"Talking"
"Thoughts"
"Demon"
"Jutsu/Spell"
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or One Piece
"Stand still you bastard!" Erigor yelled as he flew after Naruto, flinging wind blades at the blonde as he jumped from building to building. The Dark Mage was slightly impressed by the blonde's abilities, but it was quickly pushed aside for annoyance that he couldn't hit him.
"Psh, some assassin you are." Naruto said as he flipped over a wind blade. "What, do you only target people in comas?"
Erigor let out a growl and pushed Wind magic into his feet to fly towards Naruto faster. The blonde smirked as he saw the man rushing towards him. He had been leading the mage towards the edge of town so they wouldn't involve anyone else in their fight. With a powerful push, Naruto back flipped off the building he was on to the ground below. Erigor 's scythe cut into the stone where Naruto had been and the mage let out another growl as he pulled it out and leapt after him.
"So are you done running?" Erigor asked as he watched Naruto stretch across from him.
"Yup!" Naruto replied with a grin. "I figured we were far enough away that no one else could get injured." He cracked his knuckles. "Feel like playing a game?"
Erigor was annoyed he had fallen for Naruto's trick and now was isolated, using hostages was a helpful tactic but he could make do. "A game? The only game I want to play involves you dead!" He slashed his scythe at Naruto and sent a giant wind blade at him.
"Futon: Wind Blade" Channeling chakra into his arm, Naruto swung it in the same way Erigor did and sent a blade of wind the same size as Erigor's into the Dark Mage's, cancelling them both out. "It's called wind master; I should warn you I'm pretty good."
Erigor's eyes widened as his blade was cancelled out. "So you know Wind Magic as well?" He twirled his scythe. "Well then let's see how you deal with this…..Storm Mail!" Naruto watched as wind began to swirl around Erigor's body, it grew tighter and tighter until it formed a suit around the man. "This is my ultimate technique."
Naruto was impressed by the technique, it reminded him of the Third Raikage's technique, and he made a mental note to look into copying it. "I can work on that later though," Naruto said as he crouched down, ready to avoid anything Erigor might throw at him.
"Storm Shred" Waving his arm down Erigor shot out multiple wind blades, though this time they were smaller and more compact. Instead of trying to cancel them out with his own, Naruto leapt into the air over the blades, going through hand-seals as he did.
"Futon: Wind Palm" Thrusting his hand forward Naruto sent a large gust of wind forward, meant to knock Erigor back, but as it got close it was sucked up by the Dark Mages wind armor.
"Hahahahah how do you like that blondie!" Erigor crackled. "Wind Magic won't work against me now, guess I win the game." He let out another burst of laughter and swung his arm at Naruto as he landed. "Storm Shred"
"Figured as much." Naruto thought as his theory was confirmed and he now knew wind jutsu's wouldn't work unless he overpowered them. Leaping to the left he dodged the attack from Erigor. "Let's turn this up then!" Running through more hand-seals, Naruto took a large breath. "Katon: Great Fireball"
Erigor's eyes went wide when he saw the giant fireball coming at him. "Storm Shred" He fired wind blades at the fireball but instead of cutting it up the fireball grew in size, the fire feeding off the wind. "Shit!" He cursed as he jumped back to avoid the jutsu.
"Katon: Ash Pile Burning" Erigor spun around to see Naruto a few feet back taking another large breath, though this time when he breathed out he shot out grey ash. Erigor didn't see how that was a threat and figured it was a smokescreen but his wind picked up the ash and pulled it around him.
When he took a sniff he froze. "Wait, that's not smoke it's…" He looked up at Naruto only to see the blonde grinning at him.
"Boom." Before Erigor could do anything his body was covered in flames. What he thought was ash was actually gunpowder and it had covered his body because of his armor. Naruto had used less chakra then normal so the burns wouldn't kill the man, just incapacitate him. The Dark Mage only burned for a few seconds, his armor having been consumed by the flames, and now lay sprawled across the ground with burns covering most of his torso and his clothes tattered even more. Naruto cautiously nudged him with his foot but when he didn't move nodded and made two clones. "Get him to the authorities and I'll go meet up with everyone else."
"Right boss." One clone said with a salute before both grabbed hold of Erigor, not bothering with being gentle, and headed back into town. Naruto watched them disappear then turned and closed his eyes to focus on the Hiraishin mark he placed on Kurama.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Erza flinched when she heard the thump of someone landing on the magical vehicle as they made their way towards the regular meeting hall of the Guild Masters. At the speeds they were going no one should have been able to jump on easily but when she spun around she was relieved to see Naruto.
