Chapter 81

[This warmth is what he longed for.]

[Recalling Anna's care earlier, the warmth in Black Natsu's heart became even more intense.]

[Soon, a sumptuous dinner was brought out by Anna.]

[The aroma was fragrant, and in an instant, it hooked Black Natsu's appetite.]

["Eat quickly, I know you have a big appetite, there is still a lot inside."]

[Anna brought a stool and sat opposite Black Natsu, her gaze watching Black Natsu who was eating at this moment.]

[The smile on her cheeks was even more obvious.]

["You don't know, during the time you were away, Gajeel was talking about you every day."]

["Oh? Is he looking to challenge me again?"]

[Black Natsu responded with a smile while eating.]

[Anna nodded: "Yes, it is said that he has developed some powerful move and wants to come to you for a sparring session."]

["I don't have time to deal with that little brat."]

[Anna laughed even more happily: "Clearly you are also just a little brat, right?"]

["That's just my apparent age, I've actually matured long ago."]

[Natsu joked without raising his head.]

[Perhaps, only in front of Anna, or Irene, and Igneel, could he laugh so carefree and openly.]

[Black Natsu thought silently, and was also enjoying this hard-won relaxing time to the fullest.]

[Afterwards, he still had training tasks, he was in a coma for a month last time.]

[The training during this month must be made up for.]

["Fine, fine, fine, you've become a little adult, right?" Anna shook her head with a smile.]

[Then her gaze looked at Black Natsu, and Anna became serious.]

["By the way, you must have gained a lot from your travels during this time? Do you want to tell Teacher Anna about it?"]

["Of course, no problem."]

[Saying that, Black Natsu began his narration.]

[However, Black Natsu didn't talk about some dangerous places, such as battles with dragons, life-and-death crises, etc.]

[That kind of thing has already passed, and talking about it, besides causing Anna's worry, is of no use.]

[It's better not to say it.]

[Black Natsu only wanted to see Anna's happy appearance, the appearance of being proud of him.]

[So, he specifically chose some novel experiences, beautiful scenery, etc., to talk about.]

[Anna was also very interested, supporting her chin with one hand, listening quietly to Black Natsu talking endlessly, and occasionally interjecting a few words.]

[It wasn't until Black Natsu finished telling about this journey that Anna asked with a smile.]

["Then... did you find the answer you wanted on this journey?"]

[Hearing Anna's question, Black Natsu's eating action also stopped.]

[He paused slightly, as if thinking of many things.]

[The violent strong man in the village, the innocent women and children, the war caused by the evil dragon clan.]

[And gentle people and dragons like Irene and Belserion.]

[He thought of a lot.]

[There is the evil of human nature, and there is also the kindness that radiates the light of human nature.]

[There are dragons that are selfless and don't ask for return.]

[There are also evil dragons that are violent and full of blood and fire.]

[Thinking of this, Black Natsu raised a smile slightly.]

[Facing Anna, he nodded heavily.]

["In this world, there is no absolute distinction between hostility, and there is no such thing as humans being the rations of giant dragons."]

[Good and evil determine the direction of all this, but even good and evil can be overturned.]

["So, this is an unsolvable problem, human nature is complex, but sometimes it is pure."]

[Irene's face flashed in his mind unconsciously.]

[Black Natsu said softly:]

["There are always some people who, even if they are in the darkness, will think about bringing light to others."]

["And all I need to do is be myself, that's enough!"]

["As for right and wrong, that's something for others to evaluate, and that has nothing to do with me, I only do myself!"]

[Listening to Black Natsu's words, the smile on Anna's face became even thicker.]

[Her gaze looked at Black Natsu softly.]

["You have really... grown up."]

[She took a deep breath: "Go back after eating, Igneel is still waiting for you."]

["During the time you were away, he missed you very much."]

[There was one more sentence that Anna didn't say, and that was that the time left for them to meet was already running out.]

[Black Natsu raised his eyebrows at this.]

[Although he knew that Igneel had been in his vicinity during this time, he didn't expose it. Sometimes, it's better for people to live a little confused.]

[Otherwise, if he exposed it, where would Igneel's face go?]

[Igneel's face couldn't be saved, then he would undoubtedly be beaten up.]

[So he nodded gently.]

["By the way, haven't you had class recently?" Black Natsu asked.]

[Speaking of this, Anna nodded gently, it hadn't been on since yesterday, the children were all accompanying their parents.]

["So that's it."]

[Black Natsu seemed to understand something, and after eating the food on the table like a whirlwind.]

[He got up to bid farewell to Anna, ready to leave and return to the habitat in his memory.]

[At the moment of leaving, Black Natsu also took out an exquisite necklace from his arms.]

["This is a necklace I bought in the human world, I think Teacher Anna will look great wearing it, so I'll go first."]

[Looking at the necklace in her hand, Anna's face blossomed with a smile: "This brat."]

["By the way, we will have a party tomorrow, everyone will be there, don't be late."]

["Ah! I know."]

[Black Natsu waved his hand towards the back, and his figure gradually disappeared into the jungle.]

[On the other side, in an open space that had been cleared by humans.]

[Igneel was lying here, one eye opening from time to time, looking forward, and after finding no movement, closing it slowly again.]

[Not long after, it couldn't help but open it again.]

[And closed it again...]

[This cycle repeated, until a familiar scent came from the jungle in front.]

[Igneel quickly closed its eyes, and the sound of snoring also rang out.]

[As if it didn't notice the person who had already walked in front of it at all.]

["Really, old man, I brought you a gift."]

[The slight sound echoed in Igneel's ears.]

[Igneel then pretended to have just woken up and slowly opened its eyes.]

["Hmph! Who do I think it is, isn't this my son who has been missing for a long time?"]

[Igneel slowly climbed up, raised its hands, and stretched lazily in a nonchalant manner.]

[As if it didn't care at all, it hugged its hands and looked elsewhere.]

["You still know how to come back?"]

[Black Natsu rubbed his forehead with a bitter smile.]

["I brought you a gift, a priceless gem bought with a huge reward, giant dragons outside all like this stuff."]

[Igneel opened one eye, glanced sideways at the huge gem Black Natsu took out from his arms, and raised his eyebrows.]

["It seems you've made a fortune in the human world!"]