Chapter 23

Tenroujima - year X784

The tension hung thick in the air, heavier than the death lingering in Zeref's wake. Naruto's grin remained unwavering, but Mystogan could feel the shift—this wasn't just some casual introduction. The blonde was playing a dangerous game, standing face-to-face with a man whose very existence was a walking calamity.

Zeref, still visibly shaken, studied Naruto with wary eyes. His fingers twitched, as if struggling to keep his cursed energy at bay. "Naruto Uzumaki…" he repeated the name slowly, almost testing its weight on his tongue. "You're… different."

Mystogan remained on high alert, keeping his distance. His gaze flickered between Naruto and the dark wizard. "Naruto… are you sure about this? This man isn't just dangerous—he's destruction incarnate. One misstep, and we're dead."

But Naruto, as always, wasn't fazed.

"Yeah, I get that." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, still exuding that ridiculous, carefree confidence. "But I've met plenty of guys who were called 'monsters' before. They all had something in common—deep down, they were just people dealt a bad hand."

Zeref's eyes widened slightly at those words. "You think… you understand me?" There was no malice in his voice, only disbelief.

Naruto's smirk softened, his usual loud-mouthed energy dimming just enough to show sincerity. "I don't just think—I know."

Mystogan exhaled sharply. "Tch. Of course you'd say something like that."

"And I can't allow you to face Natsu…" Naruto's voice took on a rare edge, his usual easygoing tone stripped away, leaving only raw conviction. His golden, toad-like eyes locked onto Zeref, unyielding. "Because I know exactly how that'll play out… and I refuse to let it happen."

Zeref's breath hitched as Naruto took a step forward, standing firm despite the ominous weight pressing against them.

"I won't let him stain his hands with your blood."

Mystogan stiffened at Naruto's words. His grip on his staff tightened. Natsu. He had heard Naruto bring up that name before, but the way he said it now—it was different. This wasn't just about their guildmate anymore. This was deeper. "Naruto…" he murmured, glancing between the two men. "What… what exactly is Natsu's connection to him?"

The tension thickened. For a moment, Zeref didn't answer. His dark eyes darted to the ground, his fingers clenching the fabric of his cloak. Then, he let out a breath—shaky, fragile, as if exhaling a burden he had carried for centuries.

"You don't understand." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of lifetimes. "He's the only one… the only one who can…" His hands trembled at his sides. "The only one who can destroy me."

Mystogan's eyes widened, his mind reeling from the revelation. "H-he wants to be destroyed?" The words left his mouth in a hushed breath.

The dark wizard did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked up, his gaze heavy with something indescribable. Not fear, not malice—something far worse. Resignation.

Naruto's fists clenched. He had seen this before—that same broken look in people who had lost all reason to fight for their own existence.

"I may have an answer for that…" Naruto said, his voice steady but laced with something deeper—certainty.

Zeref's eyes flickered with interest, a rare glimmer breaking through the endless void of despair he had drowned in for centuries. An answer?

"What do you mean?" the dark wizard asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "I have a unique eye… one that allows me to perceive and understand things beyond normal comprehension." His golden gaze locked onto Zeref's, unwavering. "And to do that—to find your answer—I need your cooperation."

The atmosphere shifted. Mystogan tensed beside him, sensing the sheer gravity of Naruto's words.

"Your time." Naruto's voice was calm, yet absolute.

The faux Baryon Mode— also the Aokugan.

The eye of ultimate perception. A dojutsu that he accidently stumbled upon with his creation of creating a power similar to his old peak with his old partner— Kurama. A Dojutsu that could unravel the unseen, analyze the unexplainable, and deconstruct the very fabric of reality itself.

However his modified tetragram seal isn't complete yet, it has yet to reach its self-sustaining phase. He had a huge setback days prior upon reaching Natsu's being that led him to Igneel that cost him two months of his gathered resource. Knowing that he had to peer through a phenomena that came from a higher being theoretically higher than the Otsutsuki, he may have to expend more of his resources and start again from scratch.

However—

This wasn't just about finding a way home—

It's also for his precious friend— Natsu.

And in extension—

His older brother— a man drowning on what seemed to be eternity.

