Chapter 40

Fairy Tail, magnolia - Year X785

The sun shone brightly over Magnolia, but inside the Fairy Tail guild hall, the usual rowdy atmosphere drowned out any sense of peace. With Erza away on a personal mission—an intense S-Class job she had taken as part of her rigorous training in preparation for her final challenge against Naruto—there was no one to rein in the chaos. And chaos was exactly what unfolded.

At the heart of it all, Natsu and Gray were, as expected, at each other's throats.

"You're just mad because I beat you in the last mission, Ice Block!" Natsu taunted, cracking his knuckles.

"As if, Flame Brain! You were the one who got knocked out first!" Gray shot back, already halfway out of his shirt as his irritation spiked.

Within seconds, the two lunged at each other, fists flying, magic flaring, and tables being overturned in the wake of their brawl.

On the sidelines, Mard Geer, looking far more amused than one would expect from the former Underworld King, gave a theatrical bow to a small crowd of eager onlookers.

"Place your bets, gentlemen," he announced with an elegant flourish, his dark amusement clear as he gestured towards the escalating fight.

Among those taking up the offer were the usual suspects—Jet, Droy, Macao, and Wakaba—all too eager to gamble on their guildmates' misfortune.

Romeo, watching his seniors get into the action, looked up at his father with hopeful eyes.

"Dad, can I join?" he asked, bouncing with excitement.

"No can do, kiddo," Macao said, ruffling his son's hair before taking a swig from his mug. "You're still too young for this kind of thing."

Meanwhile, behind the bar, the two resident barmaids—Mirajane and Seilah—were going about their usual duties, handling drinks and food orders with practiced ease. Mirajane hummed a sweet tune, gracefully pouring drinks with a warm smile, while Seilah, her demon-like elegance adding an air of sophistication, handed out glasses with her usual composed demeanor.

Kyoka, on the other hand, stood behind the bar as well, handling the more intricate mixology duties. The way she maneuvered the bottles, pouring and spinning them with an almost hypnotic precision, made it clear she had an unexpected knack for bartending. With the flick of her wrist, she sent a cocktail shaker spinning before catching it effortlessly, serving a perfectly mixed drink with a smirk.

"Refined skills are necessary even for the simplest of tasks," Kyoka muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Elsewhere in the guild hall, Lucy sat comfortably, thoroughly pampered by her loyal celestial spirits. Virgo stood dutifully beside her, offering a foot massage, while Loke leaned in, whispering flirtatious compliments as he handed her a fresh drink.

"I feel like I should be stopping the madness," Lucy mused, watching Natsu and Gray continue their destructive brawl in the background.

"But you won't," Loke grinned, winking at her.

"Of course not," she sighed, taking a sip of her drink.

In another corner, Gildarts and Cana had their own battle going—against their livers. The father-daughter duo were well into their drinking session, surrounded by a pile of emptied barrels. Cana downed another mug of ale, slamming it onto the table with a satisfied grin, while Gildarts chuckled, already refilling his own.

"Old man, you're slowing down!" Cana teased, cheeks flushed from the alcohol.

"Hah! I was just warming up," Gildarts retorted, effortlessly downing another mug.

Levy, sitting nearby, watched in growing horror as the two continued their drinking spree.

"Please… think of your livers…" she begged, but neither of them paid her any mind.

The guild doors creaked open as Mystogan, Wendy, and Carla entered. They surveyed the scene with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Where's Naruto?" Mystogan asked, glancing around for the familiar blonde.

Wendy and Carla also scanned the guild, but their search was quickly interrupted by a loud THUD .

Natsu and Gray had landed simultaneous knockout blows on each other, collapsing in a heap on the floor, unconscious.

"Natural selection," Lucy commented, barely looking up from her cup.

"Aye," Happy agreed, munching on a fish.

Mard Geer smirked, his posture relaxed as he turned to Mystogan. "If you're looking for Master Naruto, he's at the floating fortress on the outskirts."

Magnolia Outskirts - Floating Fortress of Tartaros

Naruto stood at the heart of the floating fortress, his gaze fixed on the intricate mechanism before him. The device—known as Twilight —was a fusion of arcane engineering and forbidden magic, a delicate construct that held the key to his and Mystogan's passage back to their own worlds.

