Chapter 3: A Dance Beneath the Scarlet Sky
Erza Scarlet was no ordinary mage. An S-rank prodigy from Fairy Tail, she was as formidable as she was fiercely devoted. Her burning scarlet hair and sharp brown eyes were framed by silver armor that gleamed faintly in the morning light, paired with a crisp blue skirt and sturdy black boots—battle-ready and effortlessly elegant.
Yet, beneath the tough exterior lay a girl whose heart beat with a singular wish: to protect her friends, no matter the cost.
Now, here she was, thoroughly exasperated after being dragged through the town for hours by a peculiar man who looked much too youthful to be called "old," yet carried an aura of age-old wisdom about him. White hair, a statuesque, battle-scarred body, and the kind of calm confidence that suggested he had seen wars far beyond her reckoning.
"You tricked me!" Erza snapped, her voice sharp as she drew her sword with a dramatic flourish. "I will not forgive you for this."
Naruto just smiled, clearly amused by her indignation. "Ark, watch and learn," he said, nodding towards his companion who lounged on a floating boulder nearby, looking equally curious and eager.
Turning back to Erza, Naruto's eyes gleamed with a friendly challenge. "I'm sorry if I made you angry. Hopefully, this will be a learning experience."
Inwardly, Naruto's gaze scanned Erza's form — assessing her stance, the grace in her attack, and the resolve behind those sharp eyes. Stats equalize, he mused quietly.
"I won't take unfair advantage," Naruto said, peeling off his robe with a casual stretch that showed the strength beneath his skin. With a flick of his wrist, a sword materialized in his hand—simple, yet elegant, with a fox etched delicately at the hilt.
Erza's fierce scowl deepened. "Don't underestimate me. I am Erza Scarlet!" she roared, dashing forward like a fiery storm.
Swift as a striking snake, she closed the distance, her sword slashing down from above. Naruto smiled serenely, adopting a relaxed stance. At the last moment, he sidestepped effortlessly and swung his blade close enough to whisper dead near her face—stopping mere inches before contact.
Leaping back just in time, Naruto watched as Erza summoned another sword, floating beside her like a loyal sentinel.
She paused, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. If he was truly serious, she could have been finished.
Not an enemy... then why is he fighting?
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"Don't be confused," Naruto said, his voice smooth and calm like a sage's whisper. "Clear your mind and fight without worry. This is a dance—enjoy it and forget the worries of the world."
Erza felt something stir deep inside her, a mysterious warmth that touched her soul. Suddenly, the arena—the sword, the wind, the light, the very presence of her opponent—focused everything into this one moment. She felt light, almost weightless, as she floated across the battleground, her countless armors and swords swirling around her in a mesmerizing storm of magic and steel.
Swords flew like shooting stars, used by both warriors with grace and precision. Erza shattered many of her own armors in the heat of battle, but instead of despair, she was flooded with pure joy. This moment was magical—like a memory of childhood, as if she was being taught by a loving father.
Is this the feeling of family? she wondered as exhaustion forced her to the ground, gazing at Naruto's kind, wise face.
Hours passed, and the night wrapped the arena in a soft, starry blanket.
"You did well, Erza," Naruto said gently, sitting beside her and brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. "I'm pleased with your progress."
"But I lost so many times," she said, voice quiet.
"And you learned from every mistake instead of repeating them. Now, about your reward... hmm, let me think," Naruto muttered, scratching his head in mock confusion.
Erza's cheeks flushed, shy and awkward. There's no need, she thought. I've already received something valuable.
"Nonsense!" Naruto grinned, producing a gleaming suit of armor and a slender sword from seemingly thin air. "Take this. The armor absorbs energy and grows stronger with every blow it takes. The sword is razor-sharp, durable, and can extend up to one kilometer."
Erza's eyes widened, and for a moment, she felt like a child again—too happy and overwhelmed to refuse. She carefully stored the gifts, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Naruto chuckled, pinching her cheeks gently. "You're welcome. You look adorable—reminds me of my own children."
Erza blinked, surprised, but before she could respond, Naruto lifted her gently, carrying her off the ground.
"The one who purified that demon? A fairy, something like this," Naruto said, showing her a small, glowing image. It was a petite woman with delicate green wings, a white dress, and a shining golden halo.
