Chapter 20

Natsu's Mindscape - Igneel: The Fire Dragon King's Domain

Naruto stood amidst the vast, endless inferno that was Natsu's mindscape—the very manifestation of his soul. Flames towered around him, their scorching tongues licking at the void, casting flickering shadows upon the colossal figure before him. A dragon, wreathed in fire, its scales gleaming like molten rock, its eyes burning with the weight of ages.

Igneel, the Fire Dragon King.

The sheer presence of the ancient dragon bore down on the space like the core of a dying star, dense, suffocating, and absolute. The air shimmered with unbearable heat, waves of scorching energy rolling off Igneel's form like an unrelenting tide. When he spoke, his voice rumbled through the void like the final cry of a collapsing world, each word carrying the gravity of an untold history.

Naruto listened, his usual brashness subdued, his expression uncharacteristically solemn.

This was not just a story.

It was the story.

The history of an entire world, woven with pain, war, and desperation. A legend that shaped the very foundation of Earthland, just as the clash between Hashirama and Madara had done in his own world.

And at the heart of this tale stood two names.

Acnologia. Zeref.

Acnologia—the Dragon King. A harbinger of extinction. The nightmare of dragonkind. A man who had forsaken his humanity in his thirst for vengeance, bathing in the blood of dragons until he became something beyond human, beyond dragon. His power turned the sky black with fire, his presence alone a declaration of absolute annihilation. In many ways, he was what Madara could have become—unchecked, unchallenged, unstoppable.

And then there was Zeref—a name whispered in both reverence and dread. A tragic scholar, cursed by the very forces he sought to control. His brilliance was tainted by grief, his genius twisted into something monstrous by despair. The loss of his brother had driven him past the boundaries of mortality, past the constraints of time itself. Like Orochimaru, he was a man who danced upon the razor-thin edge between knowledge and madness. But unlike the snake, Zeref had torn through the very fabric of existence, not just life.

Zeref had created something beyond human comprehension—forces, entities, and mechanisms that spat in the face of logic itself.

The Eclipse.

Naruto had drawn parallels between Zeref and Orochimaru, comparing their intellects, their obsessions. But the Eclipse… this was different. This was beyond what Orochimaru had ever achieved. The Snake Sannin had delved into the mysteries of the flesh, of biology and evolution—but Zeref had trespassed upon the dominion of gods.

Time.

Space.

The very laws that bound reality.

And that was where Naruto's thoughts took a dangerous turn.

Because, as much as Zeref was reviled, as much as his sins painted him as irredeemable, Naruto couldn't ignore the truth.

Zeref might be the key to sending him home.

And therein lay his problem.

Zeref's curse.

It was an anomaly. A contradiction. A paradox given form.

It did not function like Karma. It was not a simple vessel, nor a reincarnation cycle dictated by the whims of a greater cosmic force. No, it was something higher. Something crueler. A punishment that existed beyond reason, beyond logic, beyond even divine intervention.

If Naruto wanted to reach Zeref—truly reach him—he would have to find a way to rid him of his curse.

But even as his mind raced with theories, his thoughts drifted to something else.

Natsu.

Natsu's role in Zeref's fate.

E.N.D.

A name that carried the weight of an unfulfilled destiny. A being forged from sorrow, a demon born not of malice, but of desperation.

Natsu himself—the very vessel of the demon's curse.

The brother meant to slay the one who had brought him back to life.

"If Natsu fulfills his fate… if he kills his brother… will he…" Naruto's voice trailed off. He couldn't bring himself to say it.

It was Igneel who answered.

"Yes. That is why I did not want you tampering with his abilities. I do not wish for you to awaken him." The dragon's voice, deep and thunderous, carried the weight of centuries. "All of Zeref's creations—the Etherious—share a single instinct. It is innate, etched into their very being, something they cannot defy. And that instinct is to eliminate their creator."

"Zeref's wish," Naruto whispered.

"T-That's…" His throat felt dry.

Naruto's fists clenched as a somber silence filled the inferno around them. Despite everything, despite the world calling Zeref's creations monsters, he couldn't help but feel a deep, gnawing pity.

