Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor will I ever and I do not have any association with the owner, Masashi Kishimoto. All credit towards the creation of any and all Naruto characters, themes, ideas, plots, and places belong to he, Masashi Kishimoto.

I also do not own Fairy Tail, the credit of any and all created Fairy Tail characters, as well as places, ideas, themes, and plots, belong to Hiro Mashima.

A/N: "Speech" - "Thought" - "Tailed Beast" - "Jutsu/Spells" - Normal Emphasis - "Tailed Beast Emphasis"

So after some thought I'm making some changes to the way I refer to Naruto's various modes. Chakra Mode is how Naruto looked when he first got control of Kurama's chakra. Chakra Mode Level 2 will refer to his second stage with the chakra formed cloak and Naruto's black shirt. Tailed Beast Mode/Kurama Mode is the Nine Tails made from chakra or I'll even refer to this as Kurama himself or the Nine Tails.

Also, I'm sure you guys have noticed the fact that I've changed the chapter title, mainly because I felt that the chapter title I had previously chosen is a better fit for a later chapter so I had to make this adjustment. I do apologize if it gave you guys any impressions as to what expect from this chapter but I hope you all will not be disappointed by this chapter.

"We all have our demons inside us, the way we live determines whether or not they win or we do."

-Unknown

Episode 3: First Encounters

Season 1: A New Journey

Series: World of Fire

***August 19th, Hargeon Town's Port - 9:30 A.M.***

Preparations had been slowed down due to a storm that had rolled through the area, putting the voyage on hold for a few days, much to a certain dragonslayer's enthusiasm, claiming it gave them time to relax before heading towards battle, albeit the group knew he was just relieved he could wait before having to be miserable. Still, Natsu and Lucy spent a great deal of time together during those few days, leaving themselves with questions as to the other's feelings and their own feelings, though this namely applied only to Natsu as he tried to discern whether or not he truly loved Lucy. Lucy, to her credit, was trying her best to show Natsu that she was very much interested in being with him without coming out and saying it which proved to be a challenge for the girl who had seen the dragonslayer's brash ways rub off on her to some degree.

The rest of the group was thankful when they could begin loading up as the romantic tension between the two was becoming unbearable when they did things as a team. Gray had even been threatened by Erza to not tease Natsu or even talk to him about it any form, saying that the dragonslayer had to sort these feelings out himself.

The special voyage that they had paid for, thanks to Master Makarov, was now making it's final preparations with Fairy Tail's strongest team loading the remainder of their own supplies. Natsu was being flown to and fro simply for the sake that he was trying to avoid getting on that ship as much as possible. Lucy and the rest of the team could only sigh at the futility of his efforts but all came to a halt as they heard a shout in the distance.

"Lu!"

All eyes turned in the direction of the voice and were definitively surprised but no less pleased to see Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Pantherlilly, and Elfman walking towards them.

"You guys!" cried Lucy as a large smile broke onto her face, one that was mirrored by everyone save Natsu who had touched down beside Lucy. Natsu was frowning with his right eyebrow raised as he stared at the approaching Gajeel.

Gajeel, of course, took great offense to this as he marched up to the fire dragonslayer's face.

"What the hell is that look for?! Something on my face Salamander?!"

Natsu refused to back down, gritting his teeth and his eyes giving off his annoyed stature as he slammed his forehead against Gajeel's.

"You lookin' for a fight metalhead?! 'Cause I'll gladly take you on!"

"Is that so you stupid volcano?!"

"Yeah! Loser has to go back home!"

"Alright you're on!"

Lucy grabbed Natsu by the end of his scarf and dragged him away while Elfman held Gajeel in his spot by his long mane of hair.

"Ow! Levy what the hell?!"

"Luce c'mon! Let me fight him!"

Lucy finally rounded on him.

"You can't! Master sent them here to come with us so that they can help us out. Supposedly he's gone to the council to see about other guilds sending teams to meet up with us once we get there. Right Levy?"

The light blue haired woman nodded.

"Yup, those are the Master's orders."

Natsu growled, "Why the hell do we need all this help? I bet we could take care of things ourselves."

Levy instantly dismissed this with her next sentence.

"The council was supposedly tipped off by Crime Sorciere that Zeref was making his way over there and the council even confirmed it. Master went to try and convince them to send some of the guilds over but last I knew the council wasn't budging on the issue saying that we would be sufficient enough to at least confirm these reports."

"So the master sent you guys along in case we need the extra backup." came the rationale of one Erza Scarlet, earning a nod from the intellectual.

"Knowing how Crime Sorciere operates though, we might run into them too. So it's hard to say for certain if it'll just be us and depending on what happens we may end up with even more support too."

Erza nodded, "In that case let's get a move on and head out. It'll take us about three weeks to reach these nations so let's hurry!"

