~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~
(Four years later…)

Naruto, who possessed a dynamic physique, stood atop the cliff and studied the terrain with analytical eyes. He sniffed the atmosphere and a pleasant aroma of roses captured his rapt attention.

Naruto blinked as he was enveloped by a soothing breeze before he levitated into the air. A miniature whirlwind was generated on his palm as he gazed sombrely at his environment. The blond noticed the shrubs stirred in the northern region and he dispersed the current. "You can't hide from me."

With a jubilant smirk, Naruto dove down to the bottom of the highland in astonishing velocity before he aimed his gloved palm at the ground, which illuminated a bright glow. Gravity attenuated gradually and the blond descended on the dirt surface in a nimble motion. Dusting his attire, the blond surveyed the vegetation dispassionately. "Let's get this party starting! Boido Meiku: Tsuisutataron!" (Void-Make: Twister Talon)

Naruto's right arm was engulfed by a torrent of wind before it whiplashed to existence. The blond swung his appendage with paramount might, bifurcating the surrounding trees apart with relatively ease. "Stop hiding, Erza-chan! Angel-chan! Tear-chan! I'm bored! Come out and fight me already! If not, I'll destroy this entire place! Imagine how many trees have to be sacrificed just for me to lure you three out!"

A vibrant slash of energy, accompanied by a devastating fissure, travelled ferociously towards the blond. Sidestepping the assault with a nonchalant attitude, Naruto chuckled before he leaped into the sky. "Shado Hiko: Kuroi Dasshu!" (Shadow Flight: Black Dash)

Naruto evaded another chaotic myriad of slashes with a decisive aerial evasion. However, he was startled when he perceived danger from behind.

Erza, dressed in her signature titanium armour, appeared above her rival. Without hesitation, she blitzed at the blond with a barrage of fluid strikes from her claymore. Naruto gritted his teeth as he ducked from Erza's preeminent swordsmanship and vanished into a black static. The redhead narrowed her eyes and switched her sight to the ground. "Duplication Magic, huh? I almost forgot about that. Still… we should end this quick."

With almighty strength, Erza brought her blade down, embedding a gargantuan crater to the unforgiving ground in the process before she discharged a seismic wave of virulent energy towards Naruto, who was hiding behind a boulder.

"Persistent, aren't we?" The blond grinned before he retreated; he watched in awe as the ground was bisected. "This won't do. I'll be at the defensive side if she-"

"Daitenshi no Shoten." (Ascension of the Archangel)

Naruto covered his eyes with an arm as a blinding ray of light consumed the forest.

Empowered with holy magic, Angel sprouted her seraphic wings as the surge of her beatific energy subsided. She wore a vivid blue dress adorned with feathers that embellished her developing figure. The silver-haired girl smiled bashfully at her idol and winked. "Naruto-sama, ready or not, here I come. Gaburiera no Horun!" (Gabriella's Horn)

A celestial horn materialised before Angel and she inhaled voluminous amount of air; a divine set of magical seals were formed. She let out a scream and Naruto anticipated an outcome of affliction.

"Ah shit."

The blond was blown away by the ungodly blast. Regaining his bearings, Naruto shook his head as he tried to recover from the piercing shriek and his irritating nausea. His sight was jarred, but he could still analyse his predicament. Angel, however, was unyielding as she tossed trinkets of glittery lights at the blond. "Basked by my endless love, Naruto-sama! Gaburiera no Kozumikku Jajjimento!" (Gabriella's Cosmic Judgement)

The sparkling globes erupted into a series of disastrous explosion and a tidal wave of disintegrating energy was released. Naruto hastily improvised a plan and channelled arcane magic into his arms before drawing intricate magic circles in the air. "This should reduce the impact! Boido Meiku: Disutoshon!" (Void-Make: Distortion)

Naruto forcefully opened a dimensional rift and warped the assailment into the abyssal darkness. "Ah! Fuck my life! It won't make it in time!"

Swiftly, the blond darted to safety before the spell went haywire. "Damn. They are very good."

"You almost forgot about me, Naruto-kun." A seductive voice lingered in the air, sending a shuddering chill up Naruto's spine. "Furasshu Fowado!" (Flash Forward)

Ultear summoned a magnitude of orbs, which were hovering in the atmosphere, before directing them towards the startled blond. Naruto manoeuvred himself away from the bombardment of luminous beams and chortled. "Missed! What's the point of throwing shits at me when you can't hit your target, Tear-chan!"

