Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing a small timeskip to show the progress the Cait Shelter team has made in learn their new magics, along with Naruto getting closer to Wendy, Flare, and even Carla, the latter in their own unique way. With the team then heading out on a much easier Job. So, without further ado.

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After the Cait Shelter team had returned to the guild and told Roubaul everything that happened, their Guild Master had given them his sympathies for what happened to Isaribi. Something they were thankful for, along with giving them two months to rest from everything they had gone through, along with the opportunity to train in their new magic.

With the team having set about working to learn the new magic they gained, Flare with the Sun God Slayer Magic, Carla with the Transformation, Illusion, and Light Magics, and Naruto with Energy-Make Magic. Along with all four of them working to improve the magic they already have. With Wendy also having requested Roubaul to implant the Sea Dragon Lacrima into her, something he had reluctantly done, knowing the risk of such a procedure. But also not wanting to deprive Wendy of the last piece of her friend, she had.

The procedure having been a success, making Wendy a Third Generation Dragon Slayer and granting her access to Sea Dragon Slayer Magic. With the bluenette having made great strides in her training, thanks to both Grandeeney and Naruto, along with her newfound resolve.

Currently, Naruto and Wendy were sparring in a clearing, away from Cait Shelter, with their arms and legs both coated in wind and hellfire, respectively.

"Sky Dragon's Feathers!" Wendy said, creating dozens of condensed blasts of air, shaped like feathers, which she launched towards Naruto.

"Hell Flame Dragon's Needle Burst!" Said Naruto, shooting out several hellfire needles that impacted the Sky Dragon's Feathers, causing the needles to nearly triple in size from the wind empowering them, with Wendy jumping into the air to avoid them.

"Sea Dragon's Reef Burst!" Wendy shouted, aiming her hands at Naruto, before unleashing two streams of water that shot towards him.

"Energy-Make: Wall!" Said Naruto, placing his hands on the ground as a wall of energy shot up in front of him, with the water crashing against it and washing away around Naruto.

"Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!" Wendy yelled, generating a large whirlwind from each arm, that went down and attacked Naruto from every side, getting around his wall and throwing him into the air.

"Energy-Make: Chains!" Naruto said as multiple red chains burst out of his body, before being coated in hellfire.

"Hell Flame Dragon's Erupting Flame!" Said Naruto as the flaming chains began spinning around, before they all swung right at Wendy, unleashing a large and powerful tornado of hellfire at the bluenette.

Wendy's eyes widening at the sight of the attack coming towards her, as she quickly went back to the ground.

"Sky Dragon's Tornado!" Said Wendy, while creating a large tornado, which she launched towards the hellfire tornado, with them clashing as hellfire and wind were thrown across the clearing.

Unfortunately, this resulted in the flames being thrown around the surrounding forest, with the trees soon catching fire, making Naruto and Wendy's eyes widen. The two seeing, they might have started going a bit overboard in what was supposed to be a simple spar.

"Sea Dragon's Flash Tsunami!" Wendy said, creating a Magic Circle that unleashed a massive amount of water in the form of a gigantic wave, that washed over the burning forest, extinguishing the flames.

While the flames that were still burning, soon began being lifted into the air towards Flare, who promptly devoured them. Being able to devour Naruto's flames, thanks to her Sun God Slayer Magic, though they learned that Naruto wasn't able to devour the flames she produced, unless he completely emptied his Magical Reserves.

"I guess we went a little overboard." Said Naruto sheepishly, while seeing the burned section of the forest.

"A little?! A little overboard?! You nearly burned down the entire forest, by going "a little overboard"!" Carla shouted, while glaring at Naruto for nearly burning down the forest.

"Hey, it was handled wasn't it!" Retorted Naruto, while returning the glare.

"It shouldn't need to be handled! This is what, the third time you went "a little overboard" and nearly burned the forest down! How about rather than sparring, you try to learn some control!" Carla said.

"And how about you do something useful, rather than whine and complain all the time! That's all you really do!" Shouted Naruto.

"At least I think things through, rather than act rashly!" Retorted Carla.

"And at least I'm actually useful in a fight!" Naruto yelled.

"How dare you!" Carla screamed, while lunging at Naruto, angry that he'd bring that up, knowing how she hated feeling useless in not being able to fight, before getting those books on her new magic.

With Naruto being prepared to dodge or block her attack, like he normally would, only to be surprised when Carla transformed into her human form. Being the same age as them, with the addition of cat ears and a tail. Before the transformed cat drop kicked Naruto in the head, with the whiskered blonde being unable to dodge or block her attack this time.

