"Speaking"
'Thinking'
"Dragon/Spell"
Chapter 3. Dragon vs Saint
(With Naruto)
Running along a frozen path in the water made by Gray, Naruto was leading the charge into the crumbled remains of the Phantom fortress.
"Keep on your guard!" Naruto instructed as he looked over his shoulder to Gray. Who was following close behind. "We don't know how many forces Phantom brought with them!"
"Hey this kinda reminds me of that temple I busted up!" Natsu laughed out, as he was flying overhead thanks to his partner Happy.
Naruto's brow twitched at the comment, but before he could reply a large burst of pitch black shades began to swarm from the fortress. Placing the three wizards on guard, but to their surprise the shades simply ignored them and all began to fly for the rest of the guild.
"What are those!" Gray yelled out, as he watched the shades descend and start attacking his comrades.
"It's someone's magic." Naruto answered as he kept his attention on the fortress. "By their sheer number I would say they are controlled by Phantom Lord's Master Jose. However, they seem quite weak so everyone else should be able to hold them off."
"Well in that case let's end this war!" Natsu yelled loudly as he pointed at a specific location of the fortress. "Full speed that way, Happy!"
"Aye sir!" Happy shouted before taking off at his top speed. Leaving both Naruto and Gray in the dust.
Watching Natsu and Happy go, Naruto wished he could use his wings to fly to where he needed to go. Unfortunately doing so would open up a lot of questions for anyone that would see him do so. A slight annoyance, but Naruto knew he couldn't go too far with dragon abilities. So instead he merely used his heightened sense of smell to track the locations of his enemies. Finding several familiar and unfamiliar smells from within the fortress.
"Gray, Natsu has the right idea." Naruto began as he quickly pointed to a section of the fortress where he was picking up the scent of Juvia. Someone Naruto knew Gray could handle. "We should split up. I'll head through the front and you go that way!"
Nodding his head, Gray made himself a separate path and started to run where Naruto told him to go. Leaving the half dragon alone to head straight into the front of the demolished building. Already picking up two unfamiliar scents close by. In fact one of the people he could smell was standing directly in his path, while the second was trying to conceal themselves.
The man in Naruto's eyesight stood confidently with his arms crossed. Almost as if he was waiting for someone to come in to challenge him.
"I don't know who you are, but as a member of the Element Four. I Totomaru will-. . ." The mage known as Totomaru began before Naruto used his raw speed to blitz the man. Catching him completely off guard as Naruto was right within his personal space.
"I don't have time to waste on you." Naruto mumbled as used his wooden sword to crack the man in the ribcage. Making a loud crunching sound ring throughout the area before Totomaru went flying into a pile of rubble. Already unconscious before his body could slump over onto the ground.
Relaxing his body from his previous attack, Naruto could hear the second individuals near silent movements along with the growing smell of his scent.
"Too bad your fight ends here! It's so sad!" A voice yelled from behind Naruto, but the blond simply spun on his heel and kicked his attacker into the ground.
"Don't think for a second you got the jump on me." Naruto began in a dry voice as he looked down at his attacker with a hollow glare. Realizing the now unconscious man at his feet matched the description of the man responsible for Makarov's condition. The final member of the Elemental Four, Aria.
Walking away from Aria with a calm and confident expression, Naruto slowly began to make his way in the direction that he knew Jose was waiting for him.
"Let's see just how strong a Wizard Saint really is." Naruto mumbled softly as he walked into the near demolished fortress with no fear whatsoever.
(With Gray)
Jumping from one pile of rubble to another, Gray was quickly scaling higher and higher onto the fortress. Reaching a height to where he could look down and realize a simple fall could be quite deadly. So using his ice magic he made a few quick supports to ensure the area he was walking on wouldn't collapse under him.
Yet as he finished his task, Gray felt a sudden downpour against his skin. "Rain?" The maker wizard mumbled in confusion. "Where did this come from?"
"Juvia is a rain woman so the rain follows Juvia." The voice of Phantom's resident water wizard spoke up as she materialized right before Gray.
Quickly striking his maker magic stance, Gray prepared himself for anything. "Well I don't care what you are! I won't let Phantom Lord get away with hurting my guild!"
Holding her hand out, Juvia instantly caught Gray within a massive water orb that was suspended in the air. "Water Lock." The blue haired woman mumbled softly as she twirled her umbrella. "And like that the fight is over."
