"Speech"

'Thought'

"Attack/beast"

Chapter 5. Destroy Everything

Naruto locking eyes with his grandfather was a whirlwind of emotions and the questions he wanted to ask practically seemed endless. Yet the condescending scoff of his uncle brought him back to the reality of his situation.

"Well this is a lovely meeting, but I'm a busy man." Arashi explained as he opened the cell to Naruto's back. Then with little effort he grabbed the younger blond by the arm and tossed him inside. "Try not to die on me nephew and I'll try to visit more than your father does!"

Feeling the rough landing of his body hitting against a stone floor, Naruto hardly had the energy to move let alone respond to the pain. Instead his eyes just followed Arashi as the man closed his cell and walked off. A hatred burning behind his eyes that was only extinguished the moment he heard a familiar voice.

"Naruto!" Came the concerned voice of Laxus, which made Naruto close his eyes and smile. Knowing at least one of his fellow Fairy Tail wizard's was alive. "What did that bastard do to you?"

Finding it hard to get the words he wanted to say out, Naruto pushed through the pain and slowly lifted his body up with his elbows. Then by slightly seething in pain he somehow managed to position himself into a sitting position. This of course took a slight toll on the young wizard and forced him to sit in silence for a moment to gather his composure. Yet as Naruto glanced to his side he saw Laxus looking at him with worry covering his face, while within his lap was Evergreen. A sight that made Naruto's eyes widen in both horror and a creeping sensation of dread at the lack of seeing both Bickslow and Freed.

"W-wh." Naruto choked on his words from a mixture of physical pain and emotional guilt. "Where are they?"

Laxus already knew who Naruto meant, as the boy's eyes were locked onto Evergreen.

"They were both killed." Laxus revealed with anger hidden behind the sadness in his voice. "Evergreen is in bad shape too. Not nearly as bad as you look, however."

"Physically I'm fine."

Laxus hearing this was in disbelief, as Naruto's face was a little bruised but overall not too bad. However, the blonds entire upper torso and arms were covered in burns, slash marks and bruises. From Laxus' perspective it looked more like Naruto would fall over dead any minute now.

"You don't have to put up an act. That man is gone. It's just us."

"Trust me Laxus. It's no act. My guilt hurts far worse than anything he did to me."

"What do you mean?"

Naruto gritted his teeth and hung his head. "He tortured me and I messed up. He got me to slip up and reveal we had others with us. I'm the reason they were found. It's my fault Bickslow and Freed are dead."

"No." Laxus cut in sharply, which caught Naruto off guard. "You were placed in an impossible situation. If anything, the blame for taking you four into this mission is my fault. We would all still be at Fairy Tail if I didn't convince you four to take this mission. Their deaths are on my hands and no one else."

"I'm still the one who caused all this in the first place. If I wouldn't have acted on emotion and showed myself we would have been fine."

"You don't know that. We could have been captured another way or even killed. I will never fault you for trying to speak with your father. Especially when I would have done something similar with my own father."

"I heard your old man had been excommunicated from the guild. Are you looking for him as well?"

Laxus scoffed. "No, I'm talking about kicking his ass if I ever saw him, but that's not relevant at this point. Even talking about who is to blame isn't important. Right now we need to be focused on escaping this nightmare alive."

"If that's even possible." Naruto countered with a bitter tone. "They've managed to seal off our ability to use magic with runes covering these cells. Not to mention we have no information as to where we are or any current methods to get back home to Ishgar."

"Well." Laxus began as he looked to the cell across from their own. "He might be able to help."

Naruto looking back to where his grandfather was simply saw the man watching him with a quiet gaze. Almost as if he was making observations and assessments on Naruto's ability to handle his situation. Yet Naruto himself was analyzing the man who he had hardly known. Making a few quick assumptions as he looked over his grandfather's cell, which was far different from his own. Considering for starters, Naruto could quickly tell the runes that were drawn onto Madara's cell had been cleared for quite some time.

"If he even wants to help." Naruto countered in response.

Madara smirked at Naruto's words. "And what makes you say that child?"

Pointing to a few different spots on Madara's cell, Naruto began to speak softly. "The runes around your cell aren't active. I can tell it from first glance and I'm almost certain my uncle is aware. Meaning you have the ability to utilize magic, but yet you're still captive. So there has to be an underlying reason for that."

"How observant." Madara replied with a low chuckle as he held his chains up for Naruto to see. "However, as you can see I'm not going anywhere with these chain bindings or the spikes stabbing into my body."

"And yet something tells me you could escape any moment if you wanted."

"You'd be correct. I've actually escaped a few dozen times over the years."

"And yet you're still locked away." Naruto began as he narrowed his gaze at his Grandfather. "Why is that?"

Madara's eyes spinning into a pinwheel, Naruto felt the man's strange eyes peirce into his very senses. Then within seconds the world around Naruto began to distort and melt into an empty white void. Leaving no one or anything around for Naruto to see. In fact for Naruto he oddly enough felt the absence of his physical pain, which made Naruto question just what was currently going on.