"Hmph, who's useful now deviant." Carla taunted, pleased that she was now able to attack Naruto with her new form.

Growling, Naruto stood up and coated his fists in hellfire, while Carla released her claws and began glowing with Light Magic.

"You just made yourself a bigger target for me to hit." Said Naruto, while glaring at her.

"Really? The only target I see, is that overinflated ego of yours." Retorted Carla, while returning the glare.

Though before the two could begin attacking each other, they were stopped by Wendy and Flare.

"That's enough Naruto-kun." Flare said, while grabbing his shoulder.

"That goes for you too, Carla. We just finished putting out the fire, and we don't need you two making another one." Said Wendy, not wanting them to go from arguing to brawling, one that'd inevitably end in another forest fire.

Naruto and Carla continued glaring at each other, with lightning sparking between them, before eventually turning away with a huff.

"You know, when a boy and a girl fight like that, it usually means they like each other." Said Roubaul as he stepped out of the tree line, looking at them in amusement, with Naruto and Carla gagging at the idea.

"Please, as if I'd ever like such a bullheaded idiot, that only knows how to fight." Carla said, while crossing her arms.

"Like anyone would even want to deal with some stuck up cat." Said Naruto, as the two glared at each other again.

While Wendy and Flare gained annoyed expressions at the idea of Naruto and Carla liking each other, not wanting to deal with another rival besides each other. Both knowing that the other liked Naruto, with the two girls having grown closer to the Hell Flame Dragon Slayer, since returning to the guild.

*Flashback*

"Sun God's Bellow!" Flare said, as she unleashed a massive wave of black flames across the clearing.

Once the flames died down, Flare panted lightly, while smiling happily at finally managing to master her version of a Dragon Slayer's Roar. While off to the side, Naruto cheered for his friend's success.

"Way to go Flare! That was awesome!" Said Naruto, smiling in amazement at Flare's attack.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun. But I wouldn't have been able to do it, without your help." Flare replied, having gotten Naruto's help in learning Sun God Slayer Magic, after seeing how similar it was to his Hell Flame Dragon Slayer Magic.

"I didn't do anything, besides give you some advice. Everything else, you did on your own Flare, and you should be proud. I doubt there are many Mages out there, that can say they've learned God Slayer Magic or been able to learn it in such a short amount of time." Naruto said, with Flare blushing lightly at his praise.

"Though I also had a few ideas, on ways you could use it with your Crimson Hair." Said Naruto, making the redhead look at him curious at what ideas he had.

"What do you have in mind?" Flare asked as they sat down next to each other.

"Well, the most obvious way is to channel your Sun God Slayer flames through your hair, rather than just heating it up with your normal flames. Another way would be manipulating your hair into different types of weapons, like a bow and arrow, with you learning to shoot arrows made of flames, or whips that can unleash fire when you swing them. Maybe even gaining enough control to manipulate and shape the flames into shields, to protect yourself from attacks, or even into cages and barriers to trap enemies with, or keep them out…" Said Naruto as he began listing all the different ways Flare could use her new magic, all while the redhead smiled softly at Naruto, loving the way he could get lost in new ways to use magic.

"Don't ever change, Naruto-kun." Said Flare, interrupting Naruto, as he looked at her.

"Why would I change Flare?" Naruto asked, confused, before feeling Flare put her hand on his.

"I don't know, but I know I never want you to change who you are. I like you just the way you are." Said Flare, smiling at him, with the Dragon Slayer being surprised by her words, before returning the smile and grab her hand in his.

"I like you the way you are too, Flare." Naruto replied, making Flare's smile widen.

Though she knew he didn't mean it in the way she would have liked it, if he did. Flare was content at the moment, knowing Naruto liked her the way she was.

*End Flashback*

While Flare knew she and Naruto were close from having been friends for so long, she was glad that they were still growing closer, and would hopefully be more than friends one day.

And Wendy had soon realized her own feelings for her blonde teammate, not long after they had returned to the guild.

*Flashback*

Wendy sat on the edge of the lake near the guild, looking out at it with saddened expression.

Despite accepting and understanding Isaribi's death, and why she chose to die as a human rather than become a Dragon. It still hurt her to have lost a friend like that, to not be able to show Isaribi Cait Shelter and how there were people who would care about her, that could become her family.

'I wish I could have done more for you.' Wendy thought, while looking down, believing that there was something she could have done to save Isaribi and help her stay human, but now she'll never get that chance.

