Chapter 18

Fairy Tail, Magnolia - Year X784

Naruto strolled into the bustling Fairy Tail guild hall, his usual carefree expression in place as he made his way to the bar. The lively chatter of guild members filled the air, mugs clinking together in celebration, and the occasional outburst of laughter echoing through the vast space. Yet, amidst the chaos, his destination remained unchanged—Mirajane's bar.

Taking his usual seat, he leaned against the counter, drumming his fingers lazily. "Yo, Mira! You know the drill—one miso ramen, extra pork."

The white-haired beauty turned to him with her signature warm smile, placing a hand on her cheek as she hummed teasingly. "Coming right up, Naruto~" she chimed in that melodic, honeyed voice of hers.

As she prepared his meal, Naruto leaned forward, his sharp senses catching the familiar, almost dangerous, twinkle in her eye. Ever since she had once offhandedly mentioned that she 'added her love' into his meals, he had been wary. Not that he doubted her intentions, but Mira was unpredictable. The last time she had that look, his ramen had an extra spicy kick that had nearly sent him running to the nearest water source.

When she finally slid the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him, he hesitated for just a second, giving it a quick sniff. Nothing seemed off, but still…

Mirajane giggled at his paranoia. "Honestly, Naruto, you act like I'd poison you~. Would I ever do that to my favorite customer?"

Naruto side-eyed her with suspicion but ultimately sighed, picking up his chopsticks. "Tch, as if I'd let you off the hook if you did. Only reason I keep coming back is 'cause you're basically my Ramen Joint at this point. Even if you're... a bit of a menace sometimes."

She placed a hand on her chest, pretending to be offended. "A menace? That hurts~! I only ever do things out of love."

He snorted, taking a bite of the ramen, instantly melting into the familiar warmth of the broth. No matter how much he tried to stay on guard, he couldn't deny that Mira knew how to cook. Damn, it really did remind him of home.

After savoring a few bites, he glanced around the guild. Something was off. It was a little quieter than usual. Sure, the rowdiness was still there, but certain voices were missing.

"Where's Natsu?" he asked, looking up at Mira.

"Oh, he went on a mission with his team as usual," she said, effortlessly polishing a glass as she spoke. "Lately, Erza and her team have been taking on back-to-back missions. I wonder why~" Her voice took on a sing-song quality as she leaned in slightly, mischief practically dripping from her tone. "You really know how to get a girl moving, Naruto~."

Naruto blinked, chopsticks pausing mid-air before he furrowed his brows at her. "Huh? The hell is that supposed to mean?"

Mirajane only giggled, her innocent expression betraying nothing. "Oh, nothing~ Just that ever since you joined, Erza's been extra motivated, don't you think? It's almost like she's trying to impress someone."

Naruto nearly choked on his food. "Oi, oi! Don't go spreading weird rumors, damn it! You're worse than my old teacher!"

Mira simply laughed, her laughter light and airy as she rested her chin on her palm. "Oh? But it's fun teasing you, Naruto~. Besides, you should be flattered. Erza's a very desirable woman, you know."

The blonde groaned, rubbing his temple. "First of all, Erza and I are just sparring partners. Second of all, don't go twisting things into something they ain't. And third…" He looked down at his ramen, cheeks slightly pink. "...I am a married man."

Mirajane merely hummed knowingly, tilting her head. "If you say so~. But you might want to figure things out soon—before someone else swoops in." Her blue eyes glinted with amusement as she turned away to tend to another guild member, leaving Naruto to grumble under his breath as he continued eating.

'Tch. Women are scary.'

He had come for a simple bowl of ramen. How did it turn into a conversation about Erza? One thing was for sure—Mirajane was more dangerous than she let on. But damn it all, her cooking was just too good to give up.

"Why are you looking for Natsu anyway?" Mira asked, twirling a strand of her silver hair between her fingers.

Naruto slurped up a mouthful of ramen before replying, "His potential has been on my mind lately."

"Oh~? Natsu's full of potential," Mira said, leaning forward on the bar with a teasing smirk. "Probably Elfman's strongest competition this year for the S-Class trials..."

"You seem confident about your brother~" Naruto shot her a coy look.

"Of course~ I'm his older sister, after all. Trust is given~" she hummed, flipping her hair dramatically.

Naruto chuckled. "Well, he shouldn't only be looking out for Natsu. Cana, Wendy, and Carla—those students of mine are already locked and loaded for this one. I bet one of them's gonna be S-Class this year."

Mira's eyes twinkled mischievously as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Oh? You wanna make a bet then~?"