"What the hell is this place?" Naruto grumbled softly as he bent down and tapped the ground. Discovering that he was standing on some sort of hard reflective surface.

"It's more or less an illusion I'm fabricating within your mind." Madara spoke up from behind, which made Naruto instantly spin on his heels. Finding the figure of his grandfather standing with his arms crossed.

However, the man looked nearly thirty years younger and within his prime. Considering his previous silver hair was now a strong black that was reminiscent of Ur's hair color and his aged wrinkles were gone. Even his build seemed more in line with a man in his physical prime in comparison to his normal elderly body.

"I'm not a fan of outsiders and I wish to speak with you in private. My eye magic just so happens to have a spell that allows that to happen. Its normal application is a little more dangerous, but it can be used for more mundane purposes."

Naruto nodded and remained calm. "Well I wish to speak to you as well."

"Then we will talk." Madara began as he held a hand outward. "I can only assume my daughter never told you of me."

"Mom or Dad never talked about any of my family. Hell, until today I thought mom's last name was Milkovich."

Madara let a small sigh escape his lips. "My wife's maiden name. I made Ur take the name when she and your father left for Ishgar. Didn't want anyone capturing my daughter to slow me down. Tell me. What became of my daughter?"

"Well I grew up with Mom and Dad in an isolated part of Ishgar with my older sister Ultear. It wasn't until I grew older that I realized we lived such a life because we were in hiding." Naruto explained in a dry voice, as old memories started to resurface. "My older sister died a few years ago from a magical disease. Then shortly after Ultear died, Mom ended up using a forbidden Ice Make spell to turn her body into ice so she could seal a demon created by Zeref."

Naruto seeing the anger flare up from his grandfather's face was slightly taken back in surprise, as it looked like the man was ready to kill someone.

"Like I needed anymore reason to hate that fucking bastard." Madara growled in anger, which made Naruto lift his brow.

"What do you mean?"

"Zeref or as the people in this kingdom call him. Emperor Spriggan." Madara explained to Naruto's complete and utter disbelief.

"Wait, you're saying Zeref is alive? The dark wizard from over four hundred years ago?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Trust me I've been trying to kill that monster for decades, but have failed time after time. He's an immortal and just as powerful as his legends describe. Still before I go on. What happened after Ur's passing? Who raised you and why are you here?"

"Well Dad left me with a family friend and I haven't seen him in years. All I knew was that he was working some sort of dangerous mission. Eventually some events happened and I joined a guild called Fairy Tail. I was then given a mission to infiltrate Alvarez and that led me here. I saw a man who I thought was my old man, but was actually the uncle I didn't know of."

"And that leads us to right now."

Naruto nodded. "Correct, but tell me. Who exactly are my parents? I know nothing about their past or anything."

Madara glanced to the side and within a shimmer of mist Naruto saw a version of his mother around his own age. Sweeping Naruto with a wave of familiarity as his mother looked almost identical to his older sister Ultear.

"Our family comes from a nation called Konoha, which wasn't too far away from the Alvarez Empire. For decades our people fought for our freedom against Zeref's expansions. Over the years many of our people died and others surrendered themselves over to the Empire in order to survive. In a twist of fate my closest friend and leader of Konoha died in battle against Zeref and I overtook the mantle of leader."

Naruto watched as another figure manifested besides his mother, but this figure was that of his father Minato at a young age.

"There were countless battles and bloodshed and even children like your mother were forced to fight. It was a bloody war that eventually sparked the meeting between your mother and father. Of course they met as enemies. Ur the child of Konoha's leader and Minato the son of Alvarez's strongest wizard August."

"But they obviously didn't stay enemies." Naruto pointed out.

"Obviously, you're testament to that." Madara replied in a blunt tone. "A situation transpired between your parents on the battlefield and the results of that situation brought them close together. It made your father see that Alvarez was in the wrong and he wanted to help our people."

"But they didn't help, did they? After all, both mom and dad took off for Ishgar."

"That was on my demands." Madara explained with a heavy tone of what Naruto could only recognize as sadness under his voice. "Konoha eventually fell and those who did not surrender were either imprisoned or killed. I myself have only been spared as a message to those who were alive and wished to rebel. An example that there was no winning against the Alvarez Empire. Yet before my capture I made your father promise me two things."

"Which were?"

"That he would escape to Ishgar with Ur. Making sure he kept my daughter safe and that he would find a way to kill Zeref. However, I now see he failed to keep Ur safe and Zeref still breathes."

"That must be what dad is doing on his mission." Naruto mumbled as the pieces started to click together for him. "He's out searching for a way to kill Zeref."

"Regardless where your father is now it doesn't help your current situation." Madara began as the figures of Naruto's parents vanished from view. "However, that does not mean you're helpless."

"I take it you have a solution?"

"I do, but trust me when I say it won't be an easy solution."

Naruto narrowed his vision onto his grandfather. "Will I be able to save my friends?"

"You will."

"Then I don't care what needs to be done. I'll do whatever you say."

