Chapter 177

【Time fast-forwards to the next day.】

【Just like in the white world, the few little ones here no longer have any lessons.】

【Today, the five giant dragons have all brought their children to this forest to attend that final gathering.】

【The moment they saw Black Natsu, the eyes of the few little ones all lit up.】

【They stepped forward one after another to express their longing and to ask what the outside world was really like.】

【Gajeel, in particular, had been holding back for a long time.】

【He just wanted to find Black Natsu and test out the new moves he had been researching.】

【However...】

【This was almost a battle without any suspense.】

【Even Black Natsu from half a year ago was already far ahead of Gajeel.】

【Not to mention the Black Natsu of today, whose strength has undergone a heaven-shaking transformation over the past six months.】

【With almost no effort at all, Gajeel was beaten one-handedly by Black Natsu.】

【That insurmountable gap almost drove Gajeel to despair.】

【Although he used to be beaten one-sidedly before, it was very obvious that the current Black Natsu was even more relaxed and composed, as if... he had casually swatted away an ant.】

【The defeated Gajeel didn't even have the heart for the upcoming gathering; his mind was entirely filled with how to surpass the current Black Natsu.】

【However, Sting and Rogue were quite happy; after all, they had already graduated from Anna's care, and mischievous children are always high-spirited.】

【But Anna seemed to have discovered something and came to sit down beside Black Natsu.】

【"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"】

【Black Natsu, who had been watching the dragons with their arms around each other and the Dragon Slayers being mischievous, snapped out of his daze.】

【Then he shook his head gently.】

【"It's nothing."】

【"Really?"】

【Anna looked at Black Natsu suspiciously.】

【Hearing this, Black Natsu took the opportunity to show a smile.】

【"Don't worry, Teacher Anna! I'm really fine, just a little unaccustomed to things, I'll be better soon."】

【"That's true, after all, you've been outside for so long, it's normal not to be used to it."】

【Anna nodded gently, then took a skewer of roasted beast leg from the barbecue grill behind her.】

【She handed it to Black Natsu.】

【"Here! Your favorite."】

【Black Natsu didn't stand on ceremony; he took the skewer and began to eat it with relish.】

【At the very least, he appeared very happy, no different from the other little ones.】

Mavis: "Black Natsu must have sensed something, right?"

Makarov: "That's for certain. Unlike our thick-headed Natsu here, Black Natsu seems to have particularly keen observational skills."

"He must have caught that hint of sadness that comes with an impending farewell."

Natsu: "Hey, Master, do you have to belittle me every single time?"

Makarov: "This isn't belittling you, it's just stating facts."

"And, to be honest, I don't even know how your brain grew, why is the difference so big?"

"Could it be... that you hit your head when you were little?"

Speaking of this, Makarov had a sudden epiphany!

His bright eyes stared fixedly at Natsu in the guild.

"That's it! You must have hit your head when you were little; otherwise, why would you be so different in every aspect despite being the same person?"

Makarov's analysis seemed to answer the doubts of everyone in the guild!

Countless people suddenly realized.

Erza: "So... that's how it is?"

Gray: "Now that you mention it, it seems to make sense; Natsu's brain must have been broken from a fall."

Gildarts: "Everyone, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have to take the blame for this!"

"When Natsu was a little brat, every time he fought me, I aimed for his head."

"Now it seems that's probably the aftereffect from back then, sigh... it's all my fault!"

Mirajane: "Actually, that might not be it; after all, Black Natsu has been smart since he was little."

"In other words, our Natsu here has had a broken brain since he was a child."

Happy: "Pfft~~ Natsu's brain is broken!!!"

Natsu: "Hey! That's enough from you guys! How could I be that bad! Aren't I quite smart at times?"

Gajeel: "Hmm, that cannot be denied, but I prefer to call it the occasional flash of brilliance from a stupid idiot."

The Fairy Tail guild was filled with joy.

And the scene on the screen continued.

【The banquet gradually dispersed as the sky grew late.】

【The few Dragon Slayers bid farewell to Anna one after another, then followed their parents and left the forest.】

【Until this moment, perhaps they never thought that this parting would make it difficult to meet again.】

【At night, the faint glow of the stars sprinkled into the forest.】

【Igneel sat cross-legged in his habitat.】

【Listening to the soft breathing coming from Black Natsu, who was leaning against him.】

【He raised his massive head and looked at the sky.】

【His expression was somewhat lonely.】

【He seemed to recall that figure, that figure... bathed in dragon blood.】

【"Acnologia..."】

【Igneel whispered softly.】

【Then, he looked down at the sleeping Black Natsu.】

【A human-like smile appeared on his ferocious dragon face.】

【"Natsu..."】

【Igneel whispered.】

【Hmm...】

【Black Natsu seemed to still be fast asleep, and he turned over to make himself more comfortable.】

【"You've become stronger!"】

【Igneel sighed with emotion.】

【"In these past six months, I wanted to help you countless times, but I held back."】

【"And you have truly proven that even without relying on me, or anyone else, you can be this outstanding."】

【Seeming to think of something, Igneel couldn't help but laugh.】

【"Even at such a young age, you've already found a devoted wife; that's truly remarkable."】

【"I am proud of you! Natsu."】

【Igneel murmured softly like this.】