The train chugged along the tracks, its rhythmic clatter filling the car as Naruto and his team settled in for the journey. Team Fox had taken on a protection job in a distant town—standard work on paper, but Naruto felt a familiar itch that told him this might be more than what it seemed. He leaned back in his seat, glancing around at his team as they enjoyed the rare chance to relax and enjoy the scenery whizzing by outside.
Max sat across from Naruto, his arms folded as he looked out the window with a thoughtful expression. "So, Naruto," he said after a moment, glancing back with a grin, "how's the Rinnegan training going? You've got… what, six different powers to work with, right?"
Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, six different paths. So far, I've gotten three down pretty well—the Deva, the Preta, and the Human Path."
Max whistled, shaking his head in awe. "The Deva Path… That's the one you used to flatten Phantom Lord's guild, right?"
"Yep," Naruto replied with a nod. "It's the one that controls gravity, like creating repulsive and attractive forces. The Preta Path lets me absorb magic or chakra, and the Human Path can pull information directly from someone's mind." He paused, glancing at the others. "Right now, I'm working with the Bijuu on the Animal Path, which lets me summon all kinds of animals, and maybe… well, I was thinking about trying something unique."
Max leaned forward, his eyes wide with admiration. "Naruto, I don't know how you manage to keep all of that in check. You've got more power than anyone I know, but you make it look so… natural."
Naruto shrugged with a grin. "It's a work in progress. And besides, you guys help me stay grounded. It's all about balance, and that's something I couldn't get alone."
Max nodded, his respect for Naruto evident. "Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say I'm glad we have you on our side."
Elfman, meanwhile, was doing sit-ups in the aisle, his voice a determined growl as he counted under his breath. "ninety-eight… ninety-nine… one-hundred! Nothing like some core work to get pumped for a mission!"
Laki sat nearby, absently shaping a small piece of wood with her Wood-Make Magic, forming it into different shapes as she listened to her teammates talk. She glanced at Naruto, a small smile on her face. "I think we're all feeling ready. With everything we've been training for, this mission should be no problem."
Naruto smiled back at her, nodding. "That's the spirit, Laki. And I agree—this is what we've been working toward. No matter what we find, we'll be ready."
The train rattled on, and after a couple of hours, the bustling town of Hira's Gate came into view, its colorful market stalls and crowded streets visible even from the station platform. As the team disembarked, Naruto immediately noticed something strange. While the town looked lively, filled with people going about their business, the atmosphere felt heavy. He sensed tension hanging in the air, an unease that settled over the crowd like a dark cloud.
The townsfolk seemed to be going out of their way to avoid looking at the team, their eyes darting away nervously as they passed. Naruto narrowed his eyes, catching the wary glances, the whispers, the way people would step back or pull their children close as Team Fox moved through the streets.
"Something's off," Naruto muttered under his breath, his senses heightened. He felt Kurama stir within him, the Bijuu's low growl rumbling in his mind.
"You're right," Kurama said, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion. "These people are on edge. I can smell the fear—they're watching us, but they're more afraid than curious."
Naruto nodded subtly, acknowledging Kurama's words. As they walked deeper into the town, the sense of unease only grew, and he noticed Elfman glancing around as well, his expression tense.
"Hey, anyone else noticing the strange looks we're getting?" Elfman asked, his voice a low mutter. "Feels like they're… afraid of us."
Max looked around, picking up on the same unease. "Maybe it's because we're strangers? Or maybe they don't trust outsiders."
Laki pulled the job flyer from her bag, scanning it for any clues as she walked. "We're supposed to meet our contact near the central square," she said, glancing around the busy market stalls. "But this doesn't mention anything about the town being hostile or… well, this."
Elfman shivered, his eyes darting up to a nearby rooftop, where he could have sworn he saw something—or someone—just a second ago. But as soon as he looked, the spot was empty. "I don't like this," he muttered, his voice a grumble. "I felt a chill just now, like we're being watched."
Naruto placed a hand on Elfman's shoulder, trying to ease his tension. "Stay alert, but don't let it get to you. We'll meet our contact and figure out what's going on. Just keep your guard up."
xxx
The team continued walking, their senses sharp as they navigated the crowded square. The tension in the air was thick, and Naruto's Rinnegan picked up subtle flickers of movement, shadows shifting on the edge of his vision as if they were being followed. He could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on them, but whoever was watching them remained hidden.