A chill ran down Naruto's spine. He had seen that look before—the gleam in her eyes, the slow smile curling at the edge of her lips. He swallowed hard, knowing exactly where this was headed. This woman was like a territorial predator, and despite all his efforts to dodge her advances, she always found a way to corner him.

But he was a man who never backed down from a challenge, and more importantly, he trusted his students—especially Wendy and Carla. He had been training them since his time with Cait Shelter, and he knew they had what it took.

"Deal," he said, meeting her gaze head-on.

Mira's smirk widened into a devilish grin. "Alright~ If Elfman becomes S-Class, you're mine~"

Naruto nearly choked on his ramen. He could already feel Hinata's Byakugan flaring from across dimensions, as if some invisible sixth sense had alerted her to the incoming threat. He silently prayed for divine protection.

"Fine," he muttered, straightening up. "But if one of my students wins, you slow down with your antics. No more setting me up in weird situations, no more surprise hugs outta nowhere, no more 'special ingredients' in my food."

Mira giggled, resting her chin on her palm. "Aww~ but you love my cooking, don't you?"

"That's not the point!" Naruto huffed.

"Deal~" she sang, extending her pinky.

Naruto hesitated before locking pinkies with hers, sealing the bet. He sighed, knowing he had just walked into some next-level trouble.

But hey—he wasn't planning to lose.

Team Mystogan strode in from the hall, their presence turning a few heads as they entered. Leading them was Mystogan himself, his once-mysterious aura now tempered by a more relaxed air. He had grown accustomed to wearing casual yet regal clothing—an elegant ensemble of black and deep blue, accentuated by a long, flowing coat that added to his enigmatic charm.

Naruto, watching from his seat at the bar, smirked to himself. Damn bastard might as well buy a top hat to go with that fancy mustache of his.

Trailing behind Mystogan were Wendy and Carla, the latter currently in her human form, walking gracefully beside her student. Wendy's usual bright and eager expression was tinged with exhaustion, no doubt from the rigorous training Mystogan had put her through. Even so, there was a quiet determination in her eyes, a sign of her growing confidence as a mage.

As they reached the bar, Mystogan nodded to Naruto in greeting before settling into a seat beside him. Without a word, he gestured to Mira, who already knew his order. Moments later, a steaming cup of tea was placed before him.

"You know," Naruto said, leaning on the counter as he watched Mystogan sip his tea with his usual composed demeanor. "If you're gonna keep dressing like that, you might as well go all in. Get a monocle, a cane—hell, maybe even a pocket watch."

Mystogan didn't look up from his tea but smirked slightly. "Tempting. Perhaps I'll consider it when I become Guild Master."

Naruto scoffed. "Pfft. As if. You're still too mysterious for that job. The guild needs a leader they actually see more than once a year, y'know?"

Wendy giggled as she took a seat next to Naruto, stretching her arms. "It's nice seeing you here, Naruto! We just got back from a mission."

"Yeah? How'd it go?" Naruto asked, already expecting an interesting story.

Carla crossed her arms, looking as prim and proper as ever. "It was a success, but Wendy still has much to improve. She hesitated too much in battle."

Wendy pouted. "I was just being careful!"

Mystogan took another sip of his tea before finally speaking. "She did well. But Carla isn't wrong—instincts need to be sharpened if she wants to become S-Class."

Naruto grinned, ruffling Wendy's hair. "That's why we train. You're already leagues above where you started, squirt."

Wendy huffed but smiled, while Carla simply sighed at Naruto's casual antics.

"Oh? You're gunning for Guild Master now, Mystogan?" Mira chimed in, gracefully sliding into the conversation like she always did, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. She leaned over the bar, resting her chin on her palm as she eyed him with curiosity.

"Perhaps…" Mystogan replied, his tone cool and measured, but Naruto could hear the hesitation behind it.

Naruto smirked knowingly. Yeah, right. I know damn well why you're unsure, bastard.

Mystogan was powerful, respected, and easily one of Fairy Tail's strongest members, but leadership? That was a whole different battlefield—one that required more than just skill in magic.

"Master Makarov is getting up there in age," Mystogan continued, swirling his tea in his cup. "It's only natural that someone prepares to take his place."

Mira giggled, tapping her chin. "Oh~? So, you're really serious about it? You know, being Guild Master isn't just about being strong, right? You need charisma! Charm! Presence!"

Naruto nearly choked on his ramen at that. "Pfft—hah! Yeah, that's rich coming from you, Mystogan. You'd have to work overtime on that 'silent and mysterious' act of yours if you wanna be the big boss."

