Chapter 09: For Those Who We Grow Strong For

Crocus – Domus Flau

Everyone in the arena shielded themselves from the collision of the Rasenshuriken and Heavenward Halberd attacks. "This power is beyond what I imagined." Mavis could feel the shockwaves even though she was a ghost.

"Which attack won?" Makarov tried to see through the light. When, the shockwaves and light subsided and Naruto and Laxus returned to view with the Rasenshuriken heading towards Laxus. "Laxus, look out!"

Laxus quickly ducked, barely avoiding the Rasenshuriken, but it exploded behind him, sent him flying forward and his face hit the ground.

"I can't believe it…Laxus lost the clash." Evergreen was stumped.

"This isn't looking good." Bickslow sweated.

"It's not over, Laxus is still in this." Freed still had faith in Laxus.

"In a clash of elements, wind is superior to lightning. But I had hoped Laxus would be able to overcome that obstacle." Mavis said. "I underestimated them."

"Looks like our job is done, make sure to send us those snacks soon." Gamakichi disappeared.

"See ya, Naruto!" Gamatatsu disappeared as well.

"Thank you, leave the rest to me." Naruto prepared himself for the true battle.

"It'll be tough to defeat Sage Mode." Gildarts spoke.

"Sage Mode?" Wendy asked.

"It's the ability that allows one combine nature energy with their spiritual and physical energy. But gathering nature energy is easier said than done. To gain it, the user must remain completely still, furthermore, if they fail to control the nature energy within them, they will eventually go through a metamorphosis and become a stone statue." Gildarts explained.

"How do you know this?" Gray asked.

"I've crossed paths with a man named Jiraiya on my travels. We had a lot in common, drinking, partying, ogling sexy ladies. He used Sage Mode against me and we fought to a stalemate. Even my Crush Magic was barely a match for it." Gildarts spoke.

"Seriously?!" Gajeel's eyes widened and the rest of Fairy Tail were surprised.

"But Jiraiya's Sage Mode is different from Naruto's. When Jiraiya entered Sage Mode, he took on toad characteristics while having two toads stuck to his shoulder to gather Nature Energy for him. However, Naruto is only showing toad-like pupils with orange pigmentations around his eyes. This shows that he has fully mastered balancing his chakra with natural energy, where his master, Jiraiya, could not." Gildarts explained.

"So, he's surpassed his master." Erza commented.

"Yes…this is Naruto Uzumaki, the Child of Prophecy." Gildarts declared.

Naruto rushed into Laxus, who didn't have time to react as Naruto delivered a swift uppercut to the jaw. "I can't afford to lose this first match. My team is counting on me! Today…the toads defeat the dragons!"

Naruto summoned two Shadow Clones and they formed Rasengans in his hands and he jumped towards Laxus who was barely recovering in the air. "Rasengan Barrage!" Naruto slammed Laxus back into the ground with the Rasengans to his chest.

"Damn it…" Laxus grunted as he got up.

"Haargh!" Naruto dived down towards Laxus, who was finally able to move out of the way, but Naruto's punch created a crater deep in the arena.

"Holy moly! Naruto's power is beyond the charts!" Chapati commentated.

"That Sage Mode is something else." Yajima added.

"This battle only gets better and better. Keep going both of you!" Hisui cheered.

"Getting in close to this guy is suicide. I have to attack from a distance." Laxus inhaled. "Lightning Dragon Roar!" Laxus let out his roar.

Naruto saw it coming and quickly dived out of the way. "Raging Bolt!" Laxus created multiple lightning bolts and fired them at Naruto, preventing him from going forward.

"Good, he's preventing Naruto from attack him up close and taking control of the battlefield." Makarov smiled.

Naruto took off the scroll from his back and unrolled it on the ground. He slammed his palm on the ground and a giant shuriken appeared. "Demon Wind Shuriken!" Naruto hurled the giant shuriken through the lightning, and it grazed Laxus on the side of his arm, cutting him.

"Don't think your safe fighting from a distance." Naruto warned, which made Laxus grit his teeth in frustration.

"Aw yeah, that's the way, Naruto!" Inuyasha bellowed.

"Keep it up!" Kagome cheered.

"Damn it!" Bickslow cursed.

"Come on, Laxus, it's not over yet!" Evergreen encouraged.