Finally, they reached the center of the square, where a stone fountain bubbled quietly. Laki scanned the area, comparing it to the directions on the flyer. "Our contact should be somewhere around here…" she murmured, her eyes darting around as she tried to spot anyone who looked like they were waiting for a team of mages.
Just then, a hunched figure in a worn cloak approached them, his eyes darting nervously as he glanced around. He came to a stop a few feet away, his face partially hidden under the hood.
"Are you… from Fairy Tail?" he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.
Naruto stepped forward, giving a reassuring nod. "Yeah, we're here for the job. You must be our contact?"
The man nodded, but his hands trembled as he looked around, clearly on edge. "Yes, yes… thank you for coming. Please, walk with me. It's not safe to talk here."
Naruto exchanged glances with his teammates, each of them silently acknowledging the strange vibe of the encounter. They fell into step behind the man, who led them through a series of winding alleyways, away from the main square and the prying eyes of the townsfolk.
Finally, he stopped in a secluded courtyard, glancing around to make sure no one had followed them. He lowered his hood, revealing a face etched with worry and fatigue.
"My name is Ryo," he said quietly. "I'm… well, I was part of the town guard. But things have changed recently, and the town has come under the control of… an organization."
Laki's eyes narrowed. "An organization? Is that who we're protecting you from?"
Ryo nodded grimly. "Yes. They call themselves the Shadow Claws. They came to our town a few months ago, promising protection, but they've taken control. They're ruthless, and anyone who opposes them… disappears."
Naruto felt a flash of anger at Ryo's words. "So they're holding the town hostage?"
"Yes," Ryo replied, his voice shaking slightly. "They control everything now—the markets, the town's defenses, even the mayor. We're all too afraid to stand up to them. That's why we requested Fairy Tail's help… but I didn't realize they'd send only four of you."
Elfman clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with determination. "Four of us is more than enough! Team Fox can take on anyone who tries to mess with innocent people."
Ryo managed a weak smile, but his eyes still held doubt. "I hope you're right. They have a powerful leader, someone who calls himself Daigo. He's ruthless, and his mages are dangerous. I fear that if you oppose him, he'll unleash his full force on the town."
Naruto exchanged a look with his team, his Rinnegan glinting with resolve. "Don't worry, Ryo. We're here to protect you, and we won't let anyone hurt this town. Team Fox doesn't back down."
Ryo nodded, though fear still flickered in his gaze. "Thank you. But please… be careful. The Shadow Claws are always watching, and they'll be quick to respond to any threat."
As Ryo gave them directions to the town's inn, Naruto and his team prepared themselves for the challenge ahead. What had seemed like a routine job was quickly turning into something much more serious—a conflict with a powerful and ruthless guild that had taken control of an entire town.
Team Fox made their way toward the inn, Naruto's mind was already formulating a plan. He knew they needed as much information as possible to understand the full scope of what they were dealing with here. Pausing for a moment, he formed a quick series of hand seals, summoning five shadow clones. Each clone instantly transformed, altering their appearances to match some of the people Naruto had seen around the town. Though to anyone else they looked like common townsfolk, each clone's disguise was subtly based on old friends from Naruto's world—faces he knew well, trusted, and could slip into seamlessly.
He gave them their orders, his tone calm but decisive. "You know the drill. Blend in, listen, and get whatever information you can on the Shadow Claws. Look for signs of movement, hideouts, anything out of the ordinary."
The clones nodded, scattering in different directions as Naruto watched them disappear into the busy streets. With that taken care of, he turned back to his team. "Alright, let's get to the inn and set up. We need a game plan before we make any moves."
After a short walk, Team Fox arrived at a modest-looking inn on the edge of the central district. The innkeeper, a small woman with a kind face, greeted them warmly, her eyes lighting up as she took in the group of young mages.
"Welcome, travelers!" she said, her tone friendly. "You look like you could use a place to rest. We have rooms available if you'd like."
Naruto gave her a polite nod, masking his tension with a friendly smile. "Thank you. We'll need two rooms, and if possible, one extra room we could use for meetings."
The innkeeper smiled, her eyes warm with understanding. "Of course, of course. Consider it done. Just follow me." She led them up the creaky wooden staircase, showing them to two adjacent rooms at the end of a long hallway, with an extra room across from them. "I hope this suits your needs."
"This is perfect, thank you," Naruto said with a grateful nod. They quickly settled into their rooms, Laki taking one for herself while Naruto, Elfman, and Max shared the other. Once they dropped off their belongings, they regrouped in the extra room, where Naruto immediately set to work on privacy measures.