They were puppets to a cruel fate.

But Natsu…

Natsu wasn't just another creation. He wasn't just another Etherious. He was his friend. And if what Igneel said was true—if awakening his full power meant forcing him to carry out that cursed fate… then Natsu wasn't free at all. He was just another cog in the machinery of a god playing with the lives below.

Naruto's jaw tightened.

He refused to let that happen.

He had seen it before—people bound by chains they never chose, walking paths paved in blood, all in the name of someone else's will. Shinobi, Jinchūriki, Obito, Madara, even himself. And now, in this world, Natsu was nothing more than a piece in some sick, divine script.

Something ugly and rebellious burned in Naruto's gut.

Then, in the depths of his mind, an unholy thought—an idea so reckless, so outright insane, that it could only belong to him—took root.

Zeref.
The Etherious.
Natsu.

The fate written for them all.

I will save them.

The words left his lips, not as a whisper, but as an ironclad declaration.

Igneel's massive head snapped toward him, his molten eyes narrowing. "Huh?"

The blonde stood there, unyielding. The dragon's keen gaze bore into him, searching, testing, daring to find hesitation.

But there was none.

Only determination.

"So, what will you do now, Naruto?"

Igneel's voice rolled through the infernal space like thunder over a battlefield. It wasn't just a question—it was a challenge. A test. The Fire Dragon King had spoken his name with weight, with respect, acknowledging him not as a reckless outsider meddling in things beyond his comprehension, but as a warrior who had made his resolve clear.

Naruto exhaled slowly, steadying himself. The heat of Natsu's mindscape swirled around him, embers flickering like restless spirits, mirroring the fire igniting in his own soul.

"For now…" he began, his voice firm. "I'll stop tampering with Natsu's curse."

The words weren't easy to say, but they came. He understood now—ripping open a sealed fate without grasping its consequences was no different from pulling on the strings of destiny without knowing what hung on the other end. If he rushed in blindly, he wouldn't just be putting Natsu in danger—he'd be throwing him headfirst into a fate he might never return from.

But that didn't mean he was done.

"And after that…" He lifted his head, his blue eyes blazing with something untamed. "I'll seek out Zeref."

The air shifted. The flames roared higher, reacting to the sheer audacity of those words. Even Igneel—an ancient being who had seen countless eras rise and fall—regarded him with something between intrigue and disbelief.

"Seek Zeref…?" The dragon rumbled, his massive claws pressing into the molten ground beneath him. "You would walk into the den of the most cursed being to ever live? The man whom the world itself has deemed untouchable?"

Naruto didn't hesitate. "Yeah."

A grin tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was no arrogance in it. No recklessness. Just certainty—the quiet, unwavering confidence of someone who had looked fate in the eye before… and spat in its face.

"This world is broken, Igneel," Naruto said, his voice steady but charged with something raw. "People get born into curses they never asked for. They get trapped in paths they never chose. Natsu… Zeref… even the Etherious… They never had a say in what they became."

His hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms.

"But I'm not about to let some written fate decide what happens to the people I care about."

He turned, stepping forward—not just in the mindscape, but toward something greater, something unseen.

"I'm gonna find Zeref. I'm gonna look him in the eye. And I'm gonna figure out if there's a way to break this cycle. All of it."

Silence followed. The inferno around them crackled, shifting, as if the mindscape itself was listening. Then, Igneel let out a deep, rumbling laugh—a sound like mountains breaking, like wildfire roaring through an ancient forest.

"Guhahahaha… You are mad, boy." His molten gaze locked onto Naruto, fire reflected in the depths of his pupils.

The dragon's laughter faded into a chuckle, his gaze lingering on the blonde's eyes—vivid, defiant, the color of the boundless sky. A hue so pure, so untamed, it seemed almost otherworldly.

"Maybe… with those eyes of yours…" Igneel mused, his voice heavy with something ancient, something hopeful.

"You just might be able to defy fate itself."