"You can't lose…You're Laxus…" Freed tightened his grip on his sword.

But Laxus was indeed losing, no matter what he tried, Naruto quickly adapted and turned the tide of battle into his favor. If Laxus stayed from a distance, Naruto would summon ninja tools and infuse them with wind chakra to cut through Laxus's lightning.

If Laxus brought the battle up close and personal, Naruto would use his Taijutsu to land attacks even if they didn't directly make contact. Laxus crossed his arms to guard, but Naruto quickly delivered an uppercut to his jaw before grabbing his ankle and slamming him on the ground. He then jumped in the air and dived down, delivered a crushing blow to Laxus's stomach, making him cough blood.

"Laxus…" Makarov wanted more than anything than to interrupt the fight and give Naruto a piece of his mind, but that would mean that Fairy Tail would be disqualified.

"You must endure, both of you." Mavis advised. "I know it's hard, but the battle is far from over. Have faith in him, just as I had faith in your father, Yuri."

Laxus delivered different lightning bolts at different angles. "Your lightning is weak against my wind!" Naruto cut through the lightning with his ninja tools. Laxus decided to use speed and quickly dodged all the tools and was in front of Naruto.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Roaring Thunder!" Laxus gathered lightning into his fist and threw out a punch.

"Wind Style: Rasengan!" Naruto gathered wind in his Rasengan and thrust it out. The wind cut through the lightning, and it struck Laxus, making him scream in pain as he blown back towards the wall.

"Uncle Naruto is doing amazing implementing his Wind Chakra into his jutsus." Yui was happy that her honorary uncle was winning.

"Wind is naturally the enemy of lightning. Naruto has the full advantage in this fight." Leafa smiled for her boyfriend.

The gong rang, signaling that another 15 minutes have passed. Naruto and Laxus returned to their benches. Laxus was panting hard, but no more sweat was coming out of him.

"Laxus…" Freed was worried for his leader.

"Bet you're all enjoying this…" Laxus chuckled.

"Laxus?" Mirajane was confused.

"The one who made this guild fight each other, over a selfish reason, is now being beaten to a pulp. Deep down, I know you all like seeing me like this." Laxus smiled. "I don't blame you; I deserve this."

"Laxus…don't tell me you're losing on purpose?!" Makarov's eyes widened.

"Don't be stupid, old man. You know I hate losing. That Sage Mode is powerful but it has a time limit. The orange around his eyes is fading. He can't hold it much longer." Laxus said. "Even though I want to crush Sage Mode, the guild's victory is more important than my pride. I'll endure the pain if we can get the win."

"Laxus…" Makarov closed his eyes for a bit before opening them. "Don't wait for the Sage Mode to run out, beat him while he's in Sage Mode." Makarov ordered.

"But Master…" Erza spoke but Mavis held up her hand to silence her.

"It's true that we'll win if Naruto runs out of Sage Mode, but the Guardians morale will still be high. We have to make them doubt their abilities to beat us, and to do that, Laxus must beat Naruto in Sage Mode. And you can, because you are just like Yuri Dreyar, a fellow founder of Fairy Tail. You will keep moving forward, right Laxus?" Mavis smiled.

"Yes." Laxus nodded.

"Naruto, you're on a roll." Kirito said.

"Keep it up, sweetie. He's almost down." Leafa supported.

"Yeah, I'll definitely win this round." Naruto smiled. The gong rang and both Naruto and Laxus faced each other again.

Naruto continued gaining the upper hand on Laxus in Sage Mode. Laxus tried to endure but he was getting more and more blows and he started to bleed from his arms, face and even his jacket and shirt were shredded to where he was bleeding all over his chest.

"Laxus…" Mirajane uttered with worry.

"Come on…" Freed clenched his fist and bit his lip.

"Looks like the fight has become one sided in favor of the Guardians. What is your opinion Mr. Yajima?" Chapati asked.

"Hm…I think there's more to it than what we're seeing now." Yajima opened an eye.

"Indeed. I feel something will happen soon." Hisui agreed with Yajima.

"I don't like this…" Natsu mumbled.

"Huh?" Lucy and Happy heard Natsu.

"Take this!" Naruto went for another punch to Laxus's face. Laxus quickly dodged the fist. "Too bad. My Sage Mode Taijutsu will…" However, the blow from Sage Mode was repelled by red lightning. "What?!" Naruto's eyes widened before he was hit hard in the stomach by Laxus, coughing out blood and sent flying into the wall.