Madara smirked and pointed to his eyes, drawing Naruto's attention to Madara's blood red irises with black pinwheel designs in each eye. "This is our family's magic that has been passed down through generations. Regrettably your mother was never able to learn this magic as she was more inclined to my wife's ice based magic. This particular eye magic is called the Sharingan and I'm going to teach you how to use it."

"Well I could never pick up ice magic from mom when she tried to show me."

"That's perfectly fine. In fact that only increases the chances you'll be able to master the Sharingan and hopefully get enough practice to master its Mankeyō form."

Naruto frowned and arched his brow. "And how exactly am I going to learn this eye magic and master it within my current situation?"

Madara sighed. "An ideal situation would be for me to escape with you and train you myself. Unfortunately I'm not the man I used to be, time and years of torment have left my physical body with little use. Still there is a way to teach you the Sharingan. That is to use the spell Tsukuyomi in order to practice and learn the Sharingan."

"And what is that exactly?"

"You're already in it. Tsukuyomi is an advanced spell utilized by the Mankeyō Sharingan that conjures an extremely powerful illusion that distorts the victim's perception of time. Right now you could experience days within this space while only minutes transpire outside of the illusion."

"So you plan to utilize this Tsukuyomi in order to teach me months worth of training in a small span of time."

"Correct. This won't help train you physically, but will give you the time to master our family's ability."

"It's better than nothing. So let's get started."

Madara nodded. "I should warn you. Despite me not using Tsukuyomi for its intended purpose it will still take a large strain on you mentally. Then I'm more than confident that the bastard isn't done with your torment. So you'll also be in store for more physical pain as well. This will not be an easy process."

"If this Sharingan can save my friends and make me stronger, I don't care what the price is. I'll take any pain necessary to make sure my bastard uncle gets nowhere near Lucy."

"You sound like Minato." Madara replied as he closed his eyes and sighed. "He spoke very similar words about your mother all those years ago. However, regardless of who this Lucy girl is, I'm going to give you the same stipulation for my help."

"You want me to kill Zeref?" Naruto asked which made Madara's eyes snap open and a dangerous smirk dance across his face.

"You're also smart like your father, but I want more than just the death of Zeref. I want you to destroy everything. Escape. Grow stronger. Then burn this fucking Empire to ash. Be the one to avenge our family and people. Be their weapon from the afterlife that can finally bring justice to our fallen and bring judgment onto those who betrayed them."

"Weapon from the afterlife." Naruto mumbled with a light chuckle. "I am known as the Ghost of Fairy Tail. So that does seem somewhat fitting."

"Well in that case I Madara Uchiha, last Hokage of Konoha declare you as the Ghost of the Uchiha and the one destined to avenge our people."

"I won't let you down." Naruto replied softly.

"In that case let's waste no more time."

(Two days later)

Swinging back and forth with his arms chained high above his head, Naruto felt the force of each fist that cracked into his ribcage. Yet despite the overwhelming pain moving throughout his body and the splitting mental pain from training with his grandfather. Naruto kept his emotions in check and did not display his misery for his captor.

"So nephew, I've been thinking these last few days!" Arashi laughed loudly as he stopped his assault for only a moment. "You've turned out just as stubborn as that grandfather of yours. I really think it's time we change our approach."

Naruto kept completely still and only glared at the man who he hated more than anyone else with an emotionless gaze.

"I could torture or kill your friends, but I've already killed half of them. So that obviously won't work." Arashi began as he walked over to his table of tools and began scanning over his various methods of torture. "But I think we both know what really gets under your skin."

Curling his toes and pressing his teeth together, Naruto fought every urge within himself to respond. However, Naruto was aware that was exactly what Arashi wanted and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Though at the same time Naruto knew he couldn't hold his tongue much longer.

"What was her stupid little name again? Lucky? No, that's not right. Lacy? Hmmm that seems closer." Arashi began as he took a pair of black gauntlets off his table and slowly placed each one onto his hands. Then as blue runes danced across the gauntlet's surface, Naruto felt his stomach turn as the gauntlets sparked with blue electricity. "Help me out here nephew! I would hate to meet the girl and not know her name."

"Fuck off." Naruto finally snapped back, which made Arashi toss his hands up and roll his eyes.

"There is that rude behavior again. I swear it's like your parents never taught you anything!" Arashi then took a pause and a wicked smirk flashed across his face. "Oh wait, that's right. I almost forgot they left you without so much as telling you about your dear uncle! Such pathetic parents, nothing like me."

"I could understand why. Dad was probably embarrassed to be related to such an embarrassment of a-. . ." Naruto began before he was silenced by an electrified palm pressing into his chest.

"Now now. Don't get off topic nephew! We were talking about that little whore you care so much for." Arashi began before stepping away from Naruto and snapping his fingers. "That's it! Her name was Lucy! It finally clicked. Why didn't I remember it sooner? You're just like Minato. Always drawn to useless whores!"

"You're going to eat those words." Naruto growled in anger.

Arashi rolled his eyes. "You know I think the best way to correct your rude behavior is to bring someone here to teach you. That Lucy girl seemed well mannered. Maybe I should bring her here to show you how to respect your elders?"

"If you go anywhere near her."