Mystogan, who had grown noticeably more comfortable around them, tilted his head slightly, the faintest of grins visible beneath that ridiculous fancy mustache. "I'm already working on it…"

Naruto squinted. "Yeah? How? You still disappear for half the damn day. I bet half the guild still doesn't even know what your face looks like!"

Wendy, sipping her juice beside them, giggled. "Actually, he's been trying to talk to people more!"

Carla, in her human form, crossed her arms and scoffed. "Hmph. If you call 'talking' standing around and nodding at people, then sure."

Mystogan merely chuckled, a sound so rare it made Naruto blink. "Small steps."

Mira clapped her hands together, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I love this! Just imagine, Fairy Tail's most mysterious S-Class wizard finally stepping into the spotlight! I bet the ladies would go crazy for you, Mystogan~"

"Not interested."

Mira pouted dramatically. "Aww, what a waste!"

Naruto chuckled, finishing his bowl of ramen. "Listen, man, if you really wanna be Guild Master, you better start actually hanging out with people instead of just nodding at them like some damn ghost."

Mystogan sipped his tea calmly. "Duly noted."

Mira gasped theatrically. "Oh my! Did he just… respond casually? Naruto, I think we're witnessing history!"

Wendy giggled, while Carla simply sighed in exasperation.

Naruto shook his head with a smirk. "I swear, man. You're lucky you reunited with Wendy, or you'd still be lurking in the shadows like some brooding anti-hero."

Mystogan didn't deny it. Instead, he just smiled faintly, sipping his tea as the bar around them buzzed with life.

Makarov joined them with a light cough, making his presence known. Despite his small stature, the sheer weight of his authority made everyone at the bar instinctively straighten up. He hopped onto a barstool and took a sip from his mug before his sharp gaze landed on Mystogan.

"If you're gunning for my position, then I'll have to test you, Mystogan," Makarov declared, his voice gruff yet firm. "You'll be hosting the upcoming S-Class trials… and participating as well, considering you're one of our S-Class wizards."

The air around the bar instantly shifted. Even Mira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Naruto let out a low whistle. Damn, straight into the fire, huh?

Mystogan, unfazed as ever, simply set his teacup down. "That seems fair."

Naruto snorted. "You say that, but do you even know how to host anything? Last I checked, you disappear mid-conversation like some kind of spooky legend."

Mira giggled, leaning in. "Ooh~ That means you'll be spending a lot of time interacting with the guild, Mystogan! Maybe even announcing the trials publicly!~"

Naruto cackled. "Now that I gotta see! Imagine: 'Ladies and gentlemen, the S-Class trials will now begin!'—and poof, he vanishes."

Even Wendy couldn't help but giggle, while Carla just sighed in exasperation. "Honestly, it's about time he did something like this."

Makarov nodded, stroking his beard. "Indeed. Hosting the trials means you'll need to manage the contestants, oversee the structure of the competition, and ensure everything runs smoothly. A Guild Master isn't just about strength; it's about leadership, responsibility, and understanding the guild's future."

Mystogan closed his eyes for a moment, processing the weight of the task. Then, without hesitation, he met Makarov's gaze. "Understood. I accept the challenge."

Makarov grinned, pleased. "Good answer!" He then turned his gaze to the rest of the group. "And as for you lot… The trials this year are going to be tougher than ever. Mystogan's got free rein to shake things up, and you can bet your asses he will."

Naruto cracked his knuckles, his competitive side instantly flaring up. "Oh-ho, now that's what I like to hear. Wendy, Carla, you two ready to make Fairy Tail history?"

Wendy, ever determined, nodded fiercely. "Of course! We've trained so much, and I won't let it go to waste!"

Carla, in her human form, crossed her arms. "As long as we don't get stuck with some ridiculous task."

Mira chuckled. "Oh, Carla~ Don't jinx it now~"

Mystogan sipped his tea again, his mind already formulating plans. "Don't worry. The trials will test everything—strength, endurance, strategy… and something most people overlook in Fairy Tail."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

Mystogan smirked. "Wisdom."

Naruto blinked. "Hah? You're telling me you're gonna make Natsu use his brain? That's cruelty, man."

The entire group burst into laughter, even Makarov shaking his head in amusement.

But deep down, they all knew—this year's S-Class trials were going to be very different.

The guild hall was as lively as ever when Natsu and his team finally returned, looking a little… off. The usual dirt, bruises, and battle scars were present—but what stood out most was the sheer exhaustion painted on their faces. Even Erza, the ever-fearsome Titania, looked drained.