For this moment…

It didn't matter.

Helping this man comes first.

If he had to burn through everything to reach him, then so be it.

Zeref stared at Naruto, something unreadable flashing across his face. A pause lingered between them, heavy yet fragile. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, someone wasn't trying to kill nor use him.

Naruto took another cautious step—

And before the meek dark wizard could even react, before he could conjure another wave of death in a desperate attempt to push them away… an orange blur closed the distance in an instant.

A rush of wind. A flicker of movement. A single strike.

Zeref barely even registered it.

His black eyes widened as he looked down, his breath catching in his throat. A clenched fist was buried deep into his gut. The overwhelming pressure of the impact sent violent tremors through his body, shattering the fragile equilibrium that held his cursed existence together.

Zeref coughed—his knees buckled—his vision blurred.

Then, darkness.

He collapsed.

Mystogan's staff barely shifted from his grip as he watched the infamous Dark Wizard of legend—Zeref Dragneel—fall unconscious in mere seconds. He took a step forward, gripping Zeref's limp body before he hit the cold earth and slowly laid him down.

Mystogan's gaze snapped toward the blonde standing before him, whose expression was unreadable.

"I thought you wanted to help him?" Mystogan questioned, eyes narrowing.

Naruto exhaled, shaking his hand as if to shake off the impact. "Y-yeah, I do… but it seemed like the guy wasn't exactly keen on listening." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, but there was a glint of something in his eyes—analyzing, calculating. "So I had to knock him out. For his own good."

But that wasn't the only reason.

Naruto could feel it.

Even without fully activating his Aokugan, his Sage Mode was already picking up traces of Zeref's essence—the sheer oddity of it, the unnatural way his being— his existence, constantly on the brink of unraveling. This wasn't just magic. This wasn't just a curse.

This was something deeper. A distortion in existence itself.

A disrespect to his existence.

Without a doubt, the god that has caused this, didn't like Zeref.

Naruto furrowed his brows.

If he really wanted to understand this phenomena—if he really wanted to help—he had to push further.

Naruto sighed, rolling his shoulders as if steeling himself. "S-sorry about this, Mystogan…"

Mystogan blinked. "For what?"

Naruto glanced at him, a small, wry smile creeping onto his lips. "Looks like you guys will have to handle the trials without me."

Mystogan's brows furrowed. He wasn't sure what unsettled him more—the fact that Naruto said it so casually, or the fact that he made it sound like the trials mattered more than the unconscious dark wizard at their feet.

Naruto exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he turned to Mystogan with a lopsided grin—one that barely masked the storm of thoughts running through his mind.

"Say sorry to Master for me." His voice was light, almost casual, but Mystogan could tell there was something else beneath it. Something heavier.

Naruto stepped forward, nudging Mystogan's shoulder, a silent reassurance in the gesture. "Leave this guy to me."

Mystogan hesitated. His grip on his staff tightened as he studied Naruto's expression. There was no hesitation in the blonde's eyes, no second-guessing—just sheer resolve. The same reckless, unshakable confidence that made him dive headfirst into problems no one else dared to face.

But this wasn't just any problem.

This was Zeref. The most infamous dark wizard to ever exist. The man whose very presence warped life and death itself. The one who wielded power so absolute that entire civilizations had crumbled in his wake.

Mystogan's rational side screamed at him to protest—to tell Naruto this was insane, that dealing with Zeref alone was suicide. But deep down… he knew.

Naruto wasn't asking for permission.

He was telling him.

Mystogan let out a quiet sigh. "…You better know what you're doing."

Naruto smirked. "Trust me on this one."

Mystogan gave him a lingering look before finally stepping back. "…Fine." He turned on his heel, preparing to leave, but stopped for just a moment. "Don't die."

Naruto chuckled, waving him off. "No promises."

As Mystogan vanished into the distance, Naruto finally turned his full attention back to Zeref's unconscious form. His smirk faded. His fingers twitched at his sides.

With a grunt, Naruto hoisted Zeref onto his back, adjusting the dark wizard's limp body to keep him steady. He glanced around—no one in sight, no unwanted eyes. Good. This wasn't something he could afford to have interrupted.

