Chapter 271

【"Then, I'll try..."】

【Saying that, Juvia slowly closed her eyes.】

【She began to extend her consciousness toward her body, toward the source of the magic power she had been resisting all along.】

【She began to try to contact this power, instead of letting the power find her like before.】

【Thereby being forced to use magic.】

【Just like what Black Natsu said, change the state of mind.】

【This time... she wanted to try to be her own master, to truly communicate, to feel, to control... that power that was originally out of control.】

【A touch of surprise gradually appeared deep in her heart.】

【So... it's this easy?】

【So, as long as she opens her heart and tries to accept this power, it will respond to her heart with one hundred percent enthusiasm!】

【So, controlling all of this isn't that difficult?!】

【Outside, Black Natsu, Makarov, and Gajeel waited quietly for Juvia, who had her eyes closed.】

【Time passed like flowing water.】

【Gradually, Gajeel could feel that the light drizzle falling from the sky was beginning to decrease?】

【A flash of astonishment crossed his face.】

【"No way... just like that... did she succeed?"】

【Gajeel raised his head, his incredulous eyes staring fixedly at the sky, at the dark clouds that were gradually dissipating.】

【Sunlight... slowly spilled down!】

【Black Natsu watched this scene, raising a smile slightly.】

【His gaze noticed the Teru Teru Bozu that Juvia had been hanging around her neck.】

【He snapped his fingers.】

【The Teru Teru Bozu instantly burst into flames.】

【But, under Black Natsu's exquisite operation, the flames didn't hurt Juvia.】

【Only the scorching temperature woke Juvia up.】

【"Natsu-sama... this..."】

【Watching the Teru Teru Bozu that had been burned to ashes, Juvia was somewhat astonished and puzzled.】

【"You don't need that kind of thing anymore." Black Natsu explained.】

【Then, he pointed to the sky.】

【"Now, as long as you want, the sunlight will tilt for you at any time."】

【Black Natsu's instruction made Juvia notice the clear sky at this moment!】

【"Sky..." Juvia stared blankly at the blue sky.】

【In the distance, a few birds flew past in groups.】

【Loud chirping echoed through the sky.】

【Warm sunlight spilled onto her.】

【This feeling...】

【A feeling she had never had before, as if her gloomy mood had been washed away.】

【From now on, there would be no more clouds in her world.】

【"So... so beautiful..."】

【Tears blurred her vision without her knowing.】

【Watching the sky, Juvia sighed from the bottom of her heart.】

【Black Natsu looked at Makarov: "My business is done, the rest is up to you, Master."】

【"Don't worry." Makarov gave Black Natsu a look.】

【Then, he stepped forward.】

【He stood in front of Gajeel and Juvia.】

【His aged gaze swept over the two of them.】

【Then he revealed a kind smile.】

【"Phantom Lord has disbanded, what do you plan to do next?"】

【Makarov asked the first question.】

【Juvia wiped her eyes.】

【She gritted her teeth: "To be honest, we don't know where to go..."】

【Makarov raised his eyebrows and continued: "If you don't mind, why don't you try coming to our guild?"】

【"Really?" Juvia widened her eyes.】

【Looking at Makarov in horror.】

【Even Gajeel was the same, seemingly unable to imagine that Makarov, who was their enemy not long ago.】

【Would invite them to join Fairy Tail today??】

【Hey hey hey, isn't this a bit too much like a fantasy?】

【But, even more ridiculous things happened again.】

【Facing Makarov's invitation, that woman Juvia actually agreed without even thinking?】

【"If it's Fairy Tail... I'm willing!"】

【Juvia looked at Makarov, her eyes full of determination!】

【"Hey! Are you crazy??"】

【"That's Fairy Tail! We were enemies not long ago, aren't you afraid they'll tear you apart??"】

【"What on earth are you thinking?"】

【Gajeel glared at Juvia in disbelief.】

【Juvia kept rubbing the corners of her clothes: "I think Fairy Tail should be a place worth longing for, right?"】

【"A place that can say those kinds of words should be much better than Phantom Lord, right?"】

【"Lucy is a companion, and also family... whoever wants to take her away, pay with their life! I still remember this sentence firmly in my heart even now."】

【Juvia took a deep breath: "So, I suddenly wanted to try to integrate into it, at least, to experience a life I've never had before."】

【Things went unexpectedly smoothly, making Makarov unable to help but raise a smile.】

【He nodded gently: "A wise choice!"】

["Truly unreasonable!"]

["A completely boring idea!!"]

[Watching the choice Juvia made, Gajeel turned his head away, very displeased.]

[A pair of brows made of iron nails were tightly furrowed together.]

["Mr. Gajeel, do you not intend to go together?"]

[Juvia looked at Gajeel and consoled him:]

["In any case, in a place like Phantom Lord, it was merely to survive. Since it is all about surviving, why... not choose a more meaningful life?"]

[Gajeel turned his head abruptly, his expression complex, one hand constantly pointing at Black Natsu and the others.]

["They are Fairy Tail! Do you even have any idea where the key point is?!"]

["We just destroyed their guild not long ago, and now we are joining Fairy Tail? If that happens, how will people on the outside view us?"]

["How will the people of Fairy Tail view us?"]

[Gajeel took a deep breath: "In any case, if you want to go, then go. I am impossible to go."]

["That..." Juvia still wanted to persuade him, but was stopped by Makarov.]

[He signaled for Juvia to step aside, then cast his gaze onto Gajeel.]

["I will not force anyone." Makarov smiled.]