Placing his hands on the walls and muttering a few words under his breath, he activated silencing seals, forming a barrier that would keep their conversation private. The seals flared briefly, glowing with faint chakra before fading into the walls.
Laki's eyes widened, her expression one of curiosity. "Naruto… what exactly are those?"
Naruto grinned, brushing his hands together as he finished. "Just a little something I picked up from home. Silencing seals. They keep anyone from eavesdropping. As long as these are in place, no one outside will hear anything we say."
Max looked impressed, his eyes gleaming with interest. "I didn't know you could do that! That's incredible… and useful."
Elfman nodded approvingly, clearly pleased with the added security. "Now we can talk freely. So, what's the plan, Naruto?"
Naruto took a seat, motioning for the others to do the same. "The way I see it, we're in hostile territory, so we need to stay sharp. I've got clones out doing recon, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Meanwhile, we'll stay under the radar as much as possible."
Laki nodded, her expression serious. "With the silencing seals in place, we can at least discuss our strategy openly. But we'll need more information before we make any big moves."
Max leaned forward, his voice low. "What exactly are we up against? Ryo mentioned their leader, Daigo, but we don't know what kind of magic these Shadow Claws use."
Naruto crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "That's what the clones are for. Once they report back, we'll have a better idea of who we're dealing with. For now, let's assume they're skilled, especially if they've managed to take over an entire town."
As the team settled in to wait for more information, Naruto's mind drifted to his clones scattered around the town. He knew they would keep a low profile, blending in as they observed. But he was also aware that their disguises wouldn't last forever. He could only hope they'd gather enough information before the Shadow Claws sensed any intrusion.
One of Naruto's clones, currently disguised as an old comrade from his world, walked down a narrow alleyway, keeping an ear out for any snippets of conversation that might point him toward the Shadow Claws. Disguised in simple, nondescript clothing, he blended in easily with the townsfolk, drawing no attention to himself as he strolled through the bustling square.
But as he turned a corner, his eyes caught sight of a troubling scene near one of the market stalls. A small group of mages—men in dark cloaks emblazoned with the symbol of a claw—stood in a loose circle around a young mother and her son. The boy clung tightly to his mother's leg, his wide eyes filled with fear as he glanced between the men surrounding them.
One of the mages, a tall, leering man with a twisted grin, stepped closer to the woman, his eyes roving over her in a way that made the clone's blood boil. "Look what we have here," the mage sneered, his tone filled with false sweetness. "You and your little brat were blocking our way. But maybe we can overlook that… if you show us a bit of gratitude."
The woman's face paled, her eyes darting around as she tried to shield her son from the men's leering gazes. "Please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "we meant no harm. We were just passing through."
The mage chuckled, a cold, mocking sound that sent a chill through the air. "Oh, I don't think you understand, sweetheart. This isn't about harm. This is about making up for your little mistake… in whatever way we see fit."
Naruto's clone clenched his fists, feeling an immediate surge of anger. He knew his mission was to gather information, to blend in and observe—but the sight before him was too much. He wouldn't stand by and let these men harass an innocent family.
The lead mage sneered, stepping forward as he reached out and grabbed the boy by his collar, yanking him forward. The child's frightened cry filled the air as he struggled, his hands clutching at the mage's arm.
"Mama!" the boy cried, his voice trembling as the mage's grip tightened.
The woman tried to step forward, but another mage blocked her path. She begged them to let her son go, her voice shaking with fear. But the lead mage only smirked, ignoring her pleas as he tossed the boy toward his companions, who caught him roughly.
The woman tried to rush forward again, but the lead mage grabbed her wrist, pulling her back with a cruel grin. "I think it's time you learned a little respect," he said, his voice a low, mocking drawl. He steered her toward a narrow alleyway, his grip unyielding as she struggled, her pleas lost in the noise of the market.
Naruto's clone anger continued to rise, his disguise flickering briefly as he fought to keep his emotions in check. But as he saw the fear in the boy's eyes and the helpless frustration on the faces of the townsfolk, he knew he couldn't stand by any longer.
With a quick burst of speed, he crossed the distance to the two men holding the boy. Before they could react, he struck the first man with a swift chop to the back of the neck, and the mage slumped forward, unconscious. The boy was released, stumbling backward in surprise.