"You'll what?" Arashi quickly replied as he punched Naruto in the stomach. "Yell at me some more? You're a weak child who can't do anything."

His vision blurring, Naruto tried to keep his focus on Arashi's distorted figure. "And you're a sad excuse for a man. Angry at his brother and can't do anything so you take it out on his son."

Arashi grabbed Naruto by the chin and placed a tight squeeze onto the younger wizard. "I'm going to bring you that girl's head. I promise you that nephew."

Naruto filled with so much anger and hate wanted to retaliate, but as he felt a hard fist placed into his gut. The Ghost of Fairy Tail slipped into unconsciousness.

(Three days later)

Sitting with his back against the stone wall of his cell, Naruto took small breaths to compose himself. Currently his body ached from his wounds, but even worse was his mind. In the last three days Naruto and Madara had been using the Tsukuyomi technique rather excessively for Naruto to learn and practice with his grandfather, which was proving to be rather beneficial. Considering Naruto had taken to the training rather quickly and was excelling at a remarkable pace. However, that didn't mean he was immune to the drawbacks of such intense and rigorous training.

"Naruto." The voice of Laxus called out from the side, which made the younger blond glance to the side. "I understand you're working to get us out of here, but you're killing yourself. You need to slow down."

"I'll be fine." Naruto replied stubbornly as he moved his gaze away from Laxus and closed his eyes. "There is too much at stake. I can't afford to slow down."

"Naruto listen to Laxus." Evergreen whispered softly as the blond could hear the pain in her voice. "My leg is broken and you're in worse shape than I am. We can't get back home if we can't even walk out of this dungeon."

"Exactly! At least let me take some of that man's torture! You've been shouldering all this alone." Laxus added in with concern all over his voice.

"Arashi only wants to torture me simply because I'm my father's son. So save your breath and recover."

"And when will you take a moment to recover?"

Snapping his eyes to Laxus and Evergreen, Naruto locked eyes with the two Fairy Tail wizards. His eyes held a burning passion and determination that sent chills down their spines.

"He crossed a line when he brought her into this." Naruto explained with as little details as possible before staggering up to his feet and slamming his hands and body against the cell door. "So until I know she is safe I don't care what happens to me."

"At least let me help." Laxus called out from behind. "I won't watch a friend kill himself for others."

Naruto slightly smiling at being called a friend by Laxus merely looked over his shoulder. "Trust me Laxus, I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Just trust me on this."

"I don't like this." Laxus replied in a frustrated voice.

"You don't have to, but I promise you'll be getting scolded by the master before you know it." Naruto then looked over to his grandfather who was watching him in silence. "I'm ready to keep going old man."

Madara grinning like the devil merely nodded and his Sharingan spun to life for everyone to see. "You just keep impressing me. Even if you're my own flesh and blood. You've earned my respect and I don't give that out much."

Naruto, feeling the effects of the Tsukuyomi, could see his surroundings slowly changing and kept a steady resolve. "Just wait and see what I do when I'm free."

(Six days later)

Huffing in exhaustion and collapsing onto his hands and knees, Naruto felt the sweat pour down his face and watched as small droplets hit the stone floor under him. It had been elven days since his capture and torture began, but within the Tsukuyomi Naruto had been training with Madara for months now.

"You okay?" The voice of Laxus asked as Naruto felt the older wizard's hand on his backside.

Naruto's head swirling with pain felt slightly dizzy and was trying his hardest to gather his composure. Considering the room felt like it was spinning and he could hardly hear his own thoughts.

"He's fine." The rough and commanding voice of Madara spoke from the other cell with the slightest hint of pride in his tone.

Laxus snapping his eyes upwards glared at Madara. "You call this fine? He can hardly stand! I don't know what you've been doing, but this needs to stop."

Madara scoffed and rolled his eyes. "There is no need to stop. He's already finished." The elder Uchiha began before black flames burst out of his eyes and slammed into the runes surrounding Naruto's cell. "He's got a natural talent that may surpass my own."

The runes that were sealing away Naruto's magic slowly burning into nothing instantly filled everyone with the cell with the sensation of their magic returning into their bodies. Laxus himself held one hand out and watched as lightning magic sparked around his palm.

"Wait, are we making an escape?" Laxus asked in confusion.

Naruto, feeling his magic once more simply closed his eyes and did just as he had practiced for months. Opening his eyes to reveal two red eyes with three black tomoe in each eye. Yet within seconds those tomoe began to swirl together and form lines within Naruto's eyes that quickly took the shape of a lotus flower design.

"We are." Naruto replied as he looked at Laxus with his new Mankeyō Sharingan that slightly sent chills down the older wizard's spin. "I need you to carry Evergreen. I'll do the rest."

"Can you even stand?" Laxus replied.

"I'll be fine. Just trust me and get Evergreen." Naruto ordered in a stern voice, which made Laxus nod.

"Fine, I'll trust you."

Naruto staggering to his feet stood before the metal bars of his cell with a calm expression before a golden aura engulfed his body. Then as a golden skeleton rib cage with two arms surrounded his body, Naruto simply watched as the golden arms pulled the bars apart to allow passage.

