Chapter 10
Naruto was walking through the forest within Tenrou Island, all alone searching for one man who could offer him some solutions to the questions that plagued his mind day and night. The man had hundred of years under his belt, so did that man who abandoned him to a fate he didn't choose. No one was more knowledgeable in the world of magic, currently alive, than the Black Wizard, Zeref. There was a lot that he didn't know about the mage himself. Everything was just passed on knowledge that people wrote long ago. Some of it wasn't even accurate, as it appeared. You could never really trust scripts writtern by other people.
The atmosphere within the island wasn't tense as it had been the last time he'd come here when he felt that someone was staring at his back the entire time his feet carried him - it had been like a ghost was watching him with a hardened gaze. The air was welcoming to breath and the wind blew past his body with the warm freshness of the sea that surrounded this place.
As his feet carried him into all directions his mind desired, Naruto's eyes glanced into all directions with his senses firmly spreading through nature to try to get a feel of his target. Unlike last time when he hadn't looked that much for his suspect, this time it appeared that the man was playing the waiting game with him. There was no way that Zeref didn't know he has touched down on the island, he just hasn't bother to come and give him a proper welcome - well, this only applies if the man is even here in the first place.
It would be a real shame if the man has decided to find a new place for solace. He couldn't exactly keep track of someone as big and powerful as Zeref. The man understood magic far better than he did, so playing the magic game with a man who has been alive for over 400 years wasn't going to do him any favors - he would only keep chasing, never afforded the chance to tag in.
After what seemed be at at least an hour of slow and careful searching, Naruto finally found the dark mage, sitting beside a tree, a calm expression firmly masked on his face. ''I have been waiting...'' the dark mage simply said.
Though he hadn't expected the blond to appear before him so soon after his last appearance, he wasn't disappointed that Naruto had come, nonetheless. When they seperated, both had said they didn't hope to see each other soon, but here they were, together, once again in this Tenrou Island. Months to him felt like days, he has been alive for 400 years after all. Even so, a part of him was pleased to see that Naruto had once again returned before him.
''So, it appears,'' Naruto said. His eyes stared at the Black mage for a full minite, unblinking, trying to work something out.
''Ask, if you have questions,'' but that didn't mean that he was going to answer the question. It depended on the kind of answers the blond was looking for, and if the question weren't south, he wouldn't answer it.
Naruto shook his head, deciding to settle down before getting on to the business with the dark mage. His eyes picked up to the clear sky, sun blazing just above his head, whether was cool, tolerable. There were those days that his fury changed the wheather, those days nature listened to him, those glorious days in the Elemental Nations, but now he was past that. He was a mage of Fairy Tail, an officer of the Magic Council.
Naruto's eyes turned to the dark mage: he was looking at him like pieces of a puzzle that was teasing his brain. ''Do I interest you that much?''
Zeref nodded, ''You're not from this world, hold power that I cannot begin to understand, nor measure - since you hide it really well. Not only do you control magic, but you also have another source of power, which is unlike anything I have ever seen before.''
Naruto was settled, he was comfortable with just sitting on the ground, legs folded. There was no threat around him. He didn't see an enemy when looking at Zeref, but he saw someone who could understand him. He knew that the dark mage had the same idea, that they could understand each other. Which was why both were relaxed, no thought of battle in mind, and Naruto had told Zeref more about him than he'd told anyone.
But it wasn't always going to be like this. Naruto was certain that things would eventually change as the days mount on and as evil starts flapping its wings. The man wasn't just going to sit back and relax, so was he. Their ideas would clash, and then trouble would strike. He held no fears in the thought of fighting Zeref though. He would probably be killed if they fought now, but he had time to learn more about magic.
''I guess anyone would be interested,'' even the Magic Council had taken an interest him, so has Ultear - he hated that he couldn't figure what that woman was thinking though. ''But I'm just a 'normal' human, you on the other hand are an immortal mage who has shaken the core foundations of this world.''
''You're not normal, not the least,'' Zeref said strongly. ''Both of us aren't normal. Still, an immortal mage who has shaken the foundations of this world? What of the impact you brought to your own world?''
''Touche,'' Naruto said. ''My name was cursed in all nations, spat upon and I was nothing more than a demon. I guess I was the dark mage of the Elemental Nations,'' a small sad smile graced his lips for a few seconds as a few memories surfaced in the vieweing screens within his mind. He didn't dwell on much before he pushed them to the back of his head.
Zeref didn't win any awards for being the best human in the world, nor any for his inventions in society. The world detested his creations, they spat on his name. Well, he did create some nasty things that saw many humans die. A pity they couldn't kill him for he is immortal. That was the difference: Naruto got his wish to die in the hands of the people he tormented, but no one could kill him. He has been forced to live in isolation, waiting for the one to kill him.
In some ways, he was alike with Naruto. Their ideals differed, but some of their actions didn't, and both have a lasting 'legacy' in both their worlds. But it seems that they were going to write a new history, a new one that even he didn't know which way it would end. Well, that made things fun and worth waiting for.
''Well, you're immortal and a mortal 'human','' Naruto said again. He was a mortal, though he called himself god, he still possessed the body of a mere mortal. It was subject to death and decay.
Zeref slightly shook his head. ''Your mortality is questionable,'' he said calmly.
''What is that supposed to mean?'' That was a first. He has never questioned his mortality. Yes, he believed he was powerful, but he never questioned his humanity.
''You didn't come to this world on your own - someone brought you here, and you were dead when the hands of 'him' stole you. For you to live 'he' exchanged his life with you. He gave up his life for you. Though he possessed no tangible body, 'he' was still immortal, like me.''
''Are you saying that I gained his lifespan as well?''
''That is exactly what I am saying,'' Zeref said. ''However, it is only applicable to this world only. Should you return to your home world, you will simply live out your normal life span. But if you remain here, you're likely to live a long long life or be just like me.''
''So, I'm not immortal. I've just gained an extended lifespan. I doubt my body would allow me to live that long though,'' Naruto said.
''That is still arguable,'' Zeref said, but didn't go further into explaining it. ''What brought you here? Questions, I assume...''