"Gaburiera no Horun!" (Gabriella's Horn)

Naruto received an unexpected assault and slammed to a colossal tree. Grunting in pain, the blond wiped the blood from his lips and spat. "That fucking hurts!"

Erza stood before a distracted Naruto with her blade, fuelled with tremendous energy, and she smirked triumphantly. "This is it, Naruto! Kanso: Raitei no Yoroi!" (Ex-Quip: Lightning Empress's Armour)

The redheaded knight was donned in golden armour tantamount to a goddess's. Erza wore ribbons, styled in an oriental fashion, on her scarlet hair and kept a cascading braid behind her back. Her outfit consisted of a robust breastplate decorated by exotic trimmings, her pauldrons were sported with spikes protrusion, her hands equipped with medieval gauntlets, and her breechcloth was emblazoned with lightning tribal.

Swinging her sceptre stylishly, Erza pierced the air and launched a shower of thunderbolts at Naruto. "Raitei no Mai: Odin no Ikari!" (Dance of the Lightning Empress: Odin's Wrath)

"This ain't gonna end pretty." Naruto infused vortex of potent energy into his arms and thrust his fist at the redhead. "Ryujin no Hyakujuhachi Tenshou: Kuzuryu Shinken!" (Dragon God's 108 Divine Palms: Nine-Headed Dragon's Heavenly Blades)

"Riwaindo!" (Rewind)

Naruto was stupefied when he realised his attack vaporised into nothingness. "What the fu-"

Cataclysm struck the earthen assemblage as hazardous lightning cackled and devoured the tropical jungle in an indomitable explosion.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Hades guffawed in a frenzy of delighted glee as he watched the holographic panel, which displayed his subordinates' battle. "Do you even expect Naruto to be dominated by those girls? It is indeed a rare sight to see how the conjoined might of Erza, Angel and Ultear could surpass that of a God."

"The boy wasn't even serious." Bluenote cocked a brow. "What makes you think those flimsy brats can beat the boy who wields the inextinguishable flames of the goddess? A genuine God Slayer was said to be either the messiah or a destroyer of the world. I hate to admit, but that boy will be a threat in the future. Who knows what he wants to do with that much power."

"Power is everything." The guild master retorted. "And those powers will be used to my advantage."

"And what makes you think he will give you the benefits? He is an untamed monster. He may be bound by a purpose, but it is not enough to make him stay for long. His bonds with the girls are what keeping the leash on his neck secured." The deputy commander twirled his glass of wine. "Don't you think it is inconceivable for him to pledge his allegiance to us if he has powers beyond our imagination?"

"I have every confidence that I can bind him to my services." Hades scowled.

Bluenote took a sip from his alcoholic beverage and smirked. "And what consequences are you willing to pay for his services?"

"Ultear sees me as her foster father. And with her as my pawn, I will betroth her to the boy. I know he has feelings for the girl. In fact, I am sure he has feelings for Erza as well. If Ultear and Erza stay by my side, Naruto will not revolt."

The deputy commander narrowed his eyes. "And for how long will it last?"

"As long as I want. After all, I am Hades, the god of a new world." Hades whispered with conviction gleaming in his eyes.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Angel stood beside her brethrens with solicitude plastered on her comely features. "Did we overdo it?"

Ultear folded her arms underneath her bosom and smirked. "That won't be enough to kill him."

Erza dismissed her magic and exhaled a laboured breath. "But that will be enough to wear him down."

The smoke stirred and the girls were bemused. Naruto charred body lay motionlessly on the demolished field. Angel was horrified at what they had done. Erza, too, was petrified as she dropped her sword and dashed towards the blond. Ultear seized her pearl orb and followed Erza. "N-Naruto!"

When the silver-haired girl reached the blond, she gently took his mutilated form in her grasp and wept. "N-Naruto-sama! You could have stopped that attack!"

Erza's hands trembled as she gasped in dismay. "N-Naruto! I-I killed…"

Ultear blinked rapidly, trying to decipher her dilemma. "T-This can't be! Naruto-kun's flames are supposed to protect him! It couldn't have malfunctioned like this!"

"Hahaha! You three actually think you can just beat me with that lightning spell?" Naruto laughed in hysteria as he clutched his stomach, albeit his face was blemished with dirt; he was standing behind the girls while the scorched body vanished into smoke. Erza, Ultear and Angel were furious as they glared menacingly at the guffawing blond. "The same old Bunshin Maho makes best game of the year! Believe it!"