Gritting his teeth and freezing the water, Gray used his raw strength to shatter the ice and free himself. Stunning Juvia as she watched the half naked boy who was surrounded by tiny shimmering ice crystals with a large blush.
"If that's how you wanna play!" Gray yelled before summoning a massive hammer over his head. "Ice Make: Hammer!"
Swiping her hand upward, Juvia quickly used a sharp arc of water to slice through Gray's ice. "Water Slicer!" The water woman yelled before firing off more attacks straight at Gray.
"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray called out as he slammed his hands onto the ground and summoned a massive ice shield construct to protect himself.
Yet as Juvia's attack slammed into Gray's ice the shield began to crack and the unstable ground they were standing on began to shake. Making both wizards slightly sway to keep their balance.
"Damn this place is dangerous." Gray mumbled as he ran away from his shield and dropped into his maker stance. "Ice Make: Lance!"
"Water Slicer!" Juvia yelled back as her water slammed into Gray's ice, which canceled out each other's spells. However, a few stray ice lances and streams of Juvia's water impacted against the building. Further adding to its current unstable condition.
"Ice Make-. . ." Gray began but stopped the moment the ground beneath him collapsed. Forcing Gray to act quickly and freeze the area and him to give him a quick and sturdy foothold.
However, across from his location Juvia wasn't as lucky to have magic to stop the ground beneath her from collapsing. So having little room to stand Juvia stumbled to the edge and realized there was nothing she could do except fall and accept her fate. A fate like any other drop of water from the sky, which was to fall against the ground with a splat.
'This is Juvia's end.' The rain woman thought as she fell off the building.
Gray, watching the girl close her eyes, ran forward without thinking and reached out with one hand to grab Juvia while using his other hand to latch onto the building's edge. Using every ounce of his strength to hold onto Juvia the best he could.
"Y-you saved me?" Juvia gasped in surprise, while Gray gritted his teeth.
"We might be enemies, but that doesn't mean you deserve to die!" Gray yelled back as he pulled Juvia up against his chest. "Just hold onto my neck so I can climb back up."
Wrapping herself around Gray with hearts in her eyes at her savior, Juvia felt a tightness within her heart she had never felt before. Meanwhile the rain overhead stopped and the sun began to shine down onto the pair.
(With Natsu)
"Gajeel!" Natsu roared with rage as he flew into a broken window with Happy. Coming into a small room where his fellow Dragon Slayer was waiting.
"Well if it isn't the Salamander!" Gajeel laughed loudly, as he punched his hands together. "I was hoping you would. . . Why do I smell a dragon?"
Fire leaked from his mouth as he pointed at Gajeel with an annoyed expression. "That's just that jerk Naruto! He smells funny like that, but don't worry about him! Your fight is with me!"
"Tch, whatever. I'll kick his ass after I'm done with you." Gajeel taunted which sent Natsu over the edge in anger.
"Like hell you will!" Natsu roared loudly as he ran forward and clashed fists with Gajeel. Starting the fight between the Fire and Iron Dragon Slayers.
(With Selene)
Floating high above the ground, Selene glared at the massive monument carved into the mountain before her. A small sting of pain within her chest as she saw the massive stone likeness of the only human she had ever loved.
"It would seem things have changed in the last nineteen years." Selene mumbled softly as her eyes drifted away from Minato's face and looked at the two new heads that followed after her dead husband. "If I'm not mistaken those faces are little Tsunade and Kakashi. Never would have guessed one of Minato's brats would have followed his footsteps."
Looking around the village of Konoha, Selene even had to admit the layout of buildings seemed completely different than she remembered. Almost as if the village itself had been demolished and rebuilt from scratch. Yet as Selene observed her surroundings a faint smile of amusement graced her lips, as she noticed a few Konoha shinobi gathering around her on the building rooftops.
"Who are you!" A Konoha shinobi with pitch black pineapple shaped hair yelled out, while a blond female and slightly overweight boy flanked his sides.
"Oh my." Selene laughed out with a condescending sneer as she placed a hand to her cheek. "By your looks and smell I assume you're the next generation of the ino-shika-cho. I wonder if your parents ever spoke of me?"
Instead of replying the teen clicked his teeth, trying his hardest to figure out the woman's identity. However, even with his superior intellect he couldn't place a finger on who this woman was. Something that put him on edge, as she knew who he and his comrades were so easily.
