Chapter 223

[Makarov, with a gloomy face, didn't explain too much.]

["Just wait quietly for the result."]

[Just at this moment!]

[Bang!]

[The tightly closed door was kicked open violently.]

[Loke, wearing a green jacket and gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, rushed in.]

["Everyone!! They're back!!"]

["Back? Natsu and the others?"]

["What about Erza? And Mira-nee? Are they all back??"]

["They haven't been gone for long, what happened?"]

[Facing the confusion of the guild members, Loke also shook his head in a daze.]

["I'm not sure, anyway, look for yourselves."]

[Saying this, Loke stepped aside, and through the open door, everyone could clearly see the three figures appearing at the end of the street.]

[They wouldn't be wrong; having grown up together, they would definitely not recognize Black Natsu and the others wrong.]

[Even Makarov, who was sitting on the bar counter with a gloomy face, breathed a sigh of relief.]

["It's good that they're back... it's good that they're back..."]

["It's just that the trial ended so quickly, I'm afraid they don't know what charges were pinned on them, and I don't know how much money they have to pay, but..."]

["Money is just an external object, as long as they are safe."]

[With this thought, Makarov jumped off the bar and walked forward.]

[Soon the three returned to the guild amidst the cheers of the crowd.]

["Are you guys okay?"]

[In the crowded crowd, Makarov squeezed in, his worried gaze constantly scanning the three figures in the darkness.]

[To this, Erza shook her head gently: "Don't worry, we're fine."]

["That's good..." Makarov breathed a sigh of relief.]

["Speaking of which, what was the verdict this time, how much money do we have to pay??"]

[Facing Makarov's inquiry, Erza and Mirajane looked at each other, their expressions a bit strange.]

["What's wrong? Speak up, you two?"]

[Makarov, who didn't get an answer in time, was a bit panicked.]

[Black Natsu said nonchalantly: "Nothing, we just paid for a guild building."]

[As soon as this was said!]

[Makarov's whole body stiffened violently!!!]

[The crowd surrounding them also instantly felt as if they had been struck by lightning!]

[Stood frozen in place!!]

[Lucy's eyes gradually widened, her mouth opened involuntarily. 767 [Her voice trembled as she asked: "A... a guild building??"]

[Erza and Mirajane nodded gently.]

["Master! Master! What's wrong with you??"]

["Pull yourself together!!"]

[Mirajane's voice just fell, and Makarov rolled his eyes directly, almost falling straight to the ground.]

[Fortunately, Lisanna and Levy caught Makarov in time.]

["You... you guys move aside..."]

[Makarov pushed Lisanna and Levy away with trembling hands.]

[Staggering forward two steps.]

[As if the whole world was spinning.]

[The old body showed behavior belonging to this age for the first time.]

[The whole person was walking crookedly.]

[His whole body was trembling uncontrollably...]

[Lisanna wanted to step forward to support Makarov with concern.]

[But was immediately rejected by Makarov: "Don't worry about me, my blood pressure is just a bit high, I'll be fine if I just kick the bucket."]

[While speaking, he turned his head tremblingly to look at this place where he had lived for decades.]

[Tears kept gathering in his eyes.]

["It's over... it's over... if the First and Second Masters know about this, they will kill me... they will definitely kill me..."]

["I actually... actually... paid for the guild..."]

["I... I... I."]

["Master, what are you doing?" Black Natsu looked at Makarov strangely.]

["The compensation I mentioned is the Council, paying us for a guild building."]

[Black Natsu crossed his arms and said so.]

[Makarov's trembling body paused violently!]

[He turned his head and blinked: "You... what did you say?"]

["I said, the Magic Council compensated us for a new guild building." Black Natsu repeated it again.]

[Perhaps such a thing was too shocking.]

[The whole guild hesitated for two seconds.]

[Constantly pondering Black Natsu's words, and the moment they understood it...]

["Ah?!!!"]

[After a long while, Makarov gradually came back to his senses.]

[He asked in detail what had happened.]

[Under the vivid description of Erza and Mirajane, everyone finally understood what had happened.]

[And everyone couldn't help but marvel at Black Natsu's boldness and meticulousness.]

[For so many years, this was the first time Fairy Tail had vented its anger at the Magic Council.]

[Who could have thought that the person who was supposed to be judged would not only be safe and sound, but also swindle the Magic Council out of a luxury guild building?]

[This kind of thing is too much of a fantasy, right?]

[To celebrate the safe return of Black Natsu and the others, and also because the guild was about to be renovated.]

[Everyone immediately decided to hold a banquet.]

[That night, the joyful sounds of the Fairy Tail members resounded through the sky.]

[The banquet lasted until very late.]

[Countless people were dead drunk, one after another falling directly on the floor, chairs, bar counter, etc...]

[People were lying everywhere in the guild, and the sound of snoring gradually replaced the noise.]

[Hoo...]

[Black Natsu couldn't help but smile as he watched Mirajane fall straight down in front of him.]

[With his dragon constitution, drinking was just like drinking water.]

[It was not a problem at all.]

[Mirajane, overestimating her abilities, came to challenge him to a drinking contest, which was purely asking for humiliation.]

["Hehe... don't run... today... I must drink you..."]

[Mirajane, who had already fallen on the table, smacked her lips, making an indistinct sound.]

[Black Natsu shook his head gently upon hearing this.]

["What a stubborn guy."]

[A breeze blew in from the open window, and Mirajane, who was lying on the table, couldn't help but shiver.]

[This scene fell into Black Natsu's eyes.]

[He smiled helplessly, then took off his jacket and covered Mirajane gently.]

Outside the screen.

Lisanna: "I didn't expect this Black Natsu to be quite a warm guy?"