"Yo." Naruto said with a small wave. "Where we going?"
"I am glad to see you're alright, did you have any problems?" Erza asked.
Naruto shook his head. "Once I got him in a secluded area it was easy to take him down. I dropped him off with the local authorities." Erza nodded.
"Good." She turned and focused back on the road. "We didn't have much trouble either; we are currently heading towards the Guild Master's meeting. I believe Master Makarov and the others will know what to do with Lullaby."
"Sounds good to me." Naruto sat down on the vehicle next to Kurama and poked the Biju. "Hey, did you cause any problems?"
"I'm insulted you would think I was capable of anything like that." Kurama said in a mock hurt voice. "Oh, but I did get to try out the Human Hammer idea, works perfectly." Naruto sighed and shook his head at Kurama.
"So where's the flute?" He asked, Kurama waved a tail forward to show he had the lute wrapped tightly in it. Naruto grabbed it from him and started inspecting it, looking for any runes or symbols that might give him ideas about who made it.
Several minutes later Erza spotted the meeting hall. "We are almost there." Naruto nodded absently, still trying to figure out the flute and what made it so deadly. Unfortunately, since they were moving he couldn't use Sage Mode to get a better sense of it.
"Maybe I can talk Ero-gramps into letting me inspect it more." Naruto thought as they pulled up to the building.
"Finally!" Gray yelled as he jumped out of the cart. "Damn it flame brain figure out this motion sickness thing!"
"Sweet land!" Natsu yelled as he fell onto the ground and held onto it for dear life. Lucy followed after them, shaking her head as she got out. Turning she saw Naruto drop down with Kurama and Erza. "Naruto!" She smiled. "You're okay!" Natsu and Gray both turned and grinned when they saw the blonde.
"Please, like that moron could harm me." Naruto replied with a grin.
"We can talk later, come on." Erza said as she stalked forward towards the meeting hall.
Suddenly the doors were thrown open and the group stopped as Makarov came walking out, a beer in his hand and he was walking in a serpentine pattern. "Hey everybody look, it's my brats!" He called back into the hall with a large grin. "Hello!" He waved at the group.
"I think the old man is drunk." Natsu said as he pointed to the man.
"Master." Erza kept moving forward and stopped right in front of Makarov. "We need to talk."
"Awwwwwwww~!" Makarov dropped to the ground and whined. "Can't we do this when I get back Erza-chan?"
"I think you might want to listen up Ero-Gramps." Naruto said before tossing the flute to the small man, who quickly caught it.
"Silly Naru-chan, I don't play the flute." Makarov chuckled out but when he looked down at the flute his entire demeanor changed. "Where did you get this?" He could practically feel the dark magic leaking out of it.
"I encountered some Dark Guild mages on my way home from the last mission." Erza answered. "With the others help we tracked them down and found that flute in their possession." She nodded to the flute.
"I see, it was good of you to bring me this." Makarov replied with a nod. "I will get this to the council and have it sealed away or destroyed."
"I'll never be sealed again!" Everyone looked down at the flute as it began to leak smoke out of it's mouth. Makarov quickly tossed it away and moved back to join the group.
The smoke started to take shape and the wooden flute began to grow with it to form a large figure made of what looked like the wood of the flute. Its head had three glowing eyes but horns also sprouted from the head.
"What is that?!" Lucy asked as she took a step back.
"I'm starving." The large demon said as it flexed its hands. "And I'm going to eat your souls!"
"Souls are edible?" Natsu asked, to which Gray smacked him in the back of the head.
"Focus you idiot!" He chided then focused back on the demon.
"How is a demon here?" Lucy asked as she shook with slight fear.
"Zeref was known for his ability to create demons with his Living Magic." Makarov informed them as he eyed the demon. "They are all powerful and should not be taken lightly."
"Now whose soul should I eat first?" It asked with a chuckle. "I know." It opened its mouth and a clear energy started to form in its open mouth. "All of yours!"
The Fairy Tail mages all started to move forward but stopped when suddenly they were blocked by a large leg. "Powerful demon?" Kurama asked as he now stood eye to eye with the demon, who looked shocked at the sudden change in the fox. "More like a pathetic little demon. Honestly, who turns into a flute?"
The Lullaby demon snapped out of its shock and glared at Kurama. "I don't know what you are, but I will still take your soul!" The clear energy began to glow in its mouth again but Kurama just grinned.
"I would love to see you try." Kurama replied as he formed a Bijūdama.
Both of them let out their attacks at the same time but when they meet in the air Kurama's Bijūdama easily tore through Lullaby's magic and hit the demon square in the chest, knocking him back and onto the ground.