"Yo Shikamaru, what's going on? Do you Ino and Choji need some back up?" Another shinobi yelled out as a new group of three jumped by the now named Ino, Choji and Shikamaru.
"We don't know yet Kiba, but be careful." Shikamaru replied as he kept his eyes on Selene. "We don't know what she wants."
"Hmmm and now we have an Inuzuka, Aburame and Hyuga." Selene giggled out to the group's surprise, as she was easily able to identify the new group just by looks and smell like the group before. "What's next, an Uchiha?"
"Selene!" A voice yelled out loudly, which surprised the group of Konoha shinobi by the arrival of their Hokage. Who landed protectively in front of the group of young shinobi.
Selene on the other hand merely grinned as she looked down at the man dressed in the all too familiar Hokage robes. "Well if it isn't little Kakashi all grown up and a Hokage no less."
Showing visible signs of fear that was incredibly rare for the seasoned warrior. Kakashi swallowed the lump within his throat and looked at the woman he always remembered seeing with his master. "I haven't seen you in nearly two decades. . . What brings you back to the village?"
"I've been searching for something I've lost." Selene began in a vague tone as she floated to be eye level with Kakashi, but kept her distance. "I started my search one year ago within Elentear and then moved to Edolas when I didn't find what I was looking for. After another failed search I went to this dimension and again didn't find what I was looking for. Leaving me to conclude that Earth Land would be where I would find what I lost."
"And just what have you lost?" Kakashi asked with an air of caution, knowing full well the danger of the dragon before him.
"My and Minato's child, Naruto Namikaze." Selene explained with a rather bitter voice, as she was still furious over her only son running away from home.
"Sensei's son?" Kakashi gasped in a soft almost unheard voice, but Selene heard the man easily with her hearing.
"Yes, the little youngling ran away from home without my permission." Selene explained as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Honestly I would have never imagined he would be hiding in my home dimension, but my Naruto has always been unpredictable."
"If you know that your son isn't here, why are you within the village?" Kakashi asked.
With a vile gleam in her eyes, Selene placed a finger on her check and giggled in a rather condescending tone.
"Now why are you so afraid of me little Kakashi? Let me guess you're thinking I'll do something along the lines of destroying this village for fun? Or maybe even revenge for what happened to Minato? Please the little brat Hiruzen thought the same thing, but I have no interest in damaging something Minato sacrificed himself for."
"Well I like the late third Hokage know of your destructive capabilities and anger."
"That's fair, I did leave a tiny mess in Edolas when I couldn't find my son. Though little Hiruzen finally found his grave? I swear you humans are the most fragile creatures."
The young shinobi who didn't know anything about Selene were confused at how she referred to their former elderly leader as little and called them humans like she was something different. Yet Kakashi knew better that the woman before him was a very dangerous dragon who was a few hundred years old.
"He was killed by Orochimaru a few years ago." Kakashi explained in a dry voice.
"Yes that's very sad, but let's get to the reason I'm here." Selene began in a tone that showed no sympathy or respect for the Third Hokage's fate. "You see I can't exactly go searching for my son in Earth Land for a few reasons. First off there are a number of dragons who are just as powerful as me. So if I go wandering around I'll attract their unwanted attention long before I find my son. Thinking about it now, that's probably another reason Naruto decided to hide within Earth Land. In fact if I know my son and trust me I do, he's probably hiding within Acnologia's domain of Ishgar. Knowing I would never step within those lands again because of that bastard."
"So you need someone to find your son for you." Kakashi mumbled softly, which made Selene grin.
"Very good Kakashi, I knew you were always the brightest of Minato's brat students." The dragon complimented as she got a rather dangerous gleam within her eyes. "I'm wanting your best trackers and warriors to track down my son and bring him back to me."
"And if we refuse?" Kakashi asked.
A lifeless expression appearing on her face, Selene glared at Kakashi with eyes filled with nothing except wrath. Followed by the bright sun overhead suddenly vanishing to reveal a hauntingly dark night sky with nothing except a bright full moon cascading over Selene's figure.
"I'd leave another tiny mess like I did in Edolas." Selene threatened in a hollow voice, as her magic began to leak from her body.
"Then I'll form a team immediately." Kakashi replied as he knew his options were either to help the woman or fight her. "You'll just have to help my shinobi reach Earth Land to find your son."