At its core was a lacrima embedded in a branch of black wood, its surface etched with complex formulas that dictated the spell's execution. Unlike traditional interdimensional magic, Twilight didn't rely on Fairy Heart or the Space Between Time. Instead, Zeref had designed it around Naruto himself, using his very essence as the catalyst. Twilight would track his unique existence—his essence —and navigate the cracks between universes, guiding him back to the world he originally came from.

Naruto pressed his palm against the mechanism, channeling his magic into it. The lacrima hummed in response, glowing faintly as the spell began its initialization. Zeref observed from the side, meticulously gauging the magic flow.

"That's enough," Zeref finally said, nodding in satisfaction. "Thanks for coming, Naruto."

Naruto blinked. "W-wait, that's it?"

Zeref smirked. "Twilight is based on Neo-Eclipse , but with a different foundation. Instead of Fairy Heart and the Space Between Time, it's you and Twilight. Simply put, you are both the Fairy Heart and the passage through time and space. The mechanism will track your essence and lead you through the cracks in the universe, returning you to where you first entered this world."

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Oh. Well, when you put it like that, it sounds kinda simple."

Zeref chuckled. "That's because I have over a hundred years of research and experience to back it up." He returned his attention to his notes, adjusting the formulas in his book to further refine Twilight's configuration.

After a moment, he glanced at Naruto. "So… how did Fairy Tail take the announcement? You and Mystogan leaving?"

Naruto exhaled softly, a wistful look crossing his face. "As you'd expect… it was somber at first. It took a few days for it to sink in, but now, everyone's making the most of the time we have left. Master told us not to rush—just to enjoy these last days with the guild. Savor the moments, he said."

Zeref hummed in quiet understanding.

Naruto then crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "Speaking of which, are you taking Natsu with you back to Alvarez?"

Zeref paused briefly, then smirked. "Once Twilight is complete, I plan to ask him… though I already know his answer." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "But I'll ask anyway."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah, that sounds like something you'd do."

Zeref flipped another page in his book, then casually inquired, "How are the three settling in?"

Naruto knew exactly who he was referring to—Mard Geer, Kyoka, and Seilah.

"They're doing fine," he replied. "Honestly, they've taken a lot of the workload off Mirajane when it comes to tending the guild."

Zeref allowed himself a small smile. "That was Mavis' idea, you know… letting them join." He leaned back slightly, reminiscing. "Lamy was eager to return with me to Alvarez for her scientific pursuits , and of course, she dragged her favorites—Jackal and Tempester—along with her." His expression grew thoughtful. "After Natsu freed me from my curse, I had to decide what to do with the others. Eventually, I severed their ties to the Books of Zeref. They're free now."

Naruto noticed the slight edge in his voice. "But…?"

Zeref sighed. "The problem is, they're aimless. Their purpose has been fulfilled, but now they have nothing to strive for. At the very least, I want them to outgrow what was written for them—to truly live. As their creator, that's the only thing I could ever want for them."

Naruto nodded in understanding.

After a beat of silence, he hesitated before asking, "Say… if you don't mind me prying… what exactly is your relationship with Fairy Tail's founding master?"

Zeref stilled. His expression became unreadable, as if struggling with the weight of a long-buried truth. Then, after a pause, he exhaled.

"...It's… complicated," he murmured. "Though… if I had to describe it… we're… unofficial."

Naruto made an "O" face. "Ah. Gotcha."

Zeref chuckled lightly. "That's one way to put it."

A thought crossed Zeref's mind, and his expression sharpened with focus. "Ah, before I forget—since Twilight is based on you, you'll have to accompany Mystogan to his world. He'll embed his essence into Twilight while you hold it. Truth be told, you're the only one in this world who can use Twilight because of your Tenkei no Fūin—the seal that contains your limitless reserves. If it were anyone else… they'd perish from the drain."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So… what, I'm his escort now?"

"More like the carriage driver, and he's the passenger," Zeref corrected. "You need to make sure he reaches his world first before Twilight sends you back to yours."

Naruto sighed. "Great. No pressure or anything."

Zeref smirked. "You'll manage."

Fairy Tail, magnolia - Year X785

"Na-ru-to! Let's fight after Erza!" Natsu called out the moment the blonde stepped into the guild. His grin was wild with excitement, practically bouncing on his feet.

"Me too, Naruto!" Gray chimed in, stepping forward with his arms crossed.

"Don't wimp out this time, ice princess!" Natsu taunted, smirking.

"Speak for yourself, flame brain. I want to see how much I've improved," Gray shot back, cracking his knuckles.

Naruto let out a sigh, raising both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, settle down, you two. I'll take you both on."