"Damn you!" Lullaby roared as he started to pick himself up. "You'll pay for that!" Kurama chuckled and flicked his tails forward, the tips turning to hands as they moved. Each one grabbed a different part of the demon and Kurama lifted him into the air.
"Goodbye." Kurama said as he aimed at the demon, though this time the Bijūdama was larger than before.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Lullaby yelled as Kurama tossed him up and released him, within seconds his body was covered by the dark energy and when it passed the demon was gone.
Kurama smirked before turning and channeling himself back into the skeleton body. "Ha! Did you see that? And he called himself a demon." The Biju let out a chuckle as he joined the group but when he looked up he noticed they were all looking past him wide eyed. Cocking an eyebrow he looked behind him and saw what they were looking at: when Lullaby fell he had hit part of the meeting hall and now all the other masters had come out and were glaring at the Fairy Tail mages. "…..Ummmmmm…..yeah, I don't apologize." Kurama turned and jumped onto Naruto. "Emergency escape plan alpha!"
Before anyone could even blink Naruto and Kurama were gone, leaving the others to look at his empty spot. "Damn you Naru-chan take me next time!" Makarov yelled as he began running away, the other Fairy Tail members quickly following suit as the Guild Masters began the chase.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fairy Tail Guild Hall xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mirajane looked up as Naruto and Kurama appeared in the Guild Hall. "Welcome back!" She said with a smile. "I take it since your back everything went okay."
"Yup." He replied as Kurama jumped off him. "And I am craving some ramen." He quickly took his normal seat.
"Where are the others?" Mirajane asked as she started towards the kitchen though she caught the look between Naruto and Kurama.
"They wanted to take the scenic route." Kurama said before turning to the door. "Speaking of scenic I'm going home, later!" The Biju quickly made his way out the door as Mirajane put her hands on her hips and looked at Naruto.
"And why didn't you offer to bring them back?" She asked as Naruto let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head.
"I was just in a hurry to get back and have some of your delicious ramen, Mira-chan." Naruto grinned big but in his mind he was praying she bought that.
She stared at him for a minute before smiling and nodding then going into the kitchen. Naruto let out a sigh of relief. "I didn't buy that but I'll give you points for trying." Mirajane called out from the kitchen, Naruto gulped but was happy he was at least getting ramen.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
By the next day Makarov and the others had all returned, the Master give Naruto a glare and orders never to escape without him again. After a small celebration in the morning everyone had gathered outside to see the fight between Erza and Natsu.
"Let's go people, place your bets now or lose out!" Cana called out as she handed out more betting slips.
Erza and Natsu stood in the center of the gathered mages, the pink haired boy was stretching and had a slight grin on his face while Erza looked as stoic as ever. Makarov stood off to the side with Naruto, who was ready to put up the barrier, and Mirajane. "Are we ready?" Makarov asked Naruto.
"Good to go, just give the word." Naruto replied with a nod. "Wonder how long this will last?"
"I'm sure Natsu will put up a good fight." Mirajane chirped happily.
"I hope not." The trio turned to see Kurama walking up to them. "I got several bets on the kid losing." He swung his tails forward and showed them several betting slips. Naruto looked at them and chuckled.
"You do know even if you win you've spent more on the bets then you could win right?" The blonde asked. Kurama quickly pulled back his tails.
"Shut up, what do you know?" Kurama grumbled, while Naruto just chuckled knowing Kurama wasn't the brightest of gamblers. He wasn't bad just didn't always make the smartest of decisions.
"Alright let's get this over with." Makarov said as he walked forward. "Alright brats listen up!" Makarov called out to get everyone's attention. "You two ready?" Erza and Natsu both nodded. "Naruto."
Naruto walked forward and placed his hands on the ground. "Four Seal Encampment" The familiar blue walls of chakra rose up and Naruto took a step back.
"Alright then…" Makarov held his arm up and looked between the two fighters. "Begin!"
"Ex-quip: Flame Empress Armor" A quick flash of light shined and Erza stood in the red and black armor with a sword in her right hand.
"Good, now I can go all out." Natsu said with a smirk and lite his hands with large fireballs. Rushing forward he leapt and brought his arm down towards Erza's head but the redhead easily dodged it by jumping back.
Erza slashed at Natsu but he ducked down to avoid the blade and then spun with his leg out to try and trip her. Erza hopped over the leg and brought swung her sword down to strike Natsu but he rolled back and kicked off the ground back towards her.