The second mage turned, his eyes widening as he took in Naruto's clone, whose disguise faded as he dropped the transformation. The man barely had time to process the sight of the Rinnegan before Naruto's clone grabbed him, slamming him against the stone wall. The mage froze, his confidence giving way to fear as he stared into Naruto's unyielding gaze.
"You picked the wrong day to be caught by me," Naruto said firmly, his tone cold. The mage, paralyzed by the look in his eyes, didn't even react as he was knocked out as well. Naruto gently turned to the boy, crouching to meet his gaze. "You're safe now," he reassured him, his voice softening. "Stay close. I'll be back with your mother."
The boy nodded, a hint of relief in his wide eyes. Naruto patted him on the shoulder, then slipped into the alley, his focus sharp as he followed the woman's voice. It took only moments to reach the lead mage, who had backed her against the wall, his attention solely on her.
"Let her go," Naruto's clone commanded, his voice carrying a dangerous calm.
The mage turned, his face twisting in irritation. But as he took in the Rinnegan and Naruto's stern expression, his arrogance faltered. He sneered, attempting to regain his composure, but Naruto's clone closed the distance in an instant. With a quick, decisive move, he took hold of the mage and pinned him to the ground, leaving no room for resistance.
"We're going to have a little talk," Naruto's clone said, his voice low and unyielding. The mage's eyes went wide, fear breaking through his bravado as he realized he was at Naruto's mercy.
xxx
Meanwhile, another of Naruto's clones, also disguised, made his way through the quieter part of town. He had been observing groups of people as they moved between taverns and alleys, hoping to catch sight of anyone associated with the Shadow Claws. After a few minutes, he spotted a small group of cloaked mages heading toward a dimly lit tavern at the end of the street. They walked with an air of confidence, their voices carrying hints of laughter and low conversation as they passed.
The clone watched as they entered the building, his eyes following them as they dispersed into the crowd inside. He noted how they moved with familiarity, blending easily with the other patrons. It was clear that the tavern was a common gathering spot for them—a potential base of operations or, at the very least, a place where they could operate unnoticed.
After a few more minutes of observation, the clone gathered what information he could and made his way back toward the inn to report his findings to Naruto. Just as he reached the edge of the alley, he dispersed in a puff of smoke, the information transferring back to Naruto instantly.
At that same moment, Naruto, still in the inn's secure meeting room with his team, felt the rush of memories and experiences flooding in from both clones. He stilled, absorbing everything in a matter of seconds—the tension, the confrontation, and the disturbing presence of the cloaked mages gathering in the tavern.
Laki noticed his reaction immediately, her eyes sharp with curiosity. "Naruto? Did something happen?"
Naruto's expression darkened, his gaze sharpening with resolve. "Yeah. I just got intel from two of my clones."
Max leaned in, clearly concerned. "What did they find?"
Naruto's Rinnegan glinted as he locked eyes with his teammates, his voice steady but filled with a quiet intensity. "We're dealing with some seriously dangerous people. The Shadow Claws have this town in their grip, and they're using intimidation to control everyone here. My clone saw them harassing innocent people—they're treating them like objects, using fear to keep everyone in line. And that's just part of what they're doing. Another group of them is holed up in a tavern, probably meeting to plan their next move."
Elfman's jaw clenched, a steely resolve flashing in his eyes. "So they're hurting innocent people just because they can? I say we make them regret it."
Max nodded, his gaze hardening. "It sounds like they're not just a threat—they're a stain on this town. We have to put a stop to it."
Naruto's determination only grew as he looked at his team, their resolve clear. "Exactly. This isn't just about protection anymore. These guys have turned this town into a place of fear, and it's time we show them what Fairy Tail stands for."
Elfman's fists tightened, his voice filled with a fierce loyalty. "We'll make sure they know that Fairy Tail doesn't stand for this kind of cruelty."
With their plan beginning to form, Naruto took one last look at his team, feeling the strength of their bond. Together, they would face the darkness the Shadow Claws had brought to this town, bringing back hope to the people who had been forced into silence. As Team Fox prepared to confront their new enemy, the resolve they shared only grew, a promise that they would bring justice to Hira's Gate.
A/N: Hey got a double chapter going. This is the start of me going to some of my AU I wanted to do. This arc is going to go for a few chapters, before I get to somewhere that was pretty decent to the story. I am still trying to make sure I give some spotlight to the team and not just have Nartuo ruin the entire story. He is very strong, (LIKE What was I thinking) strong lol. I want to boost the world of fairy tail as well as keep our young Sage. Thanks for reading!