"What in the world?" Evergreen mumbled as she watched Naruto step out of the cell and stand before his grandfather.

"Guess we are not talking about a plan." Laxus grumbled as he pulled Evergreen into his arms.

"Grandson, you remember what to do?" Madara asked while his voice held a large amount of pride behind it.

Naruto nodded. "I'll follow your escape instructions and keep my promise."

"Good. In that case take this." Madara began before a sword shimmered out of his requip space and directly into Naruto's hands. "That's Sode no Shirayuki. Your grandmother's sword. It's a special blade that's more precious to me than anything I have left. Take it as not only a replacement for the sword you lost, but the blade you'll use to keep our promise."

Naruto running his hands along the sheathed blade was at a loss for words. "Thank you."

Madara chuckled. "Don't go thanking me. Sode no Shirayuki is a very picky blade. I even struggle to use her properly."

Naruto lifted his brow. "What do you mean by picky?"

Madara laughed and kept his hand held outward. "You'll figure it out soon enough, but as my final parting gift. Take all the magic I have left. I surely won't have any use for it."

Watching with shock as a blue outline of magical power expelled out of Madara's body and covered Naruto's own. The younger of the two could only watch as what little life Madara had left slowly disappeared from his eyes. Leaving Naruto with a wave of sadness knowing his grandfather was sacrificing what small liveforce he had left to ensure Naruto's escape. Something that was evident by the surge of magic and strength that Naruto felt moving all throughout his body. Still for almost a second, Naruto swore he could hear his grandfather's voice move through the wind. Telling the blond only one simple thing.

'Destroy everything.'

(Outside of the castle dungeon)

Seated at a small table was a group of three Alvarez guards who were all fully dressed in their official empire armor. Yet with their relaxed posture and drinks and cards spread throughout the table around them, they obviously had no worries despite being on guard duty for the castle's dungeon. However, as the trio laughed and joked, a single individual made their approach in silence.

"Now what is going on here?" A voice called out, as all three guards went stiff as a board and stood upright.

"Lieutenant Haruno!" The three guards yelled as they saluted the man dressed in an officer uniform. "Glad to see you're back sir!"

"I leave for two weeks and come back to you three goofing off. Makes me feel like I can't take any personal time."

"We are sorry sir!"

Smirking and folding his arms, the commanding officer simply laughed. "For starters I've told you just call me Kizashi. Secondly, don't try and act all formal now! Pour me a drink and tell me what I've missed."

The three guards all cheering their commanding officer simply offered the man a chair.

"Well you won't believe this, but we got some new prisoners."

Kizashi rolled his eyes. "Great, are there more drunks or thieves this time?"

"Even better. The grandson of Madara Uchiha."

Kizashi's blood ran cold and the color of his face went completely white. "That monster has a grandchild?"

One of the guards nodded. "Sure does. Lord Arashi has taken extreme interest in the kid too. Your family was originally from Konoha right? Did you know Madara?"

Kizashi shook his head. "Not personally. My family turned our back on Konoha and went to the Empire like so many others. All I know of Madara is what you all have heard. However, I did see the man once in battle before fleeing with my family. He was for a lack of words. Terrifying."

"Well now he's nothing besides a pathetic old man! A relic of the past!"

Kizashi nodded. "Yes I'm glad for it. That man only brought bloodshed. Without him my girls can grow up and live a safe life."

"Oh that's right! You and your wife adopted a second child! Another girl right?"

Kizashi was about to respond, but froze the moment the door to the dungeon burst off its hinges and slid down the hallway. Making the man and his three subordinates jump up and look at the open doorway with a single individual looking directly at them. Finding Naruto standing with his back slightly arched and his new sword firmly held within his hands. Yet looking at Naruto sent Kizashi into a state of fear and it wasn't due to the burns and scars that covered the boy's body.

Instead it was his emotionless and dead eyes, which were glowing brightly with his Mankeyō Sharingan. Igniting a fear within Kizashi that he tried desperately to forget, but as he looked at Naruto all he could see was a vestige of Madara Uchiha shadowing the young wizard. Making Kizashi instantly know that this was the grandson of Madara he was told about.

So knowing his duty to his Empire, Kizashi dashed to the side and struck a fighting stance. A glow of green magical energy encasing his body as he prepared himself to stop Naruto. Since being a child or not, Kizashi was willing to stop him for the sake of his own family.

"You have the same evil eyes as Madara! Why couldn't your family just disappear!" Kizashi yelled in anger as he prepared to fight the child before him. "Your grandfather was too stubborn to join the Empire like the rest of us and got countless killed. I'm ending your putrid bloodline right-. . ."

The three guards all looked at their commanding office with disbelief, as Naruto had vanished from view and the top of Kizashi's head had been sliced clean in half from the nose up. Resulting in the father of two and former citizen of Konoha falling dead onto the ground before he knew what happened.

Naruto standing several feet behind Kizashi merely looked at the blood dripping off his grandmother's sword and took a deep breath. "Alright Gramps, let's get started."