Naruto nodded, ''Dragons, why did they disappear? How strong is Acnologia?''
Zeref was quiet for a few moments before he responded, ''I can't answer the first question. However, I can tell you that when Acnologia appears, the end is near.''
Naruto frowned, he had expected the Black mage to tell him something tangible, but guess he was going to turn back to Magnolia without anything in his hands. What a drag. The man seemed to be content with having him attempt to find the information he needed on his own and Naruto doubted he would come across anyone who could tell him what he wanted to know. A dragon would do, but where was he going to find a dragon? ''Is Acnologia that fearful?''
Zeref nodded, ''He isn't like any other dragon. Dragons are powerful and most mages of this time wouldn't even scratch them, but compared to the dragon of apocalypse, they are nothing. The kings may be different, but nothing is beyond Acnologia.''
Naruto absorbed everything with a silent nod. He should be worried, but he wasn't. The challenge was accepted. He'd wondered what it would feel like to face the Juubi, but now he could face something that was above dragons. That made his blood boil, filled him with atoms of excitment. He couldn't wait to face something that rhymed with the end of the world.
''Is it true that you made Acnologia?''
''That remains to be seen,'' Zeref simply said.
Once again, Naruto frowned, ''Playing a little game are we?'' he said.
''There wouldn't be fun if I just told you everything. You must take the effort to know, and find what you're looking for,'' Zeref said. If he doesn't find out before a dreadful time appears, it would be a pity, but he wouldn't do anything to change things.
Naruto sighed, ''So I guess you're not going to tell me who you were banking on to be the one to kill you,'' he said. ''At this stage, I wonder how long our truce will last...''
Zeref looked up to the sky, where Naruto was looking as well, ''Long enough,'' he said before adding, ''my time has yet to come.''
There was still time. Zeref has been alive for more than 400 years, waiting for a few months or a couple of years wasn't anything to him. He has been living in isolation, all alone, without anyone, waiting wasn't a big deal. Naruto on the other hand wanted things completed, he didn't want to spend years in this world, he wanted to return home - he was worried for the safety of Mei. She was his beloved, and nothing had to happen to her, or else the world would see the real demon in him.
Naruto released a sigh once more. He laid on his back, head resting on his left hand. ''The Magic Council doesn't believe you still exist, or may be they do. I do wonder what they would do if they ever find out that I am in connection with the Black Wizard, especially when they have banned the learning of dark magic. Perhaps joining them wasn't a good idea, but I didn't have a choice eitherway.''
''You have joined the Magic Council...'' Zeref said in more of a statement than a question. He saw no value in their existence, especially when things went awfully wrong under their watch. Talk about small powers? Yes, they were quick to stamp down their authority, but when it came to real trouble like Him, Acnologia and other dragons, they were a useless bunch.
''That isn't the only thing I joined,'' Naruto started, ''I have also joined a guild, Fairy Tail. It is only a pity Natsu's head is a thick, otherwise, he would tell me more about the Fire dragon...'' he said, mumbling to himself.
'Natsu's guild?' Zeref pondered for a few moments before asking, ''What do you hope to achieve by joining Fairy Tail?''
''Nothing much,'' Naruto said with a slight shrug. ''I'm just happy that I have somewhere I can turn to...''
Silence settled after those words.
Zeref looked down at Naruto's lying form for a moment before his eyes returned to the sky, ''You've seen many people die, killed by your hands. You value the lives of humans, yet that has never stopped you from killing.''
Naruto held out his right hand, looking up, ''My first kill had disgusted me, but I recovered, I never enjoyed doing it. I just understood that it was a sin I had to commit for the sake of the world. As punishment, I was willing to be killed in any form,'' his tone was quiet, a bit far away in another world. ''I have changed my aproach though. Still, wouldn't you punish anyone who weren't far, took lives without care?''
Naturally he would, ''Evil done by men will only lead to the 'awakening' of Acnologia...'' Zeref simply said. But that didn't mean he was going stop humans from doing what they want. In this state, he would rather have the humans wiped out from existence. Though, he wishes he could die before that happens.
About an hour later
Naruto cocked his head, stared at the small figure before him. He had just departed from the presence of Zeref, to wonder about on his about his other things. He didn't get the chance to leave though, not before this happened - this person before him had just popped out of nowhere, staring him straight in his eyes. The image looked familiar, but he couldn't quite put his fingers on it.
''A ghost?'' Naruto said, more to himself than the female in front of him.
''Something like that, but not a ghost exactly,'' Mavis said.
Naruto's neck nearly snapped when he bended it to the side, carefully studying the female in front of him. He had felt her presence before. He couldn't mistake it. She was the one who had be following him in his last visit to the island. ''This island is not haunted is it? I really don't like dealing with ghosts...'' just the thought of ghosts haunting him brought a chilll down his spine.
''Who knows?'' Mavis said with a careless shrug that didn't make Naruto feel comfortable. ''I'm just kidding. There are no ghosts, just me and your friend.'' She added, smiling a bit. Her face did seem to twitch slightly at the mention of 'friend' though.
''Phew, that's a relief,'' Naruto said, releasing a long breath. He made no comment about the 'friend' thing as he didn't want get to it.
''I see that you have joined Fairy Tail...'' Mavis said, seemingly pleased by it.
Naruto didn't answer at first, a few thoughts ran through his head before he responded, ''Ah, only those from Fairy Tail can see you,'' well, it would explain why he couldn't see her last time even though he knew she was there. ''Why is that?''
''I'm Mavis Vermilion, first master of Fairy Tail.''
Naruto blinked a few times. ''And this is your spirit. Well, this explains why this island is precious to Fairy Tail,'' the blond said before putting on a smile. ''I am Uzumaki Naruto, infamously known as the Phantom in the dark pits of the magic world. It is an honor to meet you first master.''
''The honor should be all mine. I never thought I would ever meet someone so powerful and inhuman like Zeref,'' that isn't to say she believed he was just as powerful as the Black Wizard, but he was inhuman. ''Though, I'm glad someone like you has joined Fairy Tail.''