The severity of the situation settled upon the group, each turning to their own grim thoughts and trying to mentally prepare themselves for the dangers that lie at the end of their voyage. Occupying themselves as they did so by hastening to load their supplies as quickly as possible while laying claim to rooms on the ship in the hopes to set sail well before the noon hour.

At least, that was the case until Natsu pushed Gray into the sea shouting as he did.

"Don't strip so close to me you damn pervert!"

***Meanwhile - Mountain Graveyard***

He had been finalizing his plans and had just been able to account for Kabuto's special pieces to the war effort with the army of Zetsus being nothing special to really be concerned over, they were a simply a quantity with which to match the Five Great Nations and even then were still outnumbered, so he hoped to be able to match quantity with quality by utilizing Kabuto's Reanimation Jutsu. He planned to keep Sasuke waiting in the wings until Naruto came out of hiding, hoping that those two pieces would cancel out and kill the other, leaving him with two less threats to contend with.

That was the case, at least, until the arrival of the newcomer. Obito remembered the original Madara telling him of the individual who helped him realize his true goal, but Obito had not anticipated seeing him in the flesh. Even more surprising was how young he looked, late teens, maybe early 20s at the most, Obito wondered if it was some kind of a clone or jutsu that kept him in such a state. Obito, though, refused to simply accept him so he remained cautious, forcing Kabuto to disappear and prepare his special pieces for deployment while Obito spoke with Madara's friend.

Zeref eyed Obito up and down, the other doing the same. Zeref smirked, deeming him to be one he could easily manipulate but knew that it would take a matter of precision and accuracy to pull it off.

Obito on the other hand was trying to gauge the nature of this individual's chakra and just how much of a threat he was, something that would be easier to discern after engaging in conversation.

"My, let's say associates, inform me that you have come to aid our cause with an army to aid us?"

Zeref smiled, deciding to play one of his many trump cards first.

"So you're the one acting under his name huh? It's impressive though I'm afraid you don't give off the same intimidation as your predecessor. Yes, I have an army to serve under me and to aid this cause, but I'm afraid that my own enemies have been alerted to my movements. We'll have to deal with them as well."

Obito sighed internally, his mind taking in the information and discerning potential outcomes.

"You make a better case for me to kill you than to allow you to join, you'll simply make our efforts more difficult."

Zeref's smile only grew.

"I assure you stronger men have tried. In terms of my own enemies, I'm sure they would eventually notice your war and intervene at some point, especially if they felt there was a major threat growing. The government that rules the land known as Fiore possesses a certain spell, or what you would call a jutsu, that could completely eradicate this entire continent and everybody on it."

Obito's eyes dangerously narrowed.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, simply warning you that you need my assistance. I can keep this government from and my enemies from intervening, by creating a war of multiple fronts and create confusion for the enemy. At that point you can swoop in and achieve your goals."

Obito's eyes had not yet changed, nor had he allowed the tension to disappear.

"You say that but what are your goals? Why would you aid us? What is it that you desire?"

Zeref gave a sadistic smile before responding to the question.

"In all honesty, I seek only one thing, something that can only be achieved through this war."

The curiosity grew within Obito as he asked the most dangerous question of them all.

"And what is that?"

"Death."

***Meanwhile - Turtle Island - Inside the Waterfall of Truth - Jinchuuriki Chamber***

He had been a little upset, being forced to wait and all, but he also understood why he had to wait. A young girl showing up when you're fighting yourself with the news of allies on the way is kind of a big deal, especially to avoid any misunderstandings. Still, he had the sneaking suspicion that something was going to go wrong in those regards. He shook his head, physically removing such thoughts from his head, forcing himself to focus on the more immediate task as soon as Captain Yamato returned. His right hand slid across to his abdomen, his eyes following that hand as he did so, a show of sympathy on his face as he stared down at his abdomen.

"I hate to do this to you Nine Tails, but right now, I need to be able to control your power more than you do."

He was about to ask to Bee to spar with him when Captain Yamato strode into the chamber.

"I've just sent a message within a flock of messenger hawks to prevent them from being intercepted."

"Awright! That means it's time to begin and give Naruto the win! Wheeee!"

Yamato sweatdropped at the rapped declaration while Naruto punched his right hand into his open left.

"Yeah! Let's get this started!"

Naruto then paused as his arms dropped to their respective sides as he looked around.

"So, uh, how do we do this?"

Yamato looked to Killer Bee for this answer, curious to know how he fit into this and what he needed to do in order to help Naruto gain control over the Nine Tails chakra.

"First things first, Naruto you need to get the key out and ready, Yamato, use your Wood Style to keep him steady."

Naruto nodded while Yamato glanced at Bee, curiosity written all across his face.