"Hey Wendy." Said Naruto, walking up to the bluenette and sitting beside her, with Wendy looking at Naruto for a moment, before looking back out at the lake.

"Hi Naruto." Wendy replied quietly, with Naruto looking out over the lake.

"You're thinking about Isaribi, aren't you." Naruto stated, with Wendy nodding in response.

"I understand why she chose it. After everything she went through, she only wanted to die as a human than become something she didn't want to, or become a monster like Fafnir or Amachi. All she wanted was someone to care about her, but she was alone for too long and used too much, that she didn't want to be hurt again. I…I was too late…to-to really help her." Said Wendy, getting choke up at the end, wishing she could have met Isaribi sooner and saved her from the loneliness she'd had to endure her entire life.

Naruto looked at his friend sadly, before wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close, with Wendy laying her head on his shoulder as tears fell from her eyes.

"You did everything you could Wendy, you gave Isaribi what she had always wanted. A friend, someone who truly cared about and loved her. That was all she ever wanted, and in the end, she had it. And not just you, we all cared about her. Me, Flare, Carla, Natsu, and Erza, we may not have known her like you did, but that didn't stop us from considering her our friend and family. I only wish we could have gotten to know her more." Said Naruto, as the two felt tears falling from their eyes.

"But one thing I do know Wendy, is that Isaribi would have gladly given her life, as long as it meant you were safe. You were the one that pulled her from the darkness, she had been trapped in for so long, and showed her there was a light at the end. And for that, I know even if she's gone, she will always be thankful to have met you. Just like I'm thankful to have met you, Wendy." Said Naruto, pulling back and looking at Wendy with a soft smile, which Wendy tearfully returned before throwing her arms around Naruto,

"Thank you Naruto-kun, thank you so much." Wendy said, having needed to hear that, to hear someone tell her that she gave Isaribi everything she ever wanted, to know how much she meant to the Sea Dragon Slayer.

Along with now realizing how much her teammate meant to her.

*End Flashback*

It had also been not long after that, that Wendy had Roubaul implant the Sea Dragon Lacrima into her. To know that no matter where she goes, she's always carrying part of Isaribi with her.

So, both girls knew they liked Naruto and that the other liked Naruto as well, leading to them developing a rivalry with each other. Though they were more subtle with their rivalry, than Naruto and Carla, by simply one upping the other in gaining Naruto's affection and feelings.

With their training done, and Naruto and Carla not about to try attacking each other, the team and Guild Master returned to Cait Shelter. With the team also deciding on finally taking another Job, though one that was much easier than the Wyvern Extermination one. None of them wanting to experience something similar to that Job so soon, both in how much harder than they thought it was and the loss that came with it.

Eventually they settled on a Missing Husband Job from a place called Shimotsuki Village. With the team heading out to meet with their client.

*Timeskip-Three Days*

After three days, the Cait Shelter Team had finally arrived at Shimotsuki Village and went to where their client lived. Before seeing she lived at a place called Isshin Dojo, that apparently taught Kenjutsu.

Going up to the building, they knocked on the door, before waiting for it to open. Which wasn't long, as the door slide open, revealing a woman standing there.

The woman has dark brown eyes and wears her black hair between chin, with it being shoulder length, with most of it being held up in a clip. With her attire consisting of a floral button-down shirt, blue capris, dark pink gloves with a white trim, and dark pink boots. Along with having a sword sheathed on her right side.

"Are you Roronoa Tashigi?" Naruto asked, with Tashigi nodding.

"Yes I am. Are you the Mages who accepted my Job Request?" Said Tashigi, while spotting their guild marks, with the four nodding.

"Yes we are. Our Job is to find your missing husband, right?" Flare said, with Tashigi nodding as she let out a sigh.

"Well yes and no, please come in and I'll explain everything." Tashigi said, before stepping aside and letting them inside, guiding them to the living room where they sat down across from her.

"First off, my husband, Zoro, he's not technically missing. But, well…he has a horrible sense of direction." Tashigi said a little sheepishly, as the team looked at her in complete bafflement.

"So…he's basically lost…because he has a terrible sense of direction?" Carla asked slowly, with Tashigi nodding.

"Yeah…I know it sounds ridiculous, but he could be simply going down the street to the store and somehow end up miles away by taking "shortcuts". Though I know he's capable of taking care of himself, despite not being a Mage, since he's a very skilled swordsman that can defeat most Mages. And while I know he always eventually finds his way back home; our anniversary is coming up soon, and I'd rather have him back sooner rather than later." Tashigi explained.