Selene smirked. "That won't be an issue, but I'll give you a few days to find your best shinobi. I'm not an unreasonable woman after all, but I'll be in the local hot spring to refresh myself while I wait." The Moon Dragon explained before she vanished right before everyone's eyes with impressive speed. Allowing the sun and light to return to the village overhead.
Sighing to himself, Kakashi turned around to find six young shinobi all looking at him for answers. In fact Ino was the first person to voice the group's questions.
"Um Kakashi sensei, just who was that?"
"Your generation doesn't know of her, but she's an incredibly powerful and dangerous woman. Who was the wife of my sensei, our fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze."
"So she's a friend of the village?" Choji asked, which made Kakashi close his eyes.
"She was never loyal to Konoha, only Minato sensei. . . When he died sealing Kurama with the Reaper Death Seal, Selene took her newborn son and left the village behind for good. Or until today."
Shikamaru folded his arms and lifted his brow. "I've never seen you act like this before, just how dangerous is Selene?"
"Far too dangerous to have as an enemy." Kakashi explained in a dry voice as he started to walk away. "I want you all to gather in my office for a full briefing. I'm going to go find Team 7."
(With Naruto)
Walking through what was once a large open area of the fortress, Naruto looked around and saw piles of rubble cutting off many of the doorways. Leaving nowhere in the large area to go except for straight ahead. Yet right in front of Naruto was a large set of stairs that once led up to a higher floor. However, these stairs now stopped at a large gaping hole in the fortress. A large hole that a single individual was standing at with a rather sour look directed right at Naruto.
"I take it you're Jose?" Naruto called out as he held his sword out with confidence.
"That's Master Jose to you worm." Jose snarled as he started to descend down the stairs. A dark aura of magical energy already engulfing his body as he grew closer and closer to Naruto.
"Actually I think you're the guy who is about to be unconscious at my feet." Naruto quipped back with a light laugh.
Holding his finger out and concentrating his magic for an attack, Jose didn't even dignify Naruto with a response. Instead he started to fire blasts of pitch black magic from his finger tip right at Naruto. Making the young half dragon react by jumping side to side while using his wooden sword to swat away any of the magic projectiles that he couldn't outright dodge with his speed.
Then coming to a sudden stop, Naruto gathered his magic before swinging his sword in a crescent motion towards Jose.
"Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!" Naruto screamed with confidence as he sent his new attack straight for Jose.
However, the seasoned guild master didn't hold the title of Wizard Saint for nothing and effortlessly held the palm of his hand forward. Already conjuring a massive swirling vortex of dark purple magical energy.
"Dead Wave!" Jose yelled loudly as he sent a massive purple beam to collide with Naruto's attack. Resulting in the two attacks canceling each other out in a massive explosion.
Yet as dust and debris filled the area, Jose quickly displayed his battle experience by firing more blasts of his magic to catch Naruto off guard thanks to the lack of proper vision.
"Shit." Naruto cursed as he was forced onto the defensive by Jose's tactic and quickly started to run away from the man's onslaught of attacks.
"What's the matter you fairy trash?" Jose taunted as he tracked Naruto's movements and followed the blond with a continuation of attacks. "You're not all high and mighty now!"
Growling in frustration, Naruto did a quick aerial cartwheel and slashed his sword forward. "Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!"
Rolling his eyes, Jose countered the spell once more with his magic. "Is that all you've got! A single mediocre attack!"
Landing onto his feet in a crouched position, Naruto narrowed his eyes. Now realizing a man of Jose's caliber is much different than any wizard he has fought so far. So his current style of improv techniques with his true magic mixed in might not get the job done. However, Naruto was very resourceful and still had plenty of ideas to test out.
"I'm only getting started!" Naruto replied as he tightly gripped his sword.
"Useless arrogance." Jose retorted with his hand held outward as he concentrated a vortex of dark purple magic into his hand. "Dark Pulse!"
Dashing forward at the giant explosion of purple magic flying towards him, Naruto flipped into the air and swung his sword downward in a series of crescent shaped strikes before yelling out. "Moon Breathing Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing!" Using the dozens of small slashes of Moon Magic that discharged from his sword to propel himself forward while at the same time countering Jose's spell. Resulting in Naruto soaring high above Jose's current location.
"You're wide open!" Naruto roared loudly as he slashed his sword in two powerful crescent shaped motions. "Moon Breathing Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains!"
Jose gritted his teeth at the two massive curved shaped magical projectiles. Forcing the man to hold both his hands into the air. "Dead Wave!"