"You bastard!" A guard yelled before Naruto instantly snapped his gaze to the side. Then within seconds all three were blasted with an inferno of black flames. Making the three men all cry and scream in pain, trying everything from rolling onto the ground to pouring water on themselves. Yet nothing they could do would stop Naruto's flames that slowly burnt them to ash.

Laxus watching Naruto brutally murder four guards within seconds merely remained slightly at the dungeon's door with Evergreen held tightly in his arms. Asking himself if that person standing before him was actually actually the same boy he had set out on this quest with.

"Follow close Laxus." Naruto ordered as he started to walk forward. "We need to make it to the courtyard facing Ishgar."

(Throne room)

Perched upon his throne with a bored expression, Zeref looked at the scene playing out before him on a lacrima screen. The scene in question was that of Naruto making his way through his castle, while killing any guard who dared get within his way.

"I'm sorry for this, my Emperor." The voice of August began as he bowed before the powerful wizard. "I should have taken care of this boy the moment I learned of him. Leaving him to Arashi was my fault."

Clicking his teeth at his father's words, Arashi took a bow of his own. "In that case let me end the problem once and for all."

Zeref chuckled and held his hand up. "No, let the boy go. He may even pull his father out of hiding, but send squad fourteen to intercept him. I'd at least like to see him earn his freedom."

August nodded. "It shall be done."

(With Naruto)

Dashing forward and slashing at a guard, Naruto easily sliced the man at his elbows before leaping upwards. The guard shrieking in pain was quickly silenced by Naruto slashing his head clean off. Followed by Naruto twisting his torso and kicking another guard in the neck, which made the man's neck jerk with a snap and his body go limp.

Naruto quickly landing on his feet looked around the hallway he was currently in with rapid precision, as his new eyes could be seen moving in every direction and tracking every single movement around him. Making a snapshot decision by lowering his torso and gliding forward. Naruto maneuvered his blade against another guard's leg before slicing the appendage clean off. Followed by a golden spectral arm manifesting off of Naruto's body and crushing another guard into a wall.

Then by spinning on his heel and thrusting his sword into another guard's jugular, Naruto wasted no time watching the man die and simply kept moving. Since as he moved through the castle he was starting to leave a large trail of either mutilated or incinerated corpses.

Laxus of course kept up with Naruto and stayed close behind, while never once even coming close to being touched by their enemies. Yet even though Laxus knew what Naruto had to do in order for their safety. The smell of burnt bodies and the sounds of guards dying were more than unsettling.

"We are almost there!" Naruto yelled back as he could see an open courtyard in the distance. Moving even faster than before and took a surprising distance from both Laxus and Evergreen. "I'm going to scout ahead!'

Laxus watching Naruto come out into an open courtyard followed the blond, but froze the instant he saw two giant hands clamp around Naruto's body. Causing the boy to disappear like a bug being squashed without a second thought.

"No!" Evergreen gasped in worry, while Laxus followed the extended arms of the man who attacked Naruto. Finding three men standing across the courtyard.

"Great work Chōza!" A man with pure white eyes complemented with excitement.

"There are still two more." The third man with dark sunglasses and bugs swarming around his body pointed out. "We should take them out quickly."

The man who attacked Naruto, seeming to struggle, let out a grunt. "Hold on! Hizashi. Shibi. He's still alive!"

Both men were shocked, but not as much as Laxus as they all looked at the giant hands that were being pushed open by a golden magical skeleton that protected Naruto's body.

"I can't hold him much longer! Kill him!" Chōza cried in distress.

Hizashi, running forward quickly cleared the space between himself and Naruto, while a massive cluster of insects descended down onto Naruto from above. Yet Naruto merely broke free from the giant hands and dashed forward to meet Hizashi in an exchange of magically charged hand strikes and sword swings. Discovering rather quickly that his opponent was an expert in hand to hand combat and was able to easily deflect Naruto's lethal sword attacks while even striking Naruto's Susanoo armor. Sometimes that made Naruto glad his new eyes gave him protection against, as he could easily tell each fist the man tried to land was meant with the intentions to kill.

Then there was the issue of the rapidly approaching insects, which Naruto was about to burn with his black flames. Yet as a bolt of lightning electrocuted the bugs into a dead pile, Naruto simply saw Laxus out of the corner of his eye. He was still holding Evergreen, but was still able to support Naruto with his free hand.

"Go for the other two!" Hizashi ordered as he kept exchanging strikes with Naruto in close quarters. "I have this one distracted!"

Naruto, hearing this, snapped and shot flames directly out of his eyes and engulfed Hizashi in a surprise burning inferno. Then by leaving the man to burn Naruto ran around the man and directly for the other two within the courtyard. Instantly jumping upwards to avoid a massive fist aimed for his body, but as Naruto hovered over Chōza's wrist he quickly severed the man's right fist off with a clean slice.

"Damnit!" Chōza cried as he retracted his arm and brought his new bleeding stub close to his chest. "You're gonna pa-. . ."