"Oh, Naruto-kun!" Ultear sang sweetly.

"We're gonna play!" Erza finished with a mellifluous tone.

Angel let out her glorious wings and grinned. "Naruto-sama, do you like it hard or tender?"

Naruto ceased his laughter and blinked in confusion. "W-What?"

In the midst of deranged fury, the three girls charged towards the blond, who fled away with an unmanly shriek.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~
(A few hours later…)

"Ah! My children! You have arrived just in time." Hades stood up from his gothic throne and smiled. "I have prepared a feast for you."

"What's with the celebration?" Naruto smirked as he seized an apple from the plate and settled down on his respective seat.

Rustyrose twitched his fingers flamboyantly and smiled at the blond. "It isn't a usual sight to see you around the dining table, Naruto."

"I prefer eating outside." Naruto stared stoically at the silver-haired man. "The dining room in this airship is kinda… suffocating."

"Yes, especially when you keep trashes around you!" Rustyrose laughed.

Naruto's eyelid twitched vigorously before he materialised before the snickering Rustyrose and seized his throat. "You better watch that snarky mouth of yours, Rust. You know better that I hate taking nonsense from people like you. And I particularly detest people talking shit about my friends! Erza-chan and Angel-chan may not be one of the Kin of Purgatory, but they are still part of this guild."

"Naruto!" Hades bellowed, but he was promptly ignored.

"Let me warn you, Rust." Naruto leaned closer and glared lividly at a frightened Rustyrose. "I can snap your neck faster than you can think narcissistic crap about yourself. If I hear one more insult from you, I will burn you to death. Know your place and drop that arrogant tone of yours when you talk to your superior. Do I make myself clear?"

"I…" The grey-haired boy stammered.

"Do I make myself clear, Rust?" The blond repeated with his infuriated gaze boring into his junior.

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Good. I'm glad that we have a truce. Have some humility and you'll do great, Rust." Naruto smiled benignly as he removed his grip from Rustyrose's neck. The blond straightened his compatriot's collar and patted his shoulder, who was fidgeting in terror. Naruto strolled to his chair and squashed the lugubrious ambience with a cheery grin. "Okay! Let's eat, shall we?"

"Naruto." Azuma addressed in a respectful manner. "I heard that the training simulation you've conducted with Ultear, Erza and Angel is a fruitful one. The reports have stated that they have cleverly beaten you."

"Yes, my man!" Naruto exclaimed joyously. "Those girls really have grown up. If I haven't drawn out the powers of my flames in that precise moment, I would have been lying in a coffin by now! Erza may not be a user of sacred magic, but her prowess is not to be underestimated. She has the capability to surpass any member of the Kin of Purgatory if she is ambitious enough."

The rest of the members swallowed hard at the subtle comment.

"Is that true, Ultear?" Hades questioned.

"Yes, Master Hades." The raven-haired beauty responded in a monotone. "I played a minor role in the assessment. Nevertheless, Erza and Angel were able to use their magic to corner Naruto-kun and bring him to submission. I personally think Erza deserves the S-Class trial."

"Ultear!" Naruto chided and shot a glare of umbrage at his partner.

"I believe Ultear is right." Hades smirked in approval. "Erza is strong. It will be a waste of her talent to be a mere underling when she can rise through the ranks. Do you have a problem with that, Naruto?"

"I do."

"And what is that?" The guild master retorted. "Don't you find yourself a walking mess of contradiction? You said it yourself. She has become strong. That will settle it. Erza Scarlet shall commence her preparation for the S-Class trial."

"This is madness!"

"Is it?" Bluenote huffed haughtily. "We know that you have desires to protect her. But she is an asset to Grimoire Heart! This won't be overlooked! Erza will participate in the S-Class trial and become part of the Kin of Purgatory! And when Angel has flourished in strength, her turn will come."

"But-"

Hades raised a hand to silence the blond. "I don't understand what's with your vehemence, Naruto! You, too, have participated in the S-Class trial! And you have survived! What makes you think Erza can't? Are you belittling her capability? Or are you afraid that she might rise to power and take your mantle as leader of the Kin of Purgatory?"

"Nonsense!" Naruto refuted.

"Enough! I have enough of your impudence! I shall have none of this!" The deputy commander interrupted. "I think-"

The blond growled as malevolent flames ignited in his eyes. "I DON'T GIVE FUCK-SHIT OF WHAT YOU THINK! ERZA WILL NOT-"

Ultear snatched Naruto's wrist and dragged him away, not before bowing politely to her superiors. "Naruto-kun is not thinking right. Please forgive his outrage. I'll calm him down. I'm sure he will understand and reach to the same conclusion as you do, milord."