They trudged through the entrance, Lucy massaging her temples while Happy floated beside her, looking half-dead.

"That… was hell," Lucy groaned as she slumped into the nearest seat.

"Tell me about it," Gray muttered, plopping down next to her, his usual smugness absent. "I swear, if I hear another drumbeat, I'm gonna strip just to feel free again."

"YOU STRIP ANYWAY!" Natsu and Lucy snapped in unison.

Naruto, sitting at the bar alongside Mystogan and Mira, turned to face them with an amused smirk. "Yo, welcome back, Dance Dance Revolution squad. What the hell happened to you guys?"

Lucy exhaled dramatically before clearing her throat, ready to narrate.

"Ahem. So, once again, we were hired to deal with those damn Dancing Baboons."

A few groans echoed around the guild—some from sympathy, others from secondhand trauma. The Dancing Baboons had a reputation.

"We knew what to expect," she continued. "The hypnotic rhythm, the forced boogieing, the stamina-draining dance moves. We even countered it! Horologium saved me from the trap, and we all had contingency plans for the trap after the trap beyond the initial trap—"

"But then there was another trap," Gray added bitterly.

Lucy nodded solemnly. "A trap within a trap beyond the second trap! The baboons leveled up, guys!"

Naruto snorted, barely holding back laughter. "So what, they turned into professional choreographers now?"

Natsu groaned. "Worse. They had a whole-ass dance battle system! The moment we stepped in, we weren't just forced to dance—we had to match their moves perfectly, or the rhythm got even stronger!"

"Wendy would've killed at that," Naruto muttered to himself.

"But then…" Lucy pointed at Erza, her eyes shining with exaggerated admiration. "This time… this time… Erza got her get-back."

The room hushed. Eyes turned to Erza, who was sitting upright, arms crossed, chin lifted with pride.

Naruto leaned in. "Oh, this I gotta hear."

Lucy continued. "At first, it was the usual: we were all stuck dancing, exhausted, barely keeping up. But then… something awoke inside Erza."

Erza's smirk deepened, her eyes practically glowing with satisfaction.

"She didn't just dance," Lucy emphasized. "She out-danced the baboons. She became one with the rhythm. She led the rhythm!"

Mira gasped dramatically. "No…"

"Oh yes," Gray confirmed, shaking his head in disbelief. "She took command. The baboons saw her moves, respected them, and then—"

"They made her their alpha!" Lucy declared.

The guild erupted.

"AIN'T NO WAY!" Naruto burst out, slamming the bar.

Mystogan nearly choked on his tea. Even Makarov, still nursing his drink, let out a wheeze.

"Believe it!" Natsu grumbled. "We were fighting for our lives while Erza was up there leading a damn baboon conga line!"

"Not just a conga line," Lucy corrected. "A pilgrimage! She led them—gracefully, elegantly—to a land suited for their kind, where they wouldn't bother the villagers again. She rehomed them through the power of dance!"

Naruto clutched his stomach, gasping for air between laughs. "Erza leading the baboons?! Through vibes?!"

Mira clapped her hands together, thrilled. "Oh~ Erza! How wonderful! You found a peaceful solution~!"

Erza, utterly pleased with herself, nodded. "It was only natural. A true leader must understand the strengths of all beings—even dancing primates. I merely provided them a proper outlet."

Natsu groaned, burying his face in his arms. "She's never gonna shut up about this…"

Gray sighed, rubbing his temples. "You think she'll drop it after a week?"

Naruto grinned. "Nah. This one's forever."

Erza smirked. "That's correct."

The guild burst into laughter again, while Erza sat back, basking in her well-earned victory.

The guild hall was still recovering from the absolute comedy that was Erza's baboon redemption arc when the scarlet knight, still high on the thrill of victory, suddenly stood up—her aura brimming with unshakable confidence.

And then, with the intensity of a war general, she pointed straight at Naruto.

"Naruto! I challenge you once more!"

Naruto blinked. "Hah?"

Erza, still caught in the vibes of her earlier triumph, almost blurted out the wrong challenge. "Let's have a dance batt—" She bit her tongue. "I mean, let's have another round! A real fight this time! I swear I won't pull any dirty tricks!"

Naruto flinched.

"I swear!" Erza emphasized, misreading his hesitation. "This time, it will be honorable!"

Before Naruto could even think of refusing, Natsu immediately jumped in.

"HELL YEAH! And I'm up next!" the dragon slayer declared, his fists igniting. His grin was damn near feral.

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, laughing despite himself. "Ah crap, here we go again..."

