Chapter 32
The evening air hung heavy in Magnolia, the dim glow of street lanterns barely illuminating the narrow alley leading to Naruto's apartment. It was a small, cramped space—not unlike the one he had lived in back in Konoha before he married Hinata. The walls were worn, the furniture sparse, but he didn't mind. He had lived through worse.
Seated at a modest wooden desk, Naruto studied the dark, pulsating gem in his hand—the Lacrima he had received from Mard Geer. The faint, eerie glow it emitted cast unsettling shadows across the room. He let out a breath and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he pondered the weight of the upcoming battle. The subjugation of Tartaros was set in motion.
"Three months?" Mard Geer's voice was laced with skepticism, his raven eyes narrowing. "You're certain that would be enough? I was expecting at least a year to prepare… and I would have given you that time freely. At the very least, I want to face Lord Natsu at his peak. The rest of your companions? They are of little concern to me."
Naruto remained unfazed, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "Three months is more than enough." He drummed his fingers against the armrest, exuding an air of confidence. "Honestly, I expected you to give us a smaller time frame, regardless of our alignment for our ambitions I still could not believe you'll give us that much freedom."
"Don't mistake my generosity for weakness, Orange Leech." Mard Geer paused before correcting himself, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "—Master Naruto."
Naruto arched a brow but remained silent, allowing Mard Geer to continue.
"In the end, this entire subjugation is merely a stepping stone to Master END's resurrection. Whether it is Lord Natsu or Master END himself who defeats me is of little consequence. The result will be the same."
Naruto's expression hardened. "And what about me? Surely, I have more to do than just sit back and watch my friends face their own death matches?"
A sinister smile curled across Mard Geer's lips. "Oh, you need not worry about that, Master Naruto. We have a suitable opponent prepared for you—one worthy of the slayer of Acnologia."
The way he spoke, the absolute certainty in his voice, made Naruto's muscles tense ever so slightly. It wasn't fear—no, he had faced worse threats before—but something about Mard Geer's composure was unsettling.
"You seem prepared for this," Naruto mused, his tone curious. "I expected your kind to be more… arrogant. More dismissive of human capabilities. Is this change in attitude because of Natsu?"
Mard Geer chuckled, a hollow sound. "You are absolutely right. If not for Lord Zeref's teachings, we Etherious would still be treating humans as 'mere insects.' However, due to his sudden intervention and his... admonition, I have reconsidered our approach. Our plans have shifted, slightly, now that we have a clearer understanding of Master END's vessel—and you, Master Naruto, the man who slew Acnologia."
Naruto absorbed the words carefully before responding. "So, it was Zeref who led you to this conclusion?"
Mard Geer shook his head. "Our Lord merely imparted wisdom—to harness power, one must use a more human approach. Your strength, Master Naruto, is boundless. If we wish to push Lord Natsu to his limits, it is only fitting that our ambitions align. You desire to see him grow stronger, do you not?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly but gave a curt nod. "I see."
Mard Geer exhaled through his nose, his gaze scrutinizing. "Are you certain about the three months then, Master Naruto?"
Without hesitation, Naruto nodded again. "Yeah."
A flicker of malice crept into Mard Geer's expression, his lips twitching downward. There was no mistaking it—he did not like being dictated to by a mere human. Even if he acknowledged Naruto's strength, the Etherious within him resisted the idea of being looked down upon.
"Truth be told, I find your decision slightly offensive, Master Naruto." Mard Geer's voice dropped into something quieter, yet more threatening. "You may have slain Acnologia, but the same cannot be said for Lord Natsu's friends. You underestimate 'us.' This confidence of yours may cost you dearly. I warn you—this is not a simple mission. This is a war between the light and the dark. Tartaros will not hold back."
Naruto met his gaze, unwavering. "I'm not underestimating you. I've already gauged your power. Even though you suppressed it during our initial meeting, I saw through it."
Mard Geer's head tilted slightly, intrigued. "Is that so?"
A moment of tense silence passed between them, neither looking away. Then, Mard Geer's smirk returned, as though indulging in a private amusement.
"Very well. Three months it is then."
Naruto nodded once more. "Yeah."
The night stretched on, the weight of their agreement settling like an impending storm.
Fairy Tail, Magnolia - year X785
"Naruto!"
A gruff yet eager voice cut through the usual lively chaos of Fairy Tail's guild hall. Gajeel strode toward Naruto with a determined look, his usual scowl momentarily replaced by something akin to desperation. Levy walked beside him, her expression amused yet equally hopeful.