''Inhuman?'' That was all that Naruto caught. He shook his head without saying anything on the matter. ''How's it been like being neighbors with Zeref?''
''Boring,'' Mavis gave a one-word answer. ''Though, you seem to share a lot with him. Well, it shouldn't be surprising with your history.''
''Ah, you were eavesdropping,'' Naruto said. ''You find it not a problem that someone 'inhuman' - to use your word - like me has joined the guild you once led?''
The first master shrugged, ''As long as you fight for Fairy Tail, I'm happy.''
Aika's House
'Ah, the air is so much refreshing. I can feel Aika's presence all over the place,' Naruto thought as he walked past the gates of the large house ahead of him.
The day he'd come here to fend off the brutes who'd been occupying the house felt like it was just yesterday. This was the very ground that he had made use of his Timeless Void. What more jutsus was this ground going to witness? He didn't wish for it to turn into a battle ground, and would do everything is his power to ensure that it never came to that. It would be a tragedy if this wonderful place became a stadium for battles to occur, especially when the delightful Aika was occupying it.
He hadn't planned on coming here so soon, but he figured it was best he check up on the woman as he was probably going to be cramped up with work at Fairy Tail after he tells Makarov some of his secrets, and there was also the fact that the Magic Council was going to call upon his services far sooner that he would like, nevertheless it didn't matter much. He has to face it all. If there is ever going to be progress in this new journey, he needed to take all the risks that could be taken, as long as he didn't take anything he couldn't handle.
Well, there was nothing that god couldn't handle... Naruto formed a bemused expression at that kind of thought. He was becoming arrogant as the days progress. The feeling of being powerful, far above those around him wasn't doing him any good. He lived the supreme life in the glory days at the Elemental Nations, so it was hard flushing that mentality out of his system. It was probably never going to be washed out due to the years he spent terrorizing different lands in the name of peace.
As soon as he reached the double-door entrance, Naruto was greeted by Aika. The black haired stood still, hands across her waist, looking intentively at the blond. This wasn't the kind of reception Naruto was expecting from the woman. ''Something wrong, Aika?''
Ultear couldn't have said something to screw with him could she? His 'eternal' clone hadn't reported the woman's presence being in the premises, but that woman was crafty enough to blindside him. However, he had made it clear that Aika was off-limits, so she couldn't have gone past his warning, especially with how their 'relationship' was progressing.
''Yes, something is very, very wrong Naruto.'' Aika said, still not moving away from the entrance. It was as if Naruto's entrance to the mansion depended on the answers he would supply to her.
''What's wrong? Did something happen to you?''
''Naruto,'' the woman drawled, clicking her tounge in a not so happy fashion. ''When was the last time you came here? More precisely, how long has it been since you screwed me?''
''Now hold on a minute Aika-chan. You know I have been busy and you're the one who came on to me that day. I just couldn't refuse a pretty girl, especially after all I did for you.''
''So you're saying the sex was a reward for all the things you did for me. And I thought you were just being nice Naruto. Did you come here for some more?''
''Well, no... Er... I just came to see how you were doing.'' Naruto said. Hands held up in a defensive manner. His words may have implied something '8ad' of him, but it wasn't like that, and Aika should know better because of all the time she spent with him.
''Naruto.''
''Yes, Aika-chan..?''
''Allow your eyes to follow my finger and tell me what you see because it seems that you have yet to notice.''
Naruto's eyes foollowed her index finger: she pointed at her huge belly. Wait huge belly? He hadn't realized that? When did that develop? What did that mean anyway. Naruto blinked a couple of times. It was there, ''Eh,'' he made a sound before slapping himself on both cheeks: he wasn't dreaming. The blond cocked his head, nothing moved on his face for a good minute, his breathing seemed to have stopped as well. ''Aika?''
The woman burst out in laughter, ''Hahahahahahahaha, you should have seen the look on your face!'' She took off the thing that made her look like she was a couple of months pregant before welcoming the blond inside the house.
Naruto had a frown on his face all the way: it wasn't funny. At least to him. But this really reminded him of the streak of pranks he once pulled in Konoha when he was still trying to gain the villagers' attention. He would admit that playing pranks had been fun, but he felt that he had outgrown all that. Still, seeing how Aika was able to pull off such a wonderful mask, it made him connsider how well he would excell should he also decide to amuse himself by playing such tricks.
''Come on, Naruto, you're not mad are you?'' Aika said, walking beside the blond, leading him to her study. ''You're the one who used to wear masks when were still at the capital and you did it perfectly.''
''It still wasn't funny... Especially when you're the one falling into the trick. Should have seen it coming though. You did pull something back then...'' Naruto sighed, shaking his head.
''What would you have done if it had been true? I mean it wasn't outside the realm of possibilities for you to have knocked me up that day... You were quite hungry and there was nothing preventing those millions of 'babies' from marching into the right place.''
''I would have run off and never come back. You have a home, everything you need.'' Naruto said with a small smile. Being a father would be a dangerous for him in the kind of life he was living. He wouldn't have minded having a brat with Mei though.
''That's cold,'' Aika said, as they reached her study. She settled down on the desk while Naruto sad on the chair in front. ''So, what brings the great Uzumaki into my humble home? I doubt you came here to just greet me,'' if he wanted to do that, he would've just written to her.
''I'm going to be bluntly honest,'' Naruto started, ''I have been using you,'' he said.
Aika arched a curious brow at his statement, ''It can't be for ssex because we only did it once, and I doubt it was for money because I'm the one who's been feeding off you. So what?''
''Not from the start, but I decided to take this house back because I have a purpose for it.''
Aika tilted her head to the side, stared into Naruto's eyes, ''oh,'' she mouthed before falling silent. ''What purpose?''
''I wanted to build something beneath the house: something that will become my base of operations.''
''For what exactly?'' Aika asked blankly.
Naruto put on a blank smile as well, ''I have placed several surveilance lacrimas around the King's castle, and three around the Magic council. Naturaly, they've been put in places where they can't be discovered. However, anything is possible. If I put the monitors in my apartment at Magnolia, I'm risking a lot as someone might stumble upon them and who knows what kind of trouble may follow me?''
