Too Close for Comfort 5

But before he could do anything, his magic reacted and the black mist that was suspended in his necklace when the black most from that young man hit him on Tenrou Island was swallowed into Naruto's body.

Naruto doesn't know what they are made of. But at that moment, he felt the most discomfort he ever felt. It was like drinking magma, the black mist's whole journey was burning his throat and at last, he swallowed it completely.

A black magic circle lit beneath him, he didn't understand it or rather, he didn't have the time or energy to understand it. He stood there as if resigned to his fate and ready to be killed in the eyes of Lock. Then it happened. He shouted the first thing he got in his mind.

"Particle Deterioration," said Naruto. He didn't know what this meant or what the attack was. Particle Deterioration is a light style attack that will work much like the attack that skilled Basil from inside.

For that to happen, he should inject the light particles in his enemy's body and can detonate at any time, but it will be very painful and it is in white colour.

The attack he said was not white. It was a black and white mist that lunged at Lock as he is the nearest living substance and Naruto saw it with his own eyes, Lock's body decay as if he was turned into stone and dispersed in front of him.

"What is this? What does that feel like Ba-" what lock was about to say was cut off as the magic reached his mouth and he was frozen and dispersed in grey ashes.

'Phew. That was close. I can't be reckless with anyone' thought Naruto in relief. He didn't understand what he did or what Lock was about to say. He just thanked his lucky stars to make out alive without showing his true magic to the world and the Magic Council in particular.

He still remembered Makarov's warning about being careful with the Magic Council. He is not going to let his guard down till he does something about them.

He went and released the barrier that was guarding the Rune Knights. As the barrier was released, he saw a man walk towards him with a look of relief on his face.

"Mr Naruto, we thank you for your help. Though we can't understand what happened, we don't want to make this an issue" said the man. Naruto read between the lines.

'You are strong and what you showed here were not in records and we are not going to report them' was what the guy in front of him told Naruto.

"I thank you for that, Mr-"

"Cloe, Captain Cloe of Rune Knights 1st combat division," said Captain Cloe.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain," said Naruto and they both shook hands.

"I must admit, your promotion and position as the Youngest S-class is not any exaggeration"

"Thank you. Are all your men ok?"

"Yes. None of them is harmed due to your efforts and I'm grateful for that" said Cloe. Naruto thought the man would leave as all his men were fine, but he still stood there examining the surroundings.

"Is something wrong, Captain,?" Asked Naruto.

"Well, we should go to Era and as it is almost sundown, I'm searching for a nice place to camp," he said with a sigh.

"Oh, there used to be a village here, but because of my fight with this Undead, it was destroyed. I don't think you should rest here"

"Well, then guide us to a good location to rest" asked Cloe.

"Um, well, I must go. Sirius is waiting for me" said Naruto. Cloe moved forward and put his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Not so fast, young man. I want you to give me a quick rundown of things that happened here and accompany me to Era" said Cloe, his voice turning stern at the end.

"Era? Why?" Asked Naruto in a confused tone. 'I didn't do anything out of place. Then what is it that the Council needs from me? Did I do something wrong that I missed?' Thought Naruto.

"No, it's nothing wrong. The Magic Council summoned you long ago, but due to your continuous jobs, I think you didn't get informed about this from your Guild. I was primarily sent here to inform you about the trap and bring you back to Era" explained Cloe slowly. Naruto understood it clearly now.

"Interesting. What does the Council want me for?" asked Naruto in a jovial tone?

"I don't know. I think it's just a routine check they like to do on strong mages or something else I don't know" said Cloe in a tired tone and shrugged.