"I heard from Salamander you got somethin' for him," Gajeel said, crossing his arms, though the slight twitch in his brow betrayed his impatience. His voice then dropped into a dramatic whimper. "The very same thing Wendy got!" His metal-studded face scrunched up in exaggerated jealousy. "I don't wanna get left behind, man!"
A quick mood swing followed as he clenched his fists, eyes glinting. "I need one too! You hear me, Uzumaki?!"
"I'm the same," Levy added with a smile, less dramatic but just as eager.
Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, alright, calm down. No need to get all weepy on me."
Before he could reach into his pouch, a sudden rush of bodies filled the space around them. The guild hall, already bustling, turned into an outright mob scene. Almost everyone who had yet to receive one of Naruto's now-infamous training wristbands began piling up, excitement and determination in their eyes.
The only ones who remained seated, resisting the urge to join the crowd, were Laxus, Freed, Bickslow, Evergreen, Mirajane, Elfman, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Happy, Cana, Mystogan (and his ever-fancy mustache), as well as Wendy and Carla—who was currently in her human form.
Though they all appeared unfazed, there was an undeniable tension beneath their cool exteriors. In reality, they were already feeling the effects of the wristbands' passive training, a gradually increasing gravity weighing on their bodies, siphoning their magic reserves as part of Naruto's unique strengthening method.
Wendy and Carla were the only ones who had adapted completely, having been Naruto's first 'test subjects' for the bands. The others? They were gritting their teeth, their pride preventing them from showing any discomfort as their bodies adjusted.
"Me too, Naruto!" A familiar voice rang out dramatically.
Juvia materialized from her water form, hands clasped together in desperate plea. "I cannot be left behind by my love rivals! I must grow stronger to be of greater service to my dear Lord Gray~!"
Gray groaned in the background, muttering something about Juvia being way too dramatic.
Makarov, seated nearby, let out a hearty chuckle as he watched the spectacle unfold. Beside him sat Mystogan, observing quietly as he caught one of the training wristbands—a black variant of Naruto's usual colored sets. He turned it over in his hands, studying it with quiet thoughtfulness.
The sight of the entire guild lining up for Naruto's creations brought an amused smile to his face, but there was something else hidden beneath his expression—an understanding that this moment, lively and filled with camaraderie, would not last forever.
"This feels like a handout for a memorial item," Mystogan mused, keeping his voice low. His eyes flickered toward Naruto.
Naruto was not of this world, just as Mystogan himself was not. The weight of that truth settled between them like an unspoken farewell. One day, whether by choice or by fate, both would eventually return to their respective worlds.
Makarov, ever perceptive, nodded solemnly at Mystogan's words. The joyful atmosphere of the guild continued around them, but in that quiet moment, the elder master acknowledged the inevitable.
For now, however, there was only the present. And in the present, Naruto had a line of eager Fairy Tail mages waiting for his training wristbands, their eyes alight with determination.
With a smirk, Naruto tossed another wristband into the crowd.
"Alright, you guys better not whine from these bad boys!"
Later.
The moment the wristbands were handed out, the entire group wasted no time in activating them. One by one, every mage pressed their magic-infused thumb against the subtle seal markings etched onto the band—a design that, at first glance, looked more like a decorative pattern than a complex arcane symbol. The instant the seal glowed, an overwhelming gravitational pull set in. In an instant, every single mage collapsed to their knees, overwhelmed by the sudden drain on their magic and the physical strain imposed by the wristband's engineered weight.
Even Master Makarov, known for his formidable strength and resilience, found himself humbled—his normally robust magic now reduced to an unexpected burden. "Whoever came up with this method is a genius and a training sadist rolled into one," he grumbled, though his voice carried an amused undertone as he shifted his gaze at the kneeling mages.
His aged eyes went to Naruto.
At a nearby table, Cana sat across from her father, Gildarts, who had already been wearing one of Naruto's wristbands from the recent batch. Unlike the others, he wasn't on his knees. In fact, he looked entirely unbothered. But that wasn't because he wasn't feeling it—no, it was because he refused to show it. The moment he first put it on, the sheer weight of the band had nearly sent him crashing through the floor. If he hadn't braced himself in time, he would have. Similar to Makarov's, he's one of the wizards with the largest magical capacity amongst their guildmates.
Now, he merely shrugged off the sensation, adapting quickly as he raised his barrel of alcohol and clinked it against Cana's. "If I hadn't experienced worse, I'd probably be on the ground like the rest of 'em," he admitted, chuckling. "Can't believe you were using this for months now Cana."
Cana smirked, taking a deep swig of her drink. "Bah, I'm probably lightweight compared to what you're under right now dad."