A massive explosion rocking the area, Naruto was thrown back from the force of the blast. Forcing the half dragon to brace himself before making a hard landing onto the ground below.
"You're an interesting wizard to be able to keep up with me." Jose began as he watched Naruto stand to his feet without any real damage taken. "To think that bastard Makarov had someone of your caliber within his pathetic guild."
"Well I'm a little new to the guild." Naruto replied.
"Then why not join a real guild? Help me finish off the rest of Fairy Tail and I'll give you a spot in Phantom Lord!"
His eyes glowing a deep shade of blue, Naruto gave the man a toothy smirk as Erza's words echoed within his mind. "I'd rather die."
Lifting a hand to his eyes and shaking his head in disappointment. Jose quickly moved his hand and revealed his now black eyes to Naruto. Allowing the blond to smell the rather putrid magic that was radiating from Jose.
"Then die!" Jose screamed as he dashed straight for Naruto. Taking the blond by surprise at his sudden shift to close quarters fighting, as Jose was within his personal space in the blink of an eye.
Naruto, trying to react, started to lift his sword to defend himself, but his technique was still unrefined. So instead of blocking Jose's advance, Naruto was unable to stop the man from holding his hand right at Naruto's stomach.
"Dead Wave!" Jose yelled before blasting Naruto point blank with his dark purple magic. Sending the blond soaring through several walls with the force of the blow. Eventually coming to a stop by crashing into a new room where he had landed right in the middle of both Gajeel and Natsu.
"Shit that actually stung a bit." Naruto mumbled softly as he slowly got back onto his feet. Realizing rather quickly that he had crashed right in the middle of Natsu's fight and all eyes were on him.
"Hey Naruto, what are you doing here!" Natsu yelled in annoyance as he got the full attention of the half dragon.
"Trying to take Jose down."
"Well looks like that's going well!" Natsu fired back, obviously annoyed by Naruto placing a pause on his fight with Gajeel by his sudden arrival.
His brow twitching at the comment, Naruto noticed Natsu had taken much more damage than his opponent. "Well looks like you're getting your ass handed to you."
Gajeel laughed loudly while Natsu growled in anger. "It's not fair! I don't have any fire to eat and this guy has been eating every piece of metal in sight."
Naruto rolled his eyes at the Dragon Slayer's excuse, but Natsu mentioning fire did give Naruto an idea to try. "Well I can supply some fire, but I don't think you can handle it. So I think I'll just share my fire with Gajeel and Jose."
Glaring at the teen who smelled exactly like a dragon, Gajeel morphed one of his arms into an iron buzz saw. "You're talking big game for a piece of fairy trash."
Turning to lock eyes with Gajeel, Naruto held his sword tightly before igniting the blade in a white inferno of bright white fire. "Moon Breathing Fourth Form." Naruto mumbled as he swung his sword in a full circular motion and screamed at the top of his lungs. "Blooming Moonlit Flame!"
Gajeel, taken by surprise, lifted his arms to protect himself, but he couldn't do much. Since the massive twister of fire that resembled a full moon engulfed his body and forced the prideful wizard to yell in pain. Considering the sheer heat of Naruto's fire was much more intense than what Natsu had been using.
'What is this power?' Gajeel thought to himself with panic as Naruto appeared within the flames with his sword held behind his back. 'Just who is this guy!'
"Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!" Naruto yelled loudly as he slashed his sword right into Gajeel's stomach. Sending the wizard flying back unconscious and snuffling out his white flames with the backlash of his swing.
Natsu watching Gajeel be defeated merely looked at Naruto with awe. Wondering if his new friend was stronger than people like Erza or Laxus. Yet he didn't think of questions like that for long, as he realized what Naruto had done.
"Wait a minute! You totally just hijacked my fight!" Natsu growled in anger, as Happy ran to his side.
"Natsu at least we beat him!"
Naruto nodded and rested his sword onto his shoulder and looked at the hole he was sent through. Finding Jose was slowly stepping his way into the room. "But there is still him."
"I'm glad you didn't forget about me." Jose replied before his hands began to glow a dark purple.
"Happy take Natsu back to the guild." Naruto ordered in a stern voice as he glared down at Jose.
"Like hell I want to. . ."
"You're only in the way!" Naruto yelled loudly as he cut Natsu off and swung his sword forward. "Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!"
Smirking at Naruto's attack, Jose merely held his hands up. "Dead wave!"