With swift, quiet steps, he moved through the dense forest, weaving past ancient trees and tangled roots, deeper and deeper until the air itself felt still. The farther he went, the heavier the silence became, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Finally, he reached a secluded clearing, surrounded by towering trees that swallowed the sunlight, casting everything in a dim, eerie glow. The earth here felt untouched—isolated.

Perfect.

Naruto knelt down, carefully laying Zeref on the soft grass. The dark wizard remained unconscious, his expression oddly peaceful—a stark contrast to the overwhelming power that radiated from him even in slumber.

Naruto exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders before placing a hand over Zeref's chest.

Now… let's see what makes you tick.

His eyes shifted— gone are the eyes— that of a toad and was replaced by a heavenly blue hue, the Faux Baryon Mode— the Aokugan came to life.

Tenroujima - Fairy Tail S-Class Trials Camp Site

Mystogan arrived at the camp alone, his steps slow but steady, as if the weight of what had transpired clung to him like an invisible shroud. The air was thick with the salty breeze from the ocean below, but even that couldn't wash away the tension he carried.

The camp itself was lively, despite being perched atop one of Tenroujima's hills. Members of Fairy Tail lounged around in beachwear, enjoying the warm weather between trials. Some were gathered around makeshift tables, sharing food and banter, while others were training in the open, the sounds of magic clashes echoing through the air.

Makarov, the master of Fairy Tail, was sitting atop a wooden crate, sipping from a small cup of sake, his old but ever-sharp eyes watching over the guild like a silent guardian. The moment he saw Mystogan approaching alone, his brows furrowed.

"Hm? Where's Naruto?"

Mystogan stopped before him, the black sleeveless spandex he wore clinging to his sweat-covered skin, his gray baggy pants billowing slightly in the ocean breeze. His sandals scraped against the ground as he shifted uncomfortably.

"Master…" He hesitated, then let out a tired breath.

Makarov sat up straighter, sensing the weight behind that single word.

Taking a deep breath, Mystogan leaned in, lowering his voice so that only the old man could hear. He explained everything—their encounter with Zeref, the power they had witnessed, and the fact that Naruto had chosen to stay behind to deal with the dark wizard alone.

For a moment, there was only silence.

And then—

"WHAAAAAAAATTTT?!"

Makarov's voice erupted like a cannon blast, his tiny frame puffing up with a mix of shock and concern. The sheer force of his outburst made nearby crates rattle, and instantly, the guild members' heads snapped toward them, their conversations screeching to a halt.

They were used to their master's loud reactions, but this? This was different.

A tense energy settled over the camp as everyone's curiosity spiked.

"Oi, oi, what's going on?" Natsu, shirtless and covered in battle bruises from his earlier rough housing, stepped forward, his nose twitching as if he could smell the tension in the air.

Mystogan's eyes narrowed at the sight of Natsu.

"Something happen?" Erza, clad in a summer robe over her battle gear, narrowed her eyes, already on high alert.

Even Gray, who had been in the middle of an argument with Cana about who could drink more, sobered up at the sight of Makarov's shaken expression.

But before anyone could press further, Makarov quickly raised a hand, signaling for privacy. "Not now. Give us some privacy."

The guild members hesitated, reluctant to let it go, but the look in their master's eyes made it clear—this wasn't a discussion for them.

Slowly, they went back to what they were doing, though the air remained thick with unspoken questions.

Makarov exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the crate as his mind raced.

Naruto, you reckless brat…

Turning back to Mystogan, his voice was low but urgent. "You're sure? It was really him? Zeref?"

Mystogan nodded, the weight of the encounter still lingering in his tone. "Beyond a doubt."

Makarov clenched his fists.

Zeref—the Zeref—on Tenroujima?

Mystogan sighed, watching the old master's expression darken with each word. The weight of his revelation hung heavy in the air between them, an unspoken dread settling over them like an approaching storm.

"Master, I don't really have much clarity on this 'odd' situation," Mystogan admitted, his voice steady despite the uncertainty in his heart. "But I won't hide this from you. Throughout their exchange, Naruto dropped Natsu's name in front of him."

Makarov's brow twitched.