Across the guild, Laxus and his team, already somewhat adjusted to the wristbands' effects, took it in stride. If anything, the added challenge only fueled their motivation.
"Alright, let's crank this up a notch," Laxus said, stretching his arms as arcs of lightning sparked around him.
"HELL YEAH! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" Bickslow cheered, cackling maniacally as his dolls mimicked his enthusiasm.
"I suppose it was the right time to increase the difficulty," Freed commented, adjusting his runic sword.
Evergreen, ever the composed one, merely sighed as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
Then Elfman suddenly slammed a fist on the table. "Did you say S-Class?" His eyes burned with determination. "I have yet to surpass my new limits. I will transcend the level of all uncles… and become the uncles of all uncles!"
Evergreen facepalmed. "Bah—of course—that poor bastard" her gaze went to Naruto's.
At another table—
"Alright, you lot! S-CLASS TIME!" Erza announced, standing tall like a general leading her troops.
"Hell yeah!" Gray smirked, rolling his shoulders in preparation.
"Oh my god—GAH—I CAN DO THIS! RAAAAHHHH!" Lucy hyped herself up, slapping her own cheeks.
"Aye!" Happy cheered, flapping his little wings in excitement.
"O-Oh…" Natsu muttered, though something was noticeably off. Unlike his usual over-the-top enthusiasm for missions, his energy seemed dimmer—subdued.
Gray immediately caught on, narrowing his eyes with a smirk. "Huh? What's this, flame brain? I thought you'd be more fired up for a challenge. You already giving in to the wristbands?"
Natsu's eye twitched as he motioned to Gray's legs. "Hey, hey, hey—your knees are wobbling."
"GUH—" Gray froze, realizing his bravado had been called out.
Juvia, meanwhile, emerged from the shadows like something out of a horror movie, her arms reaching out dramatically. "Take me with you, dear lord Gray~!"
"YIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!" Lucy shrieked, nearly falling out of her seat.
But Natsu wasn't paying attention anymore. His gaze drifted toward Naruto, something deep and unreadable flickering in his eyes. There was something he needed to talk to the man about. Not now—not in the middle of the guild's chaos—but soon.
He would finish the mission first. Then, he would talk to Naruto.
A little later, after the wizards had dispersed to their missions while others stayed behind to relax, the guild settled into a more peaceful atmosphere. Laughter and chatter filled the air, the rowdy energy simmering down into something more comfortable.
At the bar, Naruto and Makarov sat side by side, each nursing a drink. The older guild master swirled his mug with practiced ease, while Naruto took a casual sip from his own, his expression thoughtful.
A few tables away, Mystogan sat quietly with Wendy and Carla—who had taken on her human form for a change. Mirajane had just placed a plate of desserts in front of them, and Wendy's eyes sparkled at the sight of the sweet treats.
"Thank you, Miss Mira!" Wendy beamed, grabbing a fork eagerly.
Carla, ever the prim and composed one, merely nodded. "Yes, thank you." She took a delicate bite, though even she couldn't hide the small satisfied hum that followed.
Mystogan, despite his usual aloof demeanor, watched them with a quiet fondness. It was rare for him to be so present like this, and though he said little, the warmth in his expression spoke volumes.
Back at the bar, Naruto let out a small sigh, resting his elbow on the counter as he swirled his drink absentmindedly. His gaze flickered toward Makarov, a thought lingering in his mind.
"Master…" he started, his tone unusually serious. "You know, I haven't really asked this before, but… what's underneath our guild?"
Makarov raised an eyebrow, not entirely surprised by the question but intrigued by the timing of it. He took a slow sip from his mug before setting it down with a small clink against the wooden counter.
"Ah… that?" he mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. His eyes studied Naruto, reading beyond the casual curiosity in his tone. There was something deeper in the way the young man asked—an unspoken weight behind his words.
Makarov exhaled, leaning back slightly. He had seen that look before, countless times. It was the kind of expression people wore when they felt their time in a place was coming to an end. Like they wanted to tie up loose ends before moving on.
"It's a trump card of sorts," Makarov finally answered, his voice carrying a cryptic air. "To be used in dire need… under great duress."
Naruto's sharp gaze flickered with understanding.
"Ah, that sort of thing," he muttered, tilting his drink as he mulled over Makarov's words. He had a gist of what the old master meant—something hidden away, something powerful enough that it couldn't be used lightly.
He let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "Guess it's one of those things that are best left secret, huh? If it's something of power, better to keep it buried before the wrong hands come diggin' for it."
Makarov grinned slightly, impressed by Naruto's insight.
"Hmph. You catch on quick, boy."