''So you have the trouble follow me, huh?''
''No, not at all. The basement will be protected by a barrier. No one will know it is there, aside from me and you. This is just the most secure place I could think of...''
''If someone discovers the Lacrimas?''
''They will explode into thin air, thus erasing any evidence...''
''Let me think about this,'' Aika said. ''No. You're not going to do anything stupid in my house.''
Naruto smiled, sctracting the back of his head, ''Well, I have already built the basement...''
Fairy Tail
How long has he been away, two, three weeks? And this place seems like it has gone through some change, not in the physical sense of things, but his feelings could tell him that there was some change in the atmosphere. Almost like something new had been injected into the system of the Guild.
Naruto walked through the hall, watching all the ruckus with a smile, heading to one place and one place only: the counter to meet up with his favorite person: Mirajane Strauss. The white haired mage was a pleasant person with whom he enjoyed talking with. From everyone in the Guild, Naruto could definately say that she was the one he would like to be 'friends' with. Her smile was filled with nothing but warmth and she always looked so sweet and adorable.
The looks were no bother, he has received his fair share of brutal looks from the people of Konoha. Besides, the looks the Fairies were giving weren't looks of hatred or anything of that sort. They were just gazing at a member who has been away from the Guild for little more than 13 days straight. He never stayed around the place even when he was around anyway.
Once settling down on his beloved stool, the place that gave him some comfort, Naruto stared down at the space in front of him. Space was a curious thing: he couldn't touch it, but his eyes could perceive while his mind could comprehend its workings. There were times he had to force the knowledge about space and time into his mind so that he could conceive a reality of a jutsu or spell that could make him travel through time and space.
''Thinking somewhere far,'' Mira's voice knocked into's Naruto's ears. The blond took notice of her figure and offered her a smile before responding.
''You'd think so, but no,'' his mind wasn't really far in thinking. In fact, the train was just making circles just in front of him, the space Mirajane now occupied.
''You look well, so I can't say trouble held you back from returning earlier,'' Mira said, looking at the blond curiously. Makarov hadn't seemed bothered by the blond's safety. In fact, when she'd quized him about it, the old man had merely shrugged while saying, 'he can take care of himself.'
Regardless of who they were, Makarov always worried about his 'children', he always worried. Even if someone like Erza was taking too long to return from a job, he would be worried and probably send someone towards her location to verify her safety. She could understand why he wouldn't worry about the likes of Laxus and Gildarts, but Naruto was another matter altogether. She knew he was strong, but just how was another question that needed a firm answer. She has never attempted to dive deep into the mystry that was Naruto Uzumaki, but she was becoming curious by the day.
''So,'' Mira said, continuing where she left off, ''what took you long to return? You were supposed to return in a work.''
''I made a stop at a friend's place and ended up staying there for a few days,'' Naruto said, not revealing too much. But his answer only made Mira curious as it left a few gaping holes.
''You have a friend outside of the guild,'' it shouldn't be surprising really, but it was the first time Mira hears of it. Naruto had a life outside of this Guild, so it was to be expected of him to have friends outside the Guild.
Naruto nodded.
''Is he a mage too?''
''Who said anything about a 'he'?''
Mira raised a surprise brow at his question. She wasn't expecting for his friend to be a she. He didn't look like it. ''Your friend is a she? I was expecting it to be a he.''
Naruto shook his head, ''Nop,'' he said. ''My friend is a nice, pleasant lady. I met her while I was still living in the capital,'' he said. No good in lying, hence the truth. Besides, this wasn't anything special that needed to be hidden, and his date with Makarov was coming soon, so he was going to bleed a few more secrets to the old man, and that was going to be draining. Reliving the past wasn't a walk in the park.
''Oh,'' Mira mouthed before falling silent for a few more moments. ''I forget that you once lived in the capital.'' She said. ''So, is this friend of yours more like your girlfriend?''
Naruto blinked for a few moments before shaking his head. ''No, she is just a friend.'' Aika was a friend, and nothing more. Sure, they did share some personal moments and screwed that once, but that was that.
Once more again, Mira mouthed, ''oh,'' before shaking her head to rid of whatever thought in her head. ''Can I get you something to drink?''
''Just water,'' Naruto said.
Mira nodded, before heading over to the side get Naruto's water. She didn't take too long to return with a bottle of water. ''What did I miss while away,'' Naruto asked as Mira handed him the bottle of water.
''Nothing much,'' Mira said. ''But we just received a new member. I think you'll like her...''
''A new member,'' Naruto said in thought. He would certainly run away, fast, if that member turned out to be Ultear. That woman was scheming something, he didn't know what, but it was something not so good. He wouldn't put it past her to put up as a member of Fairy Tail just to screw with him. She was definately interested in him, his power at least, she just couldn't find the right screws to turn him towards her flavor.
''Natsu brought her in a couple of days ago,'' Mira said.
Naruto nodded, ''Tell me the old man isn't here...'' he said.
''He isn't here, but in Town,'' Mira said. ''Are you dreading your talk with him?'' She did know that Naruto was supposed to talk to Makarov about his past, the old man didn't divulge much, and she didn't think he would if Naruto liked to keep his things private. Not everyone wanted their secrets to be out in the cold, and there were definately some things that were better left unsaid.
Still, Mira was really interested in finding more about Naruto. He came off as this nice person, but was it all it seemed? People were capable of wearing masks and put them on really well. However, she did believe that Naruto wasn't wearing a mask, but just had a lot of skelotons dug inside his heart. The question that played a game of tag with her mind was 'what?'
''Yap,'' Naruto said. ''I'm going to take a corner for a nap,'' the blond said, leaving the whitehaired mage to her duties. Once Naruto reached his corner, he settled down, rested his hands on the desk before laying his head atop.
Yap, he could definately take a nap... The usual business had yet to be ignite...
''Yo, Naruto, you back already?''
Naruto groaned, looking at the pink haired Fire Dragon Slayer. Why did this have to happen to him? He just wanted to take a nap and drift off to a world of sweet dreams and many more red heads and blondes, or just having that wonderful battle that gets his blood boiling to the point he feels like going all bloody godly to his opponent.
