Chapter 28

The evening air was still, the once chaotic battlefield now a vast, empty wasteland. The moon hung solemnly above, its pale light casting long shadows across the fractured ground.

Naruto stood tall, his breath steady as his mind finally cleared from the overwhelming euphoria of his recent ascension. The battle was over. Acnologia lay beneath him, no longer the monstrous Dragon King but a mere man—his titanic presence reduced to a mortal shell.

The once uncontrollable rush of power that had surged through Naruto's veins had cooled, allowing him to grasp the full magnitude of what he had accomplished. He had finally achieved it—the Faux Baryon Mode, the Aokugan. Acnologia's formidable essence had become the final fuel, feeding into the very core of his being, granting life to what was once an imperfect dream. His modified Tetragram Seal had unraveled and rewoven into something far beyond—Tenkei no Fūin.

He was limitless now.

The dojutsu that once devoured his finite resources, burning away his very essence for mere moments of transcendent power, could now be invoked at will. No longer bound by restrictions. No longer tethered to limitation. His reserves, infinite.

Naruto's heavenly cerulean eyes—the Aokugan—gazed beyond the physical. They fed him boundless insight, revealing the very fabric of existence, the intricacies of all creation at its most fundamental state. The insight he gained far surpassed anything the greatest clans of his world had ever known. He could see—not just with sight, but with understanding. The unseen truths of the world lay bare before him.

Beneath him, Acnologia stirred.

Naruto peered down at the man who had once sought to erase all dragons from existence, a man consumed by vengeance until it had stripped him of everything. Now, stripped of his Dragon Slayer Magic, he was no longer a dragon nor a slayer of dragons. What remained was a man—a human still brimming with vast magical reserves, still powerful, but no longer shackled to his endless pursuit of destruction.

Naruto exhaled, closing his eyes briefly. He had felt it during their clash—Acnologia's suffering, his pain, his isolation. The blind rage of a warrior who had lost everything, who had become his own worst nightmare in the name of revenge. He had seen it before. And just like his previous opponents, Acnologia had been lost.

But now, he was free.

Naruto lifted his gaze to the sky, his heavenly eyes reflecting the moon's glow. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the path ahead was clear. He had surpassed his old self, his previous limits nothing more than distant memories.

With the power he now wielded, he could finally go home.

Far, far beyond the peak he once thought unreachable, he had risen.

Cerulean eyes of limitless potential met crimson red, steeped in death.

The air between them was thick with unspoken knowledge, the weight of history pressing down upon the barren wasteland. The silver moon overhead bathed them in cold light—one a figure of transcendence, the other of eternal suffering.

Naruto's gaze, once wild and erratic, now burned with an unnatural calm, his ascended form stabilizing as his Aokugan fed him boundless insight. Every thread of existence, every fundamental truth of this world, lay bare before him—limitless, ever-expanding.

Opposite him, crimson eyes stared back, dark pools of inevitability. Zeref Dragneel, the cursed immortal, walked toward him with measured steps, the very ground beneath him wilting with each movement. The Death Curse coiled around him like a vengeful specter, its grasp tighter than ever.

"It seems you've calmed down a bit…" Zeref observed, his voice neutral yet carrying the weight of millennia. His eyes flickered with something akin to morbid fascination as they traced the subtle changes in Naruto's aura. This was no longer the reckless wizard who had foolishly attempted to mend his curse—this was something beyond even his calculations.

Zeref exhaled, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "And it seems your recent blunder in helping me has given you an even stronger rebound than I anticipated. The once-limited power you possessed has now evolved into something truly boundless." He paused, narrowing his gaze. "I felt Mavis before I awoke, her presence lingering in the remnants of my consciousness. Then I woke up to this… wretched state." His crimson gaze flickered with something unreadable—resentment, perhaps even regret.

He studied Naruto carefully, scrutinizing every shift in his aura, every infinitesimal fluctuation of his existence. Then, with a knowing smirk, he continued, "And from your earlier speech… I suppose she had a hand in your recent breakthrough."

The wind howled through the empty wasteland, carrying the unspoken truth between them.

Zeref, a man shackled by eternity.
Naruto, a being who had just unshackled himself from all limitations.