[He spoke indifferently: "However, what will you do next?"]

[Gajeel crossed his arms and turned around, his back to Makarov: "So what if I do?"]

["I haven't decided yet."] ===== CHAPTER 569 =====

["However, things will work out when the bridge reaches the boat."]

[Watching the stubborn Gajeel, Makarov sighed softly.]

["May I ask you a question?"]

[He said.]

["Huh?" Gajeel tilted his head.]

["I want to know, when you came to wage war against us, what were you really thinking in your heart?"]

[As soon as these words were spoken, Gajeel's heart sank heavily.]

[But, before Gajeel could answer, Makarov's words continued to ring out.]

["To you, what kind of existence is Phantom Lord?"]

["How do you view the guild?"]

["And how do you view mages?"]

[The series of questions left Gajeel somewhat at a loss.]

[After a long silence, he sighed helplessly: "How is this a single question?"]

["It is the same question."]

[Makarov took a step, passed Gajeel, and arrived in front of him.]

[His gaze fixed on the distant sky.]

["Simply put, I want to know how you view yourself as a person?"]

["As long as it is an order issued by Jose, can you do anything, no matter what it is?"]

["Is he truly an absolute existence to you?"]

["If that is really the case, then what difference is there between you and a puppet?"]

["I don't think you are such a shallow man."]

[Makarov's soul-searching question caused Gajeel to experience a moment of confusion.]

[With his brows tightly furrowed, a thought of wanting to escape suddenly emerged.]

["Are you annoying or what? In any case, just stop bothering me!"]

[Makarov shook his head, turned around, and fixed his gaze on Gajeel.]

["Why must you jump into the darkness yourself?"]

[Gajeel stared blankly at the gaze Makarov cast toward him.]

[It was strange; clearly, he was just looking at him, but why... did he feel his heart tremble?]

[The kindness contained in that gaze seemed to be something Gajeel had rarely encountered.]

[It was somewhat unfamiliar, but he did not feel annoyed?]

["Perhaps some people like loneliness, but... no one can truly endure loneliness."]

[Makarov sighed with emotion.]

[In an instant! It was as if Gajeel's innermost thoughts had been completely grasped by Makarov.]

[A feeling arose for no reason.]

[Completely enveloping Gajeel!]

[That feeling... was like... grievance...]

[Yes, grievance!]

[No one wants to be lonely, even Gajeel is no exception.]

[But, in Phantom Lord, in that place where strength is supreme.]

[There were no friends, no companions! There was only competition!]

[There was only violence.]

[Once upon a time, did Gajeel really not want to make a few close friends?]

[Did he really not want to laugh and chat with others?]

[It was not that; because of his strangeness, a freak who ate iron, everyone stayed away from him.]

[They even bullied him and mocked him!]

[In that place where thoughts were twisted, only by making himself strong could he have a voice, and only then could he truly protect himself!]

[But... the price for this was being misunderstood, with everyone fearing him.]

[Everyone would want to stay away from him even more.]

[He could only stay in a corner alone forever, eating food others didn't understand alone, executing missions alone, and wandering in that dark place alone.]

[Gajeel once thought he had long since abandoned these grievances through strength.]

[But why, at this moment, were they surging out like a tide?]

[Why??]

[Gajeel did not understand, and his expression gradually became flustered.]

["I... I destroyed your guild!"]

["I stopped caring about that a long time ago. Besides, haven't you already been punished? I heard you were beaten up pretty badly by this kid."]

[Makarov looked at Black Natsu, who was standing to the side with his arms crossed.]

[To this, Black Natsu shrugged.]

[Makarov seemed to have thought of something else, and said with a smile: "Besides, didn't that brat just go and ask Crawford? Our new guild will be built soon."]

["It's the first time I've seen that arrogant guy look so ugly, hahaha!"]

[Makarov's laughter did not alleviate Gajeel's panic.]

[Realizing he had told a cold joke, Makarov coughed twice.]

[His expression became serious again.]

["In any case, if I were to ignore a young man about to fall into darkness... I think I would be even less able to forgive myself."]

[Gajeel's body began to tremble slightly.]

[He seemed to feel a bit ashamed.]

[Gajeel bit his teeth tightly.]

[His fists pounded against his thighs repeatedly.]

["Damn it... damn it... I..."]

[Makarov stared straight at Gajeel, then slowly extended his palm.]

["I am not trying to save you, Gajeel!"]

["I am just trying to guide you toward the path of the future."]

["Will you move forward bravely... or stop in your tracks?"]

["All of this is entirely up to you to decide!"]

["But, no matter what, you must remember that not everyone has given up on you, Gajeel!"]

["I... a person like me..." Perhaps out of instinct, or perhaps out of fear of a dark future.]

[Gajeel tremblingly extended his hand and firmly grasped Makarov's palm.]

[At this moment, Makarov smiled as if a burden had been lifted.]

["Then, Fairy Tail, welcome!"]

[Behind them, Black Natsu, with his arms crossed, looked toward Juvia.]

[At this moment, this girl seemed to have truly felt Makarov's sincere heart.]

[Tears had already fallen down her cheeks.]

["Can... can we really join such a guild? Wuwuwu..."]

[Black Natsu shook his head and murmured with a smile:]

["Geez, I can only say, as expected of the Master; he really has a knack for pulling people in."]

["Even I was a bit moved."]

[Makarov seemed to have heard Black Natsu's murmur.]

[He turned his head and raised a smug smile.] ===== CHAPTER 570 =====