A grin stretched across his massive maw as he watched the boy begin to fade, his consciousness returning to the real world. But even as Naruto vanished, Igneel's smile remained—etched into his mighty features like a promise.

Magnolia Outskirts - the Forest

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the dense trees. The last remnants of daylight flickered between the leaves, painting the forest in hues of deep orange and violet. A soft breeze rustled the branches, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fading warmth.

In the heart of this quiet wilderness, a small campsite lay nestled between the trees. It was a place of familiarity—one Naruto had often shared with Wendy and Carla during their travels. Now, it was being used for something else.

Natsu lay motionless on the ground, his body slack with exhaustion, completely drained from the ordeal. His breathing was steady, but the sheer lack of movement from the ever-energetic fire mage was unsettling. Happy, with an impressive show of strength, had carried him all the way here, his tiny wings flapping tirelessly.

As he settled beside the campfire, the Exceed finally turned to Naruto, curiosity evident in his wide feline eyes. "Did you… see something in Natsu earlier, Naruto?" Happy's voice was quieter than usual, tinged with both awe and concern. "Your eye—it changed. It wasn't like a goat's anymore. It turned blue, like the sky! What was that?"

Naruto didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached into a small pouch and pulled out a fish, tossing it over. Happy caught it with both paws, his eyes lighting up as he eagerly bit into it.

Only then did Naruto speak, his tone casual, but carrying an underlying weight. "Some eye magic. It lets me see deeper—past the surface, straight into someone's essence."

Happy paused mid-bite, tilting his head. "Essence?"

Naruto smirked, resting his forearm on his knee. "The thing that makes a person who they really are. Their magic, their spirit, their soul… it's all connected, everything. But using it takes a lot outta me. You remember where all the magic I drained went?"

Happy blinked, recalling the massive effort Naruto had put in earlier. "…It was for that?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. That eye burns through energy like crazy. If I use it too much, I'll end up like Natsu over there—face-first in the dirt, completely wiped out."

Happy nodded slowly in understanding, his mouth full of fish. He chewed thoughtfully, casting a glance at his unconscious partner. Natsu, even in slumber, still radiated heat—his body's natural magic struggling to replenish itself.

Naruto didn't add more details about his unique eyes to Happy, though he had burned months of resources, the setback was worth it.

He now has a new passing point.

And perhaps the key for him to return back to his world.

Natsu's Older Brother— Zeref.

Fairy Tail, Magnolia - Year X784

The usual chaos of Fairy Tail was in full swing—laughter, shouting, and the occasional explosion rattling the rafters. The air buzzed with energy as Mirajane worked effortlessly behind the bar, pouring drinks while chatting up the rowdy crowd. Nearby, a group of kids giggled as she playfully teased them, her angelic smile as warm as ever.

At a quieter corner table, Wendy and Carla sat comfortably, indulging in a sweet dessert. Today, Carla had taken on her human form, her refined elegance a stark contrast to the bedlam surrounding them. Across from them, Mystogan, clad in his regal black and blue cloak and still rocking that ridiculously sophisticated mustache, sipped on a cup of tea with a composed air—serenity amidst the hurricane that was Fairy Tail.

Wendy's brows furrowed slightly as she glanced around the guild. "W-where's Naruto? He hasn't returned since that night…"

Mirajane, who was close enough to overhear, tapped a slender finger against her cheek, her usual knowing, almost impish smile gracing her lips. "Oh my, I wonder~?"

The teasing lilt in her voice wasn't lost on those nearby.

Carla, mid-bite of her dessert, narrowed her feline eyes. "Hmph. If I had to guess, it's probably because you and your older brother have been ripping him apart with the way you've been 'courting' him."

Her words were pointed, sharp, as if she had been waiting to throw that jab.

Mirajane's smile didn't waver, but there was a playful glint in her eyes now.

Carla, sensing the opportunity to continue, dabbed her mouth with a napkin and folded her arms primly. "If you truly wish to court him, you should be more… modest and refined. Naruto, despite his rough edges and carefree nature, seems to prefer women with a touch of elegance."

Mystogan, up until now enjoying his tea in silence, raised a brow.