"Tear-chan, you-"

The raven-haired girl placed a finger on his lips and smiled deviously. "Follow me, Naruto-kun."

Hades subdued his wrath and glared at the slammed door. "That boy is starting to irk me."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Ultear pushed her companion to their chambers and caressed his cheek. "Calm down and let me explain, Naruto-kun."

"Explain? Explain what? You, of all people, know how dangerous that S-Class trial is! It's suicidal! You know how much I hated it when that old fuck decided to send you to the S-Class trial!" Naruto grasped Ultear's shoulders and yelled. "I don't want to lose you or any other of my friends! I can't lose Erza as well! I have lost mother. That day, I swore I would never let something like that happen ever again!"

The raven-haired girl retained a placid demeanour and kissed her partner's cheek. "I know you're afraid. But I did it for a reason."

"And what is that?"

"Because I told her to do so."

Naruto spun his attention to Erza, who was dressed in a revealing negligee and had an impish smirk curled at her glossy lips.

"Why? Are you out of your mind?" The blond anathematised. "Even my mastery over the Void-Make wasn't enough for me to complete the trial! I resorted in using my flames to win that fucked up shit! Do you know what that means? If it's a game, the difficulty level will be im-friggin'-possible! And even now, I suspected that the old goat was trying to kill me by throwing me into that hellhole of a trial!"

"But-"

The blond stroked her soft cheek and hissed. "You don't understand!"

"I don't want to be a burden to you!"

A silence intruded as Naruto studied Erza's hazel eyes, which were glowing with determination. "I don't want to be a burden to you, Naruto. I'm not that weak and hapless girl who begs for a saviour to come every single day in that godforsaken cell. I'm not her anymore. I have powers and I'm stronger now. I can survive the S-Class trial! I have confidence that I can pass the test. I want to prove to you. So please, trust me."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

Ultear coiled her arms around Naruto's waist and embraced his firm back. "You cannot keep protecting us like this forever. Erza is right. If she wants to be strong, she got to do this."

Naruto sighed and averted his gaze.

Erza brushed her fingers across Naruto's cheeks and felt his whisker marks on her velvet skin. "I only ask you to trust me. Just this once. I will complete the trial, become one of the Kin of Purgatory and stand equally with you. I have been training rigorously for this, Naruto! Please, I beg of you, trust me like you trust Ultear. I will come back to your side after everything is over. I promise you."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "I approve it, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna like it."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Hades was exuberant when Erza, who was dressed in her standard armour, had decided to pay him a visit in his private chamber. "So, have Naruto informed you about my proposal?"

Erza nodded with a solemn expression. "I have decided to prove my worthiness. Henceforth, I will participate in the S-Class trial."

The guild master surveyed the redhead for a peculiar moment before he broke into an elated crackle. "Very well then! Tomorrow, we shall execute our promotion ceremony in the Forest of Death! You will fight and survive through that forest like no other! You shall not be provided with rations, medical supplies or any necessities for survival. Your goal is to complete your quest in the duration of two days."

The redhead narrowed her eyes. "There must be a catch."

"Perceptive, my child." Hades chuckled. "At the end of your journey, you will find your objective. One of the members of the Kin of Purgatory. You will fight that person, dethrone that person and claim what's rightfully yours. It will be the zenith of your accomplishment. However, if you fail, you will die. That is all there is to it."

Erza unsheathed her blade and declared boldly. "I don't need to wait until tomorrow. I will do it now."

The malignant guild master smirked. "I always like that part of you, Erza. Let us begin."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Ultear plucked a piece of grape and chewed the delicious fruit sensually. "Erza is strong, but not strong enough. She won't be able to survive the S-Class trial. She is foolish enough to be persuaded by my deception. She is not worthy to become Naruto-kun's wife. With her out of the picture, Naruto-kun belongsy to me."

The raven-haired beauty smiled in felicity as she watched Naruto slumbering peacefully on her thigh. "I won't let anybody take you away from me, Naruto-kun. Even if I have to betray my conscience and indulge in iniquity, I will do what must be done to keep you by my side. Erza is a hindrance. She is an obstacle that is standing in my way. I won't have it."