Mirajane: "Yes, hidden under a powerful exterior is a gentle heart."

Lisanna: "Mira-nee, aren't you feeling warmed by Black Natsu's actions?"

Erza: "Huh? That's a person from a different world, Mira, think twice!"

Mirajane: "What are you talking about? I'm just feeling emotional about this kind of behavior. I didn't expect Black Natsu from that world to have such a warm side."

Lucy: "After all, that's Black Natsu. I feel like both his IQ and EQ are very online."

Gray: "Speaking of which, what's up with these girls? Isn't it just a simple action? Is this worth being surprised about?"

Juvia: "That's why Gray-sama doesn't understand girls."

Wendy: "Yes, for girls, often a small detail can warm their hearts for a whole day."

Carla: "Wendy, it's useless to tell these idiots these things~~."

"These people have muscles growing in their brains."

Elfman: "What? I, Elfman, don't accept this! A man!!!"

Evergreen: "You better shut up, you have the most muscles in your brain. Sigh... speaking of which, why are the men in our guild all like this?"

[The screen continues.]

[Black Natsu, who covered Mirajane with his jacket, moved his shoulders, making a crackling sound.]

[His gaze glanced toward the second floor.]

[As if sensing something, his lips curled up slightly, and he took steps toward the second floor.]

["Yo! You didn't get drunk with those guys?"]

[Just as Black Natsu stepped onto the second floor, a frivolous voice rang out.]

[Black Natsu's gaze followed.]

[That was the second-floor railing, where a leather sofa was placed.]

[On the sofa, a blonde man wearing a coat and headphones was leaning on the sofa, closing his eyes to rest.]

["You know, Dragon Slayers don't get drunk that easily."]

[Black Natsu walked to the balcony, beside Laxus's sofa, and leaned his hands on the railing, watching the chaotic scene below.]

["When did you get back?"]

[Black Natsu asked.]

[Laxus opened his eyes: "Just got back not long ago. Heard you completed the 100-year quest, congratulations."]

[Looking at the figure in front of him, Laxus said.]

[For such words, Laxus wouldn't feel awkward.]

[After all... the guy in front of him has the strength to make him treat him like this!]

[Black Natsu responded: "You're not bad either, an SSS-level mission, truly amazing, you!"]

["The next step should be the 100-year quest, right?"]

["Of course!" Laxus smiled.]

[Looking directly at the figure in front of him, and recalling the transformation after this life-and-death mission, Laxus seemed to feel that he had regained his former arrogance.]

["I seem to feel that the gap between me and you is getting smaller and smaller."]

["Even... maybe I can beat you already!"]

[Black Natsu's face had no fluctuation upon hearing this.]

["Is that so? Looks like you've become much stronger, maybe it's really possible."]

["Speaking of which, it seems we haven't fought in many years."]

["Five years!" Laxus grinned.]

["I remember very clearly! For these five years, every day, every moment, every second! I have been recalling that S-class Black Mage exam."]

["That is my nightmare. One day, I will personally take it back."]

[Black Natsu turned his head to look at Laxus.]

[Their eyes collided in mid-air.]

["Looks like your thoughts have never changed."]

["Yes! How could they change? For so many years, I have been thinking about getting revenge on you!"]

[Laxus also stood up from his seat.]

[The manic lightning seemed unable to be suppressed, releasing and striking the wooden floor, leaving behind streaks of black marks.]

["You, who have been dragged down by those weak guys below for so many years, seem to have lost your original arrogance."]

["I don't think I've ever been arrogant, have I?"]

["No! You were! That kind of arrogance blooming from your bones! Although you never showed it, I could feel it back then."]

["That arrogance of wanting to crush whoever it is, you seem to have lost it!"]

[Laxus glanced downward.]

[A look of disgust flashed in his eyes at those guys who were dead drunk.]

["So, hanging out with these guys, even you will be assimilated by those so-called... companions?"]

[Speaking of this, Laxus laughed disdainfully.]

["That kind of ridiculous thing."]

["You really don't understand anything." Black Natsu sighed and shook his head.]

["I don't need to understand!" Laxus responded.]

[As if there was no need to stay any longer, Laxus turned around.]

["To be honest, the current you makes me a bit disappointed."]

["A tiger that has lost its fangs is destined to be replaced."]

[Black Natsu ignored him, just feeling it was a bit funny.]

[Laxus took a deep breath and didn't speak anymore, but the veins on his cheeks were already popping.]

[His fists couldn't stop clenching.]

["What a bunch of ridiculous guys. The old man is like this, that uncle is like this, and now even this guy is like this..."]

["...companion..."]

[He took a step.]

["I don't need that kind of thing!"]

[Zzzzt!!!]

[Instantly, Laxus turned into a brilliant golden lightning bolt and disappeared from the spot.]

[Black Natsu, who remained in place, just leaned on the railing.]

["Arrogance?"]

[He whispered.]

[In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the moment many years ago in the Galactic Empire, facing that overwhelming terrifying pressure.]

[His fist clenched involuntarily.]

[But soon it loosened, and his lips curled up slowly.]

[Laxus's last sentence was right.]

[A tiger that has lost its fangs is destined to be replaced.]

[But...]

[Has he really lost his arrogance?]

[Heh! No, Black Natsu knows better than anyone.]

[He has never lost this arrogance of looking down on the world, and even... after the battle with Acnologia.]

[His confidence in himself has become even more intense.]

[It's just that this confidence has long been hidden deeper in his heart.]

[Once, Makarov asked Black Natsu a question!]

[To what extent has Black Natsu reached now.]

[At that time, Black Natsu's answer was very vague, making Makarov think it was just the level of the first in the younger generation.]

[But Black Natsu knew clearly!]