The Guardians were all shocked that Naruto was counterattacked hard while in Sage Mode. "Wh-What just happened?" Leafa blinked.

"He was in Sage Mode but didn't have time to react…" Sinon was surprised.

Red Lightning surrounded Laxus as he stood proudly in the center of the arena. "Red Lightning Dragon Mode…" Laxus said.

"That a boy!" Makarov cheered loud.

"Laxus!" Mirajane smiled.

"He's back in the game baby!" Bickslow cheered.

Naruto wiped the blood off his mouth and saw Red Lightning Dragon Mode. "No way…he used his blood to enhance his lightning. He let me attack him on purpose so he could bleed out."

"Astounding, his blood is amplifying his lightning magic which is being used as a coat of armor to protect him from Sage Mode's Taijutsu." Ami used her goggles to analyze Laxus. "It could also be strong enough to resist any wind attacks."

"Hey, kid." Laxus spoke to Naruto. "You're not the only one carrying a legacy today. I'm carrying a legacy too. The legacy of Fairy Tail."

"That's my grandson right there!" Makarov boasted with pride.

"Old man…" Laxus felt embarrassed but let out a little smile. He then charged towards Naruto.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto made two clones and they formed Rasengan's in his hands. "Rasengan Barrage!" Naruto thrusted the Rasengan's out.

"Red Lightning Dragon: Demolition Fist!" Laxus punched forward and easily destroyed the two Rasengan's and struck, Naruto in the chest, cracking his ribs.

Not even giving Naruto a chance to defend, Laxus grabbed both of his arms and flipped him over, smashing his head into the ground hard. He then picked Naruto up by his cloak and kicked him in the face, knocking into the other side of the arena.

"Uncle Naruto!" Yui called out in worry.

"He'll be okay, Yui." Asuna wanted to comfort Yui but she was now worried.

"Come on…" Inuyasha growled.

"The stronger my opponent…" Naruto made two more clones. "The stronger I become!" Naruto formed the Rasenshuriken in his hand.

"The Rasenshuriken!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.

"His strongest wind can break through the Red Lightning." Yuya said.

"Enhanced Dragon Slayer Secret Art!" Laxus roared, making Natsu's eyes widened. "Roaring Blood Thunder!" Laxus released red lightning from his fist and it struck the Rasenshuriken in Naruto's hand.

The disruption made the Rasenshuriken explode, causing Naruto to be blown back and crash on the ground. When he did, the orange around his eyes disappeared, signaling the end of Sage Mode.

"Naruto!" Leafa shouted with worry.

"What an amazing comeback! The Rasenshuriken that overpowered Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic has now been demolished by Red Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic!" Chapati shouted in his mic.

"It was a risky gamble, but it was risk that paid off." Yajima smiled.

"That's what makes battles like this more exciting." Hisui added and the audience cheered for Laxus.

"Sorry, kid. But I get stronger too when I fight strong opponents." Laxus returned Naruto's words.

"This isn't good." Yuya thought. "Naruto has always overcome strong opponents by evolving, but now the opposite has happened. His opponent has evolved. What's more…"

Naruto grunted as he sat up. He then tried to push himself off the floor but when his right hand touched the ground. "AHHHHHH!" Naruto let out a bloodcurdling scream, making everyone jump, including Laxus.

"Naruto!" Leafa, Kirito, Asuna and Inuyasha shouted with worry.

"The Rasenshuriken was destroyed while he was holding it." Yuya closed his eyes. The skin on Naruto's hand was shredded and blood was gushing out everywhere. Even some bones could be seen.

"The Rasenshuriken is classified as a forbidden jutsu." Bruce said. "It's only safe to use when it can be thrown away from the user. If it's used while in the user's hand, it doesn't just damage the opponent, but also the user. What's more, it was using Sage Mode Chakra, causing more damage than before."

"I feel bad for this." Laxus walked towards Naruto. "But we're still in a fight." Laxus started beating Naruto senselessly. Every punch, kick, chop was torture for Naruto.

"Naruto…" Leafa started to tear up.

"You've lost…give up." Laxus looked at the down Naruto.