An explosion rocked the fortress as the attacks collided with one another, which caused Natsu's eyes to go wide at the power Naruto and Jose were throwing around so casually.
"Listen Natsu don't take this the wrong way, but I can't fight this bastard and worry about my friends at the same time." Naruto explained as he didn't take his eyes off of Jose for a second.
"Fine." Natsu mumbled in a low and disheartened voice as Happy latched onto his back. "Just win this fight for Gramps and everyone okay?"
His eyes glowing with a dangerous gleam, Naruto merely nodded without hesitation. "I plan on it."
Jose pointed the palm of his hand at Natsu and Happy before giving a vile smirk. "Don't think you can just leave."
Naruto dashing forward closed the distance between himself and Jose in a fraction of a second. Slashing at the man with a quick strike that forced him to jump backwards to avoid the attack.
"And don't you think for a second." Naruto began in a low and powerful voice as he positioned his sword high above his shoulder. Already getting himself ready for another attack. "That I would stand by and let you hurt my friend."
"You're an arrogant brat." Jose replied with a sneer as he watched Natsu and Happy fly off. "But I'll be more than glad to break you along with the rest of your guild."
"I'd like to see you try." Naruto challenged.
Chuckling in a low voice, Jose merely held both his hands outward. "Dead Wave!"
Jumping forward and into the air, Naruto quickly swung his sword in a flurry of downward strikes. "Moon Breathing Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing!" Naruto yelled before slicing through Jose's attack and twisting his torso before slashing his sword in two fast arcs. "Moon Breathing Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains!"
"Dark Pulse!" Jose roared loudly as he used his magic to once again cancel Naruto's attacks. Resulting in yet another large explosion that covered the room in smoke and dust. Making the guild leader smirk at the outcome of their spells colliding.
"I can keep this up all day, but I wonder how much longer you can la-. . ." Jose began to taunt, but was surprised by the tip of Naruto's sword shooting out of the smoke and jabbing into his stomach. Then the wooden blade continued to grow and shove Jose back into the wall behind.
"I wouldn't get ahead of yourself!" Naruto yelled back as he used his raw strength to drag Jose up the wall and along the ceiling. Forcing the man into a position where he was right above Naruto. Then as he retracted his sword to its original size, Naruto watched Jose fall forward with a calculated gaze and covered his sword with white flames before jumping into the air and yelling. "Moon Breathing Fourth Form: Blooming Moonlit Flame!"
Jose, having no time to react, was quickly blasted with a pillar of white hot flames. Scotching the wizard as even a man of his caliber felt overwhelmed by the sheer heat of the flames Naruto was using. Yet the young half dragon was far from done with his assault.
"Moon Breathing Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains!" Naruto screamed with all his might before slashing his sword in two crescent shaped swings. Hitting Jose with not one, but two magical projectiles in the center of his chest forming a large X the quickly expelled blood from the man's torso.
Floating high above the ground and watching Jose recoil backwards, Naruto grinned at his work. "How was that for fairy trash?"
Suddenly snapping his head at Naruto with a pitch black glare of pure hatred. Jose merely held his hands outward and summoned a swirl of the most vile smelling black magic Naruto had ever smelled.
"Dark Extinction." Jose mumbled in a low monotone voice as he unleashed a dark black beam of magic straight onto Naruto. Who had no way to escape thanks to his current position in the air.
"This could be bad." Naruto began in a low voice as even he had to admit the magic he was feeling was quite powerful and could deal serious damage. Yet as the attack was mere inches from connecting with his body, Naruto simply sighed and blurred out of sight in an unimaginable burst of speed.
In fact Naruto moved so fast Jose didn't even see the young half dragon move. From Jose's point of view all he saw was his spell rocket downward before piercing the ground below and shooting straight through the floor below. Making a large hole that went completely through the fortress and pleasing Jose with the results.
"To think Makarov had someone so strong within his guild." Jose spat in disgust as he tried to find any signs of Naruto, but smirked as he couldn't see anything. "A true waste of potential, but that's Makarov's fault for bringing you into a weak guild."
A hand suddenly pressing itself lightly against Jose's back the eyes of the Wizard Saint went wide in disbelief.
