sent an elbow at his chin, which connected, sending Naruto skidding away. To everyone's surprise, the Naruto that they thought was the original had burst into smoke. Shortly after, a blue orb was rammed into the man's back.

Naruto panted as he looked down at the man on the ground. The man, surprisingly still conscious, rolled over and looked the blond in the eye. "I admit defeat. You are a worthy opponent." Naruto grinned and helped the man stand back up before turning his attention back to Hades.

"Have you seen enough?" he asked.

The guild master nodded and a guard showed Naruto the way back to his room. When teen was out of earshot, he spoke. "Our cause clearly has the approval of the universe. If we can get him to buy into our ideals completely, then he will be instrumental in the awakening of Zeref. There is no light guild that could hope to oppose us."


Some weeks passed without much activity, so Naruto spent time waiting for any orders from Hades. When he wasn't getting acquainted with the 7 Kin, he was asleep, and when he slept, it was a deep sleep. Maybe it was the light sway of the airship. The dreams he had could only be described as a puzzle. He saw a spider carrying a city, but the weight of the city broke its legs. Then he saw the Tower of Heaven and Jellal. He saw two Fairy Tail Guild Marks, one red, one blue, fight a golden crown. When the red guild mark went to leave, a piece of the blue mark broke off and followed the red mark.

Lastly, He saw a fly on a wall.

'What the hell was all of that?' he thought as he stretched. 'I feel like that all involved Fairy Tail, but-'

'Don't waste your time trying, kid. Interpreting dreams isn't your thing,' advised the fox.

'Yeah, I guess, but I can shake the feeling that something must've happened. And the "fly on the wall." how is that person related to Fairy Tail?' He pushed the dream aside and took a shower before leaving his room. He found his way to the main room where Hades and some of the other members were waiting.

Naruto greeted them and spoke. "Master Hades, wh-"

"Naruto. Your time has come. We have located the last 'key' to awakening our master."

"You described that we need to find some keys, but who is your master?" Naruto asked.

The man grinned. "You'll understand fully in due time, but right now, we must retrieve the key. Prepare for the invasion of Tenrou Island." Naruto looked out on the horizon and saw a tall, tree shaped silhouette. "You'll follow Ultear to find the key. Everyone who isn't here is on the island, awaiting my order to begin attacking."

"So there's mages already there? Who are we up against?"

"Fairy Tail," answered the man. Naruto's heart dropped, but he didn't show it. He could only nod in acknowledgment to hide his true feeling of anxiety.

'This mission is going to end today. There's no way I can help them fight Fairy Tail.' He was snapped out of his thoughts when Ultear spoke to him.

"We have to stay on the ship for now. Just be patient."

'Patient? Easier said than done. What the hell am I supposed to do? Should I destroy the airship before we get there? Would I be able to if I tried? There's no telling how strong this chick is, not to mention Hades!'

"Are you scared?" Ultear's voice ripped him back into reality again.

'Scared isn't the word' is what he wanted to say. "No, not all. I'm just a little jittery."

She giggled. "You can handle yourself. You're as strong as the 7 Kin."

They were interrupted when Hades opened the glass ceiling. "We are here," he said as he put on a helmet. In front of the ship stood a giant Makarov Dreyar. Hades started to speak, but was interrupted by his huge fist destroying one of the airship's engines.

Ultear extended her arms and yelled, "Time Ark! Restoration!" and within seconds, the damage had been repaired. "Let's go, Naruto. This fight is between them." Naruto nodded and they left. They walked straight into the forest, hearing various explosions from the battles being fought around the island. Ultear paused and suddenly changed direction. "I sense him this way."

"Who? Your master?"

Ultear smiled. "Yes. The Black Mage Zeref." Naruto had heard the name before. Apparently he had the ability to create incredibly powerful demons.

'Sounds like the Old Man,' Kurama thought to himself.

"What's the plan once we awaken this guy?"

"I'll use him to create a new world."

Naruto noticed her use of 'I' instead of we. "So you have your own plans that don't align with Hades'? How do you know I won't tell him. Why are you trusting me with your secret?"

Ultear laughed then looked Naruto in the eye. "I'm the fly on the wall." Naruto looked back, confused, while his brain processed everything involving this mission.

"Why are you trying to find Zeref if you're a spy for the council?"

"I don't have the time or the energy to explain, nor do I want to. I wouldn't consider us allies either, so I suggest we part ways here. I'm sure you're worried about your friends."

Naruto glared back at Ultear. 'What is she after? Does she really think I'll just let her walk away?' Naruto was about to attack her, but she shut that down. Using her magic, she caused sapling trees to grow all around him, entrapping him.

"Forgive me, Naruto, but I cannot afford to lose. The new world is everything to me." And with that, she left him.


AN: That's it for this one. Is it moving too fast? I've been gone, so it wouldn't have felt right if I gave you a chapter where the plot progressed at a snail's pace. Thanks for reading!