"N-No…" Naruto looked up defiantly. "I don't…give up…"

The bell rang once more as 15 minutes passed. Laxus went back to his bench while Alfred carried Naruto to his bench.

Leafa, Kirito, Inuyasha, Yuya, Natsu, Lucy and Happy went to the bench to check on Naruto. "Let me see your hand." Yuya said. Naruto showed his hand.

"Damn…" Inuyasha felt like he was gonna lose his lunch.

"Can't we heal him?" Happy asked.

"We're only allowed to use what we have in the emergency kit. If we use healing magic, we'll be disqualified." Natsu answered.

"Just bandage my hand as much as you can. I can still fight." Naruto said.

"Naruto, don't worry about it. Leave the rest to us." Lucy tried to assure him.

"You don't have to prove anything." Kirito added.

"Who charged recklessly into a rigged dungeon to save the woman he loves?" Naruto said, making Kirito gasp. "Which group faced a powerful dragon despite being battered and bruised." Natsu, Lucy and Happy perked up. "Who fought even though he lost his demon powers." Inuyasha looked away. "And who continuously fights every day to see his family again." Naruto looked at Yuya.

"We're Guardians, we never give up, no matter what condition we're in. Even if the chances of winning are zero percent, we fight to change that to one percent. If we give up now, we'd be betraying who we are." Naruto smirked.

Leafa walked to Naruto and put her hands on his face. "You're a big idiot, you know that." Leafa scolded.

"Heh, I'm your idiot…" Naruto chuckled.

"Give me the tape." Leafa took the emergency kit. She tied Naruto's hand with enough bandages that he could flex his fingers. "Go get him."

"Yeah…" Naruto stood up, ready to get back to fighting. The gong rang and both Naruto and Laxus faced each other for the last time. Naruto made a hand sign and he was back in Sage Mode.

"He must have made a clone to get into Sage Mode and dispelled it." Laxus thought. "I've noticed that he experiences what his clones experience. So that's why he hasn't brought another army, he had one hiding to enter Sage Mode."

"I'm winning this…" Naruto prepared himself.

"Not by a long shot." Laxus released Red Lightning.

Naruto and Laxus clashed once more, trading punches, kicks and even long-range attacks. But with Laxus still in Red Lightning Mode, Naruto was getting overpowered, since he was avoiding using his right hand as much as possible.

"Damn this kid." Laxus knew he was overpowering Naruto, but he wasn't backing down, in fact, he was getting more motivated to win. "He just won't give up."

"Not yet…there's too much riding on this fight." Naruto roared as he landed a punch across Laxus' face.

"He got him!" Happy smiled.

Laxus retaliated with his punch, he then went for a kick, but Naruto caught his foot and headbutted Laxus' nose, breaking it.

"Gah!" Laxus held his nose as blood came out, but that made even more Red Lightning.

"Fool, more blood makes more lightning for Laxus." Evergreen said.

Naruto then grabbed a kunai from his pouch and infused it with wind and he cut through the lightning and slashed Laxus's stomach making more blood come out. "What's the idiot doing?" Bickslow was confused.

Naruto made another cut on Laxus, making him bleed more. Laxus then stumbled to hold his ground.

"No way…he's making Laxus bleed out! Laxus, quickly end the match!" Freed shouted.

"Red Lightning uses the user's blood, if Laxus loses too much blood." Mavis said grimly.

"Laxus, win!" Makarov shouted.

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Laxus gathered lightning in his hand. "Roaring Thunder!"

Naruto then formed a Rasengan in his damaged hand. "Rasengan!" Both attacks clashed but what should have been an easy win for Laxus, was now a struggle.

"Damn, I lost too much blood. I have more power, but I can't stay conscious for long." Laxus felt his vision disappearing.

"I can use the Rasengan in my left hand, but it's not as powerful as my right." Naruto thought. He felt the pain intensify in his hand but he kept pushing.

"Everyone…give me your strength to win!" Naruto and Laxus both thought at the same time. Members of Fairy Tail appeared behind Laxus pushing him forward while members of the Guardians appeared behind Naruto and did the same.

"RAAAAAARGH!" Naruto and Laxus roared as they increased the power of their attacks. Before they both exploded, creating a massive explosion that engulfed the entire arena.

Everyone shielded themselves from the shockwaves of the attacks before the dust finally settled down and both Laxus and Naruto were still standing.