Naruto leaned back against the counter, stretching his arms behind his head. "Not my first rodeo, ya know? I've been around long enough to know that when old men start getting cryptic, it usually means it's something big."
Makarov chuckled at that, taking another sip of his drink.
Later that evening, Naruto called Makarov and Mystogan for a private meeting, revealing the agreement he had made with Mard Geer regarding the subjugation of Tartaros.
"Three months, huh…" Makarov murmured, stroking his white beard thoughtfully.
Mystogan, already accustomed to the weight of his training wristbands, glanced down at them, assessing the timeframe. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he gave a small nod.
"Hm… seems sufficient."
Tartaros, Year X785
Deep within the twisted labyrinth of Tartaros, where the air was thick with miasma and the very walls pulsed with malevolent energy, Mard Geer stood before the incubation chamber. A sickly green glow bathed the room in an eerie light, casting grotesque shadows that danced along the jagged architecture of the underworld guild's sanctuary.
His wicked smile widened as he gazed at the slumbering figure inside the tube—a man who, not long ago, had been a nightmare made flesh.
"How poetic," Mard Geer mused, his voice laced with amusement as he pressed a clawed finger against the glass. "Once a dragon who sought only destruction, then a king brought to his knees… and now, a discarded husk awaiting rebirth."
The body within the chamber twitched, as if restless, but remained trapped in its deep slumber. Fluid bubbled and churned around the figure, sustaining its transformation—one carefully orchestrated by their lord, Zeref.
Mard Geer chuckled darkly. "Liberated, were you? Freed from your curse, stripped of your scales and fangs… how kind of him, that slayer of dragons. But kindness is a fragile thing, isn't it?" His gaze darkened, sharp like the thorns that lined his wings. "He would have you walk away as a mere man, unshackled from your fate. But our lord has other plans. You were never meant to be human. You were never meant to be anything but destruction incarnate."
His eyes glowed with wicked delight as he watched the incubation process continue, ancient runes shifting along the chamber's surface. Zeref had taken this ruined vessel, this former god of dragons, and remade him into something… different. Something far worse.
"You, who were once the storm that swallowed the world, now stand at the precipice of something far greater. Not a dragon. Not a man. But a true Etherious."
Mard Geer stepped back, his laughter low and venomous, echoing through the chamber as he turned away.
"And when the time comes… you will remind the slayer of Acnologia that mercy is a foolish thing."
Mard Geer hummed, his lips curling into a sly grin.
"Fate... huh..." he murmured, as if savoring the word itself.
Magnolia
The night still clung to the sky, thick and unmoving, as the first hints of dawn whispered over the horizon. Magnolia was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves caught in the wind and the soft creak of wooden houses settling in the cold. Street lanterns flickered in protest against the coming day, their dim glow casting long, restless shadows.
In a cramped apartment, Naruto sat alone, the quiet hum of the city in its slumber pressing in on him. A single candle burned on the desk, its wavering flame barely illuminating the worn walls and scattered notes before him. His gaze lingered on the dark Lacrima resting atop a golden ornate stand—Mard Geer's gift. Its faint, pulsing glow reflected in his blue eyes, unreadable thoughts stirring behind them.
A knock shattered the silence. Soft but insistent—not the kind meant to wake someone forcefully, but one meant for someone already awake.
Naruto blinked, glancing at the old wooden door before sighing. "Who the hell's up this early…?" he muttered, rubbing the back of his head as he stood.
When he opened the door, he was met with the sight of Natsu Dragneel.
The Dragon Slayer stood there, his usual fiery energy dampened. His pink hair was tousled, his scarf slightly loose, and his expression… off. There was no wide grin, no exaggerated gestures—just quiet, hesitant eyes. And something else.
Something troubled.
Naruto leaned against the doorframe, raising a brow. "Oi, didn't think you were the type to do house calls before sunrise."
Natsu huffed, but the usual heat behind his reactions wasn't there. "Can I come in?"
Naruto studied him for a second before stepping aside. "Yeah, sure."
The moment the door shut, Natsu hesitated again, as if collecting his thoughts. Naruto sat back down, resting his elbows on his knees, watching as Natsu paced a little before finally speaking.
"I... haven't told anyone about this," Natsu started, his voice quieter than usual. "Not Happy. Not Lucy. Not even Gramps." He clenched his fists. "I don't know why, but I feel like I should tell you."
Naruto tilted his head, intrigued. "Go on."
Natsu exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. "It started the night I passed out—after using that wristband thing of yours." He glanced at Naruto's wrist, where his own was strapped. "I let it take everything, let it drain all my magic. And then… I blacked out."
Naruto didn't interrupt.