''Yes,'' Naruto said. ''Heard you brought in a girlfriend to the guild...''
Natsu appeared to think for a moment, before speaking, ''You mean Lucy,'' he said before twisting around to search for the blonde.
''Lucy is not Natsu's girlfriend,'' Happy said. ''I think Lucy likes Natsu though.''
''How would you know that, Happy?'' Naruto said. ''You're just a cat.'' Natsu didn't even deny nor confirm it. Perhaps he had missed it somehow. Yes, that was likely the case.
Before Happy could respond Natsu pushed Lucy to the desk. Naruto looked at the girl curiously, he cocked his head a little, ''do I know you?'' She seemed a little familiar, or maybe he was just mistaking her for someone else.
''I doubt it,'' Lucy said. She had never met him before. Still, he looked really really different from how they potray him in the magazines. He didn't look 'Phanton' to her. In fact, he looked like just a regular person. But then again, when Natsu wasn't eating or fighting, he looked regular.
Naruto nodded. Whoever was the kami of this world was really obsessed with breasts. It was a rare thing to come across 'Sakuras.' Every woman in this world seemed to have a fully equipped chest that is capable of pleasing any man. He'd also come across his fair share of beautiful people.
''Something wrong?'' Lucy asked, seeing the stare Naruto was giving her. In many ways than one, it made her really uncomfortable.
Naruto shook his head quickly, ''Sorry,'' he said. ''I just noticed as you came that you were wearing a rather thought provoking skirt,'' Jiraiya would've already got down the desk to peek on the color of her panties.
''Told you...'' Happy added looking at Lucy.
The blonde quickly closed all entrances beneath her skirt, sending a glare at Happy. ''Its not provoking if you're not a pervet like this cat!''
Naruto shook his head, ''It is, unless you're him,'' his finger was pointing at Natsu as all eyes went toward the pink haired Dragon Slayer, who looked like he'd just come up with a brilliant idea. Somehow, Lucy couldn't help by give a silent nod.
''Lets go have that fight Naruto. We didn't get to fight last time because you got called by the Rune Knights!'' He looked more than ready to start fighting at any moment without notice.
Definately.
''If I remember correctly, I said training, not fight,'' Naruto said. ''But we'll do that, not now, maybe later or tomorrow.''
''Why not now?''
''Because Lucy just asked you out on a date...''
''I did not!''
The following day
When you had a lot of Elements in your arsenal, it was sometimes difficult to chose which element to use in a fight. Naturally, one had to pick an element that will give him an advantage over the opponent. But Naruto liked to do things in a bit of a challenging way. Where was the fun of things if he just chose something that was in his advantage? He liked to be in the disadvantage every now and then as it would sharpen his mind and make him improvise in order to bag the win.
Natsu was a Fire type, that meant that aside from physical attacks, he was expecting the pink haired to be throwing all types of Fire techniques at him. As far as he knew, the boy could absord fire based spells, and could only use flames. If that was the case, then he should use water, but his water wasn't suited for battle, and against someone in the caliber of the Salamander, he needed something different, something that could pack a breathtaking punch that would make the boy think twice about challenging him.
But if he did that, it still wouldn't be fun. Wind, Lightning and Fire were his strongest. He knew other spells as well, but he always preffered using the things that made some fireworks. Naruto came up with a choice, and that was that he was going to fight using just fire, even when he knew fire manipulation was natural for the teen. It was also 'natural' for him and besides, using fire in this case meant that things would be a little challenging given that the boy could absorb all his jutsus without a moment of pause.
Naruto's eyes travelled towards the pink haired boy, who was all firedup, looking more than ready to pummel him, just a distance away from him. They were just outside of Magnolia, in a safe rocky place to do something light training. Since he had assumed it would get messy, as he had planned on showering the boulders with flames, he had seen this as the perfect place to 'play' without attracting too much attention.
''Get him, Natsu!''
Oh, yeh, the cat was present, as well as Lucy, who was watching with curisoity as to how this would end. She had watched the pink haired lord of destruction fight before, and it wasn't pretty, but she did wonder about the blond the Dragon Slayer was facing. Naruto was rumored to be strong, but none of the Fairies have actually seen him fight, nor have they even witnessed him demonstrate his power.
Natsu had a rather large grin on his face as he pumped up the gasoline. One more pump, and the dragon slayer took off, appearing in front of Naruto in a few moments. The pink haired drove his right fist towards Naruto's chest, but Naruto caught that punch with his right hand. Natsu threw in the other free hand, lunging a left hook; it was caught as well.
That left Natsu with little choice but to open his mouth. knowing that he would get hit, Naruto allowed his grip on both Natsu's hands to losen before jumping backwards to create some distance between him and the teen. He was surprised when the dragon slayer suddenly appeared in front of him, above ground. The pink haired twisted, anti-clockwise, returning with a high right footed kick aimed at Naruto's chest. The blond blocked the kick by placing both his hands in front of him in a crossed position.
Once more again, Naruto was put in surprise mode when Natsu's kick connected with both his hands: the kid packed quite the kick. There was so much power behind it that he hadn't expected. The resulting end was Naruto skidding backwards a little, but the blond was able to land on a boulder on both his feet.
Natsu charged again, this time, his right fist was engulfed in a fiery of red flames. Naruto attempted to block a punch that was coming straight to his chest by crossing both his hands in front of him. Big mistake. The blond surppressed a wince when Natsu's flame enveloped punch hit his hands, propelling him backwards.
Much to Natsu's surprise, it didn't take long for Naruto to recover from the punch as he was again standing on top of a boulder, but staring at arms, where there were a few bruises caused by his flame charged punch.
The dragon slayer didn't dwell much on it as he was again charging at Naruto with the same technique. This time, Naruto didn't try blocking it as Natsu reached him: he jumped up, slightly though. Just enough for Natsu's punch to miss him as it was going down the ground. The flame engulfed punch crashed down the boulder Naruto had been standing on. The blond used his chance to its affectiveness: he landed a swift kick on Natsu's face after the miss, sending the boy fumbling away.