"If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been able to achieve these eyes. I'm truly grateful to her." Naruto said, his voice now calm and steady. His heavenly cerulean eyes, once wild, now carried the weight of limitless insight. "Now, I have the means to free you from your curse."

Zeref chuckled, amused by the blonde's sincerity. He had done much for him—far more than anyone ever had. Naruto saw him as a person, not a monster, and even now, he was still trying to save him. It was safe to say that Zeref truly respected him.

"That would be too anticlimactic, don't you think?" Zeref mused, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Besides, as I've told you before… Natsu is the one I want to reach me."

"I won't let Natsu stain his hands with your— his older brother's blood," Naruto countered, unwavering.

Zeref studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Even if I have the means to send you back to your world?" He let the words linger before continuing. "Now, where was I? Ah, yes… How about we make a deal, Naruto Uzumaki? I want you to nurture my younger brother, to push him beyond his limits—give him the strength to defeat me. Once he has surpassed his boundaries, I will grant you passage— the means to return home."

Naruto exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "I already told you—I won't let Natsu stain his hands with blood," he repeated firmly.

Zeref's lips curled slightly. "So that's a no, then?"

Then, after a pause, Naruto added, "However, I still need you and your knowledge to help me return to my world. So I'll help Natsu—not to eliminate you, but to knock some sense into you."

A silence stretched between them before Zeref finally smiled.

"It's a deal then."

The first light of dawn bathed Tenroujima in a golden hue, the gentle waves lapping against its shores as if soothing the wounds of the land. The once tranquil island had become a battleground, but despite the chaos that had unfolded, Fairy Tail had emerged victorious. The dark reign of Grimoire Heart had ended, and Master Hades, along with his subordinates, now lay defeated.

Though their ambush had disrupted the S-Class trials, the guild had managed to minimize the destruction. Only faint scars remained—scorched earth from fierce magic clashes, torn patches of the once-flourishing greenery, and remnants of broken trees marking where warriors had fallen. Yet, the island, like its protectors, still stood strong.

The Magic Council had answered Mest's call, with Lahar leading an armed force to detain the remnants of Grimoire Heart. Shackled and subdued, the dark guild's members were rounded up, their once-defiant leader now a shadow of his former self. Yet, amidst the arrests, one presence had already vanished—Zeref, the legendary dark wizard, was gone. His absence weighed heavily, an unspoken unease settling in the hearts of those who had faced him.

A lone boat drifted upon the gentle tide, its sails barely stirring in the soft morning breeze. Within it, two figures sat in silence, the echoes of their past still lingering between them.

Ultear stared at the horizon, the vast stretch of ocean reflecting the colors of sunrise. It should have felt liberating—the open sea, the promise of escape—but for the first time in years, she felt unmoored. The battle against Naruto had shaken something deep within her, something she had buried long ago. Her bond with her mother, Ur, once a source of pain and resentment, had resurfaced—not as a burden, but as a warmth she had thought lost to time.

Meredy sat beside her, watching carefully, as if sensing the storm within Ultear had finally calmed. No longer the manipulative specter that had used her, Ultear now faced something far more daunting than any battle—atonement. For the choices she had made. For the person she had been. And for the girl beside her, whom she had once twisted into an instrument of vengeance.

Tenroujima – Fairy Tail S-Class Trials Camp Site

The heart of the island had become a makeshift infirmary, the once lively grounds now filled with weary bodies in much-needed rest. Under the shade of towering trees, the guild members lay scattered, their exhaustion weighing heavily upon them after their grueling battles.

Master Makarov, now recovered from his skirmish with Hades, sat quietly, his usual boisterous presence subdued. His eyes softened as he gazed at his children—his family—who had risked everything. Mystogan, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, and Carla, all bearing the marks of their struggle, lay in deep slumber. Their injuries, though severe, would heal. The strength they had shown, the bonds they had reinforced, would endure.

The morning air was cool, carrying with it a rare peace. For the first time in days, no spells were cast, no enemies lurked in the shadows, and no battles raged. Only the rhythmic sound of breathing, the distant calls of birds, and the steady rustle of the wind through the trees filled the space.