"Your anniversary?" Wendy asked, with Tashigi nodding while smiling.

"Our twelfth. It's actually an interesting story on how we met. Zoro was originally a bounty hunter, while I was a member of the Rune Knights, along with being a bit of a Sword Enthusiast. Though this lead to me having a poor opinion of bandits, Dark Mages, pirates, and bounty hunters that use Legendary Swords. Believing they were abusing the swords they use, for their own gain." Said Tashigi.

"I'm guessing Zoro had such swords." Naruto said, with all of them interested in the story, while Tashigi once again nodded.

"Yeah, it was also meeting him, that I started seeing things differently. At first, I made it my life-long mission to capture him and bring him to justice, despite the fact he wasn't a Mage. I justified my chasing him to my superiors, with the fact that Zoro was on par with, if not surpassed, most Mages with his skill. But somewhere down the line, I began seeing Zoro wasn't how I imagined a bounty hunter, who used Legendary Swords, and the more times we encountered each other, I found myself falling for him. Along with learning about his connection to my late cousin, Kuina. The two of them having made a promise to become the greatest swordsmen in the world, but when Kuina died, Zoro took it upon himself to fulfill their dream. Though Zoro never really liked interacting with me, let alone fighting me, due to my resemblance to Kuina and the painful memories it brought up." Tashigi explained, pointing to a picture of Kuina, with the Mages seeing they could be twins, rather than cousins.

"I can understand that." Said Naruto, seeing how Zoro wouldn't want to interact or fight with Tashigi, likely seeing Kuina in her place and not wanting to hurt her.

"That's still no reason to just avoid a lady, especially now that she's his wife. And stop interrupting!" Carla snapped, with Naruto glaring at her.

"I'm only speaking my mind, you're the one interrupting!" Retorted Naruto.

"Well you're interrupting now!" Said Carla.

"How about I tape your mouth shut, then there won't be anymore interruptions!" Naruto growled.

"I'll claw your eyes out, before you can try!" Hissed Carla.

Though both of them yelped, when Wendy and Flare pinched their respective ears.

"I'm really sorry about them, they tend to argue a lot." Said Wendy, while looking at Tashigi apologetically, with the woman waving it off with a smile.

"It's fine. Seeing them argue like that, it actually reminds me of how Zoro and I interacted with each other." Said Tashigi, being reminded of she and her husband acted around each other back in the day, much to Naruto and Carla's annoyance, with Wendy and Flare also being annoyed at what she said, but for different reasons.

"Anyway, eventually Zoro and I retired from our professions and settled down here, along with taking over this dojo from Kuina's father. And it's been nice, aside from all the time he wonders off. So, will you be able to find him and bring him back home?" Tashigi asked, with the team nodding.

"Yeah, we can find him, and we'll make sure we do so, before your anniversary." Flare replied, with the woman smiling in thanks.

"Thank you, I can also tell you where he was heading, but I'm not sure if it'll be of much help, since he tends to wander off track more often than not. And I'll understand if you can't find him in time." Said Tashigi, knowing it can take days, even weeks, before Zoro manages to find his way home.

"We will bring him back on time, we promise." Wendy said, determined to bring Zoro back on time, with the others nodding in agreement, impressing Tashigi at their determination.

"Also, here's a picture of Zoro, so you know who to look for." Tashigi said, while pulling out a picture and handing it to them.

Zoro is a muscular man of average height with lightly tanned skin, and short cropped green hair. He always carries his three swords along with him, bundled up with a green haramaki over his right hip, and three identical gold earrings on his left earlobe. His attire consisted of a long, open dark-green coat closed on his waist and is held by a red sash, in which his three swords are now tucked into, and a black bandanna is tied around his left forearm. His coat exposes his bare chest, revealing his green haramaki underneath the coat.

He also had two visible scars, the first being a massive scar that stretched from his left shoulder to his right hip, and the second going through his left eye, which was permanently closed.

Now having a face to the name, along with where Zoro was originally heading, the Cait Shelter team took off to find the wayward swordsman and bring him home.

So, what did you think, good. Yep Wendy is now a Third Generation Dragon Slayer, with her and Flare having grown closer to Naruto, while Naruto and Carla's rivalry has gone up with the latter having learn more magic to fight him. We then see them take a new Job to find a missing husband, only to learn from Roronoa Tashigi, that her husband Zoro isn't missing but merely has a terrible sense of direction. Along with learning how the couple met and the reason for the Job, before the team set out to find the missing swordsman. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out