Mira leaned over the bar, eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh my~ Naruto, you're really popular today~"

He shot her a look. "Mira, please."

She only giggled, eyes full of mischief.

The rest of the guild was already hyped. "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" The chants filled the air, drinks were downed, bets were placed—this was exactly the kind of chaos they lived for.

Naruto finally sighed, standing up with a smirk.

"Alright, Titania," he cracked his knuckles, stretching. "If you really wanna go again, then let's run it back. But no nasty tricks this time!"

Erza smirked back, fire in her eyes. "Of course."

Natsu was already bouncing on his feet, practically vibrating with excitement. "I'm so gonna fight you after!"

"Yeah, yeah, one at a time," Naruto chuckled. He then rolled his shoulders, shaking off the exhaustion from earlier. His muscles tensed in anticipation. "Alright then—bring it on, Queen of the Dance Floor."

Erza's eye twitched. "DO NOT CALL ME THAT."

Naruto had come into this expecting a clean fight—a straightforward, pure clash of skill and willpower. He envisioned a battle of warriors, where blades met fists and every move was dictated by raw strength and precise technique.

In his mind, this was how a duel should be: a simple contest, untainted by any cheap tricks or psychological games. For the first few exchanges, everything unfolded exactly as he had anticipated.

Erza swept into the fray with a grace and precision that commanded respect. Her swordplay was crisp, every parry and thrust executed with relentless determination. Naruto, ever the vigilant fighter, deftly weaved through her slashes. His trusty kunai flashed in the light as he deflected her strikes, each connection accompanied by the familiar, subtle pull of his innate drain effect—his mere presence siphoning off a fraction of the magic from her blows.

The atmosphere was electric, the clashing of steel and the rhythm of their movements creating an almost hypnotic spectacle. It was intense—exactly the kind of clean duel he had been waiting for.

Then, as if the very air had shifted, the redheaded menace decided to change the game. Out of nowhere, just as Naruto lunged to counterattack with the confidence born of countless battles, Erza suddenly pulled her sword back with a languid grace. Her voice, unexpectedly soft and seductive, broke the rhythm:

"Iyaaah~ don't be so forceful, Naruto~" she moaned.

In that instant, Naruto's focus shattered. His body, used to the precise, calculated nature of a traditional duel, faltered mid-swing. The drain effect that had been a constant undercurrent—reliably sapping energy in every close contact—now mingled with confusion.

What did she just say?

That half-second hesitation nearly cost him dearly; her follow-up slash came in so swiftly, it barely missed carving a deep gash near his face.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" he bellowed, his voice edged with disbelief as he staggered, trying to regain control.

Erza simply smirked, eyes glinting with unrestrained mischief.

"A warrior must strike at their opponent's weakness~" she purred, as if offering a lesson rather than a taunt.

Naruto hissed, his frustration mounting. "Since when was blatant psychological warfare part of your style?!"

But Erza wasn't done. No, this demon in knight's armor had a few more tricks up her sleeve. As Naruto closed in to launch another counterattack, she ducked low and then suddenly slashed upwards with a flurry of swift, precise strikes, her voice ringing out again with a mocking lilt:

"OPEN WIDE—BWAHAHAHA!"

At that moment, Naruto's mind seemed to short-circuit. His brain crashed into chaos as the surreal barrage of innuendo and rapid-fire, suggestive taunts overwhelmed him. His body, so used to the disciplined drain effect that had powered his every move, now faltered under the psychological weight of her words.

"YOU DAMN CHEAT!" he roared, his voice a mix of outrage and incredulity.

From the sidelines, Gray and Natsu were left utterly flabbergasted. They stared, mouths agape, as the usually prideful and formidable Titania Erza Scarlet had once again tossed aside her honor—her pride, that is—in a brazen, unorthodox move meant solely to disrupt Naruto's rhythm.

Gray was silent, his shock palpable, while Natsu wore a look of visible betrayal, exclaiming, "SHE REALLY DID IT AGAIN! SHE THREW HER PRIDE AWAY AGAIN!"

Even Lucy, who had tried desperately to remain detached, couldn't help but gasp, "Did she just—did she actually—?! Oh my god..."

Naruto, still reeling from the assault on his senses, dodged yet another incoming swipe, teeth clenched in determination.

"I CAN'T EVEN TAKE THIS FIGHT SERIOUSLY ANYMORE, DAMMIT!" he growled, a mixture of frustration and disbelief echoing in his tone.

Erza's smirk deepened into a grin filled with wicked delight as she taunted, "Then surrender~ bow to your new mistress~"

"NEVER!"

Chapter End