Now that was unexpected.

He took another measured sip, his mouth hidden behind the rim of his cup, but the almost imperceptible smirk forming beneath his mustache betrayed his amusement.

Before Mirajane could reply, the familiar boisterous energy of Team Natsu approached, catching the tail end of Carla's remark.

Erza, her usual imposing figure clad in armor, strode forward, arms crossed. But this time, a mischievous glint danced in her eyes. "So what you're saying is… I should add a more elegant touch to my feints?"

Across the table, Gray, who had just taken a sip of his drink, immediately choked. "Feints?! You mean those damn innuendos?!" he coughed out, slamming his glass onto the table as if personally offended.

Lucy, standing beside him, visibly cringed. "Y-you're seriously making that a thing now?!" She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "It's practically routine at this point!"

Happy snickered. "Aye! At this rate, Naruto's gonna get resistance training in more ways than one."

Mystogan remained as composed as ever, though his subtle smirk deepened.

Meanwhile, Mirajane rested her cheek on her palm, watching Erza with amusement. "My, my~ If that's your approach, Erza, then maybe I should step up my game as well."

Erza's eye twitched.

Challenge accepted.

The tension between the two was subtle, but thick enough to cut with a sword.

Gray exhaled sharply. "Great, just what we need. More competition over that idiot."

Lucy, shaking her head, muttered, "At this rate, Naruto's either gonna get stronger… or die of sheer exhaustion."

Then—

A deep, reverberating sound rang through Magnolia.

For a split second, the entire guild froze. The bells echoed through the town, their chime slicing through the usual chaos like a blade.

"GILDARTS!"

The silence shattered. Mugs slammed against tables, voices erupted in wild celebration, and the guild turned into a roaring tempest of excitement.

Lucy, midway through sipping her drink, nearly spat it out. "H-Huh?! What's happening?! Who's Gildarts?!"

Wendy, equally lost, turned to Carla for answers. "Is he… someone important?"

Carla, still licking her popsicle, frowned. "Judging by the reaction, I'd say so."

Before anyone could respond, Natsu shot up from his seat, fire practically spewing from his mouth in raw excitement. "Oh, you're in for a treat! He's Fairy Tail's strongest wizard!"

Lucy blinked. "The strongest?!"

Gray, leaning against the bar, took a slow sip of his drink before exhaling. "Yeah. And the biggest pain in the ass."

Mystogan, still seated at his corner table, glanced over and finally spoke. "Gildarts Clive is the pinnacle of Fairy Tail's power. The most powerful wizard our guild has to offer."

Lucy's eyes widened, and Wendy's face practically lit up. "That strong…?"

Mystogan nodded. "His spells can shatter mountains with a flick of his wrist."

Happy, perching on Natsu's shoulder, added, "Aye! But he's also kinda scatterbrained."

Erza crossed her arms, watching the growing excitement with a small, knowing smirk. "And as if on cue…"

A distant rumble shook the ground beneath them.

Then—

BOOM!

A shop sign outside collapsed. Somewhere down the street, a cart tipped over. The unmistakable sound of wood splintering followed as if someone had just walked straight through a building.

Lucy's expression shifted from excitement to horror. "W-what the hell is going on?!"

Gray sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah… you'll see soon enough."

Because the GILDARTS SHIFT had begun.

Shopkeepers frantically reinforced their storefronts. Townspeople scurried to move carts and stands out of the way. Even a group of city guards stopped what they were doing and cleared an entire street.

Lucy turned to the others in disbelief. "Why does it look like everyone's preparing for a natural disaster?!"

Erza placed a hand on her hip. "It's more like… averting one."

"Every time Gildarts returns," Natsu grinned, "they have to rearrange the town so he doesn't destroy anything on accident."

Lucy's jaw dropped. "They MOVE the entire town for one man?!"

Gray nodded, dead serious. "They call it the Gildarts Shift."

Just then, the doors to the guild burst open. Elfman stormed inside, slamming a fist against his chest. "A TRUE MAN RETURNS!"