Shibi could only look at his friend in disbelief as a sword was currently stabbed directly into his throat. Then within a flash all Shibi saw was Naruto move before everything went black and his head went flying into the air.

Naruto himself merely stood in silence as the three men laid dead around the surrounding courtyard. A sigh escaped his lips as he knew this nightmare was almost over. "Come on Laxus. It's time to go."

Laxus filled with adrenaline stepped forward, but froze at the sound of a hauntingly familiar voice.

"Leaving so soon?"

Naruto looking to the side saw the figure of his uncle Arashi, but Naruto wasn't concerned in the slightest. "I can tell with these eyes you're a thought projection. So what do you want?"

"I see your grandfather taught you a new trick. You've also in his spirit left quite the trail of bodies and killed a lot of loyal servants of Alvarez. Those people were sons, daughters and parents."

Taking his grandmother's sword into its sheath, Naruto kept an emotionless expression. "And?"

Arashi scoffed and placed his hands onto his hip. "Talk about being ruthless. Do you even have a heart?"

"No." Naruto replied in a blunt voice as a large skeleton torso started to take shape around his body. "You threatened the person who has mine."

A grin spread across Arashi's face. "Then why don't you come after me too?"

The skeleton growing armor and legs quickly took the shape of a towering golden samurai with Naruto floating directly in the center of its torso. Then as the samurai grew two golden angelic wings, Naruto locked eyes with his uncle, as his towering Susanoo was in its complete form.

"I will kill you, but not today." Naruto replied as he brought a hand down for Laxus and Evergreen to stand on. Taking the two wizards close to the chest of the massive samurai conjured from his Mankeyō Sharingan before instantly shooting into the sky in flight and traveling back towards Ishgar.

Laxus, feeling the wind blast against his face, could only look at the shrinking capital of Alvarez with wide eyes. "Naruto what is this?"

"My Susanoo. It's a technique that comes from my new ability my grandfather taught me. With this we should have a straight shot back home."

"So we did it?" Evergreen asked with tears in her eyes.

Closing his eyes, Naruto nodded. "Yeah we survived that nightmare, but I have a request for the both of you. Please don't tell anyone besides the master about this quest and please don't let anyone know my real identity."

Laxus merely nodded. "I can respect those wishes. No explanation needed."

"Same here." Evergreen added.

Naruto sighed. "Thank you. I Should be able to drop you both off at the guild in a few hours."

Laxus lifted his brow. "What do you mean drop us off? What are you doing?"

"I'm not running off. I'll fully accept the master's punishment when I return, but there is someone I have to see before that."

"Hmm I see. I'll explain the situation to the old man for you."

"Thank you."

(With Lucy)

Sitting at her bedside with bloodshot watery eyes and unkempt hair, Lucy merely gazed at the necklace within her hands with a sickness like no other. Trying everything she could think of to either find Naruto or at the very least get someone's help. Yet she quickly learned her father didn't care and her Celestial Spirits couldn't do anything. So feeling helpless and alone, Lucy was at a complete loss as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

"I wish mom was here." Lucy mumbled softly as she felt a breeze brush against her skin. "She always knew what to do."

"She really did, didn't she?" Came the reply of a voice Lucy recognized without question.

Snapping her head to the side of her room. Lucy looked at her massive window, which was left open and currently held one familiar blond who was merely sitting on the window's edge. Yet his gaze was kept in the direction of the mansion's courtyard where Lucy knew her mother's grave rested.

"I don't think a day goes by where I dont miss her." Naruto began softly with the slightest hint of regret under his breath. "Her headstone is beautiful. It's very fitting for someone like Layla."

"N-naruto?" Lucy gasped in disbelief, which caused the boy in question to turn his head towards her.

"Hey Lunacy."

Lucy not speaking a word or asking a question wasted no time throwing herself across the bedroom and latching onto her fellow blond tightly. Naruto slightly staggering backwards had to brace himself to stay perched on the window and not fall to the ground below.

"Easy there Lunacy. I can't tell if you're happy to see me or you're trying to shove me out the window."

Lucy pulling Naruto into an even tighter embrace could only cry tears of joy. "You're actually real. I'm not making this up."

Naruto smiled and placed a hand through Lucy's messy hair. "I'm sorry if I worried you."

"What happened?" Lucy asked in response.

"I took a mission that went bad."

"A mission?"

"Yeah I'm in a guild now. Fairy Tail to be exact."

Lucy backed away and looked at Naruto with wide eyes. "You actually joined? Like your dad?"

"Yeah I did, but I also ran into my dad's past. More specifically my uncle."

"I heard him. He was hurting you." Lucy began as she finally saw Naruto's arms in the moonlight. Arms that were covered in burns and fresh cuts that would obviously scar.

"His threats hurt more than anything else." Naruto admitted, but Lucy wouldn't hear anything. Since she quickly pulled Naruto's shirt up to reveal even more burns and wounds.

"He did this to you?"

Naruto was slightly taken back by the anger in Lucy's words, but as Naruto placed his hands over her own. Naruto could see the anger slightly vanishing. "Like I said. Nothing he did really hurt me. Only when he threatened you was I really in pain. He even took my necklace and broke it right in front of me."