That seemed to satisfy them, as they exchanged competitive grins before stepping back. Naruto made his way to his usual seat, raising a hand toward Mirajane—a silent order for his usual ramen.

Just as he got comfortable, a looming shadow fell over him.

"Brother-in-law~!" Elfman's booming voice rang out before Naruto could react. The giant of a man lifted him effortlessly from the hips like a child before pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm gonna miss you~!" Elfman wailed, squeezing tighter. "You may not have become my actual brother-in-law, but you will always be my brother-in-law in spirit!"

Naruto wheezed, tapping at Elfman's arm for mercy. " Ya' know, out of all the people here, you and your sister's antics are something I won't forget." He sighed, resigning himself to the moment. "You bastards gave me plenty of headaches… but damn if you didn't make life in this guild a hell of a lot more fun."

He smiled despite himself. Fairy Tail was insane, chaotic, and sometimes outright dangerous for his well-being… but that's exactly why he loved it.

Mirajane placed the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him with her usual gentle touch, but something was different this time. There were no playful innuendos, no fake-out teasing—just a quiet, almost subdued presence. It was… normal. Too normal.

Naruto felt it. The shift in the air, the unspoken weight behind her smile. She knew now—knew where he truly came from, knew that his time here was running out. And no matter how much she tried to mask it, the feelings remained. He could see it in the way her fingers lingered just a second too long on the counter, in the way her usually vibrant eyes held a flicker of something more… something bittersweet.

He exhaled softly, his lips curving into a small, somber smile. No words were needed. Instead, he picked up his chopsticks and took a bite, savoring the warmth of his last bowl of ramen from the white-haired menace who had always made it a point to tease him.

For once, she didn't. And somehow, that made this moment all the more precious.

Later that day, Mystogan returned to the guild alongside Wendy and Carla, their latest mission successfully completed. Unlike usual, however, the two weren't just brimming with excitement—they had a purpose in mind.

"Come on, Naruto!" Wendy tugged at his sleeve, her grip firm and insistent.

"Yeah, no running away this time," Carla added, her arms crossed, expression serious despite the slight quiver in her voice.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at the two, then looked at Mystogan trailing behind them. The elusive blue haired wizard had a somber look, but he said nothing. Instead, he gave a small nod, as if silently urging Naruto to go along with them.

With a sigh and a small chuckle, Naruto let the two girls drag him through the roads of Magnolia, their small hands clutching his as they made their way to the outskirts. He had a feeling where this was going.

When they arrived at their usual training spot—a vast, open field surrounded by dense trees—the three of them settled in the middle, taking a moment to breathe before the spar began. The grass swayed gently in the wind, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the clearing.

Naruto stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he eyed the two with a grin. "Alright, you two…" He cracked his knuckles, standing tall. "Show me what you've learned."

Wendy and Carla nodded, their eyes burning with determination.

Wendy took a deep breath, magic surging around her. "Vernier! Ile Vernier! Arms! Ile Arms! Armor! Ile Armor! Deus Corona! Deus Eques!"

A bright glow enveloped her and Carla, the air around them rippling as their speed, strength, and defenses were enhanced. Naruto could feel the shift in their energy—their magic had grown stronger.

Then, with a blur of white, Carla moved first.

She was fast. Faster than before. No longer the hesitant fighter who could barely last ten seconds against him. Her form was precise, her kicks sharper, more refined. She had long since shed the awkwardness of imitating Rock Lee's taijutsu and had fully become herself—no longer just a white cat, but a white tiger.

Naruto grinned as he dodged her spinning heel kick, feeling the wind whip past his face. "Not bad."

Before he could counter, Wendy was already there, gliding in with her own technique. Her strikes were soft yet forceful, reminiscent of the Gentle Fist, but instead of chakra, her hands pulsed with raw dragon slayer magic. Each palm thrust sent small gusts rippling through the field, making the grass dance.

Naruto weaved between their attacks with ease, his movements fluid and effortless. They've grown so much. Their coordination was better, their instincts sharper. But even with all their progress, he was still miles ahead.

The battle continued for what felt like an eternity. Neither Wendy nor Carla backed down, even as their breaths grew heavier. Naruto could see their growing frustration—the realization that no matter how much stronger they had become, the gap between them and him remained.

And then, he saw it.

Droplets.

Not from sweat, but tears.

Carla's kick came at him, but there was hesitation. Wendy's palm thrust toward his chest, but her fingers trembled.