Cana, who had been quietly swirling her drink at a corner table, finally lifted her gaze, gripping the wristband Naruto had given her.

Her father was back.

The burden of the S-Class Trial pressed even harder against her chest.

She exhaled, shaking her head. No avoiding it now.

Her fingers tightened around the training wristband—a simple thing, but one that carried a far heavier weight than its fabric suggested.

"Great," she muttered, downing the rest of her drink. "Guess I can't run from this anymore."

While the entire guild was losing their collective minds over Gildarts' return, Naruto saw his golden opportunity.

A lesser man would have been overwhelmed by the sheer force of the Gildarts Shift, but Naruto? Oh, he was built different.

His ninja instincts kicked in. His body moved like a ghost in the night—or in this case, a hungry-ass shinobi in broad daylight.

Slipping into the kitchen, he crouched low, eyes gleaming as he spotted the motherlode: a massive container stacked to the brim with piping-hot ramen bowls.

His heart raced. His stomach roared.

"Come to papa," Naruto whispered, grabbing as many bowls as humanly possible and stuffing them into his large carrying bag—an item he had specifically prepared for this heist.

Just as he was about to make a clean getaway—

"And just WHERE do you think you're going, Naruto~?"

A chill ran down his spine.

His survival instincts screamed.

That voice—that damn voice.

Slowly… painfully… Naruto turned his head.

Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, hips cocked to the side, and smugger than should be legally allowed, was Mirajane Strauss.

The S-Class menace. The she-devil of Fairy Tail.

Naruto forced a laugh. "Oh, hey, Mira! W-we were just about to—"

Mirajane's smile widened.

"You were just about to what?" she cooed. "Steal my ramen?"

"OUR ramen," Naruto corrected quickly.

Mirajane tapped her chin. "Funny… I don't remember sharing with you."

Naruto clutched the bag closer. "Pfft, what do you mean?! Sharing is caring, Mira! You know that!"

Mirajane leaned against the counter, tilting her head. "Oh, don't be silly, Naruto. If you wanted something warm and satisfying, all you had to do was ask~."

Something about the way she said it—the sultry lilt in her tone, the twinkle of mischief in her eyes—made Naruto's married-man alarms go off at full volume.

His defensive instincts kicked in.

His wife-sense started tingling.

Oh hell no.

Naruto took a step back. "Now, now, Mira—let's not do anything rash."

Mirajane licked her lips. "I've got better noodles, you know~."

Naruto froze.

Mirajane took a step closer. "Hot. Steamy. Wet noodles~."

Naruto jerked back, horror dawning on his face.

"W-woman, DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME—"

Mirajane leaned in, a hand brushing against the bag of ramen.

"I can make it just the way you like it… thick, rich broth… the perfect texture… my hands are very skilled, Naruto~."

DANGER. IMMEDIATE DANGER.

Naruto's soul left his body. He yeeted himself backward, flipping over the counter.

"NOOOOOO! I AM A MARRIEEEEED MAAAANN!"

Mirajane giggled, watching as Naruto barrel-rolled out of the kitchen like his life depended on it—because it did.

He bolted through the guild hall, screaming bloody murder as he dodged chairs, tables, and confused guild members.

"MY NEPHE- AGH- H-HE'S TRYING TO ESCAPE WITH THE RAMEN!" Elfman roared, sweating.

"HE TRIED TO STEAL FROM MIRAJANE?!" Macao gasped.

"DEAD MAN WALKING," Wakaba muttered, taking a slow drag from his pipe.

"SHADDAP, OLD MEN—THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH!" Naruto yelled, clutching his ramen bag like a damn lifeline.

Mirajane casually strolled after him, arms crossed behind her back, that demonic smirk never leaving her face.

"Oh, Naruto~" she called sweetly. "If you ever change your mind… you know where to find me~."

Naruto vaulted over a table and dove out the window.

He had long since abandoned his treasured ramen that he just tried to steal.

Shattering glass. Screams. A man willing to commit war crimes to protect his vows.

The ramen heist had failed.

But Naruto?

Naruto had survived.

Chapter End