While still in midair, Natsu was able to regain some of his balance before released his spell, ''Fire Dragons Roar!'' The pink haired released some intense swirling flames that peeled down as they charged towards their target, looking to devour him.
Naruto responded by raising his right hand, palm open. ''Magic reflector: Absorb,'' he breathed out as a large blue magic seal formed just in front of him. As the dragon roar reached him, the mirror Naruto had erected absorbed the flames before they could do any harm. Naruto quickly shut the mirror before looking back at Natsu, who seemed surprised.
''What just happened to my flames?'' The pink haired asked. Lucy had the same question, but given how it appeared, she believed that Naruto had just absorbed Natsu's flames.
''I absorbed them, but don't worry, I will give them back in a few moments,'' Naruto said, holding a single hand sign. ''Fire Style: Dragons Breath!'' Naruto released a stream of flames from his mouth that sped towards Natsu who just waited with a big grin on his face. Natsu then hung open his mouth as the flames reached him and began to eat them while holding out his hands.
''Natsu, in front of you!'' Happy shouted as Naruto flashed in front of the dragon slayer, who was busy eating his delicous meal. The blond had appeared bellow the flames, to avoid them. The pink haired couldn't react in time as Naruto landed a brutal punch on his gut that had him spitting out a mouthful of flames, before being sent hurling into the air.
As gravity started pulling the pink haired down the ground, he attempted to regain his balance, but couldn't fully. This resulted in him crashing down the ground like an animal, on both hands and feet.
As he stood on his feet, Natsu managed a grin, ''Man you hit hard. Way harder than Gray,'' the teen said. ''But those flames were really...'' he trailed off when he realized that Naruto had just disappeared from his view.
The blond appeared just in front of Natsu, held out his right hand: the gravity seal formed just above the dragon slayer, crushing him down the ground. Naruto went on the offensive by gripping Natsu's face. The moment he did that, the gravity stopped working. He picked Natsu by his face, before slamming down the ground in a merciless manner.
He hadn't let go of Natsu as he slammed down the ground - this gave him the chance to once again lift the dragon slayer. Natsu attempted to opned his mouth to shoot out flames, but Naruto quickly grabbed the pink head's throat with his left hand. He didn't waste time before flunging the teen into the air. While jumping back, he snapped his fingers. The gravity seal appeared above Natsu once more: the force of the spell sent him crashing down the ground in a heap.
Naruto didn't wait for the teen to completely recover; he slamed his hands down the ground before two pillars of flames bust out, standing tall while the flames twirled. The blond held a single hand seal, ''Fire Style: Great Fire Breath!'' the two pillars of flames connected together before charging straight at Natsu.
Naruto didn't stop there, he did hand seals once more, ''Fire Style: Majestic Flame Destruction!'' He spat out a stream of flames that rushed towards Natsu, who was already engulfed by the first wave of flames. Once the stream collided with the other flames, it exploded into a heap of flames, causing massive heat around the area.
''Hey, watch it. You're going to burn us too!'' Lucy yelled while trying to take cover from the flames. She was worried about Natsu, but the fact that Naruto didn't seem like he was going to stop made her worry less. Besides, that idiot was probably laughing maniacally while absorbing the flames.
''Is Natsu going to be okay?''
Happy nodded, ''Flames can't hurt Natsu. He is just going to absorb them,'' he said. He did think this was a little too much even for Natsu, but with the dragon slayer, you could never know.
Lucy was quiet for a few moments as she studied things, ''Why would he shoot fire spells at Natsu when he knows he is just going to absorb the flames?'' Did he think the pink haired was going to eat more than he can handle?
''He probably has a reason, or maybe he just wants to see how much Natsu can eat,'' a voice said behind Happy and Lucy, startling the two.
Lucy snapped around, ''Gray!'' she shouted pointing a finger at him like she was accusing him of something. ''Announce your presence first. You startled me,'' she said a bit more quietly.
''If Natsu consumes all those flames, he becomes powerful. Assuming Naruto knows this, then perhaps he wants to fight Natsu at a higher level,'' Erza said, announcing her presence as well.
Although surprised at Erza's presence, Lucy looked back at Naruto, ''Natsu is already strong enough...''
''Probably not for him,'' Gray said. He wanted to see how the flame-brain would do against someone like Naruto, and this represented a good chance to see the blond fight. They'd only heard rumors, but now it was time to see the blond fight for real.
''Natsu is undoubtfully strong, but I wish I had been the one challenging him,'' Erza mumbled to herself. But it didn't matter anyway.
For his last piece, Naruto held out his right hand, ''Magic Reflector: Reflect,'' another wave of flames tossed through the ground heading towards Natsu. Another explosion of flames, but it didn't last long as it appeared like they were reflected back at Naruto. The blond just batted the stream of flames to the side with the back of his right hand.
''Ouch,'' he said after all. That had burned him.
''Man, I ate too much,'' Natsu said, looking more like a frog than anything. ''But I'm all fired up!'' He shouted, releasing crimson flames all around him, almost looking like lava. The release of the flames reduced his size a bit, but he was still a 19 months pregant teen.
''Oh good. You feel more like it,'' Naruto said with a small smile. ''I guess we can now start fighting. Perhaps I will be serious, a little...''
''You mean to tell me that the fight hasn't started after everything!'' Lucy shouted. Natsu had been on the offensive before Naruto started throwing those flame based attacks, and that was fighting. What did he even mean that he would be serious, a little?
''Did you see how he deflected those flames with just his bare hand?'' Erza asked Gray. Normally, to deflect those flames, one would need something strong, but the blond semingly just deflected the flames with just his hand, no magic used whatsover.
Gray nodded, ''Perhaps he is strong as Master says he is,'' he said. ''Or maybe the flames weren't effective because they are 'his'...'' he theorized.
Back with Naruto
Naruto disappeared into thin air, before he appeared in front of a surprised Natsu, while floating slightly above ground, ''Sorry, but I'm going to hurt you a little,'' the blond said.
Natsu oppened his mouth, trying to release some flames, but Naruto reacted quickly by grabbing him by the throat, not even minding the intense flames that surrounded the dragon slayer. The blond picked up Natsu from the ground before chokeslamming him with so much force that Gray had to close his right eye while wincing.