"Master," Naruto announced as he arrived at the camp. Makarov immediately noticed the change in him: his once bright orange markings and distinctive, almost goat-like eyes in which once Naruto corrected him that it was the eyes of a toads had been replaced by a more subdued appearance, his gaze now radiating a serene, cerulean hue.

"I heard from Mystogan that you tried to help the dark wizard Zeref," Makarov remarked.

Naruto's expression turned somber. "Yeah. But I failed—I nearly screwed up my old seal if it weren't for the founder, Master Mavis."

"You've met the founder?" Makarov asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

Naruto nodded. "I was inside Zeref's mind, trying to mend him—or at least understand his curse. I… underestimated it. I pissed off the god who cursed him… and almost lost myself when these eyes of mine began draining more resource than I had calculated. That was when Master Mavis rescued me, helping me modify the seal on my gut once more—perfecting it. Thanks to her, I can now drain energy with control. Back then, I was siphoning indiscriminately wherever I went."

"My heavens…" Makarov exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment. "So that's how you came to possess those new eyes of yours?" The old man gestured to Naruto's heavenly cerulean eyes, and the blonde nodded.

Naruto scanned the camp and realized it wasn't just Mystogan, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, and Carla. He also spotted Gildarts, Cana, Fried, Bickslow, Evergreen, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Laki and Happy—all fast asleep, their injuries neatly bandaged.

"It seems there was an invasion while I was away," he observed. "I had a brief encounter with one of them—a woman who wields time-related magic."

"Yes," Master Makarov replied. "Grimoire Heart invaded the island to seek out the dark wizard Zeref. And it's possible that the one you met was the missing member at the time—Ultear Milkovich."

Naruto continued surveying the resting guild members when the crunch of footsteps on dry leaves caught his attention. Emerging from the dense foliage, Laxus Dreyar strode into the clearing, carrying a bundle of freshly hunted game slung over his shoulder. His golden hair was tousled, and a few scratches marked his face, but his imposing presence was undeniable.

Makarov's eyes softened at the sight of his grandson, a mix of pride and regret flickering across his face. Despite his exile, Laxus had returned in the guild's darkest hour to aid Natsu and the others in their battle against Hades. His strength had turned the tide when they needed it most.

Laxus dropped his catch beside the campfire, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh. "Looks like I missed the introductions," he muttered, glancing at Naruto. His sharp gaze assessed the newcomer, though there was no hostility—just quiet curiosity.

Makarov stepped forward, his voice warm yet firm. "Naruto, this is Laxus Dreyar, my grandson. He was once a member of Fairy Tail but was exiled due to past… mistakes. However, he returned when we needed him most, helping the others take down Hades."

Naruto nodded, taking in the blonde's towering stature and battle-hardened aura. "I see. So, you came back to help our friends?"

Laxus scoffed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Something like that. Let's just say I couldn't sit around while the guild was in trouble." His eyes flickered to Makarov before he looked away, his usual arrogance subdued.

Makarov smiled knowingly. "Before Mystogan went to rest, he and I had a discussion," he continued. "We agreed that after everything, Laxus deserves to be reinstated into Fairy Tail. We wouldn't have succeeded in subjugating Hades without him."

Naruto caught the slight tension in Laxus's posture—the warrior clearly wasn't one to seek redemption with words. He had let his actions speak for themselves.

"Welcome back, then," Naruto said simply, offering a small grin.

Laxus smirked, crossing his arms. "Heh. We'll see if the old man follows through."

Makarov huffed. "You still have that attitude, I see." But his voice held nothing but affection.

"Speaking of which, I heard from Mystogan that it was you who distracted the dark dragon…" Laxus remarked, his sharp gaze fixed on Naruto.

Makarov's expression darkened. Though he had been too injured to intervene when the dragon descended upon the island last night, he had still caught glimpses of its massive, ominous form. His voice was heavy as he uttered its name. "Acnologia…"

Naruto nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Actually, it was my fault that it came to this island."

"WHAT?!" Makarov and Laxus exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of shock and disbelief. Before they could bombard him with questions, Naruto raised his hands, signaling them to let him explain.