With a swift but gentle motion, Naruto caught Carla's leg in one hand and Wendy's wrist in the other. Their bodies shook as they tried to steady themselves, but their eyes—red, glossy, overflowing—betrayed them.

"W-what's the matter, Wendy? Carla?" Naruto asked, voice softer now.

That was all it took for Wendy to break.

"I don't want you to leave!" she sobbed, her small frame trembling as she clutched onto him.

Carla bit her lip, trying to hold herself together, but it was futile. She buried her face in her sleek white dress, her shoulders shaking.

Mystogan, who had been silently watching from the sidelines, muttered under his breath, "Wendy… Carla…"

Naruto stood there, speechless, as the two clung to him. He had fought countless battles, faced overwhelming odds, and stood against powerful enemies—but this? This was something he wasn't prepared for.

The weight of their emotions hit him harder than any attack ever could.

So, he did the only thing he could.

He hugged them back.

Mystogan and Naruto remained quiet, giving them time. Time to cry. Time to let it all out.

Because no matter how strong they had become…

Goodbyes still hurt.

A moment of silence passed.

Wendy and Carla, their sobs having softened into sniffles, slowly loosened their grip on Naruto. Their small hands trembled before finally letting go, though their reluctance was evident.

Naruto exhaled, offering them a soft smile before lowering himself onto the grass. His fingers instinctively reached into his ninja pouch, rummaging through its contents before pulling out a familiar treat—a twin popsicle.

With a practiced motion, he snapped it in half.

The sound of the break was crisp, reminiscent of a different time, a different place—his younger self, sitting beside Jiraiya under the warm glow of the evening sun, sharing a similar moment. A moment of comfort. A moment of connection.

He handed one half to Wendy and the other to Carla, his smile laced with nostalgia.

"Here," he said, his voice light yet carrying the weight of something deeper.

It was a simple ritual, one they had kept after every spar. A small, unspoken tradition.

But this time, the cold, sweet ice cream tasted… different. It wasn't just the familiar taste of vanilla and fruit—it was tinged with something else. Something bitter. Something salty.

Their tears.

Wendy held the popsicle close, staring at it as if willing herself to take a bite, but her lips trembled. Carla, usually composed, sniffled before she finally took a small nibble, her ears twitching as she fought back the emotions threatening to resurface.

Mystogan, who had remained a silent observer until now, stepped forward and gently placed a hand on both their heads, ruffling Wendy's soft blue hair and giving Carla a reassuring pat. Without a word, he sat beside Naruto, his presence grounding the moment.

No one spoke for a while. They simply sat there in the vast grassland, the cool breeze carrying away the remnants of sadness, allowing quiet solace to take its place.

The sun, now sinking toward the horizon, painted the sky in hues of amber and violet. Shadows stretched across the field, elongating their figures as if time itself was trying to hold onto them just a little longer.

Then, breaking the silence, Naruto grinned.

"You know… When I was a kid, I did a lot of stupid things."

Wendy and Carla, still nibbling on their popsicles, glanced at him.

Mystogan raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't surprise me."

Naruto let out a chuckle. "Oi, lemme finish. So there was this one time when I tried to steal the Hokage's forbidden scroll—"

Wendy's eyes widened. "You stole from the Hokage?!"

Carla furrowed her brows. "What's a Hokage?"

Naruto blinked. "Oh, right. Uh… kinda like a guild master, but for ninjas. The strongest ninja in the village."

Wendy tilted her head. "So… like Master Makarov?"

"Sorta! But instead of running a guild, they run the whole village. And, y'know, they don't turn into giants." Naruto grinned.

Carla sighed. "And what was this 'forbidden scroll'?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "It had super powerful jutsu or— magic written in it. Like, really crazy techniques that normal ninjas weren't supposed to use."

Wendy gasped. "And you stole it?!"

"I told you, I was tricked!" Naruto pouted. "But yeah… that's actually how I learned my first jutsu. And lemme tell you, it was awesome."

Curious despite herself, Carla leaned in slightly. "And? What happened next?"

Naruto's grin widened. "Well, I learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu—it's like a cloning spell, but the clones are solid. And then I kicked ass."

From there, the stories flowed—tales of reckless pranks, impossible battles, and the wild adventures of a loudmouthed kid who just wouldn't quit.

With each story, the air around them lightened. The sadness lingering in Wendy and Carla's eyes softened, replaced by wonder, by laughter, by warmth.