"Natsu's name?"

Mystogan nodded. "Yes. And the moment he heard it... it was like something inside him shattered. Zeref—this terrifying dark wizard, the man responsible for so much destruction—he teared up, Master. The sheer realization that our Natsu was here, on this island, struck something deep within him."

Makarov's fingers tightened into a fist. His mind raced, trying to piece together a connection between Natsu and Zeref—something more than just the fact that Zeref had created demons, more than his experiments with life and death. But before he could interject, Mystogan pressed on.

"Naruto told me a little about Zeref's past," he continued. "About how he was once a scholar. A prodigy who defied the natural order, cursed by a god for treading into domains no mortal was meant to."

Makarov inhaled sharply.

"That Naruto… How was he able to acquire such knowledge about Zeref that even his most devoted followers couldn't get?"

Mystogan hesitated, then dropped the final bombshell.

"Naruto believes Zeref still holds the intellect that once allowed him to create the Eclipse Gate. A gate capable of bridging through time itself. And he intends to use that intellect… as a means to find a way back to our own worlds."

Silence.

Makarov's eyes widened.

Time travel.

It wasn't just a fairy tale. It wasn't just a myth. Zeref had actually built something capable of piercing the veil of time itself.

And Naruto wanted to help him?

"That reckless brat…" Makarov muttered, rubbing his temples.

"Master, Naruto believes Zeref's curse—his pain—can be undone. He's not trying to justify his crimes, but he believes that in order to set things right, Zeref must be helped. That there's something in him that wants to be saved."

Makarov's shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of this information threatening to bury him.

If what Mystogan said was true… then this was no longer just about Naruto making a reckless decision.

This was something bigger.

Something that could shake the very foundations of time, fate, and history itself.

"Master, Naruto wanted the trials to continue without him," Mystogan informed Makarov.

The old man gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching at the sheer absurdity of it. "That reckless brat… prioritizing the trials over his own safety, even with Zeref involved…" He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples.

Mystogan remained unfazed. "I trust Naruto." His voice was calm, unwavering.

Makarov's sharp gaze met his. "You vouch for him, then? Even knowing who he's dealing with?"

There wasn't a moment of doubt.

"Always," Mystogan declared, his conviction absolute.

Makarov exhaled deeply, his expression shadowed with concern, but he ultimately nodded.

"Very well then… that boy better come back alive."

Despite the lurking danger in the shadows of Tenroujima, the Fairy Tail S-Class Trials of Year X784 pressed on. The guild had traditions to uphold, and Naruto himself had insisted the trials continue without him.

Gathered atop a wide plateau overlooking the coastline, the hopeful participants stood in anticipation as Mystogan and Makarov stepped forward to address them.

Mystogan's usual stoic demeanor remained, but there was a sharp edge to his tone as he spoke. "The first trial is called Power and Luck. It's a maze—a test of both your skill and your fate."

A murmur rippled through the contestants. A maze? This was already different from past trials.

Makarov hopped onto a nearby crate, his small frame giving him just enough height to overlook the gathered wizards. He smirked, stroking his mustache. "The rules are simple. There are multiple entrances, and each of you will choose one to enter the maze. Inside, you'll face all sorts of traps, dead ends, and hurdles. Some paths might lead you straight to an exit. Others… might lead you straight to one of our S-Class wizards."

A visible shudder passed through the participants.

"Gildarts, Erza, Mirajane, and Mystogan himself will be stationed throughout the maze," Makarov continued. "If you run into one of them, well… consider it a test of power. If you can survive their challenge, you may continue."

Mystogan nodded. "But if you take too long, the trial ends. There's a time limit. Those who finish fastest, with minimal traps triggered, will prove their strength and resourcefulness."

The gathered wizards tensed, eyes darting between each other.

"Strength will carry you far," Makarov added, his smirk widening, "but luck will decide your path. Choose wisely."

With the announcement made, the first trial was set to begin.

Before them stood the entrances to the maze—each an unknown path leading to either fortune or hardship. The tension was thick, but for some, hesitation wasn't even an option.