''You're a little rusty because of the fat gut. I will have to get you into a shape where you can fight at your best by beating you,'' Naruto said, knowing that Natsu's size slowed him, but still gave him great physical power, but that alone wasn't enough if this was going to be a challenge.
Not the one to take a challenge while lying down, Natsu quickly got up, and attempted to punch Naruto, but the blond caught the punch with his left hand. He jabbed the hand, pulling Natsu toward him in a quick motion that caught the dragon slayer off balance. Naruto did this while crouching down, his right fist collecting wind before he drove it straight at Natsu's gut. A brutal punch comparible to Tsunade's punches.
Once it connected with Natsu, it caused a boom, while the dragon slayes eyes shot wide open, and his mouth released an intense stream of flames that passed just above Naruto. The ground beneath Natsu shattered under the shockwave of the punch before he was sent rocketing to the other side by the brutal punch.
Naruto straightened up, ''That should be enough to get him to lose a few pounds,'' he said to himself, waiting for Natsu to charge at him once again, but the boy didn't wake up after he'd hit the ground. He cocked his head in question, while Happy shouted rushing after the boy. ''Oh, I may have put too much into the punch. I must really learn to control myself.''
Another fact that may have been a matter was chakra. There were bits of chakra in the flames he released, and Natsu's body wasn't familiar to that kind of energy. The pink haired had also consumed more flames than his gut could handle...
Naruto sighed. I didn't even fight, he thought sadly before rushing over to Natsu's form. He looked okay, just passed out. ''Don't worry,'' Naruto said to happy. ''He just stuffed something he shouldn't,'' he should have thought of it before anything, but he had been excited about the thought of fighting to do so.
It was better to remove the chakra before it damages his system, Naruto thought.
''What was that?'' Erza asked, looking straight at Naruto who was standing just beside Natsu.
''My knockout punch,'' Naruto said.
''You hit him with your knockout punch and still expected him to keep fighting?'' Lucy asked, giving the blond a look. The blond seemed like he wanted to fight Natsu some more but the fight never happened.
''With the flames around him, it shouldn't have been a knockout punch. He had consumed more flames than he should. I thought the punch would knockout some of the excess flames, but that didn't happen...''
''I knew the idiot doesn't know his own limits,'' Gray muttered with a shake of his head. ''With those flames acting as his armor, Natsu's defensive capabilities were enhanced. But his over-flamed gut slowed him down. That meant he couldn't move as fast as he would be when he had balanced meal.''
Shaking her head at the turn of events. Erza went on to another matter ''Naruto,'' Erza started, ''Master wanted to see you...''
''Ah,'' Naruto groaned. ''I didn't even smack something before going to see the old man...''
He needed to release some pent up energy before speaking about his past with someone. But guess he didn't need that type of therapy.
Fairy Tail
It didn't long for Naruto to reach the guild, despite the fact that he had tried by all means to drag the walk to kill more time. Time never went slow when you wanted - it always did the oppisite, yet never changing its pace nor direction. He had allowed the group to go ahead of him, just so he could once again select the facts that he was going to tell Makarov. He didn't want to lie, he wasn't going to lie to the old man. Lies didn't do good, and this had to be done as a sign of trust. In this kind of world, no, in everything that cocnerned the daily life, trust was an important aspect that needed to be treated with care.
His diluted thoughts were soothed by the fact that he had met the first master of Fairy Tail and the 'woman' didn't seem to have a problem with him being in the guild nor about his past. As long as he was no threat to the Guild, and used his powers to protect it, she was happy to get along with him. That made some difference. He wasn't concerned with Makarov judging him or anything, but just talking about it, having to explain himself was something he didn't want to go through.
Talking to Zeref was a different matter. The black wizard was something else. He wasn't a normal person, he wasn't Makarov, and he didn't have to contest with the man telling him he may have made the wrong choice in the path he chose. Naruto did like to think about it.
Bracing himself, Naruto released a sigh before stepping into the Guild: he was greeted by a cheery mood that just reminded him of how pleasant it was being with friends. He has missed that. But he still didn't regret the choice he made. He just had to make new friends in this world and continue to live in a different manner while trying to understand this world better before trying to sort it out.
Naruto walked towards the counter, where he could see Makarov settling down in his peace, the usual jug of beer not in his side. But the blond didn't question it as he took his seat beside the old man.
''I heard you were fighting with Natsu,'' Makarov said, earning nothing more than a slight frown Naruto. ''What?'' He asked, seeing the frown on the blond's face.
''It wasn't a fight,'' Naruto said. ''I didn't fight him. He got knocked out before I could even start.''
Makarov shook his head, ''That isn't according to Erza and Gray, at least,'' he said.
''Natsu did charge at me two or three times, but that wasn't fighting.'' Anything that has to be considered a fight is something that makes get serious, even if it means a little. Without even being forced to do anything and having the luxury to do everything he wanted wasn't a fight but a beating.
Once more again, Makarov shook his head, ''you sound disappointed that you didn't get to fight. What really is a fight to you anyway?''
''I am disappointed. I threw in a few of my fire techniques at him just so he could get a boost and that all ended up in waste. I don't like to waste energy when in the face of a battlefield,'' Naruto said. ''A fight is a fight, just it is considered a true fight when I'm not controlling everything.''
''Natsu isn't really a weak boy, you know.'' Makarov pointed out. He didn't doubt Natsu's strength, not even a little. But then again, this was Naruto he was talking about. He has seen that the blond is quite capable.
''But he isn't the strongest,'' Naruto simply said.
Makarov frowned slightly, ''You're not a battle hungry idiot like Natsu, are you?'' he asked. It was enough that he had Natsu, he didn't want Naruto to join in the game as well. If the blond joined, it would be the end of him.
''A little. I just don't runaway from a fight and I enjoy nothing more than to fight someone who is powerful,'' it gets his blood boiling a bit, and confirmed his superiority as kami.
Makarov sighed, ''Well, with what I have seen, Natsu shouldn't be a problem for you. I guess you require the likes of Erza,'' he said. How could he even forget, Laxus has fought against the blond, and their match ended in a stalemate with the blond leaving for other matters.