Natsu swallowed. "But I wasn't just unconscious. I was somewhere else."
His voice grew more strained, like he was forcing himself to say the words aloud. "I saw something. Or maybe I felt something. It was like I was floating. No—like I was inside something. A space. A—" His face twisted in frustration, searching for the right words.
"—an incubation."
Naruto interjected, and Natsu nodded, the blonde gesturing for him to continue.
Naruto tapped his fingers against his knee, staying silent, waiting for Natsu to resume.
Then—
Natsu's next words came slower, heavier. "And then… I heard him."
The candle flickered, the air between them thickening.
"I heard a voice, but it wasn't like the ones I've heard before. It wasn't Igneel's. It wasn't some random memory. It was real." He met Naruto's gaze. "His voice."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who?"
Natsu hesitated—then said the name.
"Zeref."
The name hit the air like a dead weight. A name laced with centuries of blood and fear.
Naruto's posture straightened slightly, but he still didn't speak. He knew Natsu wasn't done.
Natsu clenched his jaw before continuing. "It wasn't just hearing him. It was more than that. I felt like I was there. Wherever 'there' was. And then… I saw his face. It was clear, Naruto. Clearer than any dream I've ever had."
He sucked in a breath.
"And he looked at me, and he said it—like it was the most obvious thing in the world."
Natsu's voice dropped to something almost fragile. Something raw.
"I am Zeref Dragneel. I am your older brother, Natsu."
The words hung between them, pressing down like a phantom weight.
Naruto's eyes didn't widen. His expression didn't shift into shock. He simply stared at Natsu, gauging him, weighing the meaning of the confession.
The Dragon Slayer laughed suddenly, but there was no humor in it. Just nerves. Just confusion. "Sounds crazy, right? Maybe it was just a hallucination. Maybe that damn wristband of yours messed with my head."
Natsu hesitated. Then, he shook his head.
"No," he admitted. His hands curled into fists again. "It felt real. Too real. And I can't shake it."
Naruto exhaled through his nose. "Zeref Dragneel. Your brother, huh?"
Natsu's breath hitched at the way Naruto said it so plainly. Like he wasn't dismissing it. Like he wasn't laughing it off.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Silence stretched between them, thick and charged.
Finally, Naruto spoke. "Then let's assume for a second that it's true." He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, his blue eyes sharp. "What do you want to do about it?"
Natsu blinked. He had been so lost in the weight of what he saw, what he felt, that he hadn't considered that.
What did he want to do?
Naruto exhaled, the candle's flame bending slightly with the small shift of air. His voice, when it came, was calm but firm—rooted, unwavering.
"Regardless of the truth, Natsu… you are you."
Natsu's eyes flicked up, locking onto Naruto's with an intensity that almost burned.
"Whether you're Zeref's younger brother… a freak of nature… a dragon in human skin… or even a 'demon'—none of that changes you." Naruto leaned forward, his voice carrying a quiet conviction. "You're still Natsu. Natsu of Fairy Tail."
The words settled between them, firm and undeniable.
For a long moment, Natsu didn't move. His breathing was slow, measured, his fists still trembling slightly at his sides. But something shifted in his expression—something almost imperceptible. The storm raging inside him didn't stop, but for the first time since he had woken up from that dream, he had an anchor. A reminder.
His past, his origins, the mystery of what he truly was—those things might shake him, might make him question everything. But in the end, it wouldn't erase the bonds he had made, the memories he had forged, or the family that had accepted him without hesitation.
He was still him.
The tension in his shoulders eased ever so slightly, and though his lips remained pressed into a thin line, his grip loosened just a bit. The candle flickered once more, and the weight in his chest—while still present—felt just a little lighter.
"…Yeah," Natsu finally muttered, barely above a whisper. But there was something in his voice. A hint of something steadier, something more certain. "…I'm still me."
A moment of silence.
Then—
The pinkette nodded to himself.
He smacked his cheeks with both hands, the sharp sound cutting through the stillness of the dimly lit apartment. As if shaking off the weight of his thoughts, he straightened up, stretching his arms behind his head before flashing his usual reckless grin.
"Geez, Naruto! From the way you talk, you make it sound like you've been through this kinda thing before!" His voice carried its usual fiery energy, the hesitation from earlier melting away like it had never been there.
Naruto smirked, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. "Heh, you have no idea."
"You're early today. Thought you were out on a mission with them?" Naruto said as he stood, making his way to the small kitchen for a cup of instant ramen.
"It was easy," Natsu replied, rubbing his nose with a confident grin. Without hesitation, he plopped down beside Naruto, joining him for an impromptu cup noodle breakfast.
Chapter End