"Fire Dragons Claw!" Flipping onto his hands Natsu lite his feet on fire as he spun, attempting to burn Erza, but the female mage leapt over the flames and swung her sword downward. Natsu cursed and pushed off with his arms to the side, landing on his feet and barley avoided the blade. "Now I'm all fired up!"
"Stop at once!" Everyone turned at the sudden shout to see a frog like man wearing black robes standing on one side of the barrier. "For charges of damage and several crimes from the Eisenwald incident the other day Erza Scarlett is hereby under arrest on orders from the Magic Council."
"WWWHHHAAATTTT!" Everyone yelled in surprise.
"Lower this barrier at once." The council official ordered as he tapped on the barrier. Naruto looked down at Makarov and after getting a nod he cancelled the barrier.
"Wait a minute, what the hell is going on?" Natsu yelled as he looked between Erza, who had changed into her normal armor, and the official.
"Don't worry about it Natsu." Erza replied as she made her way to the official.
"Hey we were in a fight and now you're getting arrested!" Natsu yelled and started to move to stop her but was blocked by Makarov's giant hand.
"Enough Natsu." The Guild Master said as he looked to Erza, no words were exchanged but she gave him a nod before turning to the official.
"I am ready." She told him, he nodded and turned towards the train station, Erza following suit.
Everyone started whispering to each other as the duo disappeared down the street. "What the hell is going on here!" Natsu screamed again and looked around at everyone. "You all may be okay with her getting arrested but I'm not!" Moving around the hand Natsu started running after Erza.
"Stop him!" Makarov yelled and everyone moved to block Natsu.
"Natsu!" Happy yelled as he flew down and scooped up the dragon-slayer and flew towards the train station.
Makarov let out a sigh. "Get him back here." Everyone knew it was an order and many quickly started running towards the train station, each taking different route incase Happy dropped him off or ran out of magic.
"So what was that all about?" Naruto asked as he Mirajane and Kurama walked over. Makarov let out a sigh.
"Politics." He answered and headed towards the Guild Hall. "I need a drink."
Naruto nodded, while he wasn't one hundred percent sure he understood he had an idea of what Makarov meant and wasn't going to dig further into it. Walking inside Mirajane headed behind the bar while Naruto headed up stairs.
"Taking another job already?" Kurama asked as he bound up the stairs after Naruto.
"Yeah I want to get a bit of exercise in." Naruto replied as he walked to the board and started looking the request over.
"I highly doubt anything will really give you a challenge." Kurama said with a snort.
"I don't know, I do have to change my fighting styles up because of my drop in chakra." Naruto said but did agree most of these jobs were easier than he had hopped. "Here's one." Naruto pulled one down and Kurama jumped on his shoulders to read it.
"Several reports of people seeing a Manticore in the area and people have gone missing." Kurama read. "Sounds fun…..what the hell is a Manticore?"
Naruto shrugged. "How should I know? Let's just ask Mira-chan and then go beat it up." Kurama nodded in agreement and they went down stairs, the Hall was oddly quiet and Naruto looked around to see everyone was down cast. "Well this is a first." Naruto said as he walked over to the bar. "Hey Mira-chan I'm taking this job."
The white haired girl turned to him and frowned. "But you just got back." Naruto shifted under the sad gaze and held out the job.
"I know but I wanted to get some exercise." Naruto said quickly. "I promise I'll be back in no time." Mira was still frowning and Naruto started to feel guilt rising in him. Kurama sensed the tension and on the one hand he was glad Naruto was feeling anything for another person but more importantly he wanted to know what a Manticore was and see one. With that in mind he used a tail to snatch the request and jumped onto the bar to draw Mirajane's attention.
"What the hell is a Manticore?" He thrust the job up into Mirajane's face to block her from Naruto.
Mirajane pouted at Kurama ruining her guilt trip and looked over the job. "Manticore's are large beasts with the body of a lion, a human like head but with three rows of sharp teeth, bat like wings coming out its back and a barbed tail that can throw quills that are covered in a paralytic liquid."
Naruto and Kurama blinked at her. "I really want to fight one."
"Agreed." Naruto replied quickly. Mirajane couldn't help but giggle at their obvious excitement.
Letting out a sigh she walked over to the request book. "Well don't do anything stupid or I'll stop making ramen for you." Naruto went wide eyed with horror.
"Yah yah, I promise to bring him back fully intact." Kurama said as he hopped back onto Naruto. "Now let's go I want to see how many of these quills it can throw at a time, I'm guessing ten."
"Why do I feel like this is going to end up with me becoming a pincushion?" Naruto grumbled as he headed for the train station.