Ultear leaned towards Naruto and delivered a passionate kiss on his moist lips. "When Erza dies, I will be there to comfort you. And if need be, I will offer you my chastity to secure our eternal bond. I cannot afford to lose you like how I lose my mother. I love you so much, Naruto."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Erza was transported to a sequestered island. The terrain was inhabited by various hostile monstrosities and served as a training facility. It was also the arena for candidates who aspired for a promotion within Grimoire Heart. She checked her equipment and smiled uneasily.

Erza limbered up before she marched into the jungle.

The sweltering weather was humid and she already felt sweats forming on her forehead. Her venture came to a halt as she noticed ripples scattering from a puddle of water on the ground. Erza studied the environment with vigilance. Her instincts suddenly went into overdrive as a pack of black wolves charged out from the rustling shrubs.

Materialising two swords in her grasp, Erza readied a fighting stance. "I don't want to hurt any of you…"

The wolves' drools spoke volumes of their desire. The redheaded knight took a deep breath before she jumped gracefully in the air. As if on cue, the predators lunged at their potential prey. Adroitly, Erza performed a beatific flip and sliced the approaching wolves in half. Landing elegantly on the soil, Erza beckoned the remnant of the wolf pack to her.

Channelling tamed magic in her forearm, Erza slammed her fist into the skull of a wolf, effectively crushing its head. The redheaded knight grunted as she dashed towards the last wolf, slid down the dirt path and thrust her blade into its snout. Erza panted as she pulled her sword out from her victim's carcass and winced at the scratched marks on her shin. "Damn it."

Ignoring the stinging pain from her bleeding wound, Erza stood up and sheathed her stained weapons. "It's just a scrape. I can do this."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Naruto jolted up from his slumber and gasped. He nursed his throbbing forehead and groaned. He was in his apartment complex; his residence was secluded from the guild's headquarter and his solitary lifestyles made him somewhat enigmatic. "W-What happened? I was talking to Tear-chan… and suddenly I-"

His eyes widened in stupor as he remembered Erza's examination. A spiral of blazing energy enwrapped his frame, illuminating the entire chamber before the light extinguished; Naruto was in his signature outfit, which consisted of a white chesterfield coat, an orange shirt under the jacket, a pair of suit pants and leather-trimmed derby shoes. Adjusting his coat's lapels, Naruto marched out of his chamber.

When he reached the hallway, he stumbled across Ultear who was holding a tray of steaming soup. "N-Naruto-kun? What are you doing? You should be resting in your bedroom. Here, I have prepared this bowl of herbal soup for you."

"I appreciate your kindness, Tear-chan, but I need to see that old man now!" Naruto strode past a vexing Ultear, who had unconsciously crushed the metallic tray with her grip.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

A humongous raptor roared as it darted towards the redheaded knight, dismantling nearby trees in the process. Dexterously, Erza evaded the whiplashes of the gigantic beast's tail with agile steps and was embraced by a black light. She adorned diabolical armours which sported draconic wings from her back and the magic augmented her strength. "It's time for you to meet your maker! Kureha no Yoroi!" (Black Wing Armour)

The knight cried before she pierced her blade through the raptor's spine. The beast twitched aggressively and hurled the redhead to a tree. Erza groaned as she pummelled to the ground and coughed. "What's with this monster? Is it immune to my attacks? Its scales are too tough! This monster must have some weaknesses! I gotta find it!"

Erza performed cartwheels and retreated from the descending claws of the enormous raptor. "Tenrin no Yoroi!" (Heaven's Wheel Armour)

Enveloped by a divine light, Erza was donned in adamantine silver armour. She sprouted her ethereal wings and soared in unimaginable velocity towards the gargantuan beast. With an almighty swing, she cleaved off the torso of the raptor with her swords. Overwhelmed by fatigue, Erza collapsed on the ground and her transcendental armour vaporised.

Regaining her bearing, she mustered her courage and swiped the blood off her blade. "I have to keep moving. It's getting dark."

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

"This gotta stop!" Naruto growled as he observed Erza's trail through a broadcast from magical satellites. "The forest is too dangerous. I don't think she is mentally ready to complete this quest! I suggest we cancel her promotion and-"

"Foolishness, Naruto." Hades clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You have no faith."

Ultear seized her companion's wrist and cooed. "Master is right. Have faith with Erza. I was once like her. When I decided to take the trial, you were worried about me, but it was your faith that kept me moving. Right now, your faith is an important thing to her. What has been done cannot be undone. She must complete the S-Class trial."