"You know. I wanted to avoid doing this, but you truly are a monster." The voice of Naruto began from behind Jose, as his body and current appearance were hidden from the man. Something that was good for Naruto, as he was currently flying above Jose with two large white wings, while his slitted blue eyes merely watched the man with a carefree expression. Glad Jose couldn't see any of his dragononic features like the small patches of white scale patterns on his skin or the large horn protruding from the side of his head. "It was stupid of me to think I could beat someone of your caliber with a fighting style I made within a day. . . I'll have to train harder in the future."
"What are you-. . ."
"Moonlight Palm." Naruto cut in with an emotionless voice as he expelled a white beam of moonlight from his hand that sent Jose soaring into the ground below. Knocking the man unconscious and leaving Naruto floating above with his sword held by his side. "I'm just another member of Fairy Tail." The half dragon declared before floating down to the ground below and transforming back into his human form.
Then by rubbing his neck and stretching his aching muscles, Naruto took a seat on the ground several feet away from Jose. Taking a moment to look at his wooden sword with a rather displeased expression. "I need to get better with my new fighting style. I can't keep reverting to my dragon abilities in a pinch."
Swinging his sword forward and stopping midair to observe the wooden blade, Naruto inspected the magical tool carefully. "Maybe getting a real blade made for slicing or amplifying magic would be helpful."
Pondering over the idea, Naruto even thought asking Erza for advice would help. Considering the girl to his knowledge had a rather large arsenal of magical weapons and armors.
"They were this way!" The loud voice that Naruto recognized as Natsu reached his ears. Making the victorious blond look over to the demolished remnants of what was an entrance. Finding not only Natsu running into the room, but also Happy, Erza, Elfman and Mirajane.
"Yo!" Naruto greeted with a large smile as he waved at the awestruck Fairy Tail wizards.
"Is that Phantom's Master?" Happy gasped.
"Yup."
"Wait, you defeated Jose by yourself?" Mirajane began in disbelief as she looked at the beaten and bloody man. "He's a Wizard Saint!"
"And I can see why." Naruto laughed in response. "He was a tough bastard to take down."
"What a man." Elfman mumbled in a rather impressed voice, while Natsu quickly jumped forward.
"Okay Naruto let's fight here and now!" Natsu yelled loudly as he started to bounce on his heels. "You owe me a fight after all!"
Erza sighed and smacked Natsu hard against the back of his head. "You will do no such thing, Naruto just got done fighting someone just as strong as the Master. Give him time to recover before annoying him with your little challenges."
Laughing loudly at how Natsu was scolded by Erza, Naruto merely gave the beautiful scarlet haired knight a large grin. "You're one to talk about recovering! You should be back at the guild resting after saving everyone earlier."
Walking slowly to Naruto, Erza simply extended a hand out to the blond. "I'm fine. In fact I was rushing here to help you, but you didn't need any of us."
Accepting Erza's hand, Naruto was pulled to his feet and into the personal space of the young redhead that had caught his eye. "All the same I appreciate you worrying about me."
Blushing by the boy's words and his closeness, Erza looked to the side so Naruto couldn't see her flustered face. "Well since you beat Jose I guess I owe you that piece of strawberry cake."
Laughing with a tone that sent chills down Erza's back, Naruto merely nodded. "It's a date then."
Steam flying out of her ears, Erza looked at the rather attractive blue eyed boy in shock. "A-a d-date!" The normally confident girl stammered nervously, which made Mirajane giggle.
Natsu tilted his head as he watched the girl he spent years terrified of. "Erza's acting kinda funny."
Hearing Natsu, Mirajane gave the boy a pat on the shoulder and continued her giggling. Finding her former rival's behavior amusing. "You'll understand one day Natsu."
"When you become a real man." Elfman added.
"Aye!" Happy chimed in.
Ignoring the side conversation, Naruto nudged his head to the exit of the room. "We should head back to everyone else."
Erza nodded in response, but suddenly felt her legs buckle and her body drop. However, before she could fall Naruto quickly caught her within his arms and laughed. Only adding to the girl's blush as she was being supported in Naruto's arms.
"Well, it looks like you're in worse shape than you thought!" Naruto pointed out as he brought Erza up and into his arms bridal style.
"W-what are you doing!" Erza replied in an embarrassed voice that made Naruto snicker.
"Well I can't have you collapsing on me, so I'll just carry you back to the guild!" Naruto explained.
"No, it's fine! I can walk!" Erza protested, but Naruto wasn't hearing any of it.
Mirajane, walking forward, waved her fingers at Erza with an innocent smile. "Well if Erza doesn't want to be carried by our guild's hero I'll volunteer!"