Natsu and Happy, true to their nature, didn't waste a single second overthinking it. "LET'S GOOO!" Natsu roared, his voice echoing across the island as he bolted toward the nearest entrance. Happy, flapping at his side, sighed. "Aye… I knew you'd pick randomly."

Following behind them were Gray and Loke. Unlike the fire-for-brains duo, they strode forward with casual indifference, Gray stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Man, Natsu's gonna be the first to hit a dead end." Loke adjusted his sunglasses with a smirk. "Either that or he runs into Gildarts and gets obliterated in round one."

Levy, meanwhile, stood at her entrance, deep in thought. Gajeel, noticing her hesitation, simply placed a firm hand on her back and pushed her forward. "Tch. No need to overthink it, Shrimp. Just follow me. If anything comes our way, I'll handle it."

Wendy and Mest approached their chosen entrance after a moment of careful discussion. The young Dragon Slayer glanced at her partner. "Are you sure about this one, Mest-san?" He gave her a mysterious smile. "Trust me. I have a feeling about this."

Carla, in her human uniform, took a more refined approach, elegantly leading Laki to an entrance as if she already knew the best path. "Follow me," Carla said with quiet confidence. Laki, trusting her completely, simply nodded and fell in step behind her.

Elfman, standing tall with his arms crossed, glanced at Evergreen. "A real MAN doesn't hesitate." With that, he stomped forward, confidently making a choice without a second thought. Evergreen sighed. "I swear, if this leads to Gildarts…"

Juvia, partnered with Fried, was practically glowing. She hummed to herself, eyes darting around, scanning every entrance. "I hope I run into Gray-sama…" she muttered, completely missing Fried's unamused expression.

Cana, however, was different. She remained rooted in place, staring at the entrances, deep in thought. The pressure of the trial was getting to her, and her hands clenched into fists.

Then she felt it—her wristband.

She looked down at the modified wristband Naruto had given her before the trial, a crutch for when things went south. Just remembering him—his words, his reckless yet unwavering determination—her hesitation faded. The fear gripping her chest loosened.

With newfound resolve, she grabbed Lucy's wrist and dragged her forward. "Enough thinking, let's go!"

Lucy barely had time to protest as Cana pulled her through one of the entrances, throwing all doubt to the wind.

As Cana and Lucy stepped through the entrance, neither of them noticed the subtle shift in the air. A faint pulse of magic rippled around them, unseen, undetectable—an intricate spell meticulously crafted by Mystogan, set to trigger the moment Cana took her first step inside.

This wasn't just any ordinary illusion trap.

Mystogan had carefully weaved layers of deception into its design, ensuring that no matter which path they thought they were taking, no matter how much Cana tried to navigate, they would be led to one unavoidable destination.

A request made specifically by Naruto.

The girl had spent years running, avoiding the truth she buried deep within herself. Naruto saw that hesitation, that lingering fear within her. If she was ever going to move forward, if she was ever going to rise beyond just being another participant in the trials—she had to face him.

Her father.

Gildarts.

Cana and Lucy advanced, unaware that their footsteps had long stopped belonging to their own chosen path. The corridors twisted subtly, the atmosphere thickened, and the illusion seamlessly blurred the lines between reality and trickery.

Lucy glanced around, brows furrowing. "Hey, are we sure this is the right way?"

Cana, who had been quiet for a moment, scoffed, trying to mask the growing unease clawing at her. "Doesn't matter. We just keep moving forward."

But deep down, something in her gut churned.

The magic pressing against her skin felt... off. Not in a dangerous way, but in a way that made her heartbeat quicken. Her breathing grew unsteady, and for some reason, her grip on the wristband Naruto gave her tightened.

Then—

A turn.

One final step.

And there he stood.

At the end of the path, arms crossed, radiating an overwhelming presence that dwarfed everything else in the maze.

Gildarts Clive.

His one good eye locked onto them, onto her. There was no mistake. The illusion had done its job. The confrontation she had spent years avoiding had finally arrived.

Cana's breath hitched.

Lucy's eyes widened. "G-Gildarts?! W-We ran into an S-Class obstacle already?!"

Cana felt her entire body tense, her mind racing with thoughts she had buried for years.

This wasn't just a battle.

This was her ultimate trial.

Chapter End