"Keep him steady?"

Yamato then assumed that Bee glanced at him, though he couldn't be sure due to the shades, but none the less knew that Bee was addressing him.

"In case Naruto fails, your Wood Style will have to keep the Nine Tails at bay so that we can seal him."

"So how does this work exactly? You said Naruto would have to fight the Nine Tails and remove the chakra from him but what does that have to do with keys?"

"Not keys fool, but the key to the seal will be his greatest tool."

"You mean…"

"In order for Naruto to fight the Nine Tails he has to unlock the seal and thus unlock the Nine Tails."

"Absolutely not! That's far too risky even by Naruto's standards! There has to be another way to do this."

Killer Bee opened his mouth to interject but it was Naruto who beat him to it.

"Captain Yamato we don't have a choice, if I can't control the Nine Tails' chakra then I can't fight Sasuke or put an end to this war and beat Madara. I have to do this, no matter what it takes! I owe it to Nagato, Sakura and everybody else that the Akatsuki has hurt!"

Yamato's shoulders slumped as he blew a sigh of defeat.

"I have a feeling we're gonna regret this."

Naruto smiled, "C'mon Captain Yamato, have a little faith in me!"

With that Naruto settled himself into the lotus position, his forearms resting on his thighs and the backs of his fingers touching as he pressed his fingertips to his thumbs. He then allowed his eyes to close as Yamato summoned forth several sprigs of a wood, each adorned with a face and ears at the top. Bee then walked within the wooden perimeter and placed his hand upon the red whirlpool on the back of Naruto's jacket, sitting behind the blonde teen and crossing his own legs as well.

***Enter Naruto's Mindscape***

Naruto then allowed himself to fall within his mindscape, willing himself to the sealed gates of the Nine Tails, Bee's voice echoing as he did.

"Yo Naruto, due to your seal there's only so much help I can give you if you want it. Just know that you're better off than not having it."

Naruto's own voice echoed as he walked through the ankle deep water.

"Sure thing Octopops, just make sure the Nine Tails doesn't know until we want him to."

"Sounds like a plan, my main man."

The remainder of Naruto's trek was made in silence, save for the soft splashing of his footsteps. After what felt like forever, but was in reality only a few minutes, Naruto saw the locked gates that held the fearsome Nine Tails. Naruto then stopped about 1.5 meters away from the gate, causing the large fox's crimson eyes to open.

"Good you're awake. I wouldn't want this to be boring, I want you to really make me earn it y'know?"

Naruto allowed himself to float through the air, closing the gap between himself and the gate while moving closer to the postered seal over the lock of the gate. Naruto stretched his right hand out, fingering the top edge of the large of poster before tearing it off the gate and allowing it to drift to floor.

"Naruto, what are you talking about? What do you think you're doing?"

Naruto then used his left hand to grab the hem of his jacket and undershirt, lifting them up as Naruto bit down on the orange fabric. The ink of the seal was then made visible cluing the Nine Tails to what was happening. Naruto then stretched out his right hand, flexing it as he did so, his fingers bent to emphasize the fingertips where his chakra flared as the ink of the key appeared on the palm of his hand and along his right forearm. His right hand then slapped upon his abdomen, his fingertips digging into his own flesh. Naruto then twisted the skin with his hand, effectively beginning to unlock the seal, with the gate unlocking through a variety of clicks as they swirled in a whirlpool fashion, mimicking the ink of the seal on Naruto's abdomen.

The Nine Tails and Naruto both watched as the gate became unlocked, the last pin finally disappearing from view. As that happened a large, fingered paw thrusted through the seam of the gates, busting them open, Naruto had consciously willed himself backwards as fast as he could, his arms crossing over his face to shield himself from the blow, his right eye closed from the force of the wind that had been generated while his left eye focused on the roaring Nine Tails.

"Oh, I see. You want to be in control of my chakra. Do you honestly expect me to just let you take it?!"

Naruto grit his teeth, but also couldn't help the grin that made its way onto his face.

"It's not like I figured it would be easy y'know! But I don't have a choice either, I have to put an end to this war!"

Naruto flared his chakra slightly, causing it to take form as a chakra shadow that hovered above Naruto. It was almost like a translucent shadow clone sticking to Naruto, sharing the same pair of legs. As the gust of wind died down, Naruto uncrossed his arms and opened his right eye, taking in the Nine Tails and his surroundings, his mind trying to come up with some way he could latch his chakra onto the Nine Tails'.

"I need some way to distract him, or if I use Sage Mode a few clones might be able to hold him still long enough for me to grab a hold of his chakra."

In that brief moment, large octopus tentacles smashed through the wall to Naruto's left and up out of the ground beneath the Nine Tails. The tentacle that came from the wall caught the Nine Tails' right arm while the tentacle below the Nine Tails wrapped itself around the Nine Tails' throat.