"Master already knows this," he began, glancing at Makarov. "I tried to help Zeref—to mend his curse, or at the very least, understand it. But it seems that the god who cursed him didn't take kindly to my interference. Instead of helping, my attempt made Zeref's curse worsen… and his awakening triggered that dragon— Acnologia's arrival."

Makarov groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration. "So not only did you recklessly try to save Zeref, but you also ended up fighting Acnologia on your own?!" He dragged a hand down his face, exasperated. "You just don't know how to stay out of trouble, do you?"

Laxus, meanwhile, was still trying to wrap his head around the situation. "W-where's the dragon now?" he asked, his voice more cautious than before.

"I defeated him," Naruto replied simply.

Laxus blinked. "Him?"

"Yeah." Naruto exhaled, his gaze distant. "Acnologia wasn't just a dragon. He was once human—a Dragon Slayer, consumed by his own vengeance. His hatred twisted him into the Dragon of Apocalypse."

Silence hung over them as Laxus and Makarov absorbed his words.

Disbelief was evident in their expressions. Makarov, who had an inkling of Acnologia's immense power, struggled to process Naruto's words. He wasn't alone—Laxus, who had spent his life honing his strength, found it difficult to comprehend that the dark dragon, a being of near-unstoppable destruction, had been taken down by the man standing before them.

If Naruto had truly defeated Acnologia… then his strength wasn't just formidable. It was on par with, if not greater than, the Four Gods of Ishgar.

Makarov studied Naruto carefully, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of exaggeration or arrogance. But there was none. The young man's expression remained calm, almost tired, as if he weren't boasting but merely stating a fact.

Laxus let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "Damn… that's hard to believe," he muttered. "That large dragon? Gone? And he's a dragon slayer?"

Naruto nodded. "I didn't say it was easy. I would've lost my life if I didn't have a breakthrough." His fingers instinctively traced his stomach—the seal, now perfected with Mavis's help, had played a crucial role. "But yeah… he's not coming back."

Makarov remained silent for a moment longer before sighing heavily. "This is… beyond anything I expected," he admitted. His gaze softened, filled with a mix of relief and lingering concern. "You may have saved the world, Naruto… but tell me—are you alright?"

Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll live. But breakfast first. I'm starving."

Laxus smirked at that, some of the tension easing. "Good timing. I just got back from hunting." He hoisted a freshly caught boar over his shoulder. "Might as well eat like kings after a night like that."

"So… who won the S-Class Trials?" Naruto asked casually.

Makarov blinked, utterly flabbergasted. Of all the things to ask after everything that had happened, this was what Naruto was curious about?

The morning after the fierce battle against Grimoire Heart, the Tenroujima campsite was eerily quiet, save for the distant sound of waves crashing against the island's shore. The air carried the scent of burnt wood and damp soil, remnants of the destruction left in the wake of their battle. The rising sun cast a soft golden glow over the makeshift camp, where the exhausted Fairy Tail members were beginning to stir.

Mystogan, sitting cross-legged on a fallen tree trunk, glanced around at his recovering guildmates. His normally composed expression was betrayed by the slight wince as he rotated his sore shoulder. The battle against Hades had taken everything out of them. Even with Natsu absorbing Laxus's lightning, they had only barely managed to pull off the victory. He let out a slow breath and reached up to stroke his… magnificent, absolutely majestic, and totally natural-looking fake mustache.

"Good, no one stole it in my sleep," Mystogan murmured to himself, rubbing his chin like a wise sage.

From one of the nearby tents, there was a groan. Gray was the first to wake up, sitting up with a wince as he held his ribs. His torso was still covered in bandages from the fight. "Damn it… feels like I got hit by a train," he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. He blinked a few times before glancing at Mystogan. "And you still got that ridiculous thing on?"

Mystogan nodded solemnly. "It is my most prized possession."

Gray stared for a moment, then let out a tired chuckle. "You're just as weird as Natsu."

"Hey, I heard that!"

The fiery-haired Dragon Slayer groggily pushed himself up from his bedroll, stretching his arms before immediately wincing. His muscles were still sore from going beyond his limits against Hades. Laxus's lightning had been a game-changer, but it also left his body fried. Even so, he grinned as he looked at Mystogan. "Man, you and me really kicked that old guy's ass, huh?"