The weight of the impending farewell was still there, but for now—just for this moment—it could wait.

And so they stayed, sitting together in the grass, sharing ice cream and stories, until the last traces of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon.

Magnolia

The quiet hum of the city settled over Naruto's small apartment as the night stretched on. The soft glow of street lamps outside painted the dimly lit room in warm hues, flickering against the walls like memories waiting to be revisited.

A sudden ring from the doorbell echoed through the space.

Naruto, who had been lounging in his worn-out chair, blinked before rising. It was rare for him to get visitors this late. And rarer still when the presence waiting outside was none other than Mirajane Strauss.

When he opened the door, his sharp blue eyes immediately noticed something off.

"It's rare to see you visiting, Mira," Naruto said, his tone casual, but his gaze was drawn downward.

She was holding a container lacrima in her hands.

Mirajane smiled softly, though there was a sadness in her expression that she couldn't quite hide.

"Can I come in, Naruto?" she asked.

Naruto hesitated for only a fraction of a second before stepping aside. "Sure, sure."

She walked in without another word, her presence filling the small space with a quiet weight.

The two settled in the modest living room. With practiced ease, Mirajane activated the lacrima, and in a soft shimmer of light, a warm bowl of homemade ramen appeared—her own special recipe. Alongside it, a bottle of alcohol and two mugs materialized.

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"A farewell date of sorts?" he asked, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, though his voice lacked its usual teasing edge.

Mirajane didn't answer immediately. Instead, she set the food down with care, her fingers lingering on the bowl as if grounding herself.

"I just… wanted to make memories one last time with you," she finally admitted, her voice softer now. She glanced up at him, and for once, there was no playful flirtation, no mischievous glint in her eyes—just something raw, something real.

Then, with a bittersweet chuckle, she added, "Mister married man."

Naruto exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "I'll humor you then."

He took the bowl of ramen, feeling the warmth seep into his hands, and grabbed a mug of beer.

And so the night stretched on.

The two ate in comfortable silence at first, the only sounds being the occasional clink of chopsticks and the gentle hum of the city outside. But soon, the walls filled with old stories and new ones, tales of past missions, guild antics, and the ridiculous moments they had shared over his stay in Fairy Tail.

Naruto laughed as Mirajane recalled the time he got roped into an impromptu modeling gig thanks to her scheming—where she had dressed him up, much to the amusement of the entire guild.

Mirajane snorted into her drink when Naruto reminded her of the time she had almost blown up the guild hall in an attempt to bake a cake for Lisanna—her younger sister's birthday.

Between bites of ramen and sips of beer, they reminisced, they laughed, they let the night carry them.

But underneath it all, there was a quiet understanding.

A farewell neither of them wanted to speak aloud.

As the night grew late, the conversation slowed, and the weight of reality settled in once more. Mirajane stared at her half-empty mug, running a finger along the rim before finally breaking the silence.

"…It won't be the same without you, you know?" she murmured.

Naruto leaned back, resting his arm on the couch, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. "It won't."

A small, sad smile graced Mirajane's lips. She didn't cry, didn't beg him to stay—she wasn't that kind of woman. But in that moment, she wished things had been just a little different.

Just for tonight, she allowed herself this moment.

And Naruto, despite everything, let her have it.

Somewhere between the quiet laughter and the lingering warmth of alcohol, the space between them felt smaller.

At some point, Mirajane shifted closer—just barely. A lazy, tired motion, the kind that could be excused as nothing more than seeking comfort. Yet, the way her fingers toyed with the rim of her empty mug, the way her eyes lingered on his face just a second too long—it was a lapse, fleeting but undeniable.

Naruto noticed.

The air felt heavier, or maybe it was just the lingering warmth of the room mixing with the slow haze of alcohol.

Mirajane's voice, softer than before, carried something unspoken. "You should get some sleep soon, Naruto."

He hummed in agreement.

"I'll clean this up first, then I'll take my leave," she said, rising to her feet. Gathering the empty bowls and mugs, she moved toward the kitchen with quiet grace.

Drowsy, Naruto watched her, his gaze following her movements. But then, in the dim light, he noticed it—the slight tremble in her shoulders, the way she turned her face just enough to hide it.

She was weeping.

Softly. Silently. Yet, with unmistakable grace, as if even her sorrow had to be beautiful.

Naruto lowered his gaze, a shadow passing over his expression.

Outside, the city slept. Inside, time blurred, stretched thin between what was and what could never be.

Chapter End