"I saw her by pure chance, camping in the forest," Naruto added, his tone turning serious, awed—as if sharing a secret too incredible for words.
Erza's usual skepticism melted away. In this moment, she accepted the tale with wide-eyed wonder.
"Is that so? Thank you for your help," she said softly.
"No problem. Now, how about a relaxing bath followed by a nice dinner?" Naruto suggested cheerfully, leaping down as the arena vanished, replaced by the peaceful normalcy of the town.
Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, a subtle illusion had shielded the spectacle from prying eyes—Naruto's way of keeping the spotlight away from himself.
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The trio emerged from the bathhouse feeling wonderfully refreshed, the warm steam still clinging to their skin. Naruto, clad in nothing but a pair of shorts, stretched leisurely, his scarred body glistening faintly under the fading sun. Each scar told its own tale—battles fought and won across distant lands, etched like a tapestry on his skin.
"Wasn't that relaxing?" Naruto asked, glancing over at Erza, who was quietly sipping from a bottle of milk.
Erza nodded in agreement, though she eyed the bottle suspiciously before downing it in one swift gulp. "Not bad," she admitted, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Good!" Naruto grinned, pulling his shirt on. "Now, let's go eat the town's specialty."
The trio made their way to the next eatery, a cozy little place filled with the rich aroma of roasting mutton. They settled down with plates of tender meat, fresh bread, and frothy glasses of mead.
Naruto's keen senses were in full swing, carefully analyzing the taste before subtly infusing his chakra to enhance the flavors. Erza watched in fascination as he moved his hands gracefully over the food, a soft glow surrounding it.
At first, Erza found the meat bland and ordinary, but once Naruto's chakra touched it, her fork flew faster than she expected. The flavors blossomed into a symphony on her tongue—the best meat dish she had ever tasted.
By the end of the meal, Erza was following Naruto like a loyal pup, her usual strict demeanor softened by the shared experience.
Naruto stopped and looked down at her with a gentle smile. "It's time for us to go our separate ways."
Erza blinked, feeling an unexpected tug of conflict. Her duties with the guild called her back, yet a small part of her wished to stay by his side just a little longer.
Naruto raised his hands and shouted, "Wave of forgetfulness!" with a clap that echoed through the quiet street.
As he walked away, Ark turned his head to see Erza staring blankly, as if caught between worlds, before she slowly turned and left.
"What a scary skill! You wouldn't try that on me, would you?" Ark asked with a wary look.
"No way," Naruto chuckled, glancing back one last time at the fading figure of the little Scarlet. "You're my partner. I used it because she has a life to live, not to be trailing after an old man like me."
With that, Naruto mounted Ark, and together they set off toward the mountain range, the next destination on their journey.
As the night settled, they reached the foot of the mountains. Naruto pitched camp and settled down, ready to rest beneath the stars until morning.
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The soft chime of the morning train station stirred Erza from her thoughts as she prepared to leave. The sun was just beginning to warm the cobblestone streets of the town, the kind of gentle light that promised new beginnings and quiet journeys.
She walked steadily toward the station, her silver armor clinking softly with each step, her scarlet hair catching the early light like a flame. Boarding the train, she settled by the window, letting the world outside blur and flow like the pages of a story unfolding.
Her gaze drifted downward, and there it was—the small fairy keychain, nestled quietly in her palm. The delicate wings shimmered faintly, and with that gentle sparkle, memories came flooding back.
Erza's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she hurriedly covered her face with her hand, half wishing the train would derail just so she could disappear from the world for a moment. "I want to bury myself," she thought, biting her lip. "How could I have acted like such a child?"
Questions tumbled through her mind like restless leaves in a storm. "Why did he do this? Will we ever meet again? Should I tell the guild?"
But then she shook her head firmly, a serene resolve settling over her like a soft cloak. "No. This is something just between us. He deserves his peace—and so do I."
With a gentle sigh, Erza tucked the keychain safely away, a secret smile tugging at her lips. She would keep her eyes open, always just a little more aware, ready for the day their paths might cross once more.
And with that quiet promise, the train rumbled forward, carrying her toward home—and toward whatever adventures awaited.