Mystogan gave him a slow nod. "We did."

At that moment, a soft voice called out. "Natsu! Gray! You're awake!"

Wendy rushed over, eyes bright with relief. The young Sky Dragon Slayer was still covered in dirt and dried sweat, but her concern for her guildmates overrode any exhaustion. Carla followed close behind, arms crossed but visibly relieved.

"You guys really shouldn't be moving around so much," Wendy fussed as she knelt beside Natsu and began channeling some healing magic into his arms. "Your muscles are still recovering from the strain."

"Bah, I've been through worse," Natsu said, grinning—only to wince when Wendy flicked his forehead. "Ow! Okay, okay, I'll sit still!"

From another corner of the campsite, Lucy groaned as she sat up, rubbing her temples. "Ugh… I feel like I got run over by Taurus…" she muttered before blinking blearily at the group. "Wait… did we actually win? Or am I dreaming?"

"You're awake," Erza's voice cut in as she approached, arms crossed, though even she looked tired. The Titania of Fairy Tail had barely gotten any rest after making sure everyone was safe. "And yes, we won. Grimoire Heart is gone. Hades has been defeated."

A collective sigh of relief spread through the group.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from the edge of the camp. "Oi! Get up, lazy asses! Breakfast is ready!"

Naruto strode into the clearing, arms crossed with his usual confident grin. Behind him, Laxus smirked as he carried two massive roasted hogs over his shoulders, their delicious aroma wafting through the camp.

Mystogan's eyes widened as he spotted Naruto. "Naruto!"

Naruto turned toward him, flashing a thumbs-up. "Aight, we'll talk later. I'll explain what happened after I… sort of disappeared."

"NARUTO! YOU'RE BACK!" Natsu shouted, eyes lighting up as he scrambled to his feet. "ACK—"

"Mystogan told us you were with the dark wizard— Zeref," Erza chimed in, her gaze sharp yet relieved.

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "My bad I wasn't here to help."

Gray smirked, waving him off. "Nah, it's okay. We pulled through."

The camp was quiet as everyone gathered for breakfast. In the soft morning light, every Fairy Tail member—Makarov, Gildarts, Mystogan, Laxus, Erza, Cana, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, Carla, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Fried, Bickslow, Evergreen, Mirajane, Elfman, and Laki—sat together, their exhaustion softened by the warmth of their banters. The rich aroma of Laxus's roasted hogs filled the air as they broke their fast, sharing stories of the battle that had tested them all.

Makarov spoke first, recounting the initial encounter with Grimoire Heart. Levy and Gajeel had been the first to face the ambush. Gajeel's valiant effort to hold off three of the dark guild's powerful members—Rustyrose, Zancrow, and Kain—had allowed Levy to escape. Though he ultimately lost, his sacrifice had not been in vain, and Levy reassured him that as long as she lived, his efforts were not a defeat.

Next, Gildarts told his story, joined by Cana and Lucy, detailing their battle against Bluenote Stinger, Capricorn, and Zoldeo—the latter controlling Capricorn's body. Even drained of magic, Gildarts mustered his remaining strength to defeat Bluenote, while Cana and Lucy worked together to break Zoldeo's hold over Capricorn. Lucy smiled as she revealed her newest celestial spirit—her hard-fought reward from the battle.

Wendy, Carla, and Laki recounted their skirmish against Grimoire Heart's grunts, a small war of endurance and strategy. Mystogan, Gray, and Loke, who had been accompanying Gray for his trial, shared a similar experience—fending off waves of enemies before facing Rustyrose, Zancrow, and Kain in a brutal confrontation.

Then came Natsu, Erza, and Happy's tale—first, their battle against Grimoire Heart's grunts, then their harrowing fight against Azuma, a foe who had nearly torn them apart.

Finally, Makarov took a deep breath before speaking again. His voice was heavy as he recounted the moment he, along with Mirajane, Elfman, Evergreen, Fried, Juvia, and Bickslow, came face to face with their greatest enemy—Master Purehito… no, Master Hades. Their battle against him had ended in a devastating loss, a painful reminder of just how powerful Grimoire Heart's leader had been.