Immediately snapping her eyes at her former rival, Erza glared at Mirajane with a rather territorial glare. Even going as far to slightly inch herself closer to Naruto almost on instinct alone.
"Now what's going on here?" An all too familiar voice called out, which surprised everyone including Naruto.
"Master!" The collective Fairy Tail wizards yelled out, as they watched their aged leader approach their location. Overjoyed to see his appearance and health looked just like it did before the failed raid on Phantom Lord.
"I'm sorry for being late." Makarov began as his eyes looked over the defeated bodies of Jose and Gajeel. Taking note that both were very much alive, but had taken quite the thrashing. "However, it would seem I wasn't needed in the end."
Happy flew upwards in joy at seeing the Master awake and okay. "Yup! Erza saved everyone from the Jupiter Cannon and Naruto beat Gajeel and Jose by himself!"
"Hey I roughed Gajeel up before Naruto came in and ruined my fight!" Natsu added in through a fit of rage. "If anything Gajeel was too tired from the beating I gave him to keep going!"
"Whatever you say Natsu." Happy mumbled in response, while Makarov merely walked over to Naruto.
"Is this true my boy? You defeated Jose by yourself?"
Still having Erza within his arms, Naruto simply nodded at the Master's question. "Yeah I did. He didn't go down easy, but in the end I was able to beat him."
Hearing what Naruto had done and watching how protectively he was holding Erza. Makarov had to admit he still had many questions about Naruto's strength, but he fully trusted the blond as a member of his family. Realizing in only a short time that Naruto was a trustworthy and kind person.
"You have my gratitude Naruto, I couldn't be more happy to have you in my guild." Makarov began from the bottom of his heart, which made Naruto smile. "But I fear now that the war is over the Magic Council will get involved. A major headache for me and most likely you as well Naruto."
"Why?" The half dragon asked.
"You defeated a Wizard Saint." Makarov explained as he pointed at Jose's unconscious body. "That's a big deal and I'm sure the council will want an audience with you."
"Well I'll do whatever you think is best." Naruto replied without hesitation, which made both Erza and Makarov smile wide.
"I wouldn't worry too much about them,I won't let those old farts on the council boss around or do anything to my children."
Naruto nodded. "Well in that case let's head back to the guild." Naruto proposed as he slightly held Erza up. "Someone needs her rest before our date!"
"It's not a date!" Erza groaned in an embarrassed voice as she used her hands to hide her blush. "We are just eating cake."
"Erza's no fun." Mirajane giggled as she jokingly winked at Naruto. "I'll go on a date with you anytime!"
"And I wanna fight you right now Naruto!" Natsu added in loudly, which caused Erza to give both her friends a death glare.
"Both of you stop it already!" Erza ordered in a stern voice that made Naruto snicker.
"Ah don't be so hard on them Erza." Naruto began in a carefree tone that slightly calmed the girl's building rage. Unfortunately her rage was about to return from Naruto's rather foxy and mischievous grin. "At least they don't perv on me while I'm in the shower."
"Oh my, Erza you naughty girl." Mirajane giggled in a teasing voice. "Did you like what you saw?"
A vein popping on her head, Erza began to pound her fist against Naruto's chest as he laughed in response. "For the last time it was an accident! Don't go telling people I'm a pervert!"
"Fine I'll keep our little shower meetings a secret." Naruto replied with a snicker and wink, which made Erza freeze with a large blush. Yet after a small second she began to hit the blond once again.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" Erza roared loudly.
Natsu watching how Naruto only continued to laugh at Erza leaned down to Happy and brought a hand to his partner's ear. "You know maybe I don't wanna fight Naruto. Anyone who isn't afraid of Erza is someone I don't wanna mess with."
"Aye!"
"That's a real man for you." Elfman added.
Watching his wizards all interact with one another, Makarov couldn't help himself from laughing to himself. Glad he was the one responsible for overseeing this generation of Fairy Tail wizards. Hoping to himself that he would even be able to do so for many more years to come.
(Chapter End)
And like that another chapter is done and I'm happy with how it turned out. I didn't do much with Gray and Natsu's fights since I don't like rewriting cannon material. So instead I placed a lot of this chapter into Naruto and Jose's fight. I hope you all enjoyed it and are excited with what's to come since I'm slowly adding more plot points to make this story really it's own and divert its way from the cannon arcs. Anyways until next time take care and I'll see you soon.