Naruto sighed. "You… You are right, Tear-chan. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Ultear returned her gaze back to the holographic screen, but hid her ominous smirk under the shadow. "Now then, Erza, die for my sake!"

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

The climate of the island was hazardous; during nightfall, there would be repugnant blizzards or erratic storms. Erza hugged her shivering body as she trudged into a cavern. She found a fire pit and scanned her vicinity, spotting no sign of danger. "Looks abandoned."

Rainwater dripped from the edge of the fractured dome and Erza hastily ambled towards the liquid source. The redhead collected the chilly water with her cupped hands and took sips from it. She was quivering vigorously, despite her desperate attempts to cease it. Hurriedly, she uncapped her zippo lighter and set the pit ablaze.

Abruptly, her instincts coerced her thoughts and she dodged a hail of arrows. A platoon of armed soldiers emerged within the tenebrous cave and fired shower of projectiles at the redhead.

Erza hid behind a sturdy rock and caught a glimpse of her opponents' uniform; it had her guild's insignia emblazoned on the fabric. "T-That's Grimoire Heart's logo! Is Master Hades trying to kill me?"

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

"That's bullshit!" Naruto roared as he glared at the guild master with disdain.

Hades grinned maliciously as he observed Erza struggling to formulate a feasible plan for a counterattack. "Naïve, Naruto! In order for Erza to become stronger, she must come to terms with killing. Right now, she is having a war. Should she go against her morals? Or should she maintain that fire of righteousness in her heart? Decisions, decisions."

Bluenote chugged down his liquor and chortled. "That girl's greatest weakness is her unwillingness to kill. Right now, our men are standing in her way. If she wants to win, she must cut down those people with her hands! She has no choice!"

"Then get her out of there! Now!" Naruto argued.

The deputy commander shook his head. "It is her decision to take the exam. These are obstacles that she must face in order for her to become a proud elites amongst our ranks! You want to stop her because you refuse to watch as she destroys that purity in her heart. Is that it?"

The blond scowled irately. "So what if I do?"

"You cannot undo what has been done, Naruto!" Hades yelled. "This exam will obliterate her innocence and make her blossom into an emotionless killer!"

"Damn it!" Naruto slammed his fist on the wall and growled. "Erza-chan, I don't want you to participate in this ridiculous exam because I know something like this will happen. Damn it all!"

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

Erza knew what must be done. Her path was obstructed. If she wished to survive and fulfilled her promise to Naruto, she would have to get her hand dirty, even if it meant going against her conscience. She seized Yoto Benisakura, a sacred blade forged by impenetrable steel, and retaliated against the arrows shot at her in rapidly precision.

"They are standing in your way, Erza! Kill them!"

She sliced through the volley of projectiles and plunged her sword into a goon's heart. Swiftly, she pulled out the blade and leaped into the air acrobatically before she bisected two foes in half. In the midst of rage, the swordswoman charged furiously towards the henchmen and eviscerated them.

"They showed no mercy to you! Why should you forgive those who wanted you dead?"

There was one assailant left.

"Can you taste his fear, Erza? Take your sword and put him out of his misery! Do it!"

Erza's eyes were dispassionate as she gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

"Don't do this, Erza-chan! Don't let that instinct overpower you! Fight it!" Naruto gritted his teeth as he watched the swordswoman strolled towards the retreating enemy. She was savouring the fear emanating from the terrified henchman. "There's no turning back, Erza-chan! You stick that sword into him and you-"

Hades, however, grinned. "Do it!"

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

With a demented cry, Erza stabbed her victim's skull with her sword. The macabre mess and blood splattered on her attire while a psychotic smirk tugged at her lips.

~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~.~.S*.o.*U*.o.*N.~

A cliffhanger, eh? Well, Erza has turned bat-shit insane! I don't really blame Ultear for her... mentality. I believe it is only logical. She assumed her mother threw her into some sick laboratory. Anybody who experienced that shit would turn insane. I say she has possessive personality disorder.

Undecided pairings:
1.) NarutoXUltear Milkovich
2.) NarutoXErza
3.) NarutoXIkaruga
4.) NarutoXMirajane
5.) NarutoXCana
6.) NarutoXMinerva
7.) NarutoXKamika
8.) NarutoXJuvia
9.) NarutoXKagura Mikazuchi
10.) NarutoXFlare Corona
11.) NarutoXAngel
12.) NarutoXEclair (From the movie)
13.) NarutoXHarem

Please rate my story and review!