Lucy seeing the absence of his matching necklace simply shook her head. "That's okay! You're back and safe. That's all I need."

Naruto slightly frowned and looked to the ground. "So much has happened Lucy. I met my grandfather. Learned where my parents are from and now have somewhat of an idea where my father is now. Yet despite all of that I've taken a path that's turned me into a killer."

Grabbing Naruto's hands and squeezing tightly, Naruto was surprised to see the young girl's fury directed at him. "You're not a killer! Aquarius showed me everything that happened that day. I know the truth."

"That's not what I'm talking about Lucy. I had to take countless lives to get back to you. I killed so many people to escape and reach you and the sad thing is I don't even regret doing so. I'd do all of it again just to see you safe."

"Well we can push all of that behind us! We can move on together."

Naruto smiled and cupped Lucy's cheek. "I've missed you so much. You're my first thought every morning, you're my last before I fall asleep and you're almost every thought in-between."

Lucy blushed a deep shade of red and a smile of her own came to life.

"The more time we share apart the more clearly I see that I love you Lucy and I would do anything for you." Naruto began softly. "Yet at the same time I'm exactly like my father. He was someone who tried to balance the love he had for my mother and fight a near impossible battle at the same time. I now realize the toll my father's actions had on my mom and don't want that life for you."

"Naruto, what are you talking about?"

"I've placed runes around this mansion for miles. If my uncle so much as takes a sneeze in this direction I will know. So you'll always be safe."

"Naruto, are you leaving me again?" Lucy cried out as she was desperately trying to figure out the boy's words. However, as his eyes transformed into his Mankeyō Sharingan Lucy's own eyes went wide.

"I wish more than anything you could forget me and move on with life as if we had never met. I even asked my grandfather if there was a way to erase someone's memories. His answer wasn't what I was looking for."

"Well I don't want to forget you! You're all I have left!"

Naruto's heart slightly broke at her tone. "I'll always be around and watching. I'm too selfish just to let you go. Still it's impossible to erase someone's memory and take away years worth of experience, but you can hide away small pieces. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take every memory from the last few weeks about me and hide it away. That way you can continue on with life and I can fully disappear. To you it will be just the way things were before you found out about my capture."

"No, don't! Please don't do this!"

"I have to Lucy. Hearing my uncle threatening to take your life left me with so much fear. I would rather take a thousand years of torture than watch something bad happen to you."

"But we are safe here!"

Naruto placing his hands around Lucy's arms gave the girl a small squeeze. "I'm taking a path filled with danger that I don't want you following. I'm not making the same mistakes as my father. I will not lose you."

"I don't care! Take whatever path you want! I will follow! I love you too Naruto! Even if my heart stops or my mind forgets my soul will always pull me right back to you!"

"And that's what I'm afraid of." Naruto mumbled as he gritted his teeth in anticipation for what he was about to do.

"Please stay with me or take me with you!"

Naruto leaning forward kissed the top of Lucy's forehead. "I can't." The Ghost of Fairy Tail began as he pulled back from Lucy. His eyes fully gazed into her own, which caused the girl to slightly zone out and sway back and forth.

Naruto catching the girl he loved before she could hit the ground simply walked forward and cradled her in his arms. Taking extra care to place her into her bed safely, while his eyes lingered to the set of golden keys on her nightstand.

"I know you all are watching." Naruto spoke to the Celestial Spirits in a low voice. "Please don't bring the memories of these last few weeks back to her. It's too dangerous to be around me and I know you want her safe, but if danger does come around for Lucy. Then come find me. I'll protect her no matter the cost."

With saying his peace and giving Lucy one final look, Naruto vanished in a flicker of golden light.

(Chapter End)

And with that another chapter down. I hope you enjoyed it as even though I felt this one wasn't my best chapter I'm still satisfied with it. Now to answer some questions.

Who is Naruto's grandmother's? Well for August I don't have anyone set right now. Just that whoever I pick will have the last name Namikaze. Madara on the other had I did have someone in mind and with the name of Naruto's sword you may know who that person was based off of.

Naruto's sword? Speaking of the sword, I've had an idea that I left open to explore if I wanted. Basically if you know who's sword Sode no Shirayuki belongs to then some questions of using its actual ability comes to mind. My idea was maybe having Sode no Shirayuki be a sword that contains a being like a gate key that holds a celestial spirit. However, instead of summoning a spirit it channels the power given to the person who makes a contract with it. I don't know if I'll add that part in the story and am open to suggestions.

Adding Naruto characters? Some people are normally upset when Naruto characters show up in a Naruto crossover? Which confuses me, but anyway I'm changing some plot around and adding my own here and there. So I need lots of characters and some of those characters might be good, they might be evil. They may live and they may die; it depends on their role in the story. If this upsets you I'm not sorry? Just don't read. Or in the words of the great Mark Hamill. Just pretend it's not Luke Skywalker, but Jake Skywalker instead. Two completely different and separate people.

Anyway that's all I got. So have a good day and leave a review If you want and hopefully I can get some other stories updated soon!