Chapter 125

"If that's really the case…"

Makarov's expression was equally solemn: "The Akatsuki Organization is certainly not something Fairy Tail alone can confront—we must invite outside help."

Makarov had absolute trust in his own Fairy Queen, Erza.

As one of the next-generation candidates for guild master, Erza would never joke about something like this; moreover, Erza never joked at all. Since Erza said Fairy Tail alone cannot defeat the Akatsuki Organization,

then there would be no doubt—Fairy Tail definitely cannot defeat the Akatsuki Organization.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"If I can assist in any way, please don't hesitate to say so."

At this moment, Aizen Sōsuke, looking at the somber hall, smiled slightly and said: "As captain of the Thirteenth and Fifth Divisions of the Soul Society, I have a certain degree of confidence in my own strength."

"I can certainly be of some assistance."

"Moreover, because I am a soul entity, my perception abilities are still very strong."

"With a little time, I should be able to locate the Akatsuki Organization's stronghold—Amegakure."

As he spoke, Aizen Sōsuke revealed some basic intelligence about the Akatsuki Organization and Amegakure.

In Lin Cheng's subsequent arrangements, Aizen Sōsuke would lead the expeditionary force to locate the Amegakure domain that Lin Cheng had deliberately placed at a specific location.

Otherwise, unless Lin Cheng caused the Amegakure domain to appear, almost no one could find the Amegakure domain hidden within space.

"With Aizen Sōsuke's help, it would be perfect."

"With this, our probability of successfully eliminating the Akatsuki Organization will increase dramatically!"

Nearby, Lucy clenched her fist silently as she watched Aizen Sōsuke within the city limits.

Precisely because she had witnessed Aizen Sōsuke's true strength at the Tower of Paradise, Lucy was extremely confident about the upcoming campaign against the Akatsuki Organization.

Before returning to Magnolia, while still on the express train, Lucy had already asked Aizen Sōsuke curiously what level he ranked among the Akatsuki Organization's members.

Aizen Sōsuke's reply was very simple: "Roughly among the strongest." With Aizen Sōsuke fighting the Akatsuki Organization's strongest, the rest could be handled by others.

"Hahaha."

"With Aizen Sōsuke here, it couldn't be better."

Looking at Aizen Sōsuke, Makarov also smiled.

But before Makarov could say anything more, Fairy Tail's tightly closed guild door was suddenly slammed open.

Leading the way was a young man wearing a cloak, his face wearing an arrogant, insolent expression, followed by several other youths of similar age.

This young man with the arrogant expression was one of Fairy Tail's top combatants—Makarov's grandson, the Lightning-Style Dragon Slayer, Laxus, possessing top-tier S-Class Mage strength.

Had there been more than ten positions on the Ten Wizard Saints list, Laxus had a real chance of becoming the lowest-ranked Wizard Saint; in the original story, seven years later he even defeated Jura, ranked fifth among the Ten Wizard Saints.

"Laxus?"

"Why are you back now?"

Erza frowned deeply as she watched Laxus walk in directly.

For Laxus, who had refused to come to Fairy Tail's aid during the full-scale war with Phantom Lord while Fairy Tail was on the brink of defeat, Erza had absolutely no goodwill.

Not just Erza alone.

Besides Lucy, the new recruit, and Natsu, whose brain was faulty, everyone else's expressions were grim.

But this was perfectly normal—just as mentioned earlier, the full-scale war between Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail had not passed too long ago.

And most importantly, at that time, Makarov—Laxus's grandfather—had nearly been killed by the enemy.

It was hard not to care.

"It's really hilarious—why can't I return now?"

"And when did Fairy Tail start needing outsiders to save us?"

Laxus looked at the Fairy Tail members with a sneer: "Last time, during the Phantom Lord incident, we were saved by an outsider."

"Grandpa, Fairy Tail is really going downhill."

"Since you're already so old, why not just hand over the guild master position to me? Let me show you how to properly run it."

As Laxus finished speaking, everyone's already grim expressions turned even darker; Natsu, with his single-minded nature, charged straight toward Laxus.

"Laxus, you bastard."

"Today I'm going to beat you senseless…"

Boom!

Without any surprise, Natsu was cleanly stomped under Laxus's foot.

At this stage, the gap between Natsu and Laxus is still enormous—in the original story, Natsu wouldn't reach Laxus's level until after the Tartaros arc.

Now, because Natsu's experiences haven't been as extensive as in the original story, his strength is slightly weaker than his original counterpart at the same stage.

So now, Natsu has even less chance of defeating Laxus.

"Natsu."

"It's been a while, and you still haven't learned."

Laxus looked down at Natsu, who was frantically struggling beneath his foot, and chuckled: "Still don't recognize the gap between us?"

"An A-Class Mage like you keeps trying to challenge an S-Class Mage like me."

"I don't know whether to call it brave or arrogant."