"Octopops!"

"I got him Naruto! Now go!"

"Right!"

Naruto then willed himself to surge forward in a burst of speed hoping to take advantage of the Nine Tails' current position. Unfortunately for Naruto, the Nine Tails was faster, his left paw came slashing across, his long nails slicing through the tentacles, intent on shredding Naruto by the same time. Naruto was lucky enough to see the strike coming and threw his legs out in front of him, bending his upper torso backwards, willing himself to reverse direction as fast as possible. The sharp nails of the Nine Tails were about a quarter of an inch from tearing through Naruto's jacket waved with the gust of air that was created by the slashing claw.

Naruto then grimaced, realizing that he should have taken that opportunity to enter into Sage Mode, not rush the Nine Tails. Now he'd have to figure out a way to buy some time so that he could draw in the Nature Energy safely.

"You dare to join forces with the Eight Tails and his jinchuuriki?! I will destroy you and be rid of my cage! I will reclaim the respect that I deserve as the strongest of the Tailed Beasts!"

"Yo Naruto! I can't do much more to help you, since my power is limited. I know you can take him as long as you don't get timid."

Naruto smirked, "Don't worry Octopops, there's no way that's happening. Just buy me some time ok?!"

"Fuh sure!"

Naruto then willed himself even further back trying to create more space between him and the Nine Tails. The Nine Tails brought his tails over his head, using them to charge and concentrate his massive chakra, forming a small black sphere and surging more chakra into it, forcing the sphere to grow in size.

Naruto's eyes widened as he felt the massive amounts of chakra being concentrated into the black sphere. He then grit his teeth before shutting his eyes and focus on the Nature Energy around him.

"I have to hurry, that much power could completely blow me away and while I'm entering Sage Mode I'm completely wide open. If I can't enter Sage Mode in time then Nine Tails will break free and that doesn't lead to Sasuke."

The Nine Tails forced it to grow until it was as large as Pein Nagato's Planetary Devastation Jutsu that had been used to capture Naruto. Nine Tails then forced it to condense and concentrate until it was no larger than the size of a single pea. Nine Tails then opened his large maw and lurched his head forward, clamping down on the sphere as he did. Steam then poured through Nine Tails' large, sharp teeth as his cheeks enlarged, giving him the look of an angry chipmunk with a long snout, sharp teeth, orange fur, and large ears. Nine Tails then opened his mouth firing a red, concentrated beam at Naruto.

Even through his closed eyes, Naruto could see the flash of red, and in that same expanse of time it disappeared. Naruto heard the beam make contact with some type of flesh but it wasn't until he opened his eyes, pupils a rectangle laying on it's long side, his irises as yellow as his hair and his eyes surrounded by orange rings, signifying Sage Mode.

The first thing that Naruto saw when he opened his eyes was a large purple hand that tore through the floor in front of Naruto and absorbed the full force of the Nine Tails's blast in it's palm, almost like a catcher's mitt.

"Octopops!"

"Sorry Naruto, I know you needed the time so this will be my last rhyme. I can't help you much more in here, the best I can do is root and give ya cheer only out here."

"It's fine Octopops, thanks for all your help. Just leave the rest to me!"

Naruto then once again turned his focus to the Nine Tails, eyes determined, mind and heart both racing.

"It's just you and me now brat. Do you still think you can beat me?"

"I don't have a choice! I need your power for my friends, for Sakura, to save Sasuke and put an end to this war. I have to beat you!"

"Then come and get me brat!"

Naruto surged forward through the air, a Rasengan forming in his right hand as he flew towards the large beast.

"Just remember you asked for-"

Naruto's eyes widened as he came to an immediate halt in the air, having only closed half the distance between the Nine Tails.

"-it...it's huge!"

Nine Tails, when he first saw Naruto stop, thought that the boy had finally felt fear at the reality of fighting a Tailed Beast such as himself. What he then realized though was that Naruto was no longer looking at him, and what the brat had just said made Nine Tails realize that he was no longer the subject. Nine Tails then turned his head to look behind him, his tails sinking to the ground as he did so, his slitted crimson eyes widening as well.

There, behind the massive Tailed Beast and where the gate that held him had once been, was a massive red dragon, wings spread and it's hind legs supporting it.

"ROOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRR!"

I know this isn't nearly as long as my usual chapters but I decided that this was a great place to stop for now and leave a great place for us to open up with in the next chapter. Era of the Sixth will be updated next of course and then The Burning Stars will be updated after that and then we'll come back to this as per usual. As always, please review and PM me with any comments, questions or concerns about this story or any of the other two that I have out. As always, this is The 85th Naruto sayin' see ya!

Next Time: Onslaught