Naruto nodded. Fighting someone powerful enough to wound him seriously will only get him excited though, and when excited in battle, things went brutal, but still fun - for him at least.
''Let's go to my office,'' Makarov said. ''we have to get this over with before you can leave for your job.''
''Job?''
Makarov nodded, ''Erza has requested that you join her along with the others as they go to do a job. It sounds serious. They've already gone to prepare themselves...''
Naruto simply nodded before following the master upstairs towards his office. Once they got there, Makarov showed Naruto a seat in the front of his desk before settling behind it himself. The old man simply looked at Naruto with an unreadable expression. He did note the blond took an impassive mask.
''How do I begin?'' Naruto said to himself. ''I'm not from this world, Earthland. I come from another world, called the Elemental Nations.''
Makarov simply stared at Naruto for a few moments. He felt as though a hammer had been dropped on both his shoulders. Not by the fact that Naruto was from another world, but by the implications of it. More precisely, what the Magic Council would do if they found out about this. It wasn't to say that he wasn't surprised that Naruto was from another: the surprise was evident on his face. It was that the council would be a problem if this came out.
''How?''
''Someone pulled me from my world. I was in fact dead at the time in my world.''
Makarov rubbed his head: the warning signs were flashing inside his head. He was going to receive a major migrane at the end of this conversation and one that would need for him to lie down while his mind processes everything. ''Who 'pulled' you, and why?''
''I don't actually know him, but he is dead as far as I know, at least. He told me that he sacrificed his own life so that I can live in this world. I did tell you that I was dead in my world.'' Naruto said. ''For the reason: he said there were many wrongs that needed to be corrected in this world and I was the right person to right the wrongs he failed to correct.''
The second part of the answer would be dealt with on some other time, but right now, there were more pressing matters. ''You're young and I can say that you came here in this world not long ago. Which explains why there is nothing about your past...''
Naruto nodded, ''I have not been in this world for more than three years,'' he said.
''How did you die in your world? Granted you were as strong as I fear, I doubt killing you would be easy,'' Makarov said, with some narrowed eyes.
''I was killed, in the most brutal way. Besides, I wanted to die anyway.'' His purpose had been fulfilled and he had to disappear for the world to see a new path. As he continued to hope, the path was one that would see his sacrifice to have been worth it.
''Why?''
Naruto did allow his mask to slip. ''I wasn't the most liked person in my world. I was the most feared and hated person in the Elemental Nations; I went by many names: the demon god, kami, death flash or just demon.''
If it wasn't for the look on Naruto's eyes, and the fact that he has seen a bit of the blond's power, not to mention the things that he was doing before he joined Fairy Tail, Makarov would have found this to be very amusing. There was just no way to picture this person in front of him as a demon, or anything like that.
''What did you do?''
''Not so good things. I killed people, a lot of people...'' he didn't go further than that.
Makarov was consumed with silence for a few moments. ''I assume you had your own reasons,'' he said. Even if Naruto said he has killed people, he could see it in those eyes that it had tormented him to do it. And that confirmed that the blond wasn't a bad person. No demon felt remorse for killing other people.
Naruto nodded.
Once more again, Makarov sighed. ''Tell me a little about your world? You mentioned something about having wished to be a leader of your village.''
''The Elemental Nations, otherwise called the Shinobi world. My world is a world of shinobi, there is no magic but chakra: chakra works similar to magic. Shinobi aren't the most nicest people. I was one, so I know. They kill, cheat betray and destroy, but there are still nice people. This was flawed from the system that reigned in the shinobi world.
I was born in the village called Konohagakure, to the fourth leader of the village. The night I was born, somone manipulated a powerful beast that was beyond a human to kill, and had it attack Konoha. My father, being the leader, sacrificed his life, along with my mother's to seal the beast into me. As a result, I lost both my parents the day I was born.
As I grew up, I'd wished to be the leader of Konoha, but like I told you, I outgrew that dream and wished for something bigger.''
Shinobi? When was the last time he heard that term? Long ago, and it was only a few of them. But what he did know was that they were the toughest to go against, with or without magic. Still, this was something. He didn't think he was going to find so much about the blond.
He did wonder what kind of world it was that the blond lived in. ''How was the state of your world?''
''Unpleasant. I can tell you that this is peace compared to my world. Its past is a bloody one. Children taught to fight at a young age, never ending wars. Even children participated in those wars. You can only imagine what it is like when you enter into a battlefield with the only intention of killing your enemies. Death was a thing of a daily basis. As a shinobi, you never knew when you were going to die and who was going to be the one to drive a blade from your back.''
Makarov's expression twisted slightly. ''I'm guessing you have a lot of unpleasant memories from your world.''
Naruto nodded, smiling sadly, ''quite a lot really.''
''I imagine your past actions had something to do with 'correcting a few wrongs,''' Makarov said, to which Naruto nodded. ''This is something you don't want the magic council to know. I will keep it to myself, but if you wan't to tell anyone in the guild, that is up to you.''
Naruto nodded. ''Anything else?''
''How powerful are you?''
''How? Mmm, I can't really measure, but I'm strong enough to challenge anyone. In terms of just magic, I can manipulate wind, fire, lightning as well as water. I can also use, 'runes', gravity magic, teleportation magic.''
Makarov gave Naruto a look. ''That is a lot of magic for one person. Normally, a mage is able to manipulate one element in elemental magic.'' He has seen the blond using lightning, wind, teleportation, and earlier with Natsu, he was using fire. Sighing once more, ''Go prepare yourself, and find Natsu. He is going with Erza as well.''
Makarov still gave Naruto a look, which the blond noticed, but didn't respond to it.
A/N
I've honestly been having some troubles writing this story in this past two months. Nevertheless, I'm happy that we finally got to the point where the anime started.
So, other things will follow the anime, some things will be different.
I don't even know where we will end. But we will definately reach the Tartaros Arc. After that, we will return to the Naruto universe. I will keep the details for now.
Thanks for your continued support on the story.
The Omnipresent Sage