"Geez, those two are unbelievable." Gray said.

"To think someone could push Laxus so far." Erza looked at Naruto.

"You're something else, kid…" Laxus smiled. Laxus gathered regular lightning in his hand. Naruto simply stood there with his head down. Laxus charged at Naruto and reared his fist back. When he got close, Laxus launched his fist forward, with everyone waiting for the fatal blow.

However, Laxus stopped short of hitting Naruto, confusing everyone. "Still not giving up even at the end." Laxus retracked his fist to show that Naruto was unconscious. "Your master would be proud of you."

Mato approached the two and looked at Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki has lost consciousness, he can no longer continue the fight. Therefore, the winner of the first solo battle is Laxus Dreyar of Fairy Tail!"

The audience cheered for the amazing fight.

"Hell yeah!" Bickslow cheered.

"That's our Laxus!" Evergreen jumped in joy.

"Spectacular victory, Laxus!" Freed cried tears of joy.

"And now we'll start our straight win streak." Gray smirked.

"That's right! Fairy Tail is the number one guild in the world!" Makarov boasted loudly and all of Fairy Tail agreed.

Laxus carried Naruto on his back and went to the Guardians side and laid him down on the bench. "Thank you." Bruce thanked Laxus. Laxus turned to walk away.

"Wait…" Naruto had regained consciousness and sat up from the bench. He then extended two fingers. "Where I come from, after a tough fight, we do the seal to show respect to our opponent."

"Is that all?" Laxus asked.

"It's also a promise that we will have another great fight in the future, as equals." Naruto added.

"Very well, when you're Hokage and I'm the Guild Master, we'll fight again." Laxus extended his fingers.

"Deal." The two joined their fingers, making the seal.

"That was an amazing battle between Naruto and Laxus. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Yajima?" Chapati asked.

"Yes, both contestants gave it their all with no regrets." Yajima nodded.

"Let us congratulate Laxus and Naruto for an amazing battle." Hisui led another round of applause.

At the Guardians side, Naruto had his head lowered in shame. "Sorry, I lost." Naruto apologized.

"It was an honorable loss, ninja." Knuckles punched his fists together.

"We'll get revenge for you." Sonic promised.

"We'll show them the true power of the Guardians." Tails declared.

"They're mistaken if they think this will bring us down." Lucy glared at Fairy Tail.

"Yeah...I'm all fired up." Natsu grinned.

"Everyone..." Naruto smiled at his friends.

"Now let's move on to the Tag Team Match!" Mato announced. "From Team Fairy Tail, Gajeel Redfox and Wendy Marvell!"

Gajeel and Wendy entered the arena. "Let's do this, shrimp."

"Right." Wendy nodded.

"From Team Guardians, Issei Hyoudou and Irina Shidou." Mato announced.

Issei and Irina entered the arena. "Time that we turn the tides of this battle, Issei." Irina summoned her Holy Sword. Issei's Boosted Gear appeared on his left arm.

"Partner, let me speak to them." Ddraig spoke.

"Sure thing." Issei held out his arm.

"Dragon Slayers of this world. Tell me your name and the name of the dragon who raised you." Ddraig spoke.

"A talking dragon arm…just when you thought you've seen it all." Gajeel looked intrigued. "Gajeel Redfox and the dragon that raised me was the Iron Dragon Metalicana."

"I'm Wendy Marvell, the dragon who raised me was the Sky Dragon Grandeeney." Wendy answered.

"I see…" Ddraig spoke. Then a huge shadow covered the arena, making everyone's eyes widen, especially Gajeel's, Wendy's, Sting's and Rogue's.

"Son of Metalicana, Daughter of Grandeeney, I, Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon of Destruction, will determine to see if you are true Dragon Slayers!" Ddraig bellowed as he towered over everyone.

Lucy: It's too bad Naruto lost against Laxus, but it was good fight.

Happy: Now it's Issei and Irina's turn against Gajeel and Wendy.

Natsu: Though it looks like before they could fight them, Gajeel and Wendy have to prove their worth to Ddraig. And he's not one to take it easy on anyone.

Lucy: Gajeel's on offense and Wendy's on defense. I wonder how much they've improved since Tenrou Island.

Next Time: Dragon vs Dragon Slayers

Natsu: Wait, what is Wendy—no way…