After Makarov finished, Mystogan continued the story. He, Gray, and Loke had been the ones to find the campsite, where they discovered Makarov and the others severely injured from Hades's assault. It was Mest who urged them to regroup, revealing that he had arrived after he and the Magic Council confirmed Zeref's presence on Tenroujima.

With this revelation, they reorganized—tending to the wounded while those still able prepared for their final battle against the lone remaining threat: Hades.

The hunt led them to Grimoire Heart's airship, where Natsu, Mystogan, Erza, Lucy, Wendy, and Carla confronted Hades in a desperate fight. Just as the battle reached its breaking point, Laxus arrived in their moment of dire need. In the end, Hades's defeat was a combined effort—the strength of Fairy Tail united.

Then, it was Naruto's turn.

The mere mention of Zeref cast a heavy shadow over the guild, their expressions darkening with unease. Taking a deep breath, Naruto began his story.

He explained how he had sought to understand Zeref's death curse—hoping that, by observing it up close, he might find a way to mend it. However, his efforts had ended in failure, and his reckless gamble had led to dire consequences. His mistake had inadvertently summoned the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse—Acnologia.

But first he encountered one of Grimoire Heart's members—Ultear from what Master Makarov told him. Then…

To atone for his blunder, Naruto had done the unthinkable—he faced the dark dragon alone.

A stunned silence followed his words. Every Fairy Tail member sat frozen, their expressions shifting from shock to sheer disbelief. All except for Laxus and Makarov, who remained composed, having already learned the truth from Naruto earlier.

And then, it sank in.

Suddenly, Natsu shot to his feet, pointing an accusatory finger at him.
"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE THE REASON THAT DRAGON DIDN'T ATTACK US WHILE WE WERE FIGHTING HADES?!"

"So you were the one that struck it," Erza followed through, her eyes narrowing.

The realization rippled through the group.

Gray blinked in disbelief. Lucy's jaw dropped. Wendy covered her mouth with both hands. Erza looked like she was reevaluating everything she knew about life itself.

Gajeel crossed his arms, shaking his head. "H-Hey, hey—what the hell?! Did I just miss a dragon?!" His voice was laced with disappointment.
Levy patted his shoulder in sympathy.

Naruto awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Uh… well, I mean, I wasn't really fighting him. More like… keeping him busy?"

"Keeping him busy?!" Lucy squeaked. "THAT WAS A DRAGON—A DRAGON—not some lost puppy!"

Sipping his morning tea as if nothing was amiss, Mystogan suddenly mused, "Well, I suppose we should just make it official—Naruto for S-Class."

The entire guild turned to Makarov, nodding in agreement.

Makarov sighed, rubbing his temples. "That's not how this works."

Then, Gildarts, arms crossed and entirely serious, declared, "Nah, I don't care about S-Class. That settles it—Naruto's the strongest in Fairy Tail now."

A collective "HUH?!" rang out from the group.

Naruto immediately began waving his hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not get crazy here! Gildarts—hey, hey, don't look at me like that!" He gestured frantically at Gildarts and Cana.

Laxus, smirking, clapped a firm hand on his shoulder. "Heh, you can't downplay this one. You took on that dragon alone. That's bigger than anything the rest of us have done."

Natsu grumbled, crossing his arms. "Tch. That means I have to REALLY challenge him now. With my new upgrade!"

"You're gonna DIE," Happy added unhelpfully.

Lucy groaned. "I can't believe we were this close to getting wiped out, and meanwhile, Naruto was having an apocalyptic battle in the background."

Juvia, clasping her hands together, looked at Naruto with stars in her eyes. "My dearest Gray, I was so scared last night~"

"H-Hey, hey, hey," Gray muttered, elbowing her.

Mystogan shrugged. "All I'm saying is, if taking on Acnologia alone isn't an S-Class feat, what is?"

Naruto groaned, dropping his head into his hands. "Man, I really should've just stayed quiet…"

The guild burst into laughter, though an air of disbelief still lingered.

One thing was certain—Naruto was no longer just the infamous Orange Leech.

It was the start of a new legend.

"W-W-Wait… so who won the S-Class trial?" Naruto blurted out.

Makarov facepalmed. "You're still